Why You Should Read: Star Wars - The Thrawn Trilogy (Spoiler-Free)

Mike continues to profess his love for the original Star Wars EU by talking about the series that made it a mainstream success, Timothy Zahn's The Thrawn Trilogy.
You can purchase the Thrawn trilogy here: amzn.to/36Hhf5y (physical) amzn.to/3vc1Dk7 (digital) amzn.to/3EMYri6 (audio)
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#StarWars #ThrawnTrilogy #MikesBookReviews

[@DJcosmoanddee]

the Skywalker Saga star wars : Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace star wars : Episode 2 - Attack Of The Clones star wars : Episode 3 - Revenge Of The Sith star wars : Episode 4 - A New Hope star wars : Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back star wars : Episode 6 - Return Of The Jedi star wars : Episode 7 - Heir Of The Empire star wars : Episode 8 - Dark Force Rising star wars : Episode 9 - The Last Command

[@mikesbookreviews]

I wish I could like this comment twice.

[@caderen5624]

As much as i like those books, i dont think the Thrawn trilogy could fit well in the saga, the saga had a narative that began in episode 1 and ended in episode 6, the Thrawn trilogy just didnt add anything to it, they were great books, but they just dont fit in the skywalker saga

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@caderen5624 erh...and the Disney films does it better how?

[@caderen5624]

@@dallesamllhals9161 i never said it did

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@caderen5624 ..never said you did

[@UNIDiver]

Loved this trilogy. It's a crying shame this series never hit the big screen.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'd even be fine with an animated version of this or Shadows of the Empire. But Disney seems to want to pretend it never happened.

[@magnenoalex2]

@@mikesbookreviews there disney they started with animation. The main cast age wouldnt have mattered if we just used there voice. Hell most of mark hamills career has been voice acting

[@magnenoalex2]

@@mikesbookreviews luke Skywalker being Joker, firelord ozi, and chucky. They couldve done this so well with animated films of the EU

[@turtleanton6539]

@@mikesbookreviews fcuk! I want a remake of the shadow of the empire game

[@SnakePlisskin.]

There still is time....

[@davids2735]

"The real 7, 8, and 9." I loved that and they really should have been. I was so disappointed when Disney decided to get rid of the "old Canon" moving forward. This is my favorite Star Wars trilogy and my 2nd favorite Sci Fi series of all time.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It really is sad how much incredible content that Disney now owns with the "Legends" books and continue to try and hide it under a rug and pretend it never exist.

[@davids2735]

@@mikesbookreviews it really is. I've never gotten into the New Jedi Order, partly because it is so massive. But I've enjoyed Thrawn, along with a lot of the Old Republic books.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@davids2735 NJO is one hell of a commitment. Especially when it was being released, because there was 5-6 books per year coming out. There is more good than bad, but there are some struggles in it. So much happens though and I loved moving on from the Empire and seeing there was a much bigger threat out there.

[@davids2735]

@@mikesbookreviews May have to get into them then! Haven't read Star Wars in a long while and this video reminded me why I love them.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@davids2735 The only good thing for me that has come out of Disney Star Wars is remembering how much I loved these books and the originals.

[@davids2735]

I also really enjoyed the Darth Bane trilogy. It was really cool to get the Sith perspective for a whole trilogy.

[@turtleanton6539]

Wow! I should try Reading those

[@davids2735]

@@turtleanton6539 you should! It was so cool! It is also the history of how "The rule of two"(One master, one apprentice, and no more) was first started with the Sith. Some amazing action sequences too.

[@tjb8158]

My personal favorite SW trilogy

[@davids2735]

@@tjb8158 it's a great trilogy. My 2nd favorite behind Thrawn

[@mikesbookreviews]

Never actually got to these, but I've heard great things.

[@sh4312]

The beauty of the old EU is that the books transcended mere episodic episodes. They became sagas in their own right, from the Old Republic, the Prequel Era, the original Clone Wars, all the way to decades after ROTJ. Imagine the Thrawn Trilogy presented as a series like The Mandalorian? Just mindblowing to think about. The real canon will always be the Expanded Universe, and personally I'm just grateful for its existence.

[@theocarinabard2995]

Man I absolutely love listening to your channel while I’m at work. It always pumps me up for reading the EU when I get home. I agree by the way. EU is canon. It was established long before Disney cut it out.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for watching/listening. Hearing that I can make one persons work day better is the greatest compliment. The EU will forever be canon to me. Disney Star Wars is “Earth 2.”

[@robclark9922]

I read this trilogy when it came out and felt like I was back in the film's. This would have been a fantastic starting point for sequel trilogy. The only new timeline books that have captured any interest from me is the Thrawn books from Timothy Zahn. I'm half through the first book & would recommend it to any Thrawn fan.

[@mikesbookreviews]

See, the new Thrawn books from Zahn just felt so hollow to me because you could tell he had so many restrictions. It's like remaking a classic movie but being told you have to conform to what others have done.

