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![Star Wars: Thrawn (Star Wars: Thrawn series) by [Timothy Zahn]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41I5XJ6-pKS._SY346_.jpg)
Star Wars: Thrawn (Star Wars: Thrawn series) Kindle Edition
Timothy Zahn (Author) See search results for this author |
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THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
In this definitive novel, readers will follow Thrawn’s rise to power—uncovering the events that created one of the most iconic villains in Star Wars history.
One of the most cunning and ruthless warriors in the history of the Galactic Empire, Grand Admiral Thrawn is also one of the most captivating characters in the Star Wars universe, from his introduction in bestselling author Timothy Zahn’s classic Heir to the Empire, through his continuing adventures in Dark Force Rising, The Last Command, and beyond. But Thrawn’s origins and the story of his rise in the Imperial ranks have remained mysterious. Now, in Star Wars: Thrawn, Timothy Zahn chronicles the fateful events that launched the blue-skinned, red-eyed master of military strategy and lethal warfare into the highest realms of power—and infamy.
After Thrawn is rescued from exile by Imperial soldiers, his deadly ingenuity and keen tactical abilities swiftly capture the attention of Emperor Palpatine. And just as quickly, Thrawn proves to be as indispensable to the Empire as he is ambitious; as devoted as its most loyal servant, Anakin Skywalker; and a brilliant warrior never to be underestimated. On missions to rout smugglers, snare spies, and defeat pirates, he triumphs time and again—even as his renegade methods infuriate superiors while inspiring ever greater admiration from the Empire. As one promotion follows another in his rapid ascension to greater power, he schools his trusted aide, ensign Eli Vanto, in the arts of combat, leadership, and the secrets of claiming victory. But even though Thrawn dominates the battlefield, he has much to learn in the arena of politics where ruthless administrator Arihnda Pryce holds the power to be a potent ally or a brutal enemy.
All these lessons will be put to the ultimate test when Thrawn rises to admiral—and must pit all the knowledge, instincts, and battle forces at his command against an insurgent uprising that threatens not only innocent lives but also the Empire’s grip on the galaxy—and his own carefully laid plans for future ascendency.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherCornerstone Digital
- Publication date11 April 2017
- File size2993 KB
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Review
Timothy Zahn has written a taut, intense and intelligent novel and although all-out action scenes might be sporadic, the action itself is derived from the fascinating insights to the political manoeuvrings and duplicitous alliances. Star Wars: Thrawn is the I, Claudius of space opera at its finest ― Starburst Magazine
A real page turner… This is one of the best of the new Star Wars novels. If you are a Star Wars fan, especially of Rebels or the original novels, then it is a must read.. This is a well-constructed novel in its own right. The handling of the racism is very well done, and it shows how sci-fi novels can handle difficult subjects ― Nudge
Thrawn has now truly arrived in his strongest form, via the novel ― Partisan Cantina
Zahn’s return to the Star Wars universe is a triumph… Not only does Thrawn encompass every page he is inscribed on, but he remains an intricate and alluring afterthought when the narratives shift to the fortunes of the young Arindha Pryce
It is essential reading for every Star Wars fan. And In truth, it deserves a worthy sequel to build upon the foundations laid down by Zahn’s tireless efforts
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Product details
- ASIN : B01LC0V3TS
- Publisher : Cornerstone Digital; 1st edition (11 April 2017)
- Language : English
- File size : 2993 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 430 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: 11,022 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 6 in Star Wars
- 7 in Star Wars Series
- 78 in Galactic Empire Science Fiction eBooks
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About the author

Timothy Zahn is the Hugo Award-winning author of more than forty original science fiction novels and the bestselling Star Wars trilogy Heir to the Empire, among other works. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.
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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 December 2020
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That Disney chose to allow the best antagonist from SW Legends come back to life in Rebels, let alone in a new book, shows that they don't turn everything that they touch into dogmess (as I largely believe with most other IP's that they get their hands on.)
The book is loosely set over a period leading up to Rogue One/A New Hope, and expertly threads the rapid rise of Thrawn through the Imperial Navy's ranks, ably assisted by his - at first somewhat reluctant - Aide-de-Camp Eli Vanto, into the events that we know are to transpire through the film's plots.
For those that know the Heir to the Empire trilogy, there are a couple of great twists towards the end that really helped to frame why Thrawn really does what he does.
All I can say is that I really hope Tim Zahn revisits this storyline, perhaps with a follow up tale from Vanto's perspective after the events of this book.
Even if you know/knew nothing about Thrawn, you owe it to yourself to read about (imho) the Galactic Empire's greatest strategist.
More please Mr. Zahn!!
This book tells the tale of the rise of Thrawn through the ranks of the Empire. The most interesting aspect of the story is that since it's canon, it can take in the larger universe, and very much acts as a precursor to Thrawn's appearance in the Rebels animated series, even telling the story of the rise of Governor Pryce.
The story is a bit scattershot, but is mostly entertaining. A weird omission is that of Rukh, but hopefully that will be addressed in another book down the line.
Probably the most interesting character in the novel is Eli Vanto, who is partnered with Thrawn throughout the story, and who is much better written. We actually get to read about his feelings and thoughts, while Thrawn is never revealed to the reader in such a fashion. Odd, for a book bearing his name as its title.
The basic problem throughout the book is that Thrawn is an infallible tactical genius, he is never wrong, he never misjudges anything, and as much as the reader (through the eyes of Thrawn's aide, Eli Vanto, the Dr Watson to Thrawn's Sherlock Holmes) is tempted to think that this time he may have got it wrong, there is always the inevitable Holmes explaining to an amazed Watson section where Thrawn explains how he figured it all out right from the beginning, lifted directly from any given Holmes story. There are even a good few "By Jove, Holmes! You've cracked it!" responses from Vanto for good measure.
There is no 'learning' moment, no operation gone disastrously wrong that has Thrawn learning a valuable lesson from his mistake - no character development at all. It's just Thrawn's rapid rise through the ranks occasionally obstructed by institutionalised racism in the Imperial Navy. He's fully functioning straight out of the box.
The narrative device of Thrawn's journal entries topping each chapter is a bit turgid - essentially it's "the theme of this chapter, dear reader, is (insert as appropriate)" - a tad condescending to the reader as it's better to figure that out for ourselves. Similarly, the constant observations of people's idiosyncrasies by Thrawn in italics is a bit annoying. It beats us over the head with endless reminders that Thrawn notices everything and misses nothing.
Thrawn's use of a species' art as an observational tool is absolutely spot-on, though. This is a skill I possess myself and have employed on many occasions. I can walk in to any pub - literally any pub - and by looking at the art on its walls - The Laughing Cavalier, Barmaid at the Folies Bergere, Dogs Playing Snooker, for example - deduce that when I approach the bar, a member of staff will ask me what I want and give it to me. Whether it's a pint of lager, a cask ale, a cider or a soft drink, maybe even a packet of crisps, simply from observing the artwork I can conclude that these and more items will be available to me upon request. To give Timothy Zahn his due, its replication in the book is uncannily accurate.
Alongside Thrawn's rise, we see the parallel path of an ambitious young woman eyeing a political career. It's pretty clear from the outset that what we're seeing is one person progressing through skill and merit, while the other progresses through connivance and game-playing, with the two of them set to come into direct conflict with one another further down the line. I think we all know who will come out on top.
So, if you're a Thrawn fan, yay - there's lots of Thrawn being Thrawn doing Thrawny things. If you prefer a little character development or a couple of surprise revelations, you won't find them here. Do I have the fortitude to push through the next two volumes in the hope that things improve? Probably not.