Star Wars: Heir to the Empire
by Timothy Zahn (Bantam Spectra, 1991)
audiobook read by Marc Thompson (Random House, 2011)
The novel that triggered a publishing avalanche. Zahn deserves credit for his treatment of old favourites, for developing a subdued, somewhat cynical military/political setting post- Return of the Jedi, and in the person of Thrawn for taking adversaries in a new direction.
Star Wars: Thrawn—Treason
by Timothy Zahn (Del Rey, 2019)
audiobook read by Marc Thompson (Cornerstone, 2019)
Zahn has a knack for crafting ingenious military/physics-based problems and solutions within the context of Star Wars lore. He also, unfortunately, favours extreme and one-dimensional characterisations. Assistant Director Ronan proves an especially petulant, whiny example, rendered borderline unlistenable in Thompson’s audiobook reading.
Star Wars: Thrawn – Alliances
by Timothy Zahn (Century, 2018)
Zahn’s big picture storytelling doesn’t amount to much but Thrawn remains good value in the moment – a military virtuoso with Sherlockian powers of observation and deduction. Here the chronologically removed but intertwined narratives pair him with both Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader.
Star Wars: Thrawn
by Timothy Zahn (Century, 2017)
Grand Admiral Thrawn must rank as one of the all-time favourite Star Wars characters (including those from the films). Redacted by Disney to accommodate Episode VII, the Chiss strategist has been reinstated in this much-welcomed origin story charting his rise to prominence.