Can you imagine if Thrawn: Ascendancy does not have Thrawn in it at all because the man is busy camping with Jedi Rogue Ezra Bridger and his Horde of Space Whales?

More likely, and somewhat frustratingly, I expect this was Part of Thrawn’s plan. The ending of Rebels, and he has succeeded in recruiting my BOY (Ezra Bridger, whom the emperor mentions by name in this book to which i say: DO NOT) to the Chiss Ascendancy. Miracles never ceases, especially when Thrawn is around and is able to Defeat Every Enemy. Which I find tiring and will find even more so if he somehow orchestrated Ezra’s Beautiful Ending to get himself OUT of the Imperial Navy, recruit Ezra, and help the Chiss Ascendancy to the fullest of his ability.

Anyway list of things I loved:
1. Commodore Karyn (amazing!) Faro.
2. Admiral Ar’alani.
3. Dayja...a pleasant surprise who felt completely out of place but also, so so good.
4. ELI VANTO
5. The fact that this book HINGES on Thrawn getting dragged into stupidly petty politics to play Exterminator for Space Whales
6. Thrawn has learned the name of the Death Star and this is frustrating for people. Also to return to Alliances, I’m assuming it was easier to learn Vader’s name than to learn the name of the Death Star, which is being kept secret because it is a Horrible PR move, honestly.
7. Vader is very interested in TIE’s and also other projects which i think is nice that after all this time the man still has passion. it’s even better that he fucking hates the death star and thrawn very casually makes a suggestion that VADER be assigned to it.
8. thrawn is like....personable. people like him when they really know him. i still don’t, but maybe if i met him i would change my mind.
9. half the plan for the two battles that take place at the end of the book was literally just to throw things at the enemy ship.