Shadows of the Empire

Star Wars Legends

By: Steve Perry

Narrated by: Marc Thompson

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 Steve Perry (P)2025 Random House Audio

Excellent!

Really loved this book. Really cool characters and well put together. Definitely a must read/listen

Long awaited classic Star Wars title here at last!

I've listened to the abridged version so many times but I've longed for when an unabridged version would be released! I actually pre-ordered it to make sure it'd be ready to go as soon as it released. I loved it! books Narrated by Marc Thompson never disappoint, He is one of my favorites to listen to and he knocks it out of the park once again! The story was great! it's one of my favorite Star Wars stories. I hope Audible will continue to release these classic Star Wars Legends titles!

30 years worth the wait

One of the best books finally unabridged. This book basically started the EU and is a must listen for any fan. Remember the Bothans.

The best attempt at a movie between any SW movies

Glad there’s finally an audiobook of SoTE on Audible. This was a lot of fun to revisit. I read the book back in the 90s and still have it in my library. I have to admit Xizor is kind of a weak nemesis to Darth Vader and the Alliance. He’s only a playboy who does nothing but use his money to get what he wants. He has nothing else that represents a threat to anyone except for the part when he tries to seduce Leia. His biggest threat is his bodyguard which I suppose was a character created to make Xizor more dangerous than he himself really is. I kinda wish the narrator would read the non speaking parts with regularity throughout the whole book as opposed to changing his voice depending on who we are in the environment of within the narrative. It’s a nitpick and I’m sure most others are unruffled by that strategy.

The Nostalgia Strikes Back!

Marc Thompson and the production team does it again!

In 1996, Shadows of the Empire ruled the Star Wars Universe. I read this book while listening to the soundtrack, then played the video game on N64. My mom bought me the action figures and comic books.

When Shadows was announced to be getting the “Legends” treatment with an unabridged audiobook narrated by Marc Thompson as well, I preordered that very second. His incredible voice acting and narration coupled with first rate production, including official Star Wars music and sound effects, took my imagination right back to 1996.

Thank you Audible, Penguin Random House, Kevin Thomsen, Marc Thompson, and everyone else who made this one happen.

I have been waiting for the unabridged version!

This is a great book. I read it years ago. Listening to it is so much more fun. It is like listening to a movie, and this is the movie we wish would come out now. Whether you like new Star Wars or old, you will love this!

Thrilling, Story- How Luke Became a Jedi Knight

I have had this book for a while, but never read it until now. What a ride, things move fast and furious. A great villain in Xizor and loved the maneuvering between the prince, Emperor and Vader. It was also great to see Luke more confident in his Force abilities. Ties up the space between Empire and Jedi perfectly. Loved Dash Rendar as well, cocky, self assured and can fly like crazy. I'm certain he and Han would not hit it off very well. Legends were the best of Star Wars books. Shadows now has in unabridged audiobook version narrated by the superb Marc Thompson. He brought this to thrilling life. Must be listened to.

Shadows of the Empire

Talking place between Empire and Return of the Jedi, this novel introduced Black Sun Crime syndicate. Palpatineis a main character. top tier novel.

If you liked the video game

if you liked the video game like I did, and assumed this would be all about Dash...you're wrong and that's ok! Marc Thompson delivers as always and the story is amazing from multiple perspectives. MUST READ/LISTEN

Great story!

Everything was great except when he did Chewies voice it was just irritating
But otherwise great!