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Reading Challenges > Timothy Zahn/Thrawn Read-a-thon

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message 1: by Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice (last edited Nov 03, 2024 10:11AM) (new)

Zuzana | 1640 comments Mod


You have up to 5 months to refresh your knowledge of Thrawn and deepen your understanding of the Chiss culture. Join our Read-a-thon and connect with other Thrawn-loving Star Wars fans. :)



Timothy Zahn/Thrawn Read-a-Thon
Duration: 1-5 months from start date (depending on how many tasks you complete)


Thanks to Rebecca who came up with the idea and drafted the tasks

Levels:
Easy: 1-2 tasks
Medium: 3-4 tasks
Hard: 5 tasks

Tasks:

Inspired by the Chiss Family Ranks. These tasks are listed from highest rank to lowest rank.

1. Blood: Read at least one book from either the original Thrawn trilogy: Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command, the new Thrawn trilogy: Thrawn, Thrawn: Alliances, Thrawn: Treason or the Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy.

2. Cousin: Read any other book, novella or short story by Zahn that focuses on Thrawn.

3. Ranking Distant: Read a short story, a book or a comicbook that focuses on the Chiss and/or Thrawn that is not written by Zahn. This can include the middle grade series Clone Wars Secret Missions, The Dark Nest Trilogy, The Heir to the Empire Guide book, etc.

Zahn created Thrawn and the Chiss but he was not the only author who dabbled in Chiss culture.

4. Trial-Born: Read a book by Timothy Zahn that's either not SW related or is part of the SW franchise but doesn't focus on Thrawn or the Chiss.

Zahn is an accomplished science fiction author. His works won or were nominated for Hugo and Locus awards. It might be a good time to sample some of his non-SW works. Or if you want to stick to his SW books pick one that doesn't focus on the Chiss.

5. Merit Adoptive: Read a book (fiction or non-fiction) on a real-life military figure or Sherlock Holmes.

Zahn often talks about what was his inspiration for the character of Thrawn. Historical figures he drew on were Hannibal, Alexander, Robert E. Lee, Erwin Rommel and other military geniuses. The main literary influence was Sherlock Holmes.

rules updated in 2024


message 2: by Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice (new)

Zuzana | 1640 comments Mod
reserved


message 3: by Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice (new)

Zuzana | 1640 comments Mod
reserved


message 4: by Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice (last edited Apr 28, 2021 06:43AM) (new)

Zuzana | 1640 comments Mod
Timothy Zahn/Thrawn Read-a-Thon
Duration: 2 months from start date
Start Date: 4/3/21
Level: Hard: 5 tasks
Tasks: 1/5

✔1. Blood: Read at least one book from either the original or the new Thrawn trilogies.
Dark Force Rising by Timothy Zahn (The Thrawn Trilogy #2) 4/27/21 ★★★

2. Cousin: Read any other book, novella or short story by Zahn that focuses on Thrawn.
short story: Side Trip by Timothy Zahn and Michael A. Stackpole in Tales from the Empire
Tales from the Empire (Star Wars) by Peter Schweighofer

3. Ranking Distant: Read a short story, a book or a comicbook that focuses on the Chiss and/or Thrawn that is not written by Zahn.
Heir to the Empire graphic novel adaptation by Mike Baron:
Heir to the Empire by Mike Baron

4. Trial-Born: Read a book by Timothy Zahn that's either not SW related or is part of the SW franchise but doesn't focus on the Chiss.
Cascade Point and Other Stories by Timothy Zahn or Allegiance by Timothy Zahn

5. Merit Adoptive: Read a book (fiction or non-fiction) on a real-life military figure or Sherlock Holmes.
Alexander and Alestria by Shan Sa or The Afghan Campaign by Steven Pressfield


message 5: by Rebecca (new)

Rebecca | 958 comments Haven't figured out my TBR yet. I know I want to read Rommel's military treatise Infantry, Attack, and possibly a biography on Admiral Yi Sun-sin. As for the Star Wars books, debating.


message 6: by Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice (last edited Feb 27, 2021 10:16PM) (new)

Zuzana | 1640 comments Mod
My TBR will probably change. I need to finish a couple of other books first. I hope to start this challenge in the second half of March.

