Star Wars: Thrawn
Author: Timothy Zahn
Format: Adult Fiction
Who it’s for: Adults
Our novel begins with the discovery of an alien, unknown except to legend and myth, a Chiss. Agents of the Empire find themselves completely outmatched by the strategy and capabilities of a single castaway, leading to him making his way into the ranks of the Empire in short order. Thrawn is a character well known to fans of the Star Wars universe, a book series in the 90’s. He takes a page from characters such as Honor Harrington and Horatio Hornblower in that the future Grand Admiral is not a character of great action, but more of plans and tactics. He possesses the keen gift of being able to analyze a society through it’s artistry, giving insight on tactics and processes of his opponents. The novel details the beginning of his imperial career and his feats of prowess, while dragging Ensign Eli Vanto along for the ride becoming one of the only ones capable of understanding and learning the intriguing man’s ways. Interestingly though he is an antagonist in other novels and in the Star Wars Rebels tv series, the books show that he lacks the cruelty and ambition of other Star Wars villains, instead doing the minimum to ensure victory and going out of his way to minimize losses. Thrawn is a fascinating character and the other two novels in the trilogy show an adventure of his and Darth Vader while exploring their shared past, and the third bringing involvement of his species into the fray where he’s pulled on opposite sides of his loyalty. I think if you’re looking to get into the newer Star Wars materials, Thrawn is a fantastic place to start and gives a look at the Empire and all of the background struggles between characters and politics of the setting.
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