Thrawn Ascendancy: Lesser Evil, penned by Timothy Zahn, serves as the concluding chapter of the Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy Trilogy and a canon sequel to Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good. Del Rey released it on November 16, 2021, alongside its audiobook adaptation.
Timothy Zahn, the bestselling author, brings us the thrilling conclusion to the Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy, where the very existence of the Chiss Ascendancy teeters on the brink.
For millennia, the Chiss Ascendancy has stood as a bastion of tranquility, a focal point of authority, and an exemplar of rectitude. Governed by the Nine Ruling Families, their collective leadership forms a formidable defense against the turmoil of the Unknown Regions.
However, this stability is being undermined by a devious adversary who skillfully erodes both trust and loyalty. The strong bonds of allegiance among the families are fracturing into divisions. Despite the best efforts of the Expansionary Defense Fleet, the Ascendancy is inexorably sliding towards internal conflict.
War is no novelty to the Chiss. Their legendary status in the Chaos was forged through battles and grim actions, some of which have been long forgotten—until now. To safeguard the Ascendancy's future, Thrawn must delve into its history, revealing the shadowy circumstances surrounding the rise of the First Ruling Family. Yet, a family's legacy is only as robust as the myths that underpin it, even if those myths prove to be falsehoods.
Will Thrawn be prepared to relinquish everything, including the only place he has ever called home, to ensure the Ascendancy's survival?
Circa 18 BBY, Senior captain Thrawn has a confrontation with Generalirius Nakirre, the leader of the Kilji Illumine at the Zyzek system, as they orbit the planet Zyzek. Thrawn taunts Nakirre, asserting that the Kilji way of order and enlightenment will not sway the Chiss's age-old traditions.
Nakirre, accompanied by the Grysk "Jixtus," departs and seeks to meet Clarr Patriarch Clarr'ivl'exow on Rhigar. Instead, they encounter Captain Clarr'os'culry, who is offered warships from the Illumine by Nakirre, and a recording of the Hoxim incident by Jixtus. Roscu departs with the recording, sharing it with her Patriarch, who, unbeknownst to her, has struck a deal with Jixtus to acquire several Grysk ships.
Roscu travels to Ornfra, where she is intercepted by Senior Captain Irizi'in'daro and the Chiss heavy cruiser Grayshrike. Ziinda informs her of a Grysk missile platform disguised as a Mitth spy platform nearby. Roscu narrowly avoids the Grysk assault unscathed, and a freighter controlling the platform is destroyed.
As tensions escalate within the Ascendancy, Thrawn seizes the Kilji picket cruiser Hammer with the Paccosh Uingali foar Marocsaa. After obtaining data on the Illumine Kilhorde—the Kiljis' battle fleet—Thrawn forms an alliance with the Paataatus to eliminate the Kiljis. Meanwhile, Nakirre and Jixtus repeatedly clash, leading the Generalirius to realize he is merely a pawn of the Grysks. Chiss forces obliterate the Kilhorde, while Nakirre and Jixtus journey to Sunrise, where they are ambushed by Thrawn's fleet.
Upon learning of the Kilhorde's destruction, Nakirre rebukes Jixtus, who then fatally shoots the Kilji with a hidden weapon. A battle ensues between the arriving Grysk fleet and Thrawn's forces. Thrawn achieves victory by preventing the Grysks' escape using a gravity generator obtained from Vagaari pirates. Jixtus destroys all his ships via kill switches and warns Thrawn that the Grysks will return to fulfill their promise of annihilating the Ascendancy. Jixtus then activates his own ship's kill switch, ending his life. Despite averting civil war within the Ascendancy, Thrawn is exiled to Lesser Space by order of the Defense Hierarchy Council. On his final day on Csilla, Thrawn reminisces about Thrass at a familiar bistro and bids farewell to his closest companions.
The prologue mentions that the Republic shield generator acquired by Thrawn from Lesser Space resisted replication attempts by the UAG, yet Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising states that Thrawn's personal freighter was equipped with a prototype Republic shield generator during his battle with General Yiv of the Nikardun Destiny. [8]
In chapter 10, the Springhawk is mistakenly referred to as the Grayshrike twice.
In chapter 17, Rivlex is incorrectly labeled as a Patriel, despite being identified as a Patriarch on the same page (366).
In chapter 20, Ziinda erroneously identifies the Csap family as a "ruling family."
In chapter 26, the Springhawk's helm officer, Tumaz'mor'diamir, is twice misidentified as Evroes'ky'mormi, the Vigilant's weapons officer.
In chapter 28, Mid Captain Csap'ro'strob is referred to as Mid Commander, even though Supreme General Ba'kif has just confirmed Apros's impending promotion to Senior Captain.
In chapter 28, Thrawn is described as a merit adoptive. However, Memories 13 of Chaos Rising indicates he was made a trial born,[8] and the dramatis personae of both Greater Good and Lesser Evil list him as a trial born.
The dialogue and flashback featuring Syndic Thrass and his human co-pilot closely mirror the events and writing found in Zahn's 2006 novel, Outbound Flight.
- ISBN 9780593158326 ; November 16 , 2021 ; Del Rey ; US Hardcover [1]
- ISBN 9780593158333 ; November 16, 2021; Del Rey; US eBook [1]
- ISBN 9780593359372 ; November 16, 2021; Del Rey; US hardcover, Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition [11]
- ISBN 9780593496985 ; November 16, 2021; Del Rey; US paperback, export edition [12]
- ISBN 9780593158340 ; August 2 , 2022 ; Del Rey; US paperback [13]