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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ar’alani is so relatable for making jokes that nobody laughs at
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
I am not even going to try to explain the many schemes, fomenting and betrayals happening in this massive finish to the Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy. The plot threads started in book one and book two are paid off, with the Grysk Jixtus skillfully playing various aliens off each other, and manipulating the Clarr Chiss family into a dangerous position, that, without quick thinking on the part of a smart captain who has a bit more information than the Clarr have, and who manages to prevent the start of a Chiss civil war. The Grysk had hoped to stir up enough trouble for the Ascendancy to rip itself apart so they could then sweep in after to slaughter as many as possible and likely nab Skywalkers. Instead, we see the destruction of Jixtus' plans over the course of this long book.
We also see all the little pieces Thrawn has put together, and placed into position so that when it becomes necessary to fight, he, Ar’alani and select others save the Chiss from themselves and Jixtus.
That most of the patriarchs are xenophobic, conservative, rabidly against imaginative and innovative thinking goes without saying. That they decide to punish Thrawn for their own stupidity and shortsightedness comes as no surprise, considering when we first meet Thrawn (in the other trilogy), he’s in the custody of Galactic Empire troopers, and soon to begin his incredible rise up the ranks.
I was frequently lost amidst all the machinations, but it didn’t matter. I understood enough to enjoy this trilogy ending, and really enjoyed the brilliant plan Thrawn put together to save his hidebound people.
Standout characters of this trilogy for me were :
Thrawn: This was a surprise to me as yeah he’s impressive in Rebels, but I was never overawed by him. His brilliance really comes through despite every attempt by the higher-ups to stifle or sideline him.
Ar’alani: She’s my fave Chiss, taking no BS from anyone, and being damned smart at her job and at recognizing and using Thrawn's strengths.
Ba’kif: He turned out to be remarkably steadfast in protecting Thrawn from Chiss leadership, until he could not anymore, but used their stupidity to the species’ advantage.
Thalias: She proved to be much tougher and smarter than I expected, and important to Thrawn’s plans, as well as figuring out the dirty little secret about how the Chiss handle young Skytalkers.
Samakro: I started out not liking him much, but he proved willing to learn from Thrawn and follow his commander's plans.
So, not as enjoyable as book two in this trilogy, but a detailed, expansive look at the Chiss, and interesting background over the series on the master strategist, Thrawn.
We also see all the little pieces Thrawn has put together, and placed into position so that when it becomes necessary to fight, he, Ar’alani and select others save the Chiss from themselves and Jixtus.
That most of the patriarchs are xenophobic, conservative, rabidly against imaginative and innovative thinking goes without saying. That they decide to punish Thrawn for their own stupidity and shortsightedness comes as no surprise, considering when we first meet Thrawn (in the other trilogy), he’s in the custody of Galactic Empire troopers, and soon to begin his incredible rise up the ranks.
I was frequently lost amidst all the machinations, but it didn’t matter. I understood enough to enjoy this trilogy ending, and really enjoyed the brilliant plan Thrawn put together to save his hidebound people.
Standout characters of this trilogy for me were :
Thrawn: This was a surprise to me as yeah he’s impressive in Rebels, but I was never overawed by him. His brilliance really comes through despite every attempt by the higher-ups to stifle or sideline him.
Ar’alani: She’s my fave Chiss, taking no BS from anyone, and being damned smart at her job and at recognizing and using Thrawn's strengths.
Ba’kif: He turned out to be remarkably steadfast in protecting Thrawn from Chiss leadership, until he could not anymore, but used their stupidity to the species’ advantage.
Thalias: She proved to be much tougher and smarter than I expected, and important to Thrawn’s plans, as well as figuring out the dirty little secret about how the Chiss handle young Skytalkers.
Samakro: I started out not liking him much, but he proved willing to learn from Thrawn and follow his commander's plans.
So, not as enjoyable as book two in this trilogy, but a detailed, expansive look at the Chiss, and interesting background over the series on the master strategist, Thrawn.
This book was a BEHEMOTH! 550 pages of pure Zahn. I loved every minute of it, the conclusion perfectly bled in to the other canon Thrawn trilogy and changed the context of Thrawn’s imperial allegiance. It left me with more questions than answers and to that point I’m glad; it makes me all the more excited for future Thrawn content.
