Lesser Evil
by Timothy Zahn
Star Wars: Thrawn - Ascendancy (3), Star Wars Novels, Star Wars: Canon - chronological order (18 BBY, Imperial Era), Star Wars Universe
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"The fate of the Chiss Ascendancy hangs in the balance in the epic finale of the Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy from bestselling author Timothy Zahn. For thousands of years The Chiss Ascendancy has been an island of calm, a center of power, and a beacon of integrity. Led by the Nine Ruling Families, their leadership stands as a bulwark of stability against the Chaos of the Unknown Regions. But that stability has been eroded by a cunning foe that winnows away trust and loyalty in equal show more measure. Bonds of fidelity have given way to lines of division among the families. Despite the efforts of the Expansionary Defense Fleet, the Ascendancy slips closer and closer toward civil war. The Chiss are no strangers to war. Their mythic status in the Chaos was earned through conflict and terrible deeds, some long buried. Until now. To ensure the Ascendancy's future, Thrawn will delve deep into its past, uncovering the dark secrets surrounding the ascension of the First Ruling Family. But the truth of a family's legacy is only as strong as the legend that supports it. Even if that legend turns out to be a lie. To secure the salvation of the Ascendancy, is Thrawn willing to sacrifice everything? Including the only home he has ever known?"-- show lessTags
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Member Reviews
4,75 ★
"Anything decided on by generals and administered beneath the weapons of warship was unlikely to be pleasant"
With so much to wrap up and link to the previous trilogy weighting on the tension crescendo of the narrative, I'd say I was cautiously optimistic about this book.
But while, yes, it is a heavy book to fit all the necessary points, I feel that the execution was perfectly balanced between tension, emotion, adventure, and the unique humor of the Chiss.
This is an incredibly satisfactory conclusion for the prequel story of Thrawn, and leaves enough open threads for the audience to hope that future projects come back to tie them.
(and they should better bring back Timothy Zahn for that, either it being on upcoming novels or the show more apparent inclusion of Thrawn in the Ahsoka show) show less
"Anything decided on by generals and administered beneath the weapons of warship was unlikely to be pleasant"
With so much to wrap up and link to the previous trilogy weighting on the tension crescendo of the narrative, I'd say I was cautiously optimistic about this book.
But while, yes, it is a heavy book to fit all the necessary points, I feel that the execution was perfectly balanced between tension, emotion, adventure, and the unique humor of the Chiss.
This is an incredibly satisfactory conclusion for the prequel story of Thrawn, and leaves enough open threads for the audience to hope that future projects come back to tie them.
(and they should better bring back Timothy Zahn for that, either it being on upcoming novels or the show more apparent inclusion of Thrawn in the Ahsoka show) show less
I read this series of 3 books to sort of take a break from heavier stuff I'd been reading, figuring Star Wars would be easy and quick, but I didn't want a novelization with all the characters and bleeps and bloops - this is a series that takes place outside of the location and timeline of the main Stars Wars (I knew this) but still fit the tropes quite well - it fit the bill, a fun read, where I could slide with fun familiar things, like breaking my diet for one meal and driving through the hamburger joint. Plus, I trust that Zahn is a skilled author, and in this series he held up that bargain as well. If this is the sort of thing you're looking for, this is for you. If you're looking for your favorite characters, they're not here, show more Anakin makes an off-screen cameo, and of course in this ending chapter of the book, you get set up for all the Thrawn expanded universe stuff, but it's not Star Wars. But it is in the tropes, and, not being critical, because this is what I expect, even look for in a relax read - I mean there's a lot of intellectual debt owed to Dune, E. E. Doc Smith, Sailing Ship age novels, Star Wars of course (even long lost siblings trope makes an appearance), the whole Hero's Journey thing, and more. Nor should you expect any hard sf, I mean space is crowded with debris (it's not) and there is no smoke in space, but, we don't care, it's for fun. And as I said, I have a high opinion of Zahn to give you a good story. It does get a bit draggy when the main character Thrawn, goes through the same routine over and over again, making some magically never-fail fake-out gambit - you'd think every other character would get wise after 3 books of this (well, they do, sort of) - but on the other hand, these sections read like military sf under cruise control. Set your expectations, and Zahn delivers to those. Put your feet up and read. show less
Lesser Evil completes the Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy of books that deal with our favorite Chiss military tactician's early career. Thrawn must defend the Chiss Ascendency from dangerous outside threats as well as civil war breaking out among the ruling families. Jixtus, an agent of a mysterious people called the Grysk Hegemony, was behind the attacks on the Chiss described in the earlier books, but now is ready to face Thrawn in battle. Thrawn must ally with an alien race and work against his own military, political, and family leaders to find a way to defend the Ascendancy against the more powerful Grysky warships.
