I am still not quite sure how many Thrawn trilogies Timothy Zahn has written. I consider that a good thing because the idea of an endless amount of stories about Thrawn in the Star Wars universe isn’t all that bad in my opinion. I’ll admit that I did not start this book thinking that way. Much like the character himself, this first book of the Star Wars: Thrawn series has much to offer beyond what’s on the surface.
Most of the story covers the backgrounds and eventual intersections of Thrawn and Arhinda Pryce, and their ascendancies to their respective positions as Imperial Grand Admiral and Governor of Lothal. I found the book a slow burn at the start. It was a hard one for me to get into and honestly the calming tones of Marc Thompson’s voice narrating as Thrawn lulled me to sleep more than once. No, I don’t want to know what that says about me.
Anyways, the last few chapters reveal why it’s important to never judge a book by it’s cover, or underestimate the capabilities of a random Chiss found out in the wilds of space. I found Thrawn’s personal story compelling and much different than a quintessential underdog-turned-hero tale, although there is a strong albeit inverted undertone of such. As Thrawn relies on strategy, timing, and patterns to subvert his enemies and climb the ranks of the Imperial Navy, the book did a good job of satiating the reader into a familiar pace only to have Thrawn reveal his well-planned and often surprising strategies right at critical moments.
On the topic of inclusion Thrawn as a character is also an unexpected example himself. Being a Chiss he represents the deepest unknown parts of the galaxy that make others uncomfortably aware of their smallness in it all, either by his mere existence or powerfully deep blue and piercing red-eyed stature. Thrawn’s intellect and demeanor undoubtedly trigger many an insecure ego along the way. He is non-human and underestimated, not expected to advance in rank as fast as he does. Yet, Thrawn always manages to pull a mission off using an expertly executed strategical choice he identifies before the battles even begin. His tactical mind is his own form of super-weapon, continually proving his enemies on all fronts woefully inept in comparison.
Overall, Thrawn is not to be underestimated, and neither is this book. I absolutely despised Thrawn as a character after first seeing him in the Rebels and Ahoska series. He was too good of a villan. He was also too good at his job of creeping me out, and most terrifyingly, he gives the rebels the best run for their money as an Imperial officer in the entire galaxy, in my opinion. He gets too close, but his dedication to understanding his enemies fully is what makes him such an effective leader in defeating them. This book reveals some of the many layers to this powerful character and will upturn your expectations of how Thrawn came to be the steady and calculative Grand Admiral that we know, and at the very least, esteem.
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