I give it 4 stars but this is because I was reading this, listening to Aftermath, and watching the Ahsoka Show (Ashowka?) at the same time and keeping all this straight was getting to me. Where is Thrawn? Wait why is he here? Et cetera and so forth. This, with the Vader sized exception of episode 5 of Ahshowka + also his beautiful cameo in...7 I guess, is my favorite the, fundamentally, identical properties.

Thrawn, for me, is a DRAG. I hate this guy, sorry to say that out-loud in the Thrawn review on the Thrawn book. He means nothing to me and I do not like him. That said, I did like aspects of this book:

1. Mara Jade. That's exciting! I have not yet, somehow, encountered her in any meaningful way and was sure that my sequel trilogy poisoned brain would feel strongly about Bachelor Luke and dislike her. I don't. I think she's interesting if a little...silly as a character.
2. Talon Karde. Perhaps I'm stupid and just like a smuggler. A criminal even. I think he's neat.
3. the ysalimiri!!! YES little force creatures woohoo!!
4. LANDO!!!
5. weirdly answering one of my questions about shryyywook and kashyyk


anyway.