The great thing about Zahn's books is that they long ago stopped being about just Thrawn. There are a rich collection of show more characters her including Thrawn's mentor General Ar'alani, ship captain Samakro (who Marc Thompson voices to sound like Jack Nicholson), the young "sky-walker" or ship's navigator Che'ri and her caregiver Thalias (both of whom have Force sensitivity which is key to the plot), an alien navigator-for-hire named Qilori (drink everytime that Qilore's winglets twitch!), and in flashbacks, Thrawn's friend Thrass who has the political acumen that Thrawn lacks. I confess that I lose track of the many characters and plots, but nevertheless I do find it incredibly engaging to read. And the book ends perfectly setting up the events at the beginning of Thrawn. show less
The great thing about Zahn's books is that they long ago stopped being about just Thrawn. There are a rich collection of show more characters her including Thrawn's mentor General Ar'alani, ship captain Samakro (who Marc Thompson voices to sound like Jack Nicholson), the young "sky-walker" or ship's navigator Che'ri and her caregiver Thalias (both of whom have Force sensitivity which is key to the plot), an alien navigator-for-hire named Qilori (drink everytime that Qilore's winglets twitch!), and in flashbacks, Thrawn's friend Thrass who has the political acumen that Thrawn lacks. I confess that I lose track of the many characters and plots, but nevertheless I do find it incredibly engaging to read. And the book ends perfectly setting up the events at the beginning of Thrawn. show less
As a staunch defender of the EU, in contrast to Disney's new Star Wars universe, I can still recommend this novel, which is subtly tied into the actual Star Wars narrative. For example, Thrawn gains the suffix -odo for his full name Mitth'raw'nuruodo, in Memories 10, and Thass' final scene from Outbound Flight appears in Memories 12.
Possibly Spoilers
I had assumed the Ascendancy trilogy would explain Thrawn's rise (ascension) into the ranks of the Empire, which we know from other books he did only to protect the Chiss, and I therefore assumed Jixtus would eventually be revealed as a Sith. (His cloaked and hooded appearance is certainly an intentional red herring which points in that direction). But instead, the identity of the Grysks is show more never revealed, except for their name. Nevertheless, the title still has a double meaning. The majority of the trilogy tells of Thrawn's rise in the Chiss Ascendency, but it ends with his exile. (We did already know that Thrawn was exiled after the events of Outbound Flight).
Nevertheless, there are allusions to what will come next. Thrawn's exile is really a ploy to allow him to contact the Galactic Empire, and in their final conversation Ba'kif mourns Thrawn's lack of future promotion saying, "I'd always looked forward just seeing how you looked in admiral white."
Unfortunately, near the end of the novel one of the characters states, "Thrawn's story is at an end." show less
Possibly Spoilers
I had assumed the Ascendancy trilogy would explain Thrawn's rise (ascension) into the ranks of the Empire, which we know from other books he did only to protect the Chiss, and I therefore assumed Jixtus would eventually be revealed as a Sith. (His cloaked and hooded appearance is certainly an intentional red herring which points in that direction). But instead, the identity of the Grysks is show more never revealed, except for their name. Nevertheless, the title still has a double meaning. The majority of the trilogy tells of Thrawn's rise in the Chiss Ascendency, but it ends with his exile. (We did already know that Thrawn was exiled after the events of Outbound Flight).
