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

  • Book 1
  • Written by: Timothy Zahn
  • Narrated by: Anthony Heald
  • Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins
  • 2.8 out of 5 stars (4 ratings)

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

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

Written by: Timothy Zahn
Narrated by: Anthony Heald
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Publisher's Summary

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.

©1997 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM. (P)1997 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM.

What the critics say

"Zahn turns in his usual high-caliber performance." (Library Journal)
"Longtime fans should get considerable pleasure from this addition to the saga." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Star Wars: Hand of Thrawn, Book 1: Specter of the Past

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Found It Rather Bland

I was looking forward to listening to the Hand Of Thrawn as Timothy Zahn nailed it in the Heir To The Empire Trilogy, so I went with high hopes and expectations.

To my surprise I found the story very uneven and pretty boring, specifically the whole political threat between the two waring alien races. I just didn't care enough about the petty political squabble and the pirates villains. The Star Wars background theme was cool and amusing at first, but then it got generally annoying since battles were far and between. The Voice Narrator was ok, his alien races voices all sounded exactly the same and i couldn't tell which alien race was talking half of the time.

I won't be picking up Book 2.

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