[@robclark9922]

I am enjoying the new Thrawn book and seeing how he became a Grand Admiral. But, like you I am disappointed they decided to wipe away some great stories in the EU, "Legends" line. I invested many hours of reading into them and to see them gone is disheartening.

[@n1c0z33]

I ordered the legends version yesterday and am so hyped to read it. I've watched hundreds of hours of lore videos on youtube and I finally bought my first eu book. I hope it'll be as good as you said! Loved the video!

[@ncard00]

For those who don’t like reading, the channel “darth angelus” has made an animated fan film series adaptation of heir to the empire, up to chapter 29, which follows the book very closely, nlike the comics, which skip over a lot of stuff. It’s a way more immersive experience than reading, and it’s one of, if not the best star wars fan film project ever made.

[@Hadrian1616]

Heir to the Empire is now on my TBR. Thanks for the video Mike, you are really pushing content quickly. Keep em coming hero.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for watching, my man. I really think you'll enjoy it even if you've only watched the original movies. They fit in nicely and they aren't heavy reads at all.

[@Hadrian1616]

@@mikesbookreviews Marc Thompson does the 20th anniversary audiobook. That guy's voice is pure Star Wars majesty. Wish listed.

[@mikesbookreviews]

John Flemings treat yo self.

[@turtleanton6539]

Hope ypu read it by now

[@ChrisBJ27]

Literally just started reading this trilogy yesterday and I already like it more than the sequels that Disney gave us.

[@giulio_g_]

Where do you read it?

[@binaldoshi495]

@@giulio_g_ If you are still looking for it, it's available as paperback, hardcover and Kindle edition on Amazon.

[@ImTheReverse]

@@giulio_g_ If you can’t afford to buy books or if they aren’t available at a local library you can use z-lib.org if you download books in ePub format, it downloads them directly into the Books app on iOS devices. It’s what I used to read Heir to the Empire, than I decided to buy the whole trilogy on paperback. It’s free and you only need to sign up with preferably a burner email. I think it has a limit of 5 books per 24 hours of something like that but you can make multiple accounts. Super useful and it has most Star Wars books.

[@Horrormaster13]

The Thrawn Trilogy (1991-1993) by Timothy Zahn is the TRUE Star Wars Sequel Trilogy! The TRUE Episodes VII-IX. Heir to the Empire Dark Force Rising The Last Command The Force Awakens? The Last Jedi? The Rise of Skywalker? WTF are these? Never heard of them. Must be some bad Fanfiction made by Disney.

[@mikesbookreviews]

This is the correct answer.

[@ethancowan8621]

I'm going to say it...F**k Disney!

[@manueldwindt6867]

Correct answer yessss This is better

[@genghisgalahad8465]

Just because they have deep pockets and are a big name, doesn’t mean that their product is NOT fan-fiction. A few with tons of money made their own fan-fiction and want to “force” it on audiences. And they’re terribly executed even on their own terms. At least put out something respectable but they couldn’t even pull that off.

[@ajf5823]

Those movies need to be thrown into the dumpster and forgotten

[@tagtwo]

I like the Thrawn trilogy even more then the OT (it’s really close though ). That said, Disney owns the rights and can do what they want. But nothing they do invalidates your enjoyment of the EU or forces you to buy into their new stories. While I have enjoyed most of the Disney stuff, it isn’t as good as some of the old EU (Zahn and Stackpole’s work in particular). But is probably better than some, as I also really disliked some of the old EU. In the end don’t let anyone tell you what you are allowed to like or not.

[@mikesbookreviews]

You nailed it. They aren’t ripping the books from our shelves. I spent two years not understanding why people were so mad I didn’t like TLJ before I just stopped caring.

[@sylamy7457]

Either way, they backstabbed george lucas, they lied to him.

[@mustafarkarrde6291]

Also want to add that Splinter of the Mind's Eye was the first star wars book I ever read and that's what got me into the expanded universe.

[@shrilleth]

Splinter of the Mind’s Eye is real interesting, it was originally written alongside the A New Hope novelization, which actually released before the movie did. The reason Han isn’t in it is because Harrison Ford hadn’t signed up for more movies at that point

[@mustafarkarrde6291]

I'm about 40 pages into book 3. Loving everything about these books! Original favorite characters, new characters, Thrawn is awesome! I love how reading certain lines makes me laugh and brings me back to the original trilogy. It certainly feels like classic star wars but new and fresh at the same time. It's like Lucas wrote them himself. Can't wait to see the conclusion.

[@andreamiller3578]

I remember being so excited by this series when it first came out. My dad read Heir to the Empire after I finished it, and then proceeded to take over my SW books whenever I brought them home from the store. Fortunately he read as fast as I did. LOL.

[@nomorecheesedip5329]

Zahn's two new Thrawn trilogies released under Disney are great, one of them even included a scene from Outbound Flight as a flashback like sequence. Zahn has cleverly worked in elements of his older books in them. Sure there were some changes made, but Zahn's six new Thrawn books are among the best Star Wars releases to have come out under Disney, even if that's not saying much. So glad Zahn is still writing Star Wars books because all his books are fire.

