Scoundrels: Star Wars Legends

By: Timothy Zahn

Narrated by: Marc Thompson

To make his biggest score, Han's ready to take even bigger risks.

But even he can't do this job solo.

Han Solo should be basking in his moment of glory. After all, the cocky smuggler and captain of the Millennium Falcon just played a key role in the daring raid that destroyed the Death Star and landed the first serious blow to the Empire in its war against the Rebel Alliance. But after losing the reward his heroics earned him, Han's got nothing to celebrate. Especially since he's deep in debt to the ruthless crime lord Jabba the Hutt. There's a bounty on Han's head - and if he can't cough up the credits, he'll surely pay with his hide. The only thing that can save him is a king's ransom. Or maybe a gangster's fortune?

That's what a mysterious stranger is offering in exchange for Han's less-than-legal help with a riskier-than-usual caper. The payoff will be more than enough for Han to settle up with Jabba - and ensure he never has to haggle with the Hutts again.

All he has to do is infiltrate the ultra-fortified stronghold of a Black Sun crime syndicate underboss and crack the galaxy's most notoriously impregnable safe. It sounds like a job for miracle workers...or madmen. So Han assembles a gallery of rogues who are a little of both - including his indispensable sidekick Chewbacca and the cunning Lando Calrissian. If anyone can dodge, deceive, and defeat heavily armed thugs, killer droids, and Imperial agents alike - and pull off the heist of the century - it's Solo's scoundrels. But will their crime really pay, or will it cost them the ultimate price?

©2012 Timothy Zahn (P)2012 Random House Audio

You Don't Have Enough Scoundrels In Your Life

If you could sum up Scoundrels: Star Wars in three words, what would they be?

Suspenseful. Fun. Characterization.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Scoundrels: Star Wars?

I liked getting background on a lot of characters that are known, not just in the original trilogy, but from the Expanded Universe after Return of the Jedi. I liked getting more in-depth characterization on Lando and Han Solo and what they were like when not helping the Rebels.

Which scene was your favorite?

I think any scene with Lando was my favorite. I liked his suave personality and he had an arrogance and charm about him like you see in Empire Strikes Back.

Any additional comments?

Marc Thompson has to be the best narrator of Star Wars fiction. He is able to pull off so many different types of voices - men, women, droids, aliens - and all to perfection. His styling for Lando exudes a similar tone to Billy Dee Williams and his Han Solo, while not a replica of Harrison Ford, still gives off the gruffness of his voice. I also think that the sound effects enhance every Star Wars story. Some people might not like it, but I think it's nice to hear an explosion rather than just hearing that something exploded. It draws me into the story more.

Make The Expanded Universe Great Again!

As always this audiobook harkens back to when the Star Wars landscape made sense. The story is great. The acting is awesome and the FX as always, flawless.

Disney is doing their thing. Good for them but these titles make immensely more sense to me. Enjoy the book, everyone!

Unexpectedly fun

Would you be willing to try another book from Timothy Zahn? Why or why not?

I would definitely try another from Timothy Zahn, his detailed use of descriptive language really paints a vivid mental picture.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I actually laughed out loud at a couple of moments in the book.

Any additional comments?

While I enjoyed the book overall, and the performance was top-notch which, the ending felt rushed, and in my opinion didn't have as satisfying a payoff as I was hoping for after such a long albeit very good build up.I love a good heist novel, but like a good heist movie, the last quarter should be the execution. I get that there can only be so much time spent in the actual execution of the heist, but well... you can make up your own mind, I don't want to give anything away. Plus, it's a personal preference thing.

A movie for your ears

This quality of this audio performance was the best I have experienced in an audio book. There was background music and special effects threw the entire book. It actually scared me the first time I started up the book when I was walking my dog at night. There was a part with blaster fire and I really thought something had exploded somewhere. My dog just looked at me like I was crazy.

The Quality I've come to expect from this duo

What other book might you compare Scoundrels: Star Wars to and why?

If you've read any other of Zahn's books, this is pretty comparable. The Thrawn Trilogy and Outbound flight are still my favorites by him, but if you enjoyed other things by him, you'll enjoy this.

What does Marc Thompson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voices are pretty well done - especially Han and Winter. He's very understandable and has a good cadence.

Any additional comments?

This book takes place in between episode 4 and episode 5. Zahn does a good job of writing within the restriction of keeping previous plots in tact, while keeping the story suspenseful.

Not great but definitely worth a read/ listen.

Overall it was not bad. I really don’t like Han’s voice. Very Peter Griffin- like. However, the story was good. I give this book a B-

A enjoyable listen

Just an enjoyable book not the best but fun. Comparing it to other Zhan books wouldn't say it is his best work but many of things I loved about his other books were in this one. Any Star Wars fan who needs a book to listen to will enjoy this one.

Very entertaining

Another entertaining novel from Timothy Zahn, Scoundrels is the tale of an Ocean's 11 style heist undertaken Han, Lando, and some original characters. The story and characters are engaging and it's hard to put this book down (or turn it off). Marc Thompson's narration is solid, and he pulls off the female character voices here better than in some of his other works. Unfortunately his Han is too exaggerated, but that's a minor gripe. I would definitely recommend this audiobook.

I didn't know how much I needed a Star Wars Heist

Do you like Heists? Do you like meticulous planning, surprises at every turn, and your favorite characters interacting with new gems? This book is actually great. I was so interested in it, I couldn't stop listening. I love Marc's Voice... of course... and I loved the details of everything. I could imagine everything based on how Zahn writes. 10/10 Recommend.

It's literally Star Wars Ocean's Eleven.

This book, along with an incredible performance by Marc Thompson, does a amazing job building out the Star Wars galaxy. It's these well writen, selfcontained stories that bring the galaxy to life.

This book is literally a Star Wars themed Ocean's Eleven and it is amazing. The Characters are great and Timothy Zahn's creative to plan all the aspects of the hiest is brilliant.

My only critique is that for readers who listen to books slowly this might not be for you. The reason I say this is that the middle of the book, if not listened to frequently can become confusing with all the moving parts. But the final 3 hours are fantastic and the big twist at the end left me in awe.