Eli: I’m feeling lost about my place in the Ascendency. Maybe seeing Thrawn and receiving his praise will help bring some clarity!
Thrawn, barely acknowledging Eli’s presence after not seeing him for over a year: Good day, Lieutenant.
Eli: (eye twitch).

I did not get enough Eli content, but I certainly loved having him in the book at least (cough, Alliances, cough). I love Thrawn so much. I cannot say it enough.

Commodore Faro has become a character I enjoy a lot, and it warms my heart just reading about the unwavering loyalty the Chimaera crew shows Thrawn in the face of all the shit he receives at every turn from those questioning his dedication to the Empire and looking down on him for being an alien.

The way Zahn tied this book so well with current canon was amazing. I rewatched Rogue One when I was about 3/4s of the way through, and it was just so cool to see how all the pieces fit together and align in the universe, with Director Krennic, with Project Stardust, with Vader overseeing it—it’s just a job well done. Star Wars is at its best when everything is in symbiosis, when the story of this enhances the story of that, and vice versa.