Thrawn: Alliances by Timothy Zahn
Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Assistant
Genre: Science Fiction
Suggested Age: Adults, Teens
What is this Book About? Before coming into the Empire, Thrawn crossed paths with General Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars. Anakin was searching for Padme on the planet Batuu on the edge of Wild Space. He and Thrawn decided they could help each other and agreed to work together despite neither being honest about their true missions. Several years later, the Emperor orders Thrawn and Darth Vader to go on a joint mission to Batuu to investigate a disturbance in the Force. Once again, there are lies of omission and mistrust. Can these two work together to achieve their goals, or will someone be betrayed?
My Review: I enjoyed this book for the most part. Once again, I listened to the e-audiobook on Overdrive/ Libby. I’ve decided that Thrawn is the Star Wars equivalent of a warrior-Sherlock-Holmes, and therefore, there weren’t enough of the creepy-Thrawn-thought-bubble-snippets in this book. This is Timothy Zahn’s second book in the new Star Wars cannon material that follows Thrawn’s endeavors. The two storylines are told using alternating chapters, which sometimes made the story feel disjointed. During the Imperial storyline, Vader makes several references to people and places from the animated series Star Wars Rebels. In addition, Thrawn makes several comments that are veiled attempts to get Vader to admit his previous identity. I found I enjoyed the Vader storyline better than the Anakin storyline. I think it may be because the voice actor really made me think of the actor who portrayed Anakin in two of the prequel movies…and I prefer Darth Vader.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Non-Linear, Backstory, Role Reversal
Give it a Try if You Like: Thrawn, Heir to the Empire, Star Wars Rebels
Rating: 4/5
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.
