Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book II: Greater Good) (Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy 2) By Timothy Zahn

In 1991 Timothy Zahn released 'Heir to Empire' and a truly classic Star Wars character was born. Throughout further books Thrawn became a StarWars fan favourite with many stating, what would become known as, The Thrawn trilogy should become the storyline for movies 7, 8, & 9.
But alas Disney arrived and thus the Thrawn trilogy has been wiped from the StarWars timeline.
Fans wanted to know about Thrawn, about where he came from, what shaped him and Zahn gave us that in 'Thrawn'.
Unfortunately with 'Acendancy Greater Good' Zahn has obviously been told to toe the Woke Agenda line.
Thrawn has become a lesser character in his own story as he is pushed to background to make way for 'strong, independent women that can do everything without any form of training'.
A book filled with nonsensical words like 'Patriarchy'.
It's such a shame to see this happen to a character as fantastic as Thrawn.
The book itself obviously went through a lot of rewrites as it missed a few release dates. This was clearly down to Disney overlords demanding woke content.
When reading the book there's a sense that, perhaps, it wasn't even written by Timothy Zahn. That Disney simply used his name in order to sell the book.

This book is the last Timothy Zahn book I will ever buy.
He's sold out to the woke agenda that demands all major characters must be female and any previous main characters that were male must become bumbling idiots that need instruction from the strong female characters.
Pass on this book.
It's basically a Woke Manifesto and really should be avoided.
RIP Mitth'raw'nuruodo. I shall remember you as you were before Disney destroyed you. Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book II: Greater Good) (Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy 2) The first book of the trilogy sets the reader up nicely to learn how the families and patriarchy works. It taught us the ways of the Chiss. This book starts weaving the story that I hope will lead to the point where Thrawn is found as an outcast in Thrawn, but we shall see. There are plot twists, betrayals and murders throughout this book, along with the political play seen in the Ascendancy. Thrawn is as brilliant and yet politically flawed as always, but the question Is, will he become unstuck this time? Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book II: Greater Good) (Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy 2) Like the previous novel in the trilogy, Greater Good is a slow burn political thriller that dives into the backstory of Thrawn and the Chiss. This novel gives us a deeper look at Chiss lore, and introduces us to other families that aren't part of the 9 ruling families, in particular the Xodlax family. This book also introduces some interesting new characters. One of these being Lakinda, a member of the Xodlax family, and another being Haplif a deceptive Agbui. We also get some intriguing glimpses into the future of the trilogy. In conclusion, this is a great follow up novel, and I can't wait for the third book. Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book II: Greater Good) (Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy 2) Although the book is called “Thrawn: Ascendancy” Thrawn is actually barely in the story. I don’t believe he plays any central role until the end of it.

For a good portion of the book I was wondering where the story was going and how it was all going to connect in the end. Because the book was written by an author I’m familiar with I knew the end could pay off. I don’t believe other authors could get away with a big portion of the book having no connections especially if the supposed main character is barely in it.

We spend a lot of time with characters who are either new or have made appearances in previous books but we don’t know very well. Since this is the second book in the ascendancy trilogy, I thought we would spend time with characters from the first book like Thalias or Che’ri. We do spend some time with them but not enough for them to play a big role, at least not until the end.

I still enjoyed the story a bit but overall, I felt that this book was a setup to the third book “Lesser Evil.” The book tells a complete story but it feels like it’s all a lead up to a bigger one. I also felt that by the end some of the characters that we do follow like Yoponek don’t get the closure that I would a expect for a character that we spent so much time with. I loved Chaos Rising, I think it is one of the best Star Wars canon books, but I didn’t think this book was the best follow up. I’m sure this book will connect in a great way with Lesser Evil but I also want a book to stand well on its own. The story for this book in and of itself was not the most exciting. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it either. Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book II: Greater Good) (Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy 2) A great book. Once Zahn delivers on Thrawn. I had one complaint of this book there was not enough Thrawn in the book. Though this can be forgiven as it did give insight into the Ascendancy and the other Chiss characters. As well as the mysterious puppet master who has declared war on the Chiss. Even the memories section of this book is about the villains, rather than about Thrawn in the last book.

Thrawn has made some high ranking enemies within his own people, who send him on a mission destined to fail. However as Thrawn says the odds are never impossible, just unfavourable. Though there is an even bigger threat, that the Chriss are not even aware of.

I liked this book, but I did prefer the first book. Though this one does set the stage for an attack on the Ascendancy. I am really looking forward to see what happens next. What is it that causes Thrawn to finally leave his people, and what family secrets are hinted at the end of thus book? Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book II: Greater Good) (Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy 2)

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Thrawn and his allies race to save the Chiss Ascendancy from an unseen enemy in the second book in the epic Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy from bestselling author Timothy Zahn.

Thrawns latest triumph still rests newly on his shoulders. He has led the Chiss to victory and brought glory to the House of Mitth, but the true threat to the Ascendancy has not yet been extinguished. Their foes do not send threats or ultimatums, do not mass ships on the edge of the Chaos. Their weapons come cloaked in smiles and generosity: Gifts offered freely. Services granted unconditionally.

