Star Wars The Thrawn Trilogy Review

The Thrawn trilogy, also known as the Heir to the Empire trilogy, is a series of best-selling science fiction novels written by Timothy Zahn. The novels are set in the Star Wars expanded universe (EU) of the Star Wars galaxy approximately five years after the events depicted in the film Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

The series introduced many notable characters of the EU, such as Mara Jade, Talon Karrde, and Grand Admiral Thrawn, one of the more notable villains in the EU.

It was followed by the The Hand of Thrawn two-book series (1997 and 1998), also authored by Zahn.

As the first book opens, the Rebellion, now known as the New Republic, is still fighting to mop up final Imperial resistance and set up a functional government. Out in the fringes of the galaxy, the most brilliant of all the hand-picked Grand Admirals is gaining strength and preparing to attack the New Republic. After convincing a Dark Jedi to join his side, Grand Admiral Thrawn is confident in his victory.

The trilogy sold a combined total of 15 million copies. The Secret History of Star Wars by Michael Kaminski credits the Thrawn trilogy with resparking the public's interest with the Star Wars franchise after it had faded following the release of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi in 1983. According to Kaminski, it is possible that this renewed interest was a factor in George Lucas' decision to create the prequel trilogy.[1]

In August 2011, the series was voted into NPR's top 100 science fiction and fantasy books (coming in at place 88), as voted on by over 60,000 participants.

[pilotamurorei]

It was NOT an unofficial sequel trilogy, George Lucas himself asked Zahn to write these books to continue the story, meaning these are the DEFINITIVE sequel trilogy.

[juanrodriguez]

Imagine if Disney instead of creating Rebels series they would have made a series based on these books. That would have been epic.

[BrightOranje]

Compared to Disney's trilogy, Zahn's work looks like Nobel Prize quality...

[themediumcheese]

To me Thrawn was a more threatening antagonist than Palpatine and Vader ever, it's a shame that this series isn't canon anymore. Excellent review as usual, Ivan.

[bryanmcclurg]

Imagine if episode 7-9 came out in the 1990's... This would've been epic.

[RobertSmoothyEI]

Heir To The Empire. Dark Force Rising. The Last Command. This is the Star Wars trilogy I would like to have been filmed back in the nineties after the books came out. Would make a great trilogy even today though casting for main characters would be difficult because you cannot top the best original performances from A New Hope. Empire Strikes Back or Return Of The Jedi, the three best Star Wars films.

[rolithesecond]

I highly recommend the (unabridged) Audio books to this. Marc Thompson reads them and he does pretty much spot-on impressions of all the characters. As many other Star Wars books, this is more like an radio/audio play in that it has audio effects and music. It's the closest thing to an actual movie you can get.

[b.lloydreese]

so far 2 for 2.

heir to the empire > TFA

Dark Force Rising > TLJ

[youhartley]

This is canon. Fight me Kathleen. Love that a new reader can still find it so good.

[Hadlyshope]

I like your review. But I'm afraid your wrong about one thing. It was the official sequel.

You have 4 great new characters: Thawn, Mara, Kaarde, Jorrus
3 new great supporting characters: Winter, Pelleon, Mazzic

[AnakinSkyobiliviator]

I cannot agree more, this series is my favorite SW trilogy of all time, and Thrawn is my favorite character as well. The story is so well done and even the subplots is compelling. And Battle of Jakku that is now canon seems to be an insult to the trilogy with its strategic nightmare, opposite of what Thrawn did...

[b.lloydreese]

it's canon, screw Disney. if they can meet or exceed this quality, then we'll talk about discanon being actual canon

[saymynameice-zen-berg]

When Heir To The Empire, the first book in the Thrawn trilogy came out one of the reviews said “read and enjoy, the magic is back”.
I couldn’t agree more with that review. Every time I think of my first experience reading it. I feel like a kid again.
When The power of the experience of having read a novel can continue to make you feel like that. That just shows the incredible high quality of the novel itself. Truly magical.

[commanderchris]

Thrawn is probably the most intriguing character in Starwars when it comes to Starwars. He would be up there next to Revan.

[MichaelP_IsMe]

I read these back when I was a teenager in the '90s. I don't remember much of the story, but I hated reading books back then and I actually read all three of these and enjoyed them. So that tells me something right there :) It's time I re-read them or listen to them on audiobook. It would be like a brand new story to me since I've forgotten most of it.

[lorcan_]

Also should be mentioned that the Thrawn-Trilogy, was the beginning of the famous Expanded Universe.

[marknotestine]

What are the remaining 3 books in the 6 book meta narrative?

[JafuetTheSame]

um, Force Awakens is just a remake of New Hope (or soft reboot if you wish). How is the comparison even valid here?

[capgangchannel]

This video convinced me to read the series.