The wait is over for EU fans as Timothy Zahn's 20th Anniversary Edition of Heir to the Empire is now available in stores and online. While many of us don't really need a description of the story itself, the Amazon.com product description helps to remind us of all the goodies included in this special edition.
"Here is a special 20th anniversary edition of the #1 New York Times bestselling novel that reignited the entire Star Wars publishing phenomenon?featuring an Introduction and annotations from award-winning author Timothy Zahn, exclusive commentary from Lucasfilm and Del Rey Books, and a brand-new novella starring the ever-popular Grand Admiral Thrawn. The biggest event in the history of Star Wars books, Heir to the Empire follows the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia after they led the Rebel Alliance to victory in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.
Five years after the Death Star was destroyed and Darth Vader and the Emperor were defeated, the galaxy is struggling to heal the wounds of war, Princess Leia and Han Solo are married and expecting twins, and Luke Skywalker has become the first in a long-awaited line of new Jedi Knights.
But thousands of light-years away, the last of the Emperor?s warlords?the brilliant and deadly Grand Admiral Thrawn?has taken command of the shattered Imperial fleet, readied it for war, and pointed it at the fragile heart of the New Republic. For this dark warrior has made two vital discoveries that could destroy everything the courageous men and women of the Rebel Alliance fought so hard to create.
The explosive confrontation that results is a towering epic of action, invention, mystery, and spectacle on a galactic scale?in short, a story worthy of the name Star Wars."
If you have yet to dive into the Expanded Universe and have wondered where would be the best place to start, Heir to the Empire (and the Thrawn trilogy as a whole) is a fantastic starting point for EU newbies.
UPDATE: Our friend Shand D. sent an e-mail to help fans who enjoy listening to their EU rather than reading it...
"This first link is for the Unabridged Heir to the Empire 20th Anniversary Edition, Narrated By Marc Thompson, cost 1 audible credit or $22.05.
Rebelscum Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Patch Posted By Philip on November 25, 2014: Thanks to everybody that ordered patches. I sent a check for $1,600.00 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation on Monday. While it's not as much as I hoped for, it's still very much appreciated. They will remain for sale in the store for anybody that still wishes to purchase them. Details after the jump.