Across the Ascendancy, seemingly inconsequential events could herald the doom of the Chiss. As Thrawn and the Expansionary Defense Fleet rally to uncover the plot, they discover a chilling truth: Rather than invade Chiss capitals or pillage resources, theirenemy strikes at the very foundation of the Ascendancy, seeking to widen the rifts between the Nine Ruling Families and the Forty Great Houses below. As rivalry and suspicion sow discord among allies, each warrior must decide what matters most to them: the security of their family or the survival of the Ascendancy itself. Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book II: Greater Good) (Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy 2)

Love the Thrawn series. This one in my opinion is the most lacking in real substance. It had plenty of interesting plots and sub plots that merged together, like all Thrawn books. However, the plots mostly felt like filler, nothing with great substance. If you are a fan of Thrawn, especially the Ascendancy series, you don't want to skip it. But Book II is just lacking the quality story telling the other books have. It felt rushed, and mostly a filler book for what I assume to be the conclusion of Thrawn in book 3. Hopefully not, because the Thrawn series is without a doubt my favorite in the Star Wars Universe. Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book II: Greater Good) (Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy 2) Out of all of Zahn's amazing Star Wars work, this isn't particularly one of my favorites. There's a lot to like, though! The flashback scenes were different enough from the main plot this time around to clearly distinguish where we were in the story. Then, the side plot coalesced brilliantly with the main story, culminating in a twist on par with the best Zahn has ever achieved. The new villain was a true joy to hate, the Paccosh people are given an interesting story following up on their introduction in Chaos Rising, and Thrawn's mentorship of Che'ri is absolutely heartwarming. Having just re read Outbound Flight before this, it just didn't quite live up to its Legends' predecessor's glory. Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book II: Greater Good) (Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy 2) I will update this review once I have read the book and it will probably go up by one star, but I will NOT give this book a 5 star review because of the red pages ERROR! Why start with something and then not continue it for the series? Even upset that the overpriced editions do have them and that might be the only way to get that. Really hope this is fixed with book 3. Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book II: Greater Good) (Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy 2) I’m going to try to be as spoiler free as possible.

A few things to start of this review:
~ The Memories sections bridge the 9 months between books 1 and 2 of this trilogy. After Yiv is defeated, Haplif and Jixtus want to politically (and militarily, because they’re the Chiss) take down the Chiss. They boast about destroying a world (which I forgot about completely as I read). Haplif’s POV is focused on within these memories.
Any time I’ll talk about the Memories, I’ll do a double dash before and after ( )
~ There is both a lot of military tactics (as Thrawn is wont to do) and politics. The biggest political issues stem from the 40 Lesser Families, mainly the Xodlak one. Through these struggles, we truly see what glory and honor and family mean among the Chiss. The hierarchy of the Chiss is quite telling. Too, we better understand the alliances between the Lesser and Ruling families.
With the Xodlak family, all the core names begin with L A K. Unlike with other families like the Mitth (T H), the fact that the first three letters are the same made a lot of names blend together. I personally had a LOT of trouble keeping up with who’s who.

I really want a map of Chiss space.

Ar’alani and Thrawn work VERY well together. The question comes up as to whether Ar’alani learned from Thrawn or the other way around. She has indeed learned well.
Thurfian analyzes Thrawn well in chapter 1: that “he loses all the time” but with each loss and disaster “is followed so quickly by a glowing success that everyone forgets or ignores what came before.” Thurfian may hate Thrawn, but he is quite an interesting character to read.

Thrawn always comes up with crazy battle plans. I like Thrawn’s crazy.

Thalias is asked by Uingali to meet with the Magys, the head of a matriarchal society, to convince them to go back to their home planet and not kill themselves. It’s a very important subplot, but a lot with the Magys and her suicidal tendencies is quite annoying. The plot is left open by the end of the book. Though we do know the answer to the question: Did the Nikarduns destroy the planet or just take it over?
The Magys though are overall interesting in that they areif not Force users or even sensitive, accept that it exists and respects it as the Beyond.

Mid Captain Sarako is NOT HAPPY with Thalias being the ambassador the Magys; after all, she’s just a Caretaker. Despite his suspicions, I’m glad they have the opportunity to talk. Between Thalias and Che’ri, even information about Sky Walkers is provided. I like that Sarako isn’t the only one who is confused as to why certain aspects are never actually addressed and/or holistically understood.

We see just how hard Haplif worked in 3 9 months to learn Cheunh and about the Chill in general. And then how he manipulated them. Shoot, how the Agbui manipulate in general.

Indeed, we meet a yuba rancher named Lakphro, along with his family, and he doesn’t trust Haplif from the moment they meet. I like Lakphro from the start, and like him even as the book progresses.

The Grand Migration IS quite interesting once Jixtus points out his observations. The Agbui work with a young couple Yomie and Yoponek. Yomie is bloody awesome. I love how she integrates journaling and note taking within her art.

I feel very bad for Senior Captain Lakinda. The notion of honor and glory is so embedded in her understanding of life that she feels like everyone looks down on her; that she’s always a fool. Her desire to be better (and have honor) leads her to be susceptible to a nasty scheme.
Because Lakuviv is crazy pants.

Memories VI makes me loathe Haplif. As if I didn’t hate him before.
But my memory is so shoddy that I didn’t remember details about the characters when opening this book.

The truth about the mines and metals is so predictable and foreshadowed along the way that I’m almost mad I didn’t recognize it, but I truly am blind to some of those things. I love that Lakinda immediately accepts that truth, and recognizes that different mindsets doesn’t mean any one person is better or worse than another. And that, in the end, Chiss is greater than family.

At the end, Thrawn’s political incompetence really helps.
The end is ominous.

What I didn’t like: The phrases “hun bun” and “yokel” Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book II: Greater Good) (Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy 2) The pacing of this book was not so much to my liking. It spends a long time building up to the finale, and the build up is a little dull in places. Then the finale suddenly takes off and the solution isn't completely convincing. It works, there's nothing technically wrong, but I feel that this book was lacking a critical word from an editor and a final rewrite that would have really sharpened it up. Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book II: Greater Good) (Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy 2)