by Matthew Wilson
Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good was written by New York Times Bestselling Author, Timothy Zahn. The book was published by Del Rey (thank you for the advanced material). Greater Good is the second installment of the Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy.
SUMMARY: Thrawn is tasked with finding out if the Vagaari Pirates are returning to Ascendancy space to cause havoc or if they have possibly allied with the Paataatus. During this investigation, Thrawn has a run-in with a group of refugees who believe their world and/or its inhabitants have been destroyed. The leader of these people has the authority to order the rest of her race, to end their life to join the “beyond,” to be one with their world once again, in a different form. Thrawn takes it upon himself to prevent these people from killing themselves and to find their world.
Elsewhere, a rare/expensive material is given to a member of the Xodlak family as a gift. The after affects of this gift brings the Xodlak family to call its members together, withdrawing warriors and officials within the Ascendency to report in to a family “emergency.” The Xodlak find the origins of this material and want to claim it for themselves, this could potentially bring them back into a ruling family status.
Will Thrawn save the alien race from committing mass suicide? Will the Xodlak family bring about civil war? Will Jixtus get the answers he’s seeking? You’ll have to read the novel to find the answers to those questions!
CHARACTERS: There are so many characters in this tale that push the plot forward. I’m going to mention just a few.
Thrawn, as always seems to have the upper hand. He’s a problem solver, a leader, and an artist. He still has an issue with authority. Ba’kif (the General of the Chiss Defense Force) lets Thrawn know that the Ascendency is hesitant in allowing Thrawn to venture too far out of known space. Thrawn’s confrontation with Yiv the Benevolent brought unwanted attention by the Syndicure. As a result, the Syndicure doesn’t want the Expansionary Defense Fleet to be spread out too thin across space. Thrawn… disagrees. Thrawn has to be reminded of the Ascendancy policy – no military action should be taken unless Ascendancy territory is attacked first!
Likinda, Commander of the Chiss warship, Grayshrike, has an interesting conflict that arises between her morality and the Xodlak family. With the events that she faces, it gives us deeper insight as to how the families operate.
Jixtus was mentioned briefly in The first book, Chaos Rising. In this tale, he is brought into the story a lot more, but still just a mysterious robed figure with a spy gathering intel on the Chiss. He’s very interested in how the Chiss navigate through space. He believes the Chiss have a navigational device from the people in lessor space, taken from the people long ago when the Chiss had taken part in their wars. Jixtus wants this device.
Quote of the book comes from one of the Chiss upon receiving a gift:
“If one wants the joy of giving, one must in turn except the humbleness of receiving, as to allow others their own joy.”
OVERALL THOUGHTS: I was pleased with book one, Chaos Rising. Was I pleased with part two, Greater Good? Yes! This book offers an excellent story. It’s widely known as the second book in a Thrawn trilogy, but it’s so much more than just a Thrawn story. There are many characters in this book that play a critical role in pushing the plot forward.
There is a lot of conflict in this story, and it’s handled so well. Zahn brings in a whole new level of drama in this book involving differences in alien species, Chiss families, and authoritative conflict within the Ascendancy itself. Thrawn is usually predictable in that, he’s perfect… he knows how to resolve everything – always. While that’s mostly true, the other characters ground the story, making the novel so interesting and unpredictable. I can’t wait to see how Timothy Zahn concludes the Thrawn Ascendency trilogy.
Timothy Zahn creates his own corner of the galaxy… so unique, fresh, yet familiar!
There are a few things I have to say about the Audiobook production. First, the positive – Marc Thompson does an excellent job narrating the story. He’s highly entertaining and puts in a lot of effort with each character of the book.
The negative, I feel that in some parts the music was misplaced and/or too loud. the narration was a little too slow for my taste, which made it a little difficult following along with the story.
Rating: This book receives a B+
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendency Chaos Rising, was written by New York Times Bestselling Author, Timothy Zahn.
This tale takes place after the events of Attack of the Clones, however there are memories sections in the story that that reach further back in time to significant moments in our characters lives.
SUMMARY: A ship is discovered on the outskirts of the Chiss Ascendency, its crew, dead. There was also an attack on the Chiss capital, but it was a quick attack that led to nothing but curiosity and confusion. An investigation of the discovered ship leads General Ba’kif, of the Chiss Ascendency to believe the attack on the Chiss world was a distraction from the root cause of the drifting, dead ship. Further investigation, leads to the discovery of the Nikardun. The Nikardun are ruled by Yiv the Benevolent, they travel from world to world in the Chaos, adding new allies to their Nikardun Destiny.
