Reviews

This review concerns the whole trilogy.

(Sorry for my english, there will be faults and weird sentences)

I loved this trilogy. I loved it as a Star Wars fan, but also simply as a space-opera Asimov-like fan.

This is not the first Star Wars novel I read, I have read Darth Plagueis by James Luceno a few years ago, and I loved these two stories in different ways : it was as a Star Wars fan that I loved Plagueis, because it told untold stories about a character and period I love, but I think the Thrawn trilogy is more accessible to simple space-opera fans. I loved Thrawn’s trilogy because of the politics, the tactics and the space battles. I clearly lost interest during action scenes happening « on foot ». I have the feeling that Zahn’s genius appears when it comes to war in space and large tactic plans.
Chosing to tell Thrawn’s scenes from the point of view of his subordinate, captain Pellaeon, works well, it creates suspense about the meaning of his actions, and it highlights the gap between Thrawn’s way of thinking, and the classic imperial mentality (notably his capacity to use fear to impose his authority, but also clemency, unlike Vader, whom Pellaeon often compares to Thrawn).

I found the female characters well-written : Mara Jade is interesting, clever and strong, (but not a cheated character like Rey in the postlogy) and she has a real evolution… All of her life revolves around male characters (the Emperor, Karrde, Luke), but at least not in a romantic way. I found Leia’s character interesting as well : we see her as a pregnant wife, and a babie’s mother, but she is absolutely not limited to that, she has very important political role as well, and « solo » adventures on Honoghr (she’s not alone, yes, but she’s the one leading and making decisions on that part).
So… I won’t say OMG THAT’S SO PROGRESSIST, but when reading, I thought « okay that’s good enough for a 90’s Sci-fi novel »… I would be curious to hear a feminist reader opinion on that.

Also, good point for the Noghri story : clearly what seems to be a neocolonialists critic. As a French reader, ashamed of neocolonialist french policy toward its ex-colonies, it’s great to see this in a Star Wars novel.

I also liked the fact that the books respect the vision of the two opposing camps that are the New Republic/Rebellion and the Empire : even when the Empire is stronger, better armed and better tactician, nice guys win thanks to : the help of underrated natives of opressed worlds, betrayals from submissive subjects and surprising allies whose neutrality was expected. You could see these similitudes as fan-service and/or laziness, maybe it is, I see it more like « respecting Star Wars original trilogy spirit », but with success, unlike Disney fan-service. And here, we don’t have a new Empire born ex nihilo facing an already dying New Republic (thanks again Disney), we see this Empire rising, we understand how it expands again, as we understand why the New Republic have so much trouble maintaining itself. I like to understand things. And I like when people make the effort to explain things to me.

So it’s a 5 stars for me, I clearly consider it as cannon in the Star Wars universe. I’m eager to read the Thrawn’s prequel.

buffal0's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

rms25's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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