If you must know, the first book I ever read was the novelization of Return of The Jedi. I memorized it and read it aloud to my family. I could even tell you every word that differed from the film, and the book still sits high on my bookshelf — torn and tattered as it is. With the recent less-than-stellar Star Wars prequels given to us by mastermind George Lucas, I’ m curious if young readers are still reading Star Wars books?

Granted the competition is fierce, and the genre of science fiction and fantasy has gone on to better media success with trilogies like The Matrix series and The Lord of the Rings. Although the movie glory might have moved on, the Star Wars universe provides many entertaining tales through its literature.

I can see how intimidating the Star Wars Expanded Universe can be. I myself lost track of all the books, series, comics, and online strips several years ago. What’ s canon? What isn’t? Do you have to read everything to understand anything? Obviously I’ve followed Star Wars since before I could read, and I’m at a loss as to where to jump in. Is there any hope than for a classic trilogy fan looking to recapture that old Star Wars magic?

Enter Star Wars: Heir to the Empire. Written by SF author Timothy Zahn and published by Bantam In 1991, Heir to the Empire was a revelation when first released. On our way home from the doctor, my mother and I always stopped in this tiny strip mall bookstore. Like others my age who received a trickle of Star Wars fandom, for years I had yearned for more of Han, Luke, and Leia. Suddenly there it was, Heir to the Empire on the top shelf. My dad didn’ t believe me, and that night we drove all the way back to buy the first Star Wars novel sanctioned by George Lucas. I’ve read Heir to the Empire six time since.

The book begins 9 years after Return of the Jedi, and introduces the married Han and Leia, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, and Grand Admiral Thrawn — one of the Empire’s last commanders seeking Imperial glory. Luke starts a new Jedi Academy and seeks out the clone of a Jedi Master, who may or may not have all his nuts and bolts. My favorite new character is without a doubt Mara Jade.

The former henchwoman of the Emperor has a grudge, questions, and Jedi potential. Future novelists in the Star Wars Galaxy later gave Mara special significance — as the wife of Luke Skywalker.

The characterizations given by Zahn are on form. The old school movie characters we know and love are believable here as their older, wiser selves. Chewbacca, C3PO and R2-D2 all have their moments, and Zahn also makes swift usage of old Star Wars locales including Dagobah and Yavin.

Followed by Zahn’s two sequels Force Rising and The Last Command, Heir to the Empire reinvigorated the populace’ s interest in Star Wars. Not that it needed revitalizing, but fans who yearned for movies telling the events after Return of the Jedi had their thirst quenched. In retrospect, Lucas should have produced a new trilogy based on Zahn’ s work, instead of his own weak development detailing the events before the original Star Wars.

Where Episode 1 spawned a Jar Jar hate fest and merchandising backlash, Heir to the Empire gave birth to more fine novels, including The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton ; Darksaber by Kevin J. Anderson; The Crystal Star by Vonda McIntyre; The Truce at Bakura by Tracy Tyers … the list goes on. Lucas strived for a juvenile appeal in his prequels, but the introduction of Jacen and Jaina-Han and Leia’ s twins — and their youngest son named Anakin — has given rise to several book series aimed at young readers, including the popular Young Jedi Knights series.

I recommend Heir to the Empire for any original trilogy fan or former fans displeased with Episodes 1, 2, and 3. If you haven’t read a Star Wars book, begin with Heir to the Empire. Timothy Zahn’s risk free plunge is a smooth and styled read for both Hard SF fans and softer readers. I myself am not one for a lot of technological jargon, but Zahn — who also wrote the Cobra series and nearly a dozen more Star Wars book — strikes just the right blend. Mature tweens may go for Heir to the Empire or refer the younger series.

For us aging folk, the internet is the perfect resource to find anything Star Wars. Vast timelines detailing everything you need to know is all at your fingertips — after you read Heir to the Empire.