Thrawn is not too impressed by Yiv’s tactics, but is displeased by the conquers treatment and manipulation of other worlds. Thrawn takes it upon himself to expose Yiv for what he is, a coward and a a user. In this story, Yiv the Benevolent is trying to persuade the Vak, citiziens of the world Primea, to join his rule. What the Vak don’t know, is that if they don’t join the Nikardun Destiny, that death will reign down upon them. Thrawn believes the Chiss need to stop the Nikardun, but the Synidcure, or Chiss government, disagrees. Well, Thrawn is no politician, but will take whatever means necessary to fulfill his mission, whether the Chiss Ascendency is with him, or against him.
Will Thrawn defeat The Nikardun? Will he be cast out from the Ascendancy? You’ll need to pick the book and read it to find out!
CHARACTERS: Zahn delivers a great tale with rich characters and edge of your seat action! The story gives us a great full cast of characters. Some are familiar to Star Wars readers, while most, are introduced for the first time.
Admiral Ar’alani: She’s a successful Admiral of the Chiss Ascendency. She’s loyal to her people and protective of Thrawn. She uses her rank to help shield some of Thrawn’s reckless yet brilliant tactics from the Syndicure’s (Chiss government’s) wraith. She will do what’s right for her people, even if it means a slap on the wrist.
Yiv the Benevolent: He’s a pretty mean dude, he is wrathful of those who stand against him or deny him. He craves power and puts on a front of peace to lure new systems into his Nikardun Destiny. Once he has made his treaties, he bends the cultures and systems to his will.
Thrawn: He’s the man with the plan. He always remains calm and level headed. He doesn’t really care what others think of him. While he’s an expert in military warfare tactics, he’s not the best politician. He likes art, a trait we’ve seen remain consistent in other Thrawn stories, by studying a cultures art, he can learn that cultures defense tactics, not quite sure how that’s possible, but, whatever. Thrawn is highly intelligent and can’t seem to just be still, he’s got to be on some mission, authorized or not.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: This novel, while treading on familiar ground with a character that was introduced first in the Star Wars Expanded Universe or Legends canon, then given a trilogy in the current canon, ended up being a breath of fresh air. The social agendas that many of us fans pick up on in many of the new novels is absent in this book, and it’s so refreshing. Finally, a book without some real world political stance. The real Star Wars EU vibe has been restored in this novel.
Zahn brings the Expanded Universe heart back to canon.
I’m going to be honest. When I first started reading I was pretty hyped. Then I was hit with a touch of boredom, I started thinking too much about Star Wars as a whole and how fandom is so divided, and wanted to put the book down. Then, the book hit the gas, and I had to buckle up for one heck of a ride.
The characters names can be a little too difficult to grasp, I don’t like how complicated they are. I can make up a way to say the names in my head, but can’t actually speak them. Yet, the characters were written very well. We get a good sense of what makes these characters tick. We understand their strengths and weaknesses.
Zahn delivers a great tale with rich characters and edge of your seat action!
The memories sections were important to the stories main timeline. However, it would have been cool if instead of having these “memories” chapters in the book, that a short novella had been printed, a short Thrawn prequel novel about his youth. It would have made some things less predictable, as many of the memories foreshadow many actions or events that take place in a following chapter for the current story timeline.
I enjoyed the book overall, the political and familial aspect of the Chiss culture is elaborate and unique, we haven’t fully explored an alien culture in Star Wars to this extent. I love it. Hopefully we dive even deeper into it in the next Thrawn novel.
As this is book one of a new trilogy, the ending leaves it open, as it should. I would have appreciated something a little more nail biting at the end, but I’m pleased with the ending we did get. It gets the mind going with theories, which is also a fun way to end a book.
Do I recommend you pick up Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendency Chaos Rising? Yes, I do. Like I said, there’s no social agenda that I picked up on this story, it’s a true Star Wars tale.
Purchase Thrawn Ascendancy: https://amzn.to/31nUSwu
RATING: I give this novel an A.
Purchase TheGeeksAttic Expanded Universe Products: https:// TheGeeksAttic.redbubble.com
Let’s be friends:
* Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGeeksAttic
* Facebook: https:// facebook.com/geeksattic
* Instagram: https://instagram.com/thegeeksattic/
* Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/thegeeksattic
*PRODUCT – AFFILIATE – LINKS*
By clicking these links and buying the products you are helping to support my channel. There are no additional costs to you. I use these products and stand behind them. I appreciate the support!
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Thrawn Treason was written by New York Times Bestselling Author, Timothy Zahn. This is the third and final installment of the canon Trawn trilogy! This tale takes place before the Rebels television series.
