Book Review - Thrawn: Alliances (Star Wars) by Timothy Zahn

I enjoyed Timothy Zahn's original Thrawn Trilogy, but I thought it could have been better. The classic Star Wars characters were close, but not quite right. His first Thrawn book in the new series corrected that by getting the Emperor's character right and showing us new sides to Thrawn's character. I was curious to see how he would follow up that story.

Thrawn: Alliances by Timothy Zahn is a science fiction, action, adventure Star Wars story. It is available as an eBook, Audiobook, and one of those paper things your grandparents used to read.

The Good

Darth Vader. I find it rare for anyone but George Lucas to get his classic characters right. I've read a lot of Star Wars novels, comic books, comic strips, and even watched those awful new Star Wars films, and no one seems to really capture the original characters. Even Timothy Zahn in his first series of Star Wars novels couldn't pull it off. Until now. Darth Vader felt like Darth Vader, spoke like Darth Vader, and acted like Darth Vader.

Interesting Stories that Parallel. This latest novel is actually two stories that take place in a similar part of space with the earlier story affecting the latter one. While the story wasn't as good as the first Thrawn novel in the series, is was still interesting and added to the Star Wars mythos.

The Bad

Small Scope. When I think of Star Wars, I think of Galactic Opera that contrasts the big galactic events against the everyday lives of ordinary people. This story forgot the galactic events.

What I Would Like to Have Seen

I wish more had happened. I wish the aliens had been more interesting.

Overall

Thrawn: Alliances by Timothy Zahn wasn't as good as the first Thrawn novel in this series, but was still an enjoyable read and continues the story adding more to Thrawn's backstory and motivation. Zahn did a masterful job of capturing Darth Vader's voice, thoughts, and actions. The parallel stories was handled well and helped make two less interesting stories more impactful. I give this book 4 out of 5 eReaders.

   

Book Review: Thrawn by Timothy Zahn

I love Star Wars and when I was younger I hoped for the longest time they'd make more. When I was in high school I saw a friend reading Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn and got really excited about more Star Wars adventures. I eventually read the trilogy and loved it. Then he followed it up with a duology that wasn't as good. So I wasn't sure what to expect from his latest outing.

Thrawn is a science fiction space opera set in the Star Wars Universe by Timothy Zahn. It's available in all formats: eBooks, Audiobooks, and those paper things your grandparents used to read.

The Good

Writing. The writing is very crisp and clear. The author cares primarily about telling a story and never lets the words get in the way. Unlike some, he doesn't feel the need to impress the reader with his extensive vocabulary or eloquent locution.

Characters. The characters are all very interesting and fleshed out enough that the reader has pretty strong feelings about all of them.

Strategy. The majority of this story consists of incidents and how Thrawn uses strategy to deal with them. It very fun to read and fascinating to watch.

Movement Thru Time. This book covers several years and does a really good job jumping from one incident to another several months or several years later so the reader never feels bogged down by unnecessary explanation or exposition.

The Bad

Too Short of Time Span. This story covers the period of time when Thrawn meets the Empire to when he becomes a Grand Admiral. I was expecting to find out more about the character. I suppose that means there will have to be a sequel.

Change in Character. The Thrawn presented in this novel feels like a different character from the Thrawn in Heir to the Empire and its sequels.

What I Would Like to Have Seen

I wish we had seem more of Thrawn's early life to better know him as a character.

Overall

Thrawn is a great book that held my attention from page one. It feels like the Star Wars Universe and faithfully adds to the mythology. I give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 eReaders.