Ominous words under any circumstances, but all the more so when uttered by Emperor Palpatine. On Batuu, at the edges of the Unknown Regions, a threat to the Empire is taking root—its existence little more than a glimmer, its consequences as yet unknowable. But it is troubling enough to the Imperial leader to warrant investigation by his most powerful agents: ruthless enforcer Lord Darth Vader and brilliant strategist Grand Admiral Thrawn. Fierce rivals for the emperor’s favor, and outspoken adversaries on Imperial affairs—including the Death Star project—the formidable pair seem unlikely partners for such a crucial mission. But the Emperor knows it’s not the first time Vader and Thrawn have joined forces. And there’s more behind his royal command than either man suspects

I need to admit here that this book is easily the best star wars book I’ve read so far this year. But of course I will explain my thoughts and opinions about this book in this review, so if you are interested then keep reading. 

First of all, I need to admit here that I am such a big fan of Thrawn, because for me he is such an underrated character in the star wars universe. And I would personally love to see him in future star wars movies or shows and not only in books or comic books. 

This book follows two timelines. But both involve Thrawn, the first timeline involves Thrawn and Darth Vader in the present and the second timeline involves Thrawn and Anakin in the past during the clone wars era of star wars. 

To be honest I found the second storyline in this book to be more interesting than the first storyline. Because even thou I’m a huge Darth Vader fan, I find the clone wars period of star wars to be very very interesting. 

But both of these storylines in this book are very interesting, enjoyable and engaging. Which really made me give this book some extra points for doing. 

The biggest thing which I loved about this book is that it has the 1970s Star Wars feel to it like the original star wars trilogy. Which I remember watching on repeat as a 8 year old kid in 2010, so it was very nostalgic for me and huge aspect why I feel in love with star wars in the first place. 

The writing style in this book is very good, because it plays very well with the storylines of this book and it is very fitting for the star wars universe.

I need to also admit that Timothy Zahn is easily my favorite star wars author so far at least. And just reading his star wars books gives me a huge nostalgia to my first time watching star wars movies. 

The characters in this book are very well written. Because they have the things which makes them unique and they have all those things which made me at least fall in love with them in the movies. Which again made me give this book some extra points for doing. 

We can also very easily feel the tension and the back and forth between Darth Vader and Thrawn which really shows how much these 2 hate each other. But also we see that Darth Vader and Thrawn are in a competition with each other constantly and trying to outdo each other in front of Darth Sidious.

This book a lot of action, suspense, intrigue and character development which really makes it so good in my opinion and is the reason why I said at the beginning of this review that this book is easily the best star wars book I’ve read so far this year. At the same time this book has a lot of backstory because part of this book takes place during the clone wars so it servers as a little extensions of what happened during the clone wars.

I Give This Book 5 / 5