"Lesser Evil" the final novel in Timothy Zahn's, Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy is the lead-in to his beloved Thrawn Disney Canon series. It tells of the master tactician, Mitth'raw'nuruodo, aka Thrawn's expert leading of the Chiss Ascendancy through the latest plot by Grysk operative, Jixtus who is trying to set one family against the other to take down the Chiss and conquer their world.
With any luck, this background story to the original trilogy would provide the backdrop to future Star Wars projects to expand Thrawn's story to upcoming mini-series or even a feature film about the great Thrawn.
I found this novel to be the best of the trilogy. I felt more engaged and captivated by this story compared to any of the others. It was interesting further character development of Thrawn and his fellow comrades in the Chiss Ascendancy. He also expanded the history and story of the Chiss Nine Ruling Families and the Syndicure.
I appreciated the tying up of loose ends that this novel provided between the previous prequels in the trilogy and the succeeding Thrawn trilogy. It helps that Timothy Zahn was both creator of Thrawn and has been the master of his story between the three published trilogies. While Thrawn has appeared in the animated Clone Wars series he has yet to play any significant role in any of the classic live action films/series. Zahn inserts the Chiss Ascendancy trilogy in the timeline between the Separatist Crisis and subsequent Clone Wars, and then the rise of the Empire.
I would greatly recommend reading "Lesser Evil," however it would better to start at the beginning of the series if you are interested for a more fuller understanding of history and culture that the novel expects readers to mostly already understand.
With any luck, this background story to the original trilogy would provide the backdrop to future Star Wars projects to expand Thrawn's story to upcoming mini-series or even a feature film about the great Thrawn.
I found this novel to be the best of the trilogy. I felt more engaged and captivated by this story compared to any of the others. It was interesting further character development of Thrawn and his fellow comrades in the Chiss Ascendancy. He also expanded the history and story of the Chiss Nine Ruling Families and the Syndicure.
I appreciated the tying up of loose ends that this novel provided between the previous prequels in the trilogy and the succeeding Thrawn trilogy. It helps that Timothy Zahn was both creator of Thrawn and has been the master of his story between the three published trilogies. While Thrawn has appeared in the animated Clone Wars series he has yet to play any significant role in any of the classic live action films/series. Zahn inserts the Chiss Ascendancy trilogy in the timeline between the Separatist Crisis and subsequent Clone Wars, and then the rise of the Empire.
I would greatly recommend reading "Lesser Evil," however it would better to start at the beginning of the series if you are interested for a more fuller understanding of history and culture that the novel expects readers to mostly already understand.
He served so much cunt that they had no choice but to exile him.
From the inside book cover: “But the truth of a family’s legacy is only as strong as the legend that supports it. Even if that legend turns out to be a lie.”
LESSER EVIL concludes the Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy. It is moves and countermoves, family versus family, and a series of what seem like inconsequential events that ultimately lead to the potential fall of a civilization. However, Thrawn will look into the deep past of the Chiss to save its future.
The “memories” chapters in LESSER EVIL are my favorite from all three books. I loved the story they told and it provides essential insight into who Thrawn is at the core and that makes it easier to understand the Thrawn we know from his Empire era. Author Timothy Zahn paints a clear picture of Thrawn and his relationship with Thrass, the one Chiss who truly becomes his friend, his brother.
The longest book of the trilogy, LESSER EVIL packs a punch with intense battles, twisty political ploys, back-stabbing family games, and still manages to weave in lighter moments at just the right time with banter on the starship bridge and insightful moments from our main character. Book three expertly wraps up the multitude of storylines, big and small. The final 100 pages were some of my favorites as Zahn gives the reader closure where it’s needed.
I knew going into the trilogy that somehow it would set things up for the next stage of Thrawn’s career, namely his exile and immersion into the Star Wars world as we know it. As a reader and long-time fan, I like the way the book concludes and how it leads us into what we know is coming next, especially if you’ve read THRAWN by Timothy Zahn (published in 2017).
LESSER EVIL concludes the Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy. It is moves and countermoves, family versus family, and a series of what seem like inconsequential events that ultimately lead to the potential fall of a civilization. However, Thrawn will look into the deep past of the Chiss to save its future.
