thomcat's review against another edition
2.0
Loosely the second book in a series. Two story lines taking place in the same location at different times. Was it better than the first book? It falls quite a ways short.
Thrawn as Sherlock continues, with Anakin and Vader unsatisfying as bumbling Watson. Thrawn is too perfect here, never making a mistake and able to deduce perfect information beyond what the reader is shown.
Novels and television have not yet answered the question of how chatty Anakin became quiet Vader. While the author does show how Vader feels about Anakin, the other question remains unanswered. Here Zahn has Vader more chatty, and it is disconcerting at best, annoying at worst. Related topic - have other authors attempted to define how the Force works in combat? Zahn does, and I found it Double Annoying.
I liked Padme at the beginning, though the excuse to gallavant across the galaxy was tissue paper thin. Her reactions and responses were good, and then... she became a minor character once the Boyz arrived. The other side characters were flat and uninteresting. This novel is all about the pair of main characters - the blue one definitely primary.
This book may tie in nicely with television Rebels - I haven't watched it. The storyline may bridge well with the third book - haven't read that yet. This novel may be better than other recent Star Wars books - but I doubt it. I want to reread the earlier Zahn Thrawn trilogy, which I remember as being pretty good. And yes, I'll read the third book here, with friends. If not for them, I'd probably drop this like a cold blue potato.
Thrawn as Sherlock continues, with Anakin and Vader unsatisfying as bumbling Watson. Thrawn is too perfect here, never making a mistake and able to deduce perfect information beyond what the reader is shown.
Novels and television have not yet answered the question of how chatty Anakin became quiet Vader. While the author does show how Vader feels about Anakin, the other question remains unanswered. Here Zahn has Vader more chatty, and it is disconcerting at best, annoying at worst. Related topic - have other authors attempted to define how the Force works in combat? Zahn does, and I found it Double Annoying.
I liked Padme at the beginning, though the excuse to gallavant across the galaxy was tissue paper thin. Her reactions and responses were good, and then... she became a minor character once the Boyz arrived. The other side characters were flat and uninteresting. This novel is all about the pair of main characters - the blue one definitely primary.
This book may tie in nicely with television Rebels - I haven't watched it. The storyline may bridge well with the third book - haven't read that yet. This novel may be better than other recent Star Wars books - but I doubt it. I want to reread the earlier Zahn Thrawn trilogy, which I remember as being pretty good. And yes, I'll read the third book here, with friends. If not for them, I'd probably drop this like a cold blue potato.
wanderlustlover's review against another edition
5.0
Spring 2019 - audiobook;
I'm so torn between 4 stars and 5 stars, but I'm trying not to end up passing judgment on the Zahn for a narrator who just made me think stoned surfer boy every single time Anakin spoke, and whiny wimpy small child every time Padme did. I loved, love, love, his Thrawn voice, and I loved the book and story, itself quite a lot.
I love the stories with the children. I love the tit-a-tat going back and forth between Anakin & Thrawn in the past, where they first met, and Darth Vader & Thrawn in the future. I love the respect, and challenge, and the ultimate sorrow we get in some of those back and forth's between them in those different time periods because they are what are.
I love everything about Padme in this book. About her haring off to save her own handmaiden (and always more things about the handmaidens!) and about her own husband assuming she'd come save him once he got himself into too much trouble with slamming into a situation too bruskly. It's beautiful. It's definitely left me wanting to read the first and third book.
I'm so torn between 4 stars and 5 stars, but I'm trying not to end up passing judgment on the Zahn for a narrator who just made me think stoned surfer boy every single time Anakin spoke, and whiny wimpy small child every time Padme did. I loved, love, love, his Thrawn voice, and I loved the book and story, itself quite a lot.
I love the stories with the children. I love the tit-a-tat going back and forth between Anakin & Thrawn in the past, where they first met, and Darth Vader & Thrawn in the future. I love the respect, and challenge, and the ultimate sorrow we get in some of those back and forth's between them in those different time periods because they are what are.
I love everything about Padme in this book. About her haring off to save her own handmaiden (and always more things about the handmaidens!) and about her own husband assuming she'd come save him once he got himself into too much trouble with slamming into a situation too bruskly. It's beautiful. It's definitely left me wanting to read the first and third book.
marloriffic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
a_wishman's review against another edition
2.0
I don't know what is more insufferable, the incessant dick-measuring contest between Anakin/Vader and Thrawn or the complete waste of Padme in this book. Or maybe Thrawn being a Mary Sue if I ever read one. Or maybe the overly descriptive physics wedged into the narrative (we get it Zahn, you smart). Just...not for me.
kstep1805's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting to find myself on the side of the Empire. Makes you realize, the good guys are only the good guys because you know them. Good book.
robotowilliam's review against another edition
3.0
It has the same mild fun of reading Thrawn solving puzzles, and the accompanying mild frustration of having everything and everyone else be tailored to making him look smart, plus it has a split story thread featuring Vader in one and Anakin and Padme in the other, which any Star Wars fan will enjoy reading. It's very easy to read. The plot is very slightly interesting. I don't know the character Thrawn except for these novels, and I can't help thinking he will (if he hasn't already) see through how the Emperor took over the galaxy and ultimately side with the rebellion. We'll see next time!
nelsomatt001's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
cmgriffin's review against another edition
5.0
Zahn continues to impress with Thrawn. I was especially pleased with how he writes Padme, and the relationship dynamics at work between Thrawn-Anakin and Thrawn-Vader. Nice touch when a Clone Wars-era story holds the Republic accountable for its failings, too.
gustavoberman's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't liked it like the previous one. This one looks less polished... Like it was written really fast.