[@johnhenrygrzyb7970]

I just finished last command. OMG. I am 40 years old. How come it took me so long to read this series. It was. WOW

[@joaopaiva6146]

I just finished this saga and honestly, "Thrawn Trilogy" is my favorite Star Wars Trilogy . Everything there was so well built, the old characters were written well, the new characters were amazing, the plot was awesome and it has a lot more cohesion than the so called "Episodes 7, 8 and 9" made by Disney. And I also don't like Thrawn in Rebels. I was hyped on the fact that he was there, but, personally, I don't think he did even 1% of what he did in Heir To The Empire, Dark Force Rising and The Last Command. I was SO disappointed by it (even that ending of that series). It just didn't feel right.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thrawn in Rebels seemed like when they re-cast a different actor in a very popular role. It just felt...hollow.

[@joaopaiva6146]

​@@mikesbookreviews Exactly!! Even his strategies were not that great in Rebels ... I was hoping that atleast in the "finales", he would do something awesome. But it didn't happened. Again, very disappointing.

[@ImTheReverse]

Hopefully they actually do bring him back in the Mandalorian timeframe which lines up with his Legends trilogy. 10 years after his Rebels appearance as well as a more commanding position within the Imperial navy could give him more to do. Also, it would be a live-action Thrawn which will be awesome by default.

[@joaopaiva6146]

@@ImTheReverse Yes! I'm hoping that they will do justice for him in Mandalorian. I liked the tease in Season 2. But I think he will appear for real in the Ahsoka series, which it would be fine for me too. *fingers crossed

[@jamisonweaver3711]

I was 15 when I first saw the book. Seriously no-one was thinking about Star Wars. This came out of nowhere & blew us all away.

[@saymynameice-zen-berg511]

Heir to the empire was first published in 1991 in hardcover. I remember i was a kid and I was stopped in my tracks when I saw the cover. I bought a copy and read it immediately. It was magical.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Indeed. I remember them playing the John Williams score in the bookstore and there was a line. It was the first time I had been excited about the Star Wars universe again in awhile. Wish I had held onto that hardcover ha ha.

[@saymynameice-zen-berg511]

@@mikesbookreviews me too. But I did manage to pick up all 3 in hardcover again at a very reasonable price

[@christopherlockery9629]

I've got the TPB of all three volumes of this wonderful series adapted into comic book form on it's way right now. I have listened to the audiobook version in the 1990s, but I can barely remember what happened in it, barring Mara Jade being a clone of Luke Skywalker taken from his severed hand and her use of Luke's first Lightsaber. Likewise I also remember a part where one character ejects from an X-Wing and he/she/it is stuck in space inside an escape pod. Apart from that and the fact that Han and Leia are married at this point, which was something that I know from reading/watching/played that is set in that era. It is a shame that Disney tossed out the 'old' EU, and yes I know and fully understand why Disney didn't want to bind themselves to a canon that most fans didn't already know about, but I do still think its a shame after all the work that had been put into it. Granted you could say the same about the Original Marvel Comics series from the 1970s and 1980s, as with the work that had been put into the Golden Age Marvel Comics (both sub canons I'm quite fond of as well) but with regards to the 'Old' EU there was so much more work put into it that yes, again its a crying shame... For me the shows, in my head canon, namely 'The Mandalorian' and 'The Book of Boba Fett' are set in the 'old' EU as they more or less fit in quite well.... It would have been better if Disney just simply set their films some thousands of years after TOT and thus would have more or less been able to simply make up their own stuff up without geng rid of the 'old' EU.... May the Force be with You, Always.

[@0bscenity]

I'm not a Star Wars fan at all, but I already wanted to check this trilogy out before this video. They're closer to the top of my TBR list now!

[@mikesbookreviews]

If you love the original movies, I think you'll be satisfied.

[@willyperez2475]

Was it Really Hard for Disney to just Adapt this trilogy hell they definitely have the technology hell they even brought Peter Cushing back for Rouge One

[@shrilleth]

The thing is, Cushing and Leia only appear for a real short time in Rogue One, this would be an entire trilogy of movies, so I think it’d be far more difficult

[@JamesMcCormickIV]

Mara MF'ing Jade!

[@mikesbookreviews]

That is indeed reason enough alone.

[@viviannguyen1147]

I just purchased Zahn's Thrawn and the Trilogy after a stellar article recommendation and now your fantastic review. You have made me so excited to begin reading my books when they come on January 1! What a way to start the new year! I consider myself a new fan of Star Wars even though I have seen some of the movies years ago but I wasn't emotionally invested. I have been enjoying The Mandalorian a great deal and watched all the movies again including the 7, 8, and 9 which I wasn't aware of (b/c I wasn't really a fan then). With the end of S2 of The Mandalorian, and high anticipation for the new shows coming out, I wanted to familiarize myself and become a true SW fan so I can enjoy the new content better. So excited to find your channel! I'll be catching up on your videos for suggestions and reviews. Thank you for sharing with us!

