1. Outside the Chaos, the Clone Wars are raging. How are they going to tie the Galactic Republic happenings in the Chiss Ascendancy?
THIS was something that made me stop in my tracks. That damn N-1 Naboo starfighter keeps making cameos lol (Or another Naboo ship--I admit I'm not really up to speed on prequel-era references.) I was not expecting Anakin to show up. Aside from the other references by the Chiss to the Clone Wars, it hadn't really occurred to me that they were happening contemporaneously. I'm not sure I like or hate Anakin appearing in the middle of this story. On the one hand, I was really enjoying reading about events that have nothing to do with Jedi/the Skywalker saga. On the other hand, Zahn will eventually need/want to explain how Thrawn came to work for the Empire. Part of me wishes that Thrawn had run into someone less...prominent, but I trust him as a writer so I'm excited to see where this goes.
How the Clone Wars are going to tie into the developing threat to the Chiss Ascendancy...that's going to be interesting. I'm guessing that'll be a major portion of the next two books?
Thrawn's and Che'ri's reactions to Anakin's surname were interesting. I guess we're not going to solve that riddle yet!
2. What are your thoughts about Thalia's meeting with the family patriarch?
I loved this section, and her plan--it shows her as someone intelligent and resourceful apart from Thrawn. I'm really curious about her role going forward, because to me this section signaled that she suddenly has a lot more agency than she once did.
3. The author is being pretty clear that Thrawn isn't politically savvy, despite being tactically intelligent. Do you think we will see his political missteps come to a head this book or over will it unravel over the course of the trilogy?
I feel like there isn't enough time, since Thalia thwarted his opponent's plan by taking the Trials. But who knows what Zahn is setting up!
4. Any predictions for how the book will end?
Strong connections between Anakin and Thrawn will develop, paving the way for Thrawn to join the Empire. It will be interesting to see how Thrawn's relationship with Anakin changes as the latter becomes Vader. When Thrawn does leave the Ascendancy (or is forced to leave), major betrayals are in store...
It was very interesting to learn that Thrawn's sister was a sky-walker! I wonder if anything more will be made of that.
no subject
1. Outside the Chaos, the Clone Wars are raging. How are they going to tie the Galactic Republic happenings in the Chiss Ascendancy?
THIS was something that made me stop in my tracks. That damn N-1 Naboo starfighter keeps making cameos lol (Or another Naboo ship--I admit I'm not really up to speed on prequel-era references.) I was not expecting Anakin to show up. Aside from the other references by the Chiss to the Clone Wars, it hadn't really occurred to me that they were happening contemporaneously. I'm not sure I like or hate Anakin appearing in the middle of this story. On the one hand, I was really enjoying reading about events that have nothing to do with Jedi/the Skywalker saga. On the other hand, Zahn will eventually need/want to explain how Thrawn came to work for the Empire. Part of me wishes that Thrawn had run into someone less...prominent, but I trust him as a writer so I'm excited to see where this goes.
How the Clone Wars are going to tie into the developing threat to the Chiss Ascendancy...that's going to be interesting. I'm guessing that'll be a major portion of the next two books?
Thrawn's and Che'ri's reactions to Anakin's surname were interesting. I guess we're not going to solve that riddle yet!
2. What are your thoughts about Thalia's meeting with the family patriarch?
I loved this section, and her plan--it shows her as someone intelligent and resourceful apart from Thrawn. I'm really curious about her role going forward, because to me this section signaled that she suddenly has a lot more agency than she once did.
3. The author is being pretty clear that Thrawn isn't politically savvy, despite being tactically intelligent. Do you think we will see his political missteps come to a head this book or over will it unravel over the course of the trilogy?
I feel like there isn't enough time, since Thalia thwarted his opponent's plan by taking the Trials. But who knows what Zahn is setting up!
4. Any predictions for how the book will end?
Strong connections between Anakin and Thrawn will develop, paving the way for Thrawn to join the Empire. It will be interesting to see how Thrawn's relationship with Anakin changes as the latter becomes Vader. When Thrawn does leave the Ascendancy (or is forced to leave), major betrayals are in store...
It was very interesting to learn that Thrawn's sister was a sky-walker! I wonder if anything more will be made of that.