If Dark Force Rising wins April GR poll, it will make things a bit easier.


message 7: by Allyssa, Former Moderator/Group Founder (new)

Allyssa Smith | 791 comments Mod
I wish i could do this, but I don’t have enough time now. I’m looking forward to getting Greater Good as an ARC if/when it comes out on NetGalley. This is a very artistically done challenge!
Spoilers for the last Legends Thrawn trilogy book
(view spoiler)


message 8: by Kim (new)

Kim | 45 comments Ooo I like these tasks! I will for sure hit one of them because I have to read Thrawn: Treason to finish up the canon trilogy. I'm not sure what level I'll shoot for, but I'd like to check out what the other authors wrote about the Chiss.


message 9: by Rebecca (new)

Rebecca | 958 comments We may want to consult wookepedia for a list of all books that feature the Chiss and make a recommendations page. I'm not even sure of all the books that deal with Thrawn and or the Chiss in Legends.


message 10: by Allyssa, Former Moderator/Group Founder (new)

Allyssa Smith | 791 comments Mod
NJO and beyond might have stuff with
-Fels
-Empire of the Hand
-Chiss


message 11: by Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice (new)

Zuzana | 1640 comments Mod
This month group read - Zahn's Dark Force Rising - is a perfect opportunity to start this challenge. :)


message 12: by Kim (new)

Kim | 45 comments It looks like April is Thrawn month for me! I signed up for that virtual Greater Good Q&A with Timothy Zahn at the end of the month and I am motivated to hurry up and read Chaos Rising before that, and start this challenge!

1. Blood: Read at least one book from either the original Thrawn trilogy:
Thrawn: Treason, I actually just finished this and is my favorite in this trilogy, it's very good:
Thrawn Treason (Star Wars Thrawn, #3) by Timothy Zahn

2. Cousin: Read any other book, novella or short story by Zahn that focuses on Thrawn.
Does Chaos Rising count? If not, I will piggy back on Zuzana's Stackpole pick.
Chaos Rising (Star Wars Thrawn Ascendancy, #1) by Timothy Zahn

3. Ranking Distant: Read a short story, a book or a comic book that focuses on the Chiss and/or Thrawn that is not written by Zahn:
I will read the comic Star Wars: Thrawn written by Jody Houser. There are just six issues.
Star Wars Thrawn by Jody Houser

I'm still undecided for the next two levels.


message 13: by Rebecca (new)

Rebecca | 958 comments Being a mood reader is what I fail at reading challenges. I still haven't completed any of these prompts...


message 14: by Rebecca (new)

Rebecca | 958 comments Kim, best of luck on your reading goals!


message 15: by Rebecca (new)

Rebecca | 958 comments And yes, Chaos Rising counts for prompt 2.


message 16: by Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice (new)

Zuzana | 1640 comments Mod
Finally, I finished the first book for this challenge. took me long enough. :)

Task 1: Dark Force Rising 4/24/21


message 17: by Rebecca (new)

Rebecca | 958 comments I completed task 2 on 4/16. I read the novella Crisis of Faith.


message 18: by Allyssa, Former Moderator/Group Founder (new)

Allyssa Smith | 791 comments Mod
Is Greater Good good?


message 19: by Rebecca (new)

Rebecca | 958 comments I just got my copy last night. Hoping to start it this evening.


message 20: by Kim (new)

Kim | 45 comments I just got mine too, I might start it this weekend! I’m almost done with Chaos Rising and really enjoying it.


message 21: by Kim (new)

Kim | 45 comments I completed task 1 on 4/10 - Thrawn: Treason and I just completed task 2 this evening: Chaos Rising.

I watched the virtual Q&A with Timothy Zahn this evening and while it doesn't fit into any of the tasks, it turned out to be perfect timing after reading these two!


message 22: by Rebecca (new)

Rebecca | 958 comments I'm about halfway through Greater Good. It has a very different feel to it than I was expecting. Zuzana, I think you will enjoy doing a break down of Chiss politics and legal systems for military and civilians.


message 23: by Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice (last edited Apr 30, 2021 10:31AM) (new)

Zuzana | 1640 comments Mod
Rebecca wrote: "Zuzana, I think you will enjoy doing a break down of Chiss politics and legal systems for military and civilians."

It sounds like something I might really enjoy. Thanks for the rec, Rebecca.


message 24: by Allyssa, Former Moderator/Group Founder (new)

Allyssa Smith | 791 comments Mod
Greater Good was confusing, but I liked it better on my 2nd read.


message 25: by Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice (new)

Zuzana | 1640 comments Mod
This challenge was a bust for me. I need a second go at it.


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