[@kavanpuranik98]

You hyped it up so much that I literally bought the first book just now

[@revan0890]

I have listened to the audio book of the first one and I loved it. Need the other two now.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Others have said the audiobooks are quite great. Apparently the narrator does good voice impressions for the original actors.

[@shaynebade5063]

"As I like to call it fanfiction" IM ROLLING LOL

[@gamecreatorc]

If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and read the 2017 Thrawn trilogy. It's essentially Thrawn's origin story about how he got into the empire and worked his way up, with several other well-written characters. I liked the first trilogy but I like this one better. I think Zahn got even better at writing in the 24 years or so between the two trilogies.

[@williamkennelly9624]

All you said are my thoughts. The books were fantastic. That's the way things should have been. Cheers from the land down under.

[@JCAntarex]

Thrawn, Luceno, Freed and Claudia Grey books in new canon are actually amazing. I get the movies are not that good, but i would not dismiss all of the new canon when they do have some treasures.

[@ObiWann90]

Dude, thank you for making this video! I'm like you, last Jedi got me reminiscing about the expanded universe. I was so disappointed that Luke never created a Jedi academy or new order. And no more Kyle Katarn?! Too many great characters like Mara and Kyle, not to mention the solo twins; got ignored and forgotten, and not enough people know about them. Hopefully they got Feige on Star wars now cause he knows how to adapt classic stories, but that would be too good to be true, and sadly not enough people show that much interest in legends star wars.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I talked about it in my "Current State of Star Wars" video that I think it may be too late, even if Feige takes over, unless they start clean thousands of years before/after and on the other side of the universe. I just can't see him running both Marvel and Lucasfilm. But I really feel like anyone other than Kathleen Kennedy would be a good choice at this moment.

[@williamjones3534]

Kyle Katarn the spiritual love child of Luke and Han. I loved that guy!

[@mikesbookreviews]

William Jones Katarn was clutch during the Yuuzhan Vong invasion.

[@calebmauer1751]

"It's like getting the Beetles back together and making them record solo albums." Lol, accurate. And then having Justin Bieber write all the lyrics.

[@myoldchannel0690]

Yes. The Thrawn Trilogy was pretty great. Well done sir.

[@davelight2220]

The real 7 8 and 9, I agree 100%!!! Maybe one day if they get rid of KK.

[@obscuresoundz]

good analogy about the beatles; the issue is there was no thought process they was winging the story movie by movie

[@starwarstimeline]

Hey Mike, your passion and care for these books truly speaks for us, the EU fans!! Glad you're introducing folks to this fantastic series. I always felt The Jedi Academy trilogy is the best representation of the cinematic saga continuation but def. appreciare your thoughts and LOVE this series! Also, really appreciate your personal story. Adds a lot the video.

[@Q_U_A_R_T_z_Z]

Brilliant video, Mike. I'm definitely gonna have to check out those books now!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I highly recommend it.

[@DedricSilva]

Being a fan of both Original Star Wars Timeline and New Star Wars Timeline, i've always liked the original timeline/eu thanks to the games. I'm finally getting into Star Wars comics and books as i'm getting an IPad for comics and a Kindle for Ebooks.

[@shaima124]

Loved hearing your thoughts on the this trilogy after just finishing reading The Last Command this afternoon. 🙌 Never really picked up any Star Wars books before (other than Jedi Apprentice as a kid 😅), but I'm so glad I did for this trilogy. It's been a while since I've encountered really good writing and has me this addicted (especially being disappointed with Disney Star Wars). Well a couple of 'legends' books newly sitting on my shelf now, as I'm eager to catch up. Got to hand it Zahn for making Thrawn my favourite character now; I was hooked just by how he was written and wondering the whole time how on earth they were gonna defeat this guy.

[@Smiderle]

Me and my little brother read these and really love them.

[@swanrohnson3282]

Just started watching your vids as I stumbled across a comment from another vid mentioning you and your knowledge. Huge new fan ! Please more Star Wars EU content !

[@djsangre]

I read it in middle school, when it first came out. A school mate gave me the second book and I bought the others. It was great because we grew up with (the one and only) original trilogy, we consumed our vhs and Super Nintendo games. Something new in Star Wars was needed and kids of today can’t understand what it meant. We made our x-wing with Lego because there wasn’t official Lego Star Wars! In the book Luke is finally shown properly fighting with the Force and lightsaber and Thrawn is a great villain. I need to read those books again...

[@DarthMerlin]

Loved it when you refered to sequel trilogy as fan fiction. In case you're not aware, there is a close-knit community of KZbin creators known as the Fandom Menace who share that sentiment. You should check them out. Some of the key members are WorldClassBullshitters, Midnight's Edge, Geeks + Gamers and RK Outpost, to name a few. (I see near the end of the video, you expressed some concerns about boycotts, but no one that I'm aware of in the community actually boycotted anything. There were some people that said they wouldn't be seeing TROS, but they never said others shouldn't.)

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've watched some of their content and I appreciate the ones that are sincere.

