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bradland's review
5.0
Before starting this book I'm finding how remarkably similar the cover is to Aussie Grit by Mark Webber. Is this intentional, a coincidence or a standard template?
And after, Zahn does it again. The best Star Wars novel of the new canon so far, and even fits in nicely with his previous books.
Thrawn has always been a fascinating character so its good to see Disney acknowledge that and include him in their new canon along with Zahn's writing talents. Here we explore more of his early career with the Empire as he advances up the Imperial chain. Eli Vanto provides the reader with a great perspective as we observe Thrawn through his eyes and he himself discovers his own hidden abilities. Arihnda Pryce is also an interesting character as we follow her fall from grace and then fighting her way up. Through her we get an idea of what it's like in the political scene, in particular life on Coruscant.
There are also passages of Thrawn's thoughts as the novel continues on, including Thrawn's observation of body language as he meets people.
Zahn once again weaves the plot brilliantly where all the separate pieces come together with many character exchanges involving reasoned logic. I hope we continue to get more Star Wars stories from him.
And after, Zahn does it again. The best Star Wars novel of the new canon so far, and even fits in nicely with his previous books.
Thrawn has always been a fascinating character so its good to see Disney acknowledge that and include him in their new canon along with Zahn's writing talents. Here we explore more of his early career with the Empire as he advances up the Imperial chain. Eli Vanto provides the reader with a great perspective as we observe Thrawn through his eyes and he himself discovers his own hidden abilities. Arihnda Pryce is also an interesting character as we follow her fall from grace and then fighting her way up. Through her we get an idea of what it's like in the political scene, in particular life on Coruscant.
There are also passages of Thrawn's thoughts as the novel continues on, including Thrawn's observation of body language as he meets people.
Zahn once again weaves the plot brilliantly where all the separate pieces come together with many character exchanges involving reasoned logic. I hope we continue to get more Star Wars stories from him.
roznn's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
5.0
Chapter-Start-Musings remind me of [b:The Art of War|10534|The Art of War|Sun Tzu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1453417993l/10534._SY75_.jpg|3200649] (which I consider greatly overhyped).
Great book for Star Wars fans. Will certainly read the sequels, the second [b:Thrawn: Alliances|36385830|Thrawn Alliances (Star Wars Thrawn, #2)|Timothy Zahn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511385584l/36385830._SY75_.jpg|58053416] bought after it was under my usual price barrier (flexible, but most times Eur 10, which is currently nearly exact Us$ 11). The third book is on my daily watchlist.
Although most of the action is viewed from the POV of the empire, knowing all movies and/or some of the other books helps.
Very well integrated in the Star Wars Universe. And the characters are just to die for, complex, well written, and they learn constantly and grow during the path they take in the book.
Recommend it, Space-Opera at its best, although for non-Star-Wars-fans it will be not as good. Reasonably fast read, with an interesting ending, which is not really a cliff-hanger, but rather a twist (or really two!), which will make the sequel and the path the main characters take rather interesting.
Great book for Star Wars fans. Will certainly read the sequels, the second [b:Thrawn: Alliances|36385830|Thrawn Alliances (Star Wars Thrawn, #2)|Timothy Zahn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511385584l/36385830._SY75_.jpg|58053416] bought after it was under my usual price barrier (flexible, but most times Eur 10, which is currently nearly exact Us$ 11). The third book is on my daily watchlist.
Although most of the action is viewed from the POV of the empire, knowing all movies and/or some of the other books helps.
Very well integrated in the Star Wars Universe. And the characters are just to die for, complex, well written, and they learn constantly and grow during the path they take in the book.
Recommend it, Space-Opera at its best, although for non-Star-Wars-fans it will be not as good. Reasonably fast read, with an interesting ending, which is not really a cliff-hanger, but rather a twist (or really two!), which will make the sequel and the path the main characters take rather interesting.
mickb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
juli_f's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
nyx_knight's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jsaunders0027's review
adventurous
medium-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
4.25
caitief's review
adventurous
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
4.0
cadnad's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This is the best of the "Thrawn Trilogy". Thrawn's climb up the imperial ranks was perfectly paced. Though there weren't many of his signature 200IQ battle plans, his intelligence is still clear. This is especially clear when filtered through the eyes of Eli Vanto. Seeing the contrast between how Eli and Pyrce view Thrawn worked well for this novel.
This is more of a stand-alone novel than it is a prequel to Rebels. Because of this, I would recommend this to any Star Wars fans, but I don't think it works well as an introduction to this universe.
This is more of a stand-alone novel than it is a prequel to Rebels. Because of this, I would recommend this to any Star Wars fans, but I don't think it works well as an introduction to this universe.