hardcover, 448 pages
English language
Published April 11, 2017 by Del Rey Books.
Found on an unnamed Outer Rim planet, the exiled Chiss warrior Thrawn pledges himself to Emperor Palpatine and joins the Imperial navy. Thrawn's cunning and expertise as a tactician help him to rise through the ranks with unprecedented speed, though his renegade tactics ignite the ire of his superiors. At Thrawn's side is his translator-turned-aide-de-camp, Ensign Eli Vanto, whom he trains in the ways of war. Meanwhile, ruthless administrator Arihnda Pryce plots her own rise to power.
Thrawn and his machinations are the ideal books for the Star Wars universe. Zahn brings decades of Star Wars experience to write extremely engaging narratives.
Excellent story about the origins of Thrawn. One of my first Disney-canon books, and it would have fit neatly into Legends. Not quite as good as his original (Legends) Thrawn book, but that's probably just nostalgia speaking.
June 2018 - listed to the audiobook - liked how he figured out the Death Star... and how so ridiculously smart and calm he is!
July 2019 - re-listened to it, getting ready for the third part! :D
2021 - was interested in listening to it after the latest book, to see how it fits in with how Lesser Evil ended... like it even more! :)
June 2023 - going through all the Thrawn books before Ahsoka comes out, so started with the first! :)
