SCI-FI REVIEW: Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising - Timonthy Zahn

Release Date: 01/09/20

Publisher: Century

SYNOPSIS:

Beyond the edge of the galaxy lies the Unknown Regions: chaotic, uncharted, and near impassable, with hidden secrets and dangers in equal measure. And nestled within its swirling chaos is the Ascendancy, home to the enigmatic Chiss and the Nine Ruling Families that lead them. 

 

The peace of the Ascendancy, a beacon of calm and stability, is shattered after a daring attack on the Chiss capital that leaves no trace of the enemy. Baffled, the Ascendancy dispatches one of its brightest young military officers to root out the unseen assailants. A recruit born of no title, but adopted into the powerful family of the Mitth and given the name Thrawn. 

 

With the might of the Expansionary Fleet at his back, and the aid of his comrade Admiral Ar’alani, answers begin to fall into place. But as Thrawn’s first command probes deeper into the vast stretch of space his people call the Chaos, he realizes that the mission he has been given is not what it seems. 

 

And the threat to the Ascendancy is only just beginning. 

 

 

REVIEW:

Thawn is one of those characters I just love to spend time with. I love the way he wove his way into the star wars universe and feels like he's never been apart from it, with the way he's carved his own career path within the Empire as well as his early introduction. 

 

Its well written, has great characters throughout and whilst its obvious because its a look back on his life that he's in no real danger of dying its the supporting cast members that you really get to feel for as you really don't know whats going to happen. As expected with Zahn, they're very well fleshed out, feel great in the way that this is presented and when added to solid prose as well as dialogue really does make this latest reveal about the Admiral's past a joy to behold. Great stuff.

PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME THRILLER: Our Kind of Cruelty - Araminta Hall

RELEASE DATE:  03/05/18
PUBLISHER:  Century

SYNOPSIS:
Mike and Verity have a special game. The Crave.

They play it to prove what they already know: that Verity loves Mike. That she needs Mike.

Even though she’s marrying another man.

Now Mike knows that the stakes of their private game are rising.

This time, someone has to die…


REVIEW:
To be honest I love a book that tries to do something a little different and at times its quite fun to see the thriller from the villains point of view as the events that are going to be central to the plot unfurl.

Its definitely something a little quirky and whilst for me the second half of the book was very pacey with little pause for breath, its the first half I found the better of the two as I liked the way you got to "hear" the characters inner thoughts which helped explained how he worked and gave you something to get hold of to keep you interested.  

Yes the second half dealt with more of the courtroom side of things with a few twists and turns but for me, it was the first half I enjoyed way more as for me, the tale sadly fell into a certain pattern that was almost too formulaic.  All round it was an OK read due to the later part of the book but for me what I'll remember it for more was that deliciously creepy feeling of being behind the perpetrator's eyes.