Luke Is So Depressed - Tumblr Posts
So earlier today I mentioned that I was reading Heir to the Empire in a reblog. I wanted to share some of my thoughts because no book has ever gotten me so excited to continue reading. For background information, I've watched Rebels and have heard of Mara Jade before and some things about her like how she's the Emperor's Hand and later on becomes Luke's wife. I discovered that her and Thrawn's first appearance is in Heir to the Empire and I was curious to learn more about them. I will say, I've not been disappointed.
It's been so cool to see how, in Thrawn's case, so many elements of his character have remained intact in his transfer to canon. Like heck, Thrawn's interest and use of art to understand his enemies was introduced alongside him IN THE VERY FIRST CHAPTER. Thrawn has been shown to be intimidating through Captain Pellaeon's interactions and thoughts towards him. Thrawn's cool, calm, and calculating. He has tremendous patience in negotiating with "Joruus C'baeoth". One of the early on passages in the book said that Thrawn wasn't involved in the fighting on Endor because he was in the Unknown regions and only resurfaced about 5 years post Endor. Well, not that it was fully intentional. But I did think about the parallels of that and Thrawn's return to the known galaxy after being in some unknown regions (yes, I know it's another galaxy) situated roughly 5 years after Endor. Sure, the happenings may be different in details, but it's still cool to think about Thrawn's latest return being roughly the same time as Legends.
On another note, Mara Jade. She's been great. She was terrifying Luke even before they actually met each other. Luke was having visions of how she probably wished things had gone in Return of the Jedi and he was just shaken. It was set up so well just how much she hated him. And I was so shocked when I learned that she was a smuggler in the first book. I cackled so much though when Thrawn said he'd send a bounty to the local smugglers to find the stranded Luke. I was so excited and ready for them to meet. I got to that point, and it was just about everything I wanted and expected. I love how it really emphasizes these two's headspaces. The first time he sensed her, he was a little horrified because he never senses so much hate and bitterness in one person, including Palpatine. He actually meets her, and yes, he still sees intense hatred, but also pain. AND THIS IS WHILE SHE IS HOLDING A BLASTER TO HIS HEAD. She's all like, "You can be given to the Empire dead or alive. If you try to escape, I'll kill you right now. Please dare to escape." And he's just looking into her eyes and sensing her pain. He wants to understand why she hates him and she's not having it.
I have literally no idea what's gonna happen, but I'm so down to find out. I'm absolutely loving this book, and I think I've found a new favorite. I'm so badly contemplating doing some fan art of them. I might. I'd just have to think about how and what I'd do since I draw characters as dogs. But I dunno. Any ideas for dog breeds for the chiss, and Mara Jade in particular?