[@dizzydoom4230]

I just finished the trilogy. Great read. Thrawn's fate is probably my favorite part. (No spoilers, of course.)

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, it was surprising. But in a good way. Not a Rian Johnson way.

[@dizzydoom4230]

@@mikesbookreviews Precisely.

[@ImTheReverse]

It was so artistically done, am I right?

[@indianatrekker26]

I came across your videos. It's really inspired me to go back to the old EU books. I did enjoy the disney films, but they dont hold a candle to the Thrawn trilogy. I'm going to read the books in the order they originally released. I want to re-experience how the books built off each other

[@DedricSilva]

Currently reading it right now. LOVE Heir To The Empire.

[@DarthKraytsolosCanon500]

I’ve probably read those books like 8 times already. And they are great. The Thrawn trilogy is real Star Wars. Excellent video bro.

[@ajf5823]

The newer Thrawn books are excellent reads, especially the Ascendancy trilogy. It fleshes out Thrawn’s character and he is more three dimensional and not just a villain.

[@TnD12754]

Oh my goodness this trilogy just arrived today for me. Started reading and I can't put it down. Timothy Zayn really does understand Star Wars' atmosphere.

[@bastianp4600]

Dude, if you want more Timonthy Zahn to make more changes in future Star Wars… then read his new books! Why do you not care about the new books? They are really good.

[@codyt.346]

I finished 'Heir to the Empire's'! It was good, I probably should relisten to it before starting book2. The version that I listened to was the 20th anniversary version. It has music and sound effects thru the entire book. It was movie quality audio!

[@winglessviper]

Splinter of the mind's eye- Alan Dean Foster. Love this trilogy. Darth Angulus is doing a CGI version of Heir. It's really good. Might wanna check it out.

[@TrafalgarL4wyer]

Whoa, didnt even know you made a video on this until now. Just what I was looking for when watching the livestream. WOO!

[@djordan4648]

Nothing makes it great. To tell you the truth I thought it sucked. But that’s just one man’s opinion. After 10 years with no new Star Wars content when it finally came out people were so starved for it their memories of it are probably better than the reality if they were to read it now.

[@midasgold9379]

i read one of the EU books when i was a kid, thank you for bringing me back to them

[@nexishadow]

Great video dude! Do more! Could you do the duology sequel?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Star Wars vids don't do a ton of traffic on here but I don't think you could keep me from talking about the EU. I'd like to do the other Zahn books and the New Jedi Order in the future.

[@adambrush5445]

I just finished Heir to the Empire today. Thanks for the tip. Really good book and its proper Star Wars. I'm looking forward to volume 2 and 3. Thing is though I'm also curious to try out the Disney Thrawn books as well. Thrawn was mentioned in Mandalorian so logic dictates he either lived after rebels or he was cloned which opens the door to the original Thrawn trilogy to be re cannoned albeit with alterations made to avoid inconsistencies. The Disney novels are also written by Zahn so I'm surprised you're not keen on them. Anyway thanks for the advice I'm starting Dark Force Rising now.

[@Edog1337]

The Thrawn trilogy was my first adult novel and series, graduating out of YA. One of the best gifts I could have been given, from my now passed Aunt. Love the expanded universe, used to buy from B. Dalton at the mall.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I remember B. Dalton! I went to Borders before Barnes & Noble put them out of business. I think they've been bought out now, too. Great memory and great gift from your Aunt.

[@orboakin8074]

Thanks for uploading this. I only got into the Star wars franchise in the mid 2000s as a kid back in Nigeria and after disney has effectively ruined it and toxified the fandom, I decided to start getting pre-disney era star wars like the Clone wars show and the EU novels. I already got books like the Thrawn trilogy, The Bane trilogy, the OG and prequel novelizations, Tarkin and Sidious novels. I have only read the first book of the Bane trilogy so far. Someone recommended Legacy of the Force series and I just ordered them via amazon. Cannot wait!

[@hunter_norman]

This trilogy is amazing! I don't know if you have ever had the chance to listen to the audiobooks Marc Thompson did on the trilogy. But those are great and it feels like you are listening to a Star Wars movie. It has all the sound effects and music too.

[@99oildrops]

Marc Thompson is great!

[@jamesl4857]

I'm reading the ESSENTIAL LEGENDS editions from a boxed set of the Thrawn Trilogy that I bought over the summer, but I had the original hardcovers at one point. I'm about halfway through chapter 19 of DARK FORCE RISING. I said repeatedly to my wife after THE FORCE AWAKENS was that this series is the true sequel trilogy. These and some of the James Luceno and CLONE WARS books were among my favorites in the novels that came out before Disney bought STAR WARS. All The Best, James Heath Lantz Freelance Writer Staff Writer for Back Issue magazine 2021 Eisner Award nominee, 2019 winner, "Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism"

[@Peshi80]

"Ah, die in a fire" while taking a sip of water almost made me choke to death!

[@yvonnechiang5874]

"Die in a fire". Hahaha! Love it!

