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  • Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

  • Written by: Steve Perry
  • Narrated by: Anthony Heald
  • Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (27 ratings)

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Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

Written by: Steve Perry
Narrated by: Anthony Heald
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Publisher's Summary

Shadows of the Empire illuminates the shadowy outlines of a criminal conspiracy that exists in the background of the events in the movies, ruled by a character new to us. Prince Xizor is a mastermind of evil who dares to oppose one of the best-known fictional villains of all time: Darth Vader. The story involves all the featured Star Wars movie characters, plus Emperor Palpatine and, of course, Lord Vader himself.

©1996 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM. (P)1996 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM.
  • Abridged Audiobook
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What the critics say

"Anthony Heald is a superb performer for the various Star Wars audiobooks. He slides in and out of distinctive Star Wars characters with such smoothness that the characters are instantly recognizable, as if the original actors were working in ensemble." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

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    3 out of 5 stars
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A Good Bit of Nostalgia, If You Have the Goggles

This one's a bit of a toughie. If you remember the old Shadows of the Empire event, read the comics, bought the toys or played the video game, this book fills in the blanks rather neatly, if not as stylishly. Unfortunately, however, this does hurt the book's ability to stand on its own. Without the peripheral properties, certain characters and storylines (particularly Dash Rendar) feel underdeveloped, losing some punch in their conclusion.
In terms of execution, it's certainly not the most lavishly written of the old Expanded Universe. The lack of overwrought description generally helps move the story along, allowing the listener to focus on the action and the plot. At times, though, this bare bones approach lacks the inherent wonder of the Star Wars universe. It can feel mundane and uncaring. The narrator's energy helps elevate the text, but he's not the most versatile in terms of range. Overall, still a fun experience, and a great trip down memory lane for those of us who didn't grasp the full extent of this story in the late '90s. Probably not as enjoyable in isolation, though.

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