The “memories” chapters in LESSER EVIL are my favorite from all three books. I loved the story they told and it provides essential insight into who Thrawn is at the core and that makes it easier to understand the Thrawn we know from his Empire era. Author Timothy Zahn paints a clear picture of Thrawn and his relationship with Thrass, the one Chiss who truly becomes his friend, his brother.
The longest book of the trilogy, LESSER EVIL packs a punch with intense battles, twisty political ploys, back-stabbing family games, and still manages to weave in lighter moments at just the right time with banter on the starship bridge and insightful moments from our main character. Book three expertly wraps up the multitude of storylines, big and small. The final 100 pages were some of my favorites as Zahn gives the reader closure where it’s needed.
I knew going into the trilogy that somehow it would set things up for the next stage of Thrawn’s career, namely his exile and immersion into the Star Wars world as we know it. As a reader and long-time fan, I like the way the book concludes and how it leads us into what we know is coming next, especially if you’ve read THRAWN by Timothy Zahn (published in 2017).
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
I enjoyed the book as I do with all Zahn/Thrawn books. They are always innovative and interesting.
After the three books of this trilogy, it does get a little tiring that Thrawn never really has any setbacks he has to grow from. Nobody ever really gets the best of him. Every time he perfectly predicts what is going to happen and executes it perfectly. The Grysks were built up to be this formidable force and Jixtus this terrible force that could deal with the Chiss. Yet the Chiss ended the final battle without one real casualty. It is just tough that all three books built towards this end battle between seemingly even foes, all for Thrawn to just do everything perfectly and win another battle handily, like he had the whole trilogy.
I also felt like this book suffered from too many subplots. I like the ambition of it, but too many times I lost track of who was doing what. It also led to the feeling that some characters’ stories were sacrificed.
After the three books of this trilogy, it does get a little tiring that Thrawn never really has any setbacks he has to grow from. Nobody ever really gets the best of him. Every time he perfectly predicts what is going to happen and executes it perfectly. The Grysks were built up to be this formidable force and Jixtus this terrible force that could deal with the Chiss. Yet the Chiss ended the final battle without one real casualty. It is just tough that all three books built towards this end battle between seemingly even foes, all for Thrawn to just do everything perfectly and win another battle handily, like he had the whole trilogy.
I also felt like this book suffered from too many subplots. I like the ambition of it, but too many times I lost track of who was doing what. It also led to the feeling that some characters’ stories were sacrificed.
To me, this is the best of this trilogy. I think I still prefer the first canon Thrawn trilogy overall, but I appreciate the world Zahn has created here and I appreciate the way he ties all of his stories together, including Rebels and his first set of books. I very much hope we see more of the Grisks later, as I don't think that conflict was resolved by Treason.
However, as is the case with every Thrawn book, I have the same issues I always have. Thrawn is simply too powerful, and everyone is just a little too obsessed with him. Additionally, I'm so sick at this point of "Thrawn is so good at strategy, but boy, does he suck at politics." First of all, I'm not even convinced Thrawn shouldn't also be good at reading people and acting politically, and additionally, it's just so boring to hear at this point.
Also, I wasn't sure how the memories in this book tied into the rest of the story. I think the only book that I've actively enjoyed the memories for was actually Chaos rising.
In any case, I would certainly recommend this to Thrawn fans, especially if you've already started this series. Curious to see if any of this plays into Thrawn's story when he makes his first live action appearance soon.
However, as is the case with every Thrawn book, I have the same issues I always have. Thrawn is simply too powerful, and everyone is just a little too obsessed with him. Additionally, I'm so sick at this point of "Thrawn is so good at strategy, but boy, does he suck at politics." First of all, I'm not even convinced Thrawn shouldn't also be good at reading people and acting politically, and additionally, it's just so boring to hear at this point.
Also, I wasn't sure how the memories in this book tied into the rest of the story. I think the only book that I've actively enjoyed the memories for was actually Chaos rising.
In any case, I would certainly recommend this to Thrawn fans, especially if you've already started this series. Curious to see if any of this plays into Thrawn's story when he makes his first live action appearance soon.