Thrawn by Timothy Zahn, Marc Thompson (Narrator)
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, Darth Vader; 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 and 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 ascendancy.
I really enjoyed this book and one of the many reasons why is because Thrawn is part of the new Disney canon! I was so happy to see him on Star Wars: Rebels. Not much was changed about him. Still the same species, still a tactical genius and a savant at studying artwork to know his enemy. I squeed when he gets his Star Destroyer, Chimaera. I now want to go back and listen to the audiobooks of The Thrawn Trilogy (Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command).
It feels funny rooting for him because he works for the Empire, but he is just so good at what he does. Of course he has faults. He's not very good at politics and he does face prejudices for being an alien from the Unknown Territories.
I really enjoyed Thrawn's insight into people. There would be an aside of his observations of them and their reactions. Like studying art, it's how he would anticipate their actions.
I also loved how every chapter started out with his how-to-be a genius at strategy. It was like the Star Wars version of "The Art of War by Grand Admiral Thrawn."
A few critiques:
1. Some parts I thought were slow and my mind would wander off. Mostly it was the parts with Arihnda Pryce, but there is a point to her subplot. Her political manipulations balance with Thrawn's military tactics. Some of the missions Thrawn and Eli were on were slow, but they all come together in the end and add up to a final conclusion.
2. Sometimes Thrawn's voice was so soothing I would drift off to sleep and would have to go back and listen again. (Thrawn says "Perhaps" a lot. A LOT.)
3. Thrawn's aide, Eli Vanto, got on my nerves sometimes. He was taking too long to get up to speed with Thrawn's plans.
Marc Thompson is an excellent narrator. I know I said Thrawn's voice was so soothing I would drift off to sleep, but it was so perfect. Matched the voice on Star Wars: Rebels. He was also excellent at performing the voices for the Emperor and Tarkin.
My favorite voice though was Arihnda Pryce's friend. I think her name was Jewett? I can't find her on Wookieepedia. It is really annoying when their articles and character lists are incomplete. I wonder if the printed edition has a Dramatis Personae...
Anyway, her voice was so funny. It was like the Star Wars version of a valley girl and I could not be more amused by the way Marc Thompson performed her voice.
From now on I want to listen to Star Wars on audiobooks. It's like a radio drama with the sound effects and the music.
Some final thoughts that popped into my head:
Arihnda Pryce sure is a cold bitch. Her poor parents. Her mother will never get the image of the man her daughter killed out of her head.
I want to know more about the time Thrawn met Anakin Skywalker during The Clone Wars. And now that he has met Lord Vader, will he figure out that he was Anakin? SHORT STORY, PLEASE!
When Thrawn speaks of the horrible things out there in the Unknown Regions, is he talking about the Yuuzhan Vong? Thrawn's conversations with the Emperor and with Night Swan sure made me think so.
Will we see a short story sequel of Eli Vanto working with the Chiss Ascendancy? Not that I like Eli that much but I want more stories with the Chiss.
4 out of 5 Glowing Red Eyes.