Star Wars: Hand of Thrawn, Book 1: Specter of the Past Audiobook By Timothy Zahn cover art

Star Wars: Hand of Thrawn, Book 1: Specter of the Past

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Star Wars: Hand of Thrawn, Book 1: Specter of the Past

By: Timothy Zahn
Narrated by: Anthony Heald
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Hugo Award-winning author Timothy Zahn made his triumphant return to the Star Wars universe in this first of an epic two-volume series in which the New Republic must face its most dangerous enemy yet: a dead Imperial warlord.

The forces of the Empire stand at the brink of total collapse. But they have saved their most heinous plan for last. First a plot is hatched that could destroy the New Republic in a bloodbath of genocide and civil war. Then comes the shocking news that Grand Admiral Thrawn, the most cunning and ruthless warlord in history, has apparently returned from the dead to lead the Empire to a long-prophesied victory. Facing incredible odds, Han and Leia begin a desperate race against time to prevent the New Republic from unraveling in the face of two inexplicable threats: one from within and one from without. Meanwhile, Luke teams up with Mara Jade, using the Force to track down a mysterious pirate ship with a crew of clones.

Yet perhaps most dangerous of all are those who lurk in the shadows, orchestrating a dark plan that will turn the New Republic and the Empire into their playthings.

More in the Hand of Thrawn series we have. And download all of our Star Wars titles you can!©1997 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM. (P)1997 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM. Adventure Fiction Science Fiction Space Opera Star Wars Interstellar Bounty Hunter

Critic reviews

"Zahn turns in his usual high-caliber performance." (Library Journal)
"Longtime fans should get considerable pleasure from this addition to the saga." (Publishers Weekly)
Zahn's Storytelling • Engaging Storylines • Familiar Voices • Skilled Performer • Lively Narration
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Coruscant is pronounced /'kɔɹəsɑnt/. Yoda with a soft, “regular guy” voice did not work for me at all.. Unfortunately, this narrator doesn’t seem to know, nor care much about Star Wars. It took away from the book experience greatly. I will order a hardcover copy to be able to indulge it.
Narrator, obviously, has acting skills, but you have to know characters and names at least a little to narrate such a big franchise.

Narration is disappointing

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It's too short, and the narrating could've been better. Like in the original Thrawn trilogy.

The story was good.

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I loved it I only wish is was read by the same people who did the original Thrawn trilogy

Awesome book

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Though not to the standard compared to other Star Wars novels and short stories, it is OK. I doubt that I will purchase any more of the series, though. The narration was OK, but nothing great.

Just OK

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Voice actors are in ear sore not to mention they are not the same as in the Thrawn trilogy

Voice actors are in ear sore not to mention they are not the same as in the Thrawn trilogy

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The narration of this book was not as good other Timothy Zaharia books. The book was also very choppy and seemed to skip a lot while trying to listen to it

Narration

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What disappointed you about Star Wars?

This version is short... The full unabridged version is 14 hrs long... But that's not even my biggest complaint. Anthony Heald is fine as a reader I suppose, but after listening to Marc Thompson, he's absolutely horrid!

I did the 1st Thrawn trilogy with Marc Thompson narrating and loved the whole 60+ hours of it... after 3 hours of Heald, I'd ready to stab myself with a dull light saber. =(

What could Timothy Zahn have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Not Zahn's fault.

How could the performance have been better?

... Where do I begin? The voices have zero familiarity... and almost zero variety... and only slightly better livelihood... It's just monotonous and boring.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It gave my a glimpse of the story... So now that Marc Thompson has a full unabridged version I might enjoy it even more!

Any additional comments?

I wouldn't have finished the series if this is what I had to look forward to... now that Marc Thompson has a version, I'm giddy with anticipation!

DON'T DO IT! Get the full unabridged version!!!

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I want my money back. only four chapters included so the book is incomplete. Terrible narration too.

Only four chapters!

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narration was really terrible. I was unable to get very far due to all the mispronunciations and liberties taken with characters.

bad narrator

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This is a wonderful book but this abridged version does not do this book justice. I have read this several times and was excited to get the audiobook. Please just read it. You will be much more satisfied that listening to this version. There is just to much left out and it jumps all over the place. It feels very disjointed.

This is not a good translation

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