Nevertheless, there are allusions to what will come next. Thrawn's exile is really a ploy to allow him to contact the Galactic Empire, and in their final conversation Ba'kif mourns Thrawn's lack of future promotion saying, "I'd always looked forward just seeing how you looked in admiral white."
Unfortunately, near the end of the novel one of the characters states, "Thrawn's story is at an end." show less
6 stars: Enjoyed parts of it.
From the back cover:
"My job is to protect the Ascendancy and the Chiss people. Whatever it costs to achieve that goal, I will pay it."
For thousands of years the Chiss Ascendancy has been an island of calm, a center of power, and a beacon of integrity. It is led by the Nine Ruling Families, whose leadership stands as a bulwark of stability against the Chaos of the Unknown Regions.
But that stability has been eroded by a cunning foe who winnows away trust and loyalty in equal measure. Bonds of fidelity have given way to lines of division among the families. Despite the efforts of the Expansionary Defense Fleet, the Ascendancy slips closer and closer to civil war.
The Chiss are no strangers to war. Their show more mythic status in the Chaos was earned through conflict and terrible deeds, some long buried. Until now. To ensure the Ascendancy’s future, Thrawn will delve deep into its past, uncovering the dark secrets surrounding the ascension of the First Ruling Family. But the truth of a family’s legacy is only as strong as the legend that supports it. Even if that legend turns out to be a lie.
To secure the salvation of the Ascendancy, is Thrawn willing to sacrifice everything? Including the only home he has ever known?
----------------
I liked this book, but in the end, I didn't love it. Same with most of the other Thrawn books, after the truly exemplary simply titled "Thrawn". This book finishes off his origin story, and ends just as he is about to be exiled, where "Thrawn" begins. Some of the details around this event (exile) are surprising. But overall, like the previous entry, I found it fairly slow going. Too many space battles, not enough Thrawn, just everyone fighting again in sequences that were hard to follow. There was a McGuffin thrown in regarding an ancient weapon, but there hadn't been enough lead in or interest to make that even too interesting. There was also a side plot about the Pathfinders that was introduced but not delved into.
I do like the continuation of world building, learning about the Chiss, seeing where Ar'alani and Ba'kif fit in, and the endless political intrigue, particularly between the Mitth and the Irizi famlies.
But then: Thrawn. What can I say? He is fantastic, just a brilliant character. Can't wait to see him brought to life in the Ahsoka series.
A few quotes I liked:
"And when the personal attacks began, he knew the attacker had given up on the original goal.
"History isn't ours to write, Apros. None of us know how we'll be remembered by scholars a hundred years from now. But be assured that those who know you, who have worked with you, and who respect you will hold your memory close. Everyone else - does it really matter?"
I'm afraid you overestimate the public's capacity and stamina for outrage. show less
From the back cover:
"My job is to protect the Ascendancy and the Chiss people. Whatever it costs to achieve that goal, I will pay it."
For thousands of years the Chiss Ascendancy has been an island of calm, a center of power, and a beacon of integrity. It is led by the Nine Ruling Families, whose leadership stands as a bulwark of stability against the Chaos of the Unknown Regions.
But that stability has been eroded by a cunning foe who winnows away trust and loyalty in equal measure. Bonds of fidelity have given way to lines of division among the families. Despite the efforts of the Expansionary Defense Fleet, the Ascendancy slips closer and closer to civil war.
The Chiss are no strangers to war. Their show more mythic status in the Chaos was earned through conflict and terrible deeds, some long buried. Until now. To ensure the Ascendancy’s future, Thrawn will delve deep into its past, uncovering the dark secrets surrounding the ascension of the First Ruling Family. But the truth of a family’s legacy is only as strong as the legend that supports it. Even if that legend turns out to be a lie.
To secure the salvation of the Ascendancy, is Thrawn willing to sacrifice everything? Including the only home he has ever known?
