Jon Solo Sebastian 04/01/2025:
This book immediately came to mind when I read the “Daily Prompt.” Heir to the Empire is probably my second favorite book, but I’ve read it more than my favorite book. I drive a lot for work, so I do audio books. I listen to this book, along with its two sequels, twice a year. I started to really get into Star Wars right around the time the Prequel Trilogy was announced. I loved the Original Trilogy as a kid, but Return of the Jedi came out when I was very little—four years old. So there was a long time where Star Wars wasn’t a thing, and you’d also get picked on as a kid for liking that sort of stuff. One day, in my late teens, one of my closest friends asked me if I had ever read Heir to the Empire. I didn’t even know what it was. He told me it was a book that took place a few years after Return of the Jedi… that was all I needed to hear. He let me borrow his book and I fell in love with the story.
It was super exciting to read about all of the beloved characters from the original three Star Wars films and watch them continue to grow and be heroes in the galaxy. I couldn’t put the book down. I read it again before giving it back to my friend, but then I went to the local book store (God, I miss all the old book stores), and bought my own copy. Not only were all the main characters involved in the story, but the author, Timothy Zahn, introduced new characters and new villains. Grand Admiral Thrawn was the main villain of the trilogy of books. He was accompanied by the remnants of the Empire, and a cloned Jedi name Jorus C’boath. Thrawn’s goal was to wipe out the Rebellion, now calling themselves the New Republic. C’boath’s plans were to capture Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa Solo, and Leia’s unborn children so he could start his own twisted version of a Jedi Order. This book also introduced us to Mara Jade. Mara Jade was once the Emperor’s Hand; basically an assassin for the Emperor. She works with a crew of Smugglers led by Talon Karde. Mara became one of the most loved characters in the Expanded Universe stories… and she also became the love interest of a certain young Jedi Knight.
I’ve read the book more times than I can count, and I actually wrote an article about it on here last year. If you’d like to know more about it, and my thoughts/feelings on Star Wars and the book, check it out here—Heir to the Empire. I think it’s time for me to read it for the first time this year!
jonsolosebastian.org 