Chaos Rising Part 2

[colls]

Welcome to our second of four check-in and discussion posts for our Book of the Month.

This month’s book is Chaos Rising by Timothy Zahn
Part 2: Memories V - Chapter 12

Chaos Rising Part 2

1. Why are Ar'alani and Ba'kif so willing to go to bat for Thrawn? Do they hold similar views as him on the importance of gathering intel and engaging/assisting other societies within the Chaos or is it more personal in nature?

2. What are your thoughts on Thalias, the former sky-walker turned caregiver (turned 'fake hostage')?

3. What do you make of General Yiv and Thrawn's interaction. What did they each learn about one another? What did we learn about them?

4. Is Thrawn aware that Qilori is in league with General Yiv?

5. Other thoughts?



FYI - There's no need to answer all (or any) of the questions above - they're just talking points to get us started. Informal chatter is more than welcome! In-person book clubs often veer off topic, it's okay if we do as well. :)
All I ask is that you try to avoid spoilers for things past Part II of the book.

Comments

[brokenmnemonic]

1. Given the encounters that we've seen between syndics and Ar'alani/Ba'kif, one of the things I'm wondering is if Ba'kif doesn't agree with the Ascendancy policy of non-intervention and only attacking in response to an attack. If so, I'm not sure whether it'd be because that policy limits options, or because it prevents an aggressive expansion of the Ascendancy, but I've been pondering it. For Ar'alani, I think it's more personal - I think she respects Thrawn's abilities and insights.

2. I'm hoping we'll get more from Thalia's point of view as the story goes on. She and Thrawn haven't really had an opportunity to talk much, and I'm hoping that they'll turn out to be friends. It feels a bit like Thalia's been motivated by the fact that Thrawn actually treated her as if she wasn't simply a resource, but I also think that Thalias is looking for some kind of purpose. I don't know if Thrawn is someone who can have friends, or someone who looks at other people as tools, or something else completely, but I'm interested to see what happens.

3. I think we learned that Yiv is clever, but also rather used to believing he's the smartest person in the room. I think Thrawn was deliberately poking Yiv, and I'm not sure if he managed to succeed with sowing doubt in Yiv's mind, but their encounter was fun to read, and I want to see more.

4. If Thrawn's as smart as he comes across as being, then I think he has to know that at least some of the navigators or equivalent have to be working with Yiv, or at least, working for him; whether he suspects Qilori personally or not, I don't know, but I'd not be in any way surprised if it turns out that Thrawn has studied Qilori's species and knows the 19 different tells that show one is lying/nervous/agitated.

5. I'm enjoying this novel a lot so far. I'm a bit worried that Thrawn will turn out to be too faultless and incapable of making a mistake for me, but the investigations, politics and empire-building going on are all great fun to read.

[colls]

1. I think Ba'kif is aware that the isolationist policy limits the ability of the military to maintain defense of the Ascendancy in the Chaos. Having allies, and coming to their aid, isn't only "making friends", it's a huge defensive tactic that the Ascendancy seems to largely ignore. Although they do have ambassadors, which is confusing because why bother if you're not going to actually make allies.

3. Their encounter was SO FUN to read - agreed!

5. I suspect he'll make some mistakes and I wonder if they might be related to Thalia or possibly Ar'alani and Ba'Kif. Also, something moves him towards the Empire. IDK - in any case, it'll be interesting to find out.

[astromech1138]

3. I think I like that Yiv was (almost?) immune to Thrawn's trick. It's good to see that Thrawn's plans don't always succeed the way he wants them to. And Yiv will be a good adversary! I have the feeling he might stick around through the next two books?