----------------
I liked this book, but in the end, I didn't love it. Same with most of the other Thrawn books, after the truly exemplary simply titled "Thrawn". This book finishes off his origin story, and ends just as he is about to be exiled, where "Thrawn" begins. Some of the details around this event (exile) are surprising. But overall, like the previous entry, I found it fairly slow going. Too many space battles, not enough Thrawn, just everyone fighting again in sequences that were hard to follow. There was a McGuffin thrown in regarding an ancient weapon, but there hadn't been enough lead in or interest to make that even too interesting. There was also a side plot about the Pathfinders that was introduced but not delved into.
I do like the continuation of world building, learning about the Chiss, seeing where Ar'alani and Ba'kif fit in, and the endless political intrigue, particularly between the Mitth and the Irizi famlies.
But then: Thrawn. What can I say? He is fantastic, just a brilliant character. Can't wait to see him brought to life in the Ahsoka series.
A few quotes I liked:
"And when the personal attacks began, he knew the attacker had given up on the original goal.
"History isn't ours to write, Apros. None of us know how we'll be remembered by scholars a hundred years from now. But be assured that those who know you, who have worked with you, and who respect you will hold your memory close. Everyone else - does it really matter?"
I'm afraid you overestimate the public's capacity and stamina for outrage. show less
I really liked how this book wrapped up some of the alien conflicts and the family conflicts. the book really captured Thrawn's logical and analytical skills while still bringing in his art examinations. It also have us a deeper history if his name and let us see him as a person who actually has friends. His sister is very
interesting in that I think she might be as gifted as he is. i also liked that this ends where the Star Wars: Thrawn trilogy begins.
interesting in that I think she might be as gifted as he is. i also liked that this ends where the Star Wars: Thrawn trilogy begins.
Timothy Zahn’s Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy Book III: Lesser Evil picks up following the events of Greater Good, with Thrawn having narrowly avoided Jixtus’s plans to foment civil war within the Chiss Ascendancy. Rumors swirl about the events surrounding Hoxim while Jixtus continues to sow discord throughout the Ascendancy. The various officers and others that Thrawn has worked with remain loyal to him, though his actions increasingly alienate him from the Syndicure. Zahn builds to a satisfying conclusion to his Thrawn prequel trilogy while setting up the events of his 2017 novel, Star Wars: Thrawn. The title itself refers to the ways in which Thrawn must flout Chiss conventions in order to preserve Chiss society (pg. 520) while the show more “memories” flashbacks in this book work to develop his personal life (pg. 389). A great conclusion to this story that develops Thrawn’s backstory as well as that of the Chiss Ascendancy. show less
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Author Information
268+ Works 53,455 Members
Timothy Zahn was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 1, 1951. He received a B.S. degree in physics from Michigan State University in East Lansing in 1973 and a M.S. degree in physics from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1975. In 1975, Zahn began writing science fiction as a hobby. When his thesis advisor died in 1979, show more effectively wiping out three years of work, he decided to try making a living at writing. Since then, Zahn has published short stories, novelettes, novels, and short fiction collections. He is best known for writing the Star Wars the Thrawn Trilogy: Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command. The novella, Cascade Point (1984) won a Hugo Award. He also writes numerous series including Cobra, Blackcollar, Dragonback, and Conquerors' Trilogy. Zahn co-authored with David Weber A Call To Duty, the first book in the Manticore Ascendant Series, which made the New York Times bestseller list in October 2014. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Lesser Evil
- Original publication date
- 2021-11-16
- Epigraph
- A long time ago, beyond a galaxy far, far away….
For thousands of years, it has been an island of calm within the Chaos. It is a center of power, a model of stability, and a beacon of integrity. The Nine Ruling Families guard it from within; the Expansionary Defense Fleet g... (show all)uards it from without. Its neighbors are left in peace, its enemies are left in ruin. It is light and culture and glory.
It is the Chiss Ascendancy. - Dedication
- For all those who've had to choose between two evils and wished there was a better choice…and for all those who have worked to make that happen
- First words
- “Prepare for breakout.”
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Where it will lead, I cannot say.
- Original language
- English
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- 60,599
- Reviews
- 8
- Rating
- (4.19)
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- Czech, English, German
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- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 12
- ASINs
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