JasperKazai’s Reviews > Star Wars: Choices of One > Status Update

This was a mixed bag. I was so damn confused for the last third or so. I thought Odo was Thrawn, but then it turns out that no it's the villain instead. And then that had me wondering if we were supposed to have that line of thought, or if I had just gotten mixed up and read into something I shouldn't have. I truly have no clue. That confusion marred my enjoyment.
But it was fine overall. Filler and fanservice, sure.

A few pages away from finishing, but as I was checking what's next, noticed something weird. Wookieepedia has a timeline of books and another one for ALL media. They are slightly different. Books says the next 3 are Honor Among Thieves, Splinter of the Mind's Eye, Razor's Edge. Media says the order is Splinter, Razor, Honor. I think I'll go with the latter since that is publication order. Doesn't really matter TBH.

The moment-to-moment happenings are easy to follow, but I still have absolutely no idea what the overarching plot is. I'm so lost. It's getting close enough to the end here that I'm starting to wonder if there IS no big thing, and I'm overcomplicating it. I truly don't know.
Was thinking how I had this Zahn block, but after this there's nothing from him until the Thrawn trilogy, which is waaaaaay later. Will miss it

For awhile, I've assumed that warlord Nuso Esva is Thrawn, and this is all some ploy of his. Seems like it might be heading that way. But I have no idea to what end. Trying to play the Rebels and Imps off of each other, I guess. But why here and now?

Figured a twist with Axlon like that was coming up. He wouldn't invent a random new Rebel character to lead negotiations if they weren't going to have a reveal like that. Otherwise you'd just use an established character. Besides, the name Axlon sounds villainous as hell, lol.
As much bitching nitpicking I've done, I am enjoying this. Definitely better than some of the other things I've read this year.

Zahn trying to make Mara not come across as pure evil continues to make her seem toothless. Circumstances arise where she's basically now working with Axlon, and she tells him that once all of this is settled, she'll give the Rebels 2 hours to leave the system. Hunting down Rebels would be her NUMBER 1 mission! She was about to EXECUTE a Rebel earlier! Why would she just let them leave?! But she can't be a bad guy.

Returning back to this after a slight porn book detour. Forgot I hadn't updated yet.
Telling Luke fuckin' Skywalker of all people 'tomorrow, you will see the Rebellion begin the path to victory' is so arrogant. He blew up the Death Star, you dick!

The Hand of Judgment approach an altercation on the street, not in their stormtrooper armor. LaRone tries to intervene and they first tell him to back off, but he just keeps asking questions and they immediately start complying and answering. Once again, everyone is just a little bit TOO agreeable. He was just some random dude, he had no authority. Also, IDK about letting the clear liars off scot-free. That's wrong.

Man, Zahn is hammering this 'choices of one' saying hard. It's kind of dumb that it's already been referenced by completely different people in such a short amount of the book. It's like because Allegiance dealt with the concept of allegiance so heavily, that Zahn felt obligated to do that again. But he's doing it with zero subtlety or nuance this time...

Mara's opening scene has her killing an Imperial official somewhat ruthlessly. Granted, he was still a 'clear-cut bad guy' because he was stealing from citizens. But a step in the right direction nonetheless.
Ok, Obi-Wan talking with Luke is one thing. Obi-Wan is dead and one with the Force. But 2 alive people having a fully-fledged conversation from across the galaxy is really dumb and not how the Force works.