[@MikeyP707]

I grew up with the prequels. Star Wars will always be my favorite! I never got too deep into the EU when I was younger, but the disney stuff is so far off I decided to finally go through the EU. Starting with this series and it is like a breath of fresh air 😊 Also, love that you call disney Star Wars "fan fiction"😂 I have been referring to it as "high budget fan fiction". It just doesn't feel like real Star Wars

[@LutherBuilds]

I just bought these on Thriftbooks for $4 each. I'm looking forward to reading them. I, too don't like where Disney is taking Star Wars. I'm a 45 yo male who grew up loving the OT. My 13 yo son, however loves the ST. I think they are fun and entertaining but that's it. I am also a fan of Star Wars Theory who also has shared his disdain for 7-9. However, I'm looking forward to reading these books and learning more about Thrawn outside of seeing him in Rebels.

[@smittywerbenjagermanjensen2285]

Found this trilogy 1st edition hardcovers in great condition at goodwill for $6 Can’t wait to read them

[@turtleanton6539]

Gonna re-read these and then get vector prime. Thank you MIKE for your passion.

[@dnaseb9214]

Dont worry bro. I have only watched Rogue One and nothing else from Disney. No tv show. I dont agree with Dave Feloni understanding star wars. He seems more interested in making his own fan fiction.

[@hansolonuta]

Hey Guys I want to dive into the Star Wars Book Universe. But idk where to start. I would really like to read a bit apart of the "main stories". I would love to read about maybe Clone Commandos or Headhunters in the universe. I thought about starting with the Republic Commando Quadrilogy or 501st... I would be very happy to hear some suggestions and tips.

[@EhsJaySaunders]

Republic Commando is a fun series, but it doesn't work for everyone. For other entries outside the main Skywalker story, I'm personally a sucker for The Old Republic era (try out the Knights of the Old Republic comics by John Jackson Miller), the Pavan family saga (start with Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter, then the Medstar duology, then Coruscant Nights and The Last Jedi (not *that* The Last Jedi)), and Jaden Korr's Legacy-era adventures (Crosscurrent and Riptide (beware some era spoilers)).

[@alexanderren1097]

Great video! One minor critique: Thrawn isn't a villain. He was a hero but the rest of the gallery didn't realize it until it was too late

[@taunttitan1714]

People that say like was a "Mary Sue" clearly didn't watch the original trilogy and DEFINITELY didn't read the EU why do I say this because he got his ass kicked constantly, was training non stop, had to have so many people help him along the way and he still would struggle Luke didn't become GrandMaster EU Like Skywalker overnight no it took him a long time to reach that point But Rey didn't need to train she beat Kylo Ren the first time she held a lightsaber, she downloaded his training, she is a expert pilot, she literally beat Luke in a fight, she never loses, she doesn't struggle, everyone loves her, and for the love of God she killed Darth Fucking Sidious the first time they met So you tell me who's the Mary Sue you know what no im gonna start calling Mary Sue's a "Rey"

[@heathbar06]

Mike, what did you think about the audiobooks? You mentioned that while you read the books, you could hear the voices and music. My favorite part of listening was the music, sound effects, and great character voices. It was like watching the OT over again. Great video!

[@ashleyshayday1526]

I realize this is an old video but I found it in my search about this Thraen book series Ive heard mentioned lately thanks to watching the first 2 episodes of Ashoka. People say you should really watch the clone wars and the rebels before you watch Ashoka. Well I know some facts about what happened despite the fact Ive not seen either of those. I didnt realize it was supoose to be that good. But Ive seen all of the Star Wars movies including Solo and Rogue 1. Im a huge fan of the original 4, 5 and 6 more so than any of them. But I especially like to rewatch Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi and Revenge of the Sith. Now Ive seen all 3 seasons of Madolorian. Ive seen all of Bobo Fett and so I did get to see Ashoka for the first time in live action. I had always heard that she was technically the most powerful jedi and she was the most force senaitive and was even stronger than Anakin who trained her when shebwas 14 years old and he was like 20 years old. But she didnt finish her training because in the clone wars she walked away from the Jedi and Anakin. Now I didnt know she took on Sabine as an apprentice until watching Ashoka. But Im anxious to learn more abiut it. I also wonder if there is any back story there found in the Rebels or Clone wars which I have not seen. I personally knew nothing abiut this Thrawn series. I knee nothing of Star Wars until I finally gave it a chance when Star Wars episode 3 Revenge of the Sith came out. Thats when I watched episodes 4, 5 and 6 and 1 and 2 and went to theaters to watch 3. I didnt know that this book series was like a conrinuing story of what happened after Darth Vadar died and the empire collapsed. And that it was technically episodes 7, 8 and 9. So episode 7 is suppose to be book Heir to the Empire.. Episode 8 is Dark Force Rising and episode 9 is suppose to be The Last Command by Timothy Zahn. But Im confused about a another box book saga i saw online. It said the following Timothy Zahn Star Wars Thrasn and the next book said Thrawn Alliances and the next book said Thrawn Treason. So where does this fit in with those other books? Did it come after those and how long after Return of the Jedi fid these take place? My husband is a pretty big Star Wars fan but he never read or owned those books. I would like to buy him the book aet as a gift. So can somebody please tell me about these 2 book sets. And whats going and and which comes first?

