Set approximately five years after the events depicted in Return of the Jedi, [2] the trilogy details the offensive campaigns of military genius Grand Admiral Thrawn as he attempts to bring down the recently founded New Republic in a bid to restore the Galactic Empire to power. In addition to Thrawn, the trilogy introduced several notable characters, including Mara Jade and Talon Karrde. The success of the original Thrawn Trilogy was one of the thing that allowed us to see the brilliance of Timothy Zahn as a sci-fi author. He followed up his success with ‘Specter of the Past,’ which is the first part of a two-volume series entitled ‘The Hand of Thrawn.’ And in this story, Luke and his friends are now looking to keep the Republic safe from itself and an Imperial warlord that’s looking to shatter the peace. After the success of ‘Heir to the Empire,’ ‘Dark Force Rising’ follows it up with the second installment of a planned trilogy of books that tells the story of the years after the defeat of the Empire. In this book, we get to see more of the events surrounding Grand Admiral Thrawn’s plans and machinations as he is set to unleash his wrath over the entire New Republic while using weapons that he was able to find hidden.

The Fight Against the Empire Will Continue in Star Wars Rebels Season Three". StarWars.com. November 30, 2015 . Retrieved July 18, 2016. The Thrawn trilogy is widely credited with revitalizing the Star Wars franchise, [26] [27] [21] although Zahn himself was skeptical of this. [12] In The Secret History of Star Wars, Michael Kaminski suggests that this renewed interest was a factor in George Lucas' decision to create the Star Wars prequel trilogy. [21] [28] The trilogy's success has been cited as beginning the Star Wars Expanded Universe. [5] Liptak, Andrew (October 6, 2017). "Timothy Zahn is writing a sequel to Thrawn". The Verge . Retrieved October 7, 2017. The Star Wars:: Thrawn Ascendency Trilogy Will End With Lesser Evil – Exclusive Reveal". StarWars.com. April 1, 2021 . Retrieved April 1, 2021. a b Siegel, Lucas (January 21, 2017). " Star Wars: Thrawn Origin Novel Synopsis Released". Comicbook.com . Retrieved March 4, 2017.Disney and Random House announce relaunch of Star Wars Adult Fiction line". StarWars.com. April 25, 2014 . Retrieved May 26, 2016.

Star Wars Dark Forces Collector's Trilogy". Highbridge Audio. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017 . Retrieved August 24, 2016.Lesser Evil (B&N Exclusive Edition) (Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy Trilogy #3)". Barnes and Noble. March 1, 2022. During this timeline, the Republic was still as fragile as ever even after the defeat of the Empire. Of course, Thrawn is looking to make use of the fragility of the Republic to launch a massive campaign that seeks to destroy the Republic and reinstate the might of the Empire with the aid of powerful weapons that were beyond the comprehension of our favorite heroes. In that regard, Thrawn plans to turn the tide of battle in his favor by using these powerful weapons to his advantage as he is now looking to take over the entire galaxy as the heir to the Empire. a b " Star Wars Miniatures: Thrawn/Mitth'raw'nuruodo #24 (2009)". RebelScum.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2015 . Retrieved July 22, 2016. a b Liptak, Andrew (October 6, 2017). "Timothy Zahn is writing a sequel to Thrawn". The Verge . Retrieved October 7, 2017.

Each novel in the trilogy had its own Star Wars role-playing game sourcebook created for it by West End Games. When the rules for the Star Wars RPG changed the three volumes were collected into one book for the entire Thrawn trilogy which also served as a second edition to the original three sourcebooks. According to Zahn, the writing of the trilogy was coordinated with preexisting West End Games materials (at the behest of Lucasfilm). Also, "They filled in a bunch of gaps I hadn't got around to filling in." [21] Reception [ edit ] A third novel, Thrawn: Treason, was released on July 23, 2019. [74] Set before the finale of Rebels, Thrawn: Treason features Grand Admiral Thrawn crossing paths with Director Krennic as well as the return of Eli Vanto. Chronologically, Thrawn: Treason is set between the Rebels episodes "Rebel Assault" and "Family Reunion – and Farewell." Goldman, Eric (November 19, 2016). " Star Wars Rebels: "Iron Squadron" Review". IGN . Retrieved March 5, 2017. Most of the Imperial leaders we see in the movies rule through a combination of fear and manipulation. I wanted to create something different: a commander who could lead through loyalty. The result was Thrawn, a tactical genius whose troops follow him willingly, and who will fight for him whether or not he's watching over their shoulders. [13]Governor Restos asks Colonel Yularen why four Governors are present when there are only three task force commanders. Colonel Yularen responds that the Lothalian insurgents are being dealt with by Admiral Kassius Konstantine and that Governor Pryce is present to observe the proceedings as her system is also facing an insurgency. With Governor Restos mollified, Colonel Yularen informs that they will start with Batonn, assigning Thrawn with the task of pacifying the insurgents. a b c d e f g h i j k "Grand Admiral Thrawn". StarWars.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade · Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel · Lords of the Sith · Tarkin · Jedi: Battle Scars

Marvel Comics March 2018 Solicitations on www.newsarama.com ( December 19, 2017) (archived from the original on May 29, 2020) a b Keane, Sean (October 6, 2017). " Star Wars: Thrawn sequel announced at NYCC 2017". New York Daily News . Retrieved October 7, 2017. Brooks, Dan (January 12, 2017). "Dream Teams: How Star Wars: Force Arena Puts You in Control of the Galaxy's Greatest". StarWars.com . Retrieved July 26, 2017. Britt, Ryan (February 28, 2013). "How Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire Turned Star Wars into Science Fiction". Tor.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2015 . Retrieved August 26, 2015.Keane, Sean (October 6, 2017). " Star Wars: Thrawn sequel announced at NYCC 2017". New York Daily News . Retrieved October 7, 2017.