opalamber's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
chappellmw90's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jonwesleyhuff's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm... this one is difficult. I was so excited for a new Thrawn book. And I really enjoyed the first book. So when it was revealed there were more coming, I really looked forward to them. The second book didn't resonate with me very much. The team-up between Thrawn and Darth Vader felt a little stunted by the necessity of playing in a cross-universe sandbox. And I got kind of bored by the Anakin stuff. But with this third book, we're back firmly in the present the entire time, and Eli Vanto was back as well.
The biggest problem I have with the last two books of this trilogy is that what's actually happening isn't all that complex or interesting to me. There's a storyline creeping in the background toward something bigger that seems interesting. But knowing where Thrawn is headed in Rebels, part of me wonders how/when it'll get picked up.
Part of the fun of Thrawn is that he's basically Sherlock Holmes working for the Empire. But the things he has to figure out are often based on things that don't currently exist in our world. So it's less satisfying to see him work out that, say, the attacking ships couldn't be Fleebo battleships because Fleebo battleship thrusters only turn left. (This is, I hope it's obvious, not a real thing in the book... just keeping this spoiler free.) Also, whereas the fact that Thrawn studied his enemies art was an interesting trait when he was first introduced, it's so overplayed here (and is such a defining trait in-universe even) that it starts to feel a little silly.
That's not to say there aren't still a lot of pleasures to be had here. The relationship between Faro and Thrawn is great. Only dimmed somewhat when you realize you're rooting for Faro in the moment, but she is a part of a murderous Empire. It was great to bring Vanto back, but the book keeps Thrawn and him apart for most of it, which was kind of disappointing.
Ultimately, what I find most frustrating about this book (and the three books as a trilogy) is that the pace feels a little slow. The second book feels largely inconsequential to the overall arc that's going on here, and is definitely the weakest of the three. This one feels like it's setting up a lot of stuff... but the real payoff feels like it belongs to some future book.
The biggest problem I have with the last two books of this trilogy is that what's actually happening isn't all that complex or interesting to me. There's a storyline creeping in the background toward something bigger that seems interesting. But knowing where Thrawn is headed in Rebels, part of me wonders how/when it'll get picked up.
Part of the fun of Thrawn is that he's basically Sherlock Holmes working for the Empire. But the things he has to figure out are often based on things that don't currently exist in our world. So it's less satisfying to see him work out that, say, the attacking ships couldn't be Fleebo battleships because Fleebo battleship thrusters only turn left. (This is, I hope it's obvious, not a real thing in the book... just keeping this spoiler free.) Also, whereas the fact that Thrawn studied his enemies art was an interesting trait when he was first introduced, it's so overplayed here (and is such a defining trait in-universe even) that it starts to feel a little silly.
That's not to say there aren't still a lot of pleasures to be had here. The relationship between Faro and Thrawn is great. Only dimmed somewhat when you realize you're rooting for Faro in the moment, but she is a part of a murderous Empire. It was great to bring Vanto back, but the book keeps Thrawn and him apart for most of it, which was kind of disappointing.
Ultimately, what I find most frustrating about this book (and the three books as a trilogy) is that the pace feels a little slow. The second book feels largely inconsequential to the overall arc that's going on here, and is definitely the weakest of the three. This one feels like it's setting up a lot of stuff... but the real payoff feels like it belongs to some future book.
kaitlyn_wren's review against another edition
3.0
assistant director ronan and director krennic are in love. i wish i kept a collection of quotes of them fawning over eachother cause “his approval was ALL that mattered” are you kidding??? they like to kiss most def.
iam_griff's review against another edition
4.0
OH MY (my best George Takei impersonation)!! This book was sooo much better than the previous one. Grand Admiral Thrawn has to be one of the most interesting (Expanded Universe) characters to date. I enjoyed seeing Eli Vantos' return & several easter eggs that tied this story to the movie Rogue One. Commodore Pharell is an interesting protege of the Grand Admiral's & Assistant Director Ronin was just annoyingly whiny character. There were a few scenes that I just wished someone would've hit him in the mouth.
One thing I didn't care for was how much the word "Treason" was thrown around. From my own years in the military I've heard of Officers/Enlisted that misappropriated goods or funds & treason was never used when those individuals were found out/caught. My last criticism is this just doesn't seem like the last book in a series as there were several plot questions that just weren't answered.
Overall it's still a book worth reading & would recommend to a fellow Star Wars fan.
One thing I didn't care for was how much the word "Treason" was thrown around. From my own years in the military I've heard of Officers/Enlisted that misappropriated goods or funds & treason was never used when those individuals were found out/caught. My last criticism is this just doesn't seem like the last book in a series as there were several plot questions that just weren't answered.
Overall it's still a book worth reading & would recommend to a fellow Star Wars fan.
skyshadow24's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tejas_vinod's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
the_resistance_book_club's review against another edition
5.0
A good ending to a new beginning
It was a great read! Love how they set up the Ascendancy…my favorite characters is Commodore Faro and Lieutenant Commander Eli Vanto…can’t wait to the next trilogy…
It was a great read! Love how they set up the Ascendancy…my favorite characters is Commodore Faro and Lieutenant Commander Eli Vanto…can’t wait to the next trilogy…