[@Merrick]

"die in a fire" holy shit, strong feelings. shoot, what word/term are you talking about? referenced twice? I've never read any of these but everything i hear about them is good. one day

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's a fun universe. There are misses, but there are HUGE hits. I have disdain for particular Lucasfilm employees that go on Twitter and basically insinuate anyone that thinks these books were great are now "trolls" because Disney has no idea what made Star Wars work with audiences.

[@ozbullymorales1020]

This book will be my first ever Star Wars read.

[@ridensroom6957]

I read this for the first time at the start of the year. Phenomenal stories. On Sunday, I pick up the 'best of legends' reprints. It'll be lovely to have new copies. My originals are very old and ebay used so I'm keen to have my own ones :)

[@williamjones3534]

6:30 Mike from the well of time I'm nodding my head in agreement with you. THIS is the definitive Star Wars EU and it was cannon. I love how they tried to backtrack from that. I'm sitting in the pews nodding my head saying "amen" and "preach on brother" when you mention the Baddass baby mama Luke's wife Mara Jade. Honestly I think If Disney led with this instead of that garbage "The Farce Awakens" Star Wars would be in a lot better state. As you stated Disney Star Wars is nothing but fan fic. Bad fan fiction at that. So as much as I would have wanted the Zahn trilogy on screen I trust Disney and wouldn't want them touching it. God how did I miss this video? I'm going backwards I started with shadows of the empire as you know until you mentioned this video. So I'm watching this first Is it me or did these books read like a Star Wars movie? These could have been easily adapted. You mentioned that the actors were too old to do the Thrawn trilogy however you could have gotten new actors. Look up Anthony Ingruber as a Harrison Ford replacement. He played young Ford in "Age of Adeline." They did a mock up of Sebastian Stan as an older Luke to which Mark Hamill gave the thumbs up and called him his spiritual son. Donald Glover as Lando works. So the only actor that would be difficult to cast would be Carie Fisher. As for the "Fandom Menace" it is not simply "Geeks & Gamers". I hate that guy and his channel. Only in america can a guy watch the last Jedi 6 times in order to figure out rather or not he liked it then capitalize off his idiot come to god moment when he realizes after 5 or 6 times he hated it. The fandom menace also consist of Midnights edge which is good, Doomcock, World class bullshitters and nerdrotic to name a few. The boycott in question is simply saying "without respect we reject." in other words vote with your wallet and don't give Disney money for trash, especially when they follow up trash by calling the fans names.

[@mikesbookreviews]

So many people consider recasting to be blasphemy, but like with Doctor Sleep earlier this year, I prefer that to the de-aging trend they’re trying right now. Even if they didn’t adapt these stories, do like Feige has done with Marvel and still mine the source material for fan pleasing content. But it truly seems Kathleen Kennedy has zero cares about the fandom that built this Empire. I love Midnight’s Edge. They do their homework.

[@williamjones3534]

@@mikesbookreviews I agree some fans would consider we casting blasphemy. However considering the circumstances and if they were doing stories" adapted" from the EU I think many more would understand.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@williamjones3534 I'd even be happy with an animated version at this point.

[@collinschoenfelder677]

Im listening to heir to the empire audiobook right now and its awesome

[@turtleanton6539]

This books are so FANTASTIC!!! What books should one read after these?

[@mikesbookreviews]

I guess it depends on how much/what stories you want to read. Once they began the New Jedi Order series, they started printing a chronological timeline in the front of the books. After Thrawn, they did Jedi Academy and then a bunch of one-offs and different trilogies before starting NJO. Here's a simple list to reference: www.yodasdatapad.com/booklist.html

[@vonmeier]

Thank you for this review and insights! Just finished the trilogy and I loved it, albeit the ending felt a bit rushed/"unimaginative" in some aspects. But all the characters are great and there is actual character development. Would have loved a little bit more events or developed characters on the Empire side but that's just me.

[@alxjalmeida]

I have yet to read these, and they are on my TBR. I have just finished reading the new Thrawn book that covers his origin story. Thanks for this video and your take. I certainly understand and get your point on the EU or what is now called "Legends" and I am so so glad that it wasn't taken away or made so that it is tough to find etc.... With that said, I am very very happy that Disney is taking this universe and nurturing it. I wasn't impressed with what LucasFilm did with Episodes 1, 2, and 3. And I think it was time. With that said, I will also explore the Legends stories keeping full awareness of what is "cannon" and "old cannon". Etc... Thanks again!

[@paramoosestudios]

I hope to have a Stephen King collection as big as yours :O

[@mikesbookreviews]

Dream big!

