Tarkin: Star Wars (Unabridged)
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4.3 • 225 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . .
Bestselling Star Wars veteran James Luceno gives Grand Moff Tarkin the Star Wars: Darth Plagueis treatment, bringing the legendary character from A New Hope to full, fascinating life.
He’s the scion of an honorable and revered family. A dedicated soldier and distinguished legislator. Loyal proponent of the Republic and trusted ally of the Jedi Order. Groomed by the ruthless politician and Sith Lord who would be Emperor, Governor Wilhuff Tarkin rises through the Imperial ranks, enforcing his authority ever more mercilessly . . . and zealously pursuing his destiny as the architect of absolute dominion.
Rule through the fear of force rather than force itself, he advises his Emperor. Under Tarkin’s guidance, an ultimate weapon of unparalleled destruction moves ever closer to becoming a terrifying reality. When the so-called Death Star is completed, Tarkin is confident that the galaxy’s lingering pockets of Separatist rebellion will be brought to heel—by intimidation . . . or annihilation.
Until then, however, insurgency remains a genuine threat. Escalating guerrilla attacks by resistance forces and newfound evidence of a growing Separatist conspiracy are an immediate danger the Empire must meet with swift and brutal action. And to bring down a band of elusive freedom fighters, the Emperor turns to his most formidable agents: Darth Vader, the fearsome new Sith enforcer as remorseless as he is mysterious; and Tarkin—whose tactical cunning and cold-blooded efficiency will pave the way for the Empire’s supremacy . . . and its enemies’ extinction.
Praise for Tarkin
“Tarkin tells a compelling tale of mystery while revealing much about a character who has fueled debate among fans since 1977, as well as the oppressive regime he represents. [James] Luceno has proven once again that the villains of Star Wars are as much fun as the good guys.”—New York Daily News
“Another home run in the new canon . . . This is the highest and best distillation of Tarkin stories, old and new, we’ve ever been given.”—Big Shiny Robot
“A spectacular novel, with the intrigue, action, and profound characterization we have come to expect from the pen of Luceno . . . [Tarkin] provides a nuanced, multi-faceted anti-hero who is captivating, ominous, and calculating; in many ways, this is an origin tale of the Empire [and] a fascinating portrait of one of the more popular characters in the Original Trilogy. It may very well be one my favorite Star Wars novels.”—Coffee with Kenobi
“A fascinating look at the pathos of one of the galaxy’s most criminally underused characters.”—TheForce.net
Customer Reviews
Very good, but a bit slow at points
This is a must read if you want to understand more about the empire and Tarkin. To get more clarification on this book I recommend watching Clone Wars Season 3 Episodes 18-20 and season 5 episodes 17-20 before reading this book. This book is really good, but it can get slow in the middle. Would recommend!
A most read!
I wish many books and audio books are as good as this! Personally, it’s more 4.5 of five. But it’s not a solid 4 either. This book gives a background of how Trakin came to be. Audio book is great too!
Love the subtlety!
Another reviewer said the first 20 minutes are about tarkin “picking what to wear”. This is true, and it is a fascinating introduction to the current state of the empire, technology, and Tarkin himself. This novel is set nearly 15 years before A New Hope, and picking something as simple as describing a uniform fitting to set the stage of the novel is an excellent example of Luceno’s subtle delivery of information. Not every star wars novel needs to be all blasters and battle math, though there is plenty of that in here too. Oh, and if you’ve read the 2017 Thrawn novel and want to know the story behind the “Culoss crazies” Nightswan had to work with, you’ll get the full juicy details here! Love how it fits with new and old canon. Great book with lovely writing.
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