SUMMARY: Politics among the Empire’s ranks is ever present in this tale of war and greed. Director Krennic’s Stardust project is hit with delays as an infestation of Grallocs (a cousin of the Mynock), feed on the power of the cargo freighters hauling parts and weapons. These creatures latch onto ships as they fly through space, leading the empire to believe a glitch in the freighters hyperdrive blasts the ships into space, dropping out in the middle nowhere.
Thrawn strikes a deal with Emperor Palpatine, Tarkin and Director Krennic, that if he can solve the Gralloc problem in a certain timeframe, his TIE defender program will receive more funding. Assistant Director Ronan is to accompany Thrawn on the Chimaera (Thrawn’s Star Destroyer) as the mission proceeds. It is on this mission when Grand Admiral Thrawn discovers the Grysks (a terror from the unknown regions), has made their way into imperial space! Also in this discovery, an unexpected reunion takes place, Eli Vanto returns with the Chiss Ascendancy!
Thrawn meets with Vanto and Admiral Ar’alani of the Chiss Ascendancy, making Assistant Director Ronan skeptical of Thrawn. Does Thrawn’s loyalty lie with the Empire or the Chiss Ascendancy? Are Thrawn’s actions treasonous? As the plot thickens, relationships are made and severed as the truth pertaining to the missing Stardust cargo is exposed.
CHARACTERS: This book has several great characters. I will mention only two!
Thrawn: The blue Chiss is calm, cool, and collected. He has a brilliant mind with a knack for outwitting his foes. Thrawn is a problem solver and genuine leader, with no hesitation to promote or reprimand his subordinates. His loyalty to the Empire and to the Chiss Ascendancy is nearly equal, and his hatred for the Grysks is great. His actions appear outright crazy and foolish, yet nothing he does is without forethought based on wisdom he’s acquired.
Ar’alani: Admiral Ar’alani is a of the Chiss Ascendancy. She’s admiral of the ship named Steadfast. She’s understanding of Thrawn’s roll to the Empire, but also can’t help but question where his heart is. She’s a hard leader that follows procedure but also willing to follow Thrawn’s instruction. Ar’alani is dead set on wiping out the Grysks.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: I’ll start off by saying Star Wars: Thrawn Treason is very clever, highly amusing, and extremely exciting! You need to read this! Timothy Zahn is a great writer and handles character development and story elements equally as good. He tends to lean heavy on a more “hard sci-fi” style of writing, compared to a more fantasy based sci-fi. This novel truly was fun to read and I found it hard to put down.
This story has several elements that link to the Catalyst novel, and I think that is brilliant. Not only do we have Director Krennic and Stardust sprinkled in this tale, but Death Troopers! The Death Troopers aren’t just mentioned, we actually follow a few of them on a mission, and it’s awesome! This book really ties into canon that’s already established, making it a great addition to the overall story.
The twists and turns were fashioned in a few different ways. Some felt organic, while others were a little too dramatic. Thrawn’s brilliance can come off too convenient at times, which can take away some of the tension, making certain outcomes predictable. However, the book is full of surprises and wonderful moments. There are indeed some of the most tense situations in recent Star Wars story telling that grab you by the collar and pull you to the edge of your seat.
Well, do I recommend that you read Thrawn Treason by Timothy Zahn? Yes, I’d say this is the best in the Trawn trilogy.
RATING: I will give this novel an A+
Select here to purchase Thrawn Treason
*PRODUCT – AFFILIATE – LINKS*
By clicking these links and buying the products you are helping to support my channel. There are no additional costs to you. I use these products and stand behind them. I appreciate the support!
by Matthew Wilson
Admiral Thrawn is back! Timothy Zahn’s third installment of the canon Thrawn trilogy has arrived. The blue Chiss character has a knack for outwitting his opponents, either inside or outside of the Empire. As of this post, I am seven chapters deep in Thrawn: Treason and enjoying every word of it. For a quick assessment and early reaction; the story is on its way to being one of the best in recent publications. The story is simple yet clever, exciting, and amusing.
Some have argued in the past that the character of Thrawn is too perfect or even too boring! I can agree to an extent with those arguments, but Thrawn Treason… so far, is proving to be an outstanding novel!
A full review of Thrawn: Treason will be up very soon. Until then, follow these links to past Thrawn novel reviews for a refresher:
Thrawn
Thrawn: Alliances
Keep an eye out for more book reviews that will be published in the coming weeks, such as two Stranger Things novels, Star Wars: Black Spire, and Star Wars: A Crash of Fate.