[@taunttitan1714]

The Expanded Universe (EU) Is and forever will be THE REAL Canon for Star Wars to me that'll never change Yeah Disney has made some great stuff like The clone wars Season 7, Tales of the Jedi, Rebels, The Mandolorian and that episode of book of boba Fett (Episode 6 I think it was) and some books and comics but literally none of it is anywhere near as good as The EU

[@johnnylozano3745]

I actually had bought this Thrawn trilogy on sale on amazon Just because the rise of skywalker alone made me hate the new trilogy and left me with such a bad taste in my mouth. I haven't read it yet, I just don't want to get burned anymore by something I love.

[@luckykennedy7364]

Trust me I hesitated after TLJ but the plunge in oh so good

[@lonniedwayne9549]

3:15, I feel you on that. I love being a fan of Star Wars and always will be but the fan base has got so toxic and I see wars all the time in comments sections on KZbin. I've always said, it seems like if you like similar things it'd bring people together but instead they'd rather argue about shit. I do agree about the sequels, though. I hate them. I'm just not gonna bash other people for liking them, I'm just glad the movies I thought were garbage brought other people at least some kind of joy. Anyway, sorry for the long comment and I'm definitely gonna check this trilogy out after I finish Lords Of the Sith.

[@Z3AL316]

Honestly they should make an animated series about the original Thrawn trilogy, the Jedi academy trilogy, The New Jedi Order series, and then finish off with The Legacy of the force series. Done in the same style of animation as the Clone Wars. Idc Disney can call it legends but to me the original 6 films and original expanded universe and The Clone Wars will forever be the true Star Wars story, and it was perfect before Disney bought Lucasfilm and made there own dumb “ canon “ universe. All I want is awesome cgi animated faithful adaptations of these masterfully written novels. I wanna see the real Luke Skywalker of these books, the amazing op master Jedi Luke. I think making a series on the books I mentioned would be a perfect true sequel series to episodes 4,5, and 6. It could the OG trilogies animated series kinda like how The Clone Wars was the prequels animated series. Sucks that we’ll never get that and even if we do the stories might be altered by Disney, I will say though I think Andor, Rogue one, and Bad Batch is good, but other then that Disney Star Wars is not Star Wars

[@thanos9597]

I wish we got this instead of the sequels trilogy

[@mikesbookreviews]

Definitely.

[@animalmother8037]

Gotta re read this trilogy to get the other stuff out my head. Haven't seen these since middle school. Just broke my collection out of storage. Borders was awesome! EU was my world and new Disney SW was disappointing but EU is always there and it'll always be cannon to me.

[@dougplace895]

IT WILL HIT THE BIG SCREEN!! JESUS IS ALL POWERFUL!!

[@Geschichtenwelten]

I remember being very disilluisioned watching The Last Jedi, how the movie didn't understand the character of Luke and how Ryan Johnson basically fucked up telling a story that is consistent with the other movies. I decided that the crap Disney shits out is not how the canon really goes. It goes with the old Expanded Universe. Where characters are allowed to grow and evolve.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I feel the same. This will always be canon to me.

[@natesroomrule]

Probably Michael Stackpole also, don't forget him. He probably knows the universe as well as any of those you mentioned.

[@jeremymullins1294]

People ask me, "Is the Thrawn trilogy really that good?" And I say, "Yes, yes it is." And I haven't really enjoyed any of the other EU books I've read. Even others by Timothy Zahn.

[@mikesbookreviews]

The EU as a whole isn’t for everyone. I won’t lie, there is a lot of fluff out there and “planet of the week” books. For me it hit a new level when we got to the New Jedi Order and got away from the Empire and saw there were bigger threats out there.

[@jeremymullins1294]

@@mikesbookreviews I might give those a shot!

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@jeremymullins1294 It's a 17 book series and not all are great, but like I said, it broke the monotony and it was one long story arc. Big characters died, there were crazy plot twists, and the Yuuzhan Vong made the Empire seem like teddy bears by comparison. But it got DARK and some fans that just wanted to have fun while reading SW weren't ready for it.

[@qualityautismNoah]

@@mikesbookreviews It is a 19 book series, not 17. And yes, it's a great series!

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@qualityautismNoah God dang, you're right. I just counted them on my shelf ha ha. It has been awhile. I think the last one came out like 15 years ago.

[@ben3129]

do u think the comic adaption of the thrawn trilogy does justice to the books?

[@bloozism]

I wish I could find these in something other than mass market paperback

[@dougplace895]

McCabe You rule!!

[@japre8]

I agree with everything you said. If I could like twice I would.

[@jgamer2228]

I just finished reading Heir to the Empire. I read the entire book in 4-5 days as I was taking a break from the insufferable female characters, literally every Aes Sedai, of the Wheel of Time series. I loved this book _so much_ that I overnight shipped the next two from Amazon. It’s so refreshing to not hate the character whose viewpoint you’re reading from. I should’ve checked out the extended universe much much sooner

[@ryanturney672]

The Mandalorian is a great first step in restoring Star Wars to its former glory in my opinion, i am actualy liking the prequel trilogy the older i get as well.

[@obitwokenobi9808]

The real sequel trilogy. Would've loved to have seen these adapted to the big screen.