The Last Command (The Thrawn Trilogy #3)

Title: The Last Command (The Thrawn Trilogy #3)

Author: Timothy Zahn

Published in: 1993

Date read: 12th August 2015

Score: 4/5

Genre: Science fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Last Command," published in 1993, is the third and final novel in Timothy Zahn's "Thrawn Trilogy." It brings the monumental conflict between the New Republic and Grand Admiral Thrawn's resurgent Empire to a breath-taking and decisive conclusion, resolving all the major plotlines that were introduced in the previous two books.

The story opens with the New Republic in a state of chaos and despair. Grand Admiral Thrawn has secured the Katana fleet, a powerful force of dreadnoughts, and is using them to systematically overwhelm the New Republic's defences. His tactical genius seems unstoppable, and the heroes are pushed to their limits as they face defeat on multiple fronts.

Luke Skywalker, with Mara Jade and Talon Karrde, takes a desperate risk, traveling to the planet Wayland to confront the insane Jedi clone Joruus C'baoth and find a way to stop the Imperial cloning facility that is producing an endless supply of stormtroopers. Luke must use his new understanding of the Force and his bond with Mara to resist C'baoth's dark influence and prevent the ultimate corruption of his Jedi ideals.

Meanwhile, Princess Leia Organa Solo, having just given birth to twins, must balance her role as a mother with her duties as a political leader. She works with Han Solo to rally what is left of the New Republic's fleet for a final, seemingly suicidal, attack on a key Imperial stronghold. They must outmanoeuvre Thrawn and expose his weaknesses.

The narrative is a relentless series of political intrigues, naval battles, and personal showdowns. The characters' arcs come to a head: Luke and Mara's adversarial relationship transforms into a deep and trusting partnership; Talon Karrde fully commits to the New Republic, using his underworld connections to aid the cause; and Leia uses her strategic mind to counter Thrawn's tactical brilliance.

The climax of the novel occurs in two simultaneous, high-stakes events. The first is a final, epic space battle where the New Republic gambles everything on one last desperate assault. The second is a deeply personal duel between Luke and Mara against the unhinged Joruus C'baoth, which leads to a surprising resolution.

"The Last Command" masterfully ties all the threads together. The ultimate fate of the galaxy hinges on a combination of tactical genius, acts of self-sacrifice, and the personal choices of a few key individuals, leading to a satisfying and defining conclusion for the original Star Wars Expanded Universe saga.

Comments:
Fantastic ending. Not much more to say. I will add that I loved Thrawn's appearances in both Star Wars: Rebels (watched it with my son, then carried on and finished it on my own when he lost interest) and Ashoka. They stuck to how Thrawn was described in the books.

Books that we've read by Timothy Zahn (3):
Heir to the Empire (The Thrawn Trilogy, #1) (1991), Dark Force Rising (The Thrawn Trilogy #2) (1992), The Last Command (The Thrawn Trilogy #3) (1993)