I think we’re just introduced to so many new characters, alien species, political dynamics, etc that it’s hard to keep up, and that’s without considering the two different timelines (memories and present) that are interspersed sporadically throughout the book. Did love that syncing of the timelines between this novel and that of the clone wars flashback plot from Thrawn: Alliances, though! 

The characters are amazing, of course, and this book has especially made me love Ar’alani so much more than before. I also find it so funny how everyone is trying to either 1) take Thrawn down, or 2) protect Thrawn from those trying to take him down. Like, yes, main character things! Thrawn continues to be politically inept to the point of himboism, something that endears me further to him as he is intelligent in so many other ways and yet. 

Side note: Thalias is so relatable. Petitioning to join Thrawn’s family, trying for months to make it onto his ship as an observer and then striking a deal with the devil in a last ditch effort to do so after being constantly met with interventions, going through an extremely difficult set of trials in order to relieve herself of being manipulated by those who seek to do Thrawn harm…all when she only met him one (1) time? Oh, she just like me!