Thrawn: Alliances (Star Wars) Mass Market Paperback – February 26, 2019

My son likes this book

This is a novel set in two time periods. One of which is during the Clone Wars and involves Anakin and Padme investigating a Separatist operation on the edge of the unknown region. The other sees Imperial forces under the joint command of Thrawn and Vader return to the same area at the bequest of the Emperor during the period of the Galactic Empire sometime between the third and fourth series of ‘Rebels’.The two storylines run simultaneously and there are several plot links between them that are not readily apparent until the latter stages. Primarily, though, the events in each time period are linked through the relationship between Thrawn and Anakin/Vader. In this way the novel explores how these two strong-willed and powerful characters come to terms with each other in two differing ways.As individuals in the first instance, Thrawn and Anakin end up working together with different objectives in what they each perceive as a temporary measure. In the second they are in command of Imperial military forces and resources and, forced into working together by the Emperor, they must reach an accord that must last for the foreseeable future. This allows for a certain amount of compare and contrast between the two scenarios. As such there are several parallel moments in the developing stories of their ‘alliance’. This is made further interesting by the lack of acknowledgement from them both in the later period that Anakin and Vader are one and the same and thus that their previous relationship existed.Despite this book being the second in a trilogy of Thrawn for the ‘new canon’, Thrawn and Vader share equal billing, the story’s focus continually shifting between the two lead protagonists. One of the novel’s major strengths is the shifting of perspective between them, revealing how they regard each other and how this decides how much they concede to each other. During the course of events it also reveals just how effective they can be working together. There are also enough foes and challenges present to cast them both in a semi-heroic light.There is a decent collection of other characters. Padme’s characterisation is done well and Commodore Faro, introduced in ‘Thrawn’ continues to develop well as a dependable ally for Thrawn. The Separatist characters are a little dull but the inclusion of Kimmund is a great insight into what it must be like to be a reasonably high-ranking storm trooper under the unforgiving command of Vader.The novel conjoins well with both ‘The Clone Wars’ and ‘Rebels’ programmes as well as revisiting the idea postulated in the author’s earlier, now no longer canon, books to feature Thrawn, that the Emperor has him investigating potential threats to the Empire in and beyond the Outer Rim.Complementing his role in ‘Rebels’, it is great to see Thrawn further developed in one of the stronger books of the new canon.

You will love this book if you love Timothy Zahn's work. I know for a fact that I will enjoy this since he never fails when writing about Thrawn or any other character for that matter.My only gripe is that the book arrived with dents and some ripping almost as if the book was owned by someone else and then given to me. I understand that this is not the case, and most likely due to transportation but still. I expect a new book to look as good as it should.

A very well maintained plot and interesting to read. Can't stop once started.

It’s Star Wars it has Thrawn and Darth Vader in it.. need I say more..

Really not his best work.