Hardcover, 342 pages
English language
Published Jan. 6, 2018 by Del Rey.
"I have sensed a disturbance in the Force." Ominous words under any circumstances, but all the more so when uttered by Emperor Palpatine. On Batuu, at the edges of the Unknown Regions, a threat to the Empire is taking root--its existence little more than a glimmer, its consequences as yet unknowable. But it is troubling enough to the Imperial leader to warrant investigation by his most powerful agents: ruthless enforcer Lord Darth Vader and brilliant strategist Grand Admiral Thrawn. Fierce rivals for the emperor's favor, and outspoken adversaries on Imperial affairs--including the Death Star project--the formidable pair seem unlikely partners for such a crucial mission. But the Emperor knows it's not the first time Vader and Thrawn have joined forces. And there's more behind his royal command than either man suspects. In what seems like a lifetime ago, General Anakin Skywalker of the Galactic Republic, and Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo, officer of …
"I have sensed a disturbance in the Force." Ominous words under any circumstances, but all the more so when uttered by Emperor Palpatine. On Batuu, at the edges of the Unknown Regions, a threat to the Empire is taking root--its existence little more than a glimmer, its consequences as yet unknowable. But it is troubling enough to the Imperial leader to warrant investigation by his most powerful agents: ruthless enforcer Lord Darth Vader and brilliant strategist Grand Admiral Thrawn. Fierce rivals for the emperor's favor, and outspoken adversaries on Imperial affairs--including the Death Star project--the formidable pair seem unlikely partners for such a crucial mission. But the Emperor knows it's not the first time Vader and Thrawn have joined forces. And there's more behind his royal command than either man suspects. In what seems like a lifetime ago, General Anakin Skywalker of the Galactic Republic, and Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo, officer of the Chiss Ascendancy, crossed paths for the first time. One on a desperate personal quest, the other with motives unknown . . . and undisclosed. But facing a gauntlet of dangers on a far-flung world, they forged an uneasy alliance--neither remotely aware of what their futures held in store. Now, thrust together once more, they find themselves bound again for the planet where they once fought side by side. There they will be doubly challenged--by a test of their allegiance to the Empire . . . and an enemy that threatens even their combined might.
A good book about Thrawn's early years with in both The Old Republic and the fledgling Empire. Fully compatible with Legends.
I liked it - first of all, Marc Thompson's Thrawn, perfect as ever. Second, finally we see what Thrawn and Anakin were up to and was hinted at in the first book - and we see Thrawn and Vader working together. At times I guess it annoyed me when we kept going back and forth between the past story and the present one, but yet I dealt with it fine because while the two were connected, it also felt like we got two stories for the price of one. But good stuff - can't wait for the third book!
July 2019 - my relistening of this one for getting ready for the third - still loved it, but still wished it was two separate books. I was very invested in the Anakin/Thrawn story and then the Vader/Thrawn story, but the going back and forth does take one out of the …
I liked it - first of all, Marc Thompson's Thrawn, perfect as ever. Second, finally we see what Thrawn and Anakin were up to and was hinted at in the first book - and we see Thrawn and Vader working together. At times I guess it annoyed me when we kept going back and forth between the past story and the present one, but yet I dealt with it fine because while the two were connected, it also felt like we got two stories for the price of one. But good stuff - can't wait for the third book!
July 2019 - my relistening of this one for getting ready for the third - still loved it, but still wished it was two separate books. I was very invested in the Anakin/Thrawn story and then the Vader/Thrawn story, but the going back and forth does take one out of the full thing when it happens. But yet, it's hardly the end of the world that it happens. Anyway, can't wait for the third one!
Dec 2021 - continuing relistening to the original trilogy after reading Lesser Evil. This one definitely feels different now with the added look from the prequels. Good stuff! :)
June 2023 - just continuing on my rereading the Thrawn books before Ahsoka comes out! :)
I have tried to get into this one twice so far, and it is just not keeping my interest. I honestly do not know what Zahn did here. Heck, I like Thrawn's character. The first one was pretty good. This one is just a drag. It just does not feel right. I am putting it aside. I may try later, but not likely.
