Thrawn Ascendancy: Lesser Evil

Thrawn Ascendancy: Lesser Evil is a canon novel written by Timothy Zahn as the sequel to Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good, and the final volume of Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy Trilogy. It was published by Del Rey on November 16, 2021 along with its audiobook adaptation.
==Publisher's summary==
The fate of the Chiss Ascendancy hangs in the balance in the epic finale of the Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy from bestselling author Timothy Zahn.
For thousands of years The Chiss Ascendancy has been an island of calm, a center of power, and a beacon of integrity. Led by the Nine Ruling Families, their leadership stands as a bulwark of stability against the Chaos of the Unknown Regions.
But that stability has been eroded by a cunning foe that winnows away trust and loyalty in equal measure. Bonds of fidelity have given way to lines of division among the families. Despite the efforts of the Expansionary Defense Fleet, the Ascendancy slips closer and closer toward civil war.
The Chiss are no strangers to war. Their mythic status in the Chaos was earned through conflict and terrible deeds, some long buried. Until now. To ensure the Ascendancy's future, Thrawn will delve deep into its past, uncovering the dark secrets surrounding the ascension of the First Ruling Family. But the truth of a family's legacy is only as strong as the legend that supports it. Even if that legend turns out to be a lie.
To secure the salvation of the Ascendancy, is Thrawn willing to sacrifice everything? Including the only home he has ever known?
==Plot summary==
Around 18 BBY, Senior captain Thrawn meets Generalirius Nakirre, ruler of the Kilji Illumine, both engage in a confrontation at the Zyzek system, orbiting the planet Zyzek. Nakirre is mocked by Thrawn, who tells the Kilji that the Kilji way of order and enlightenment will not change the Chiss ancient paths.
Nakirre and the Grysk "Jixtus," who accompanies him in his travels, leave, and attempt to meet Clarr Patriarch Clarr'ivl'exow at Rhigar. However, they instead meet Captain Clarr'os'culry, who is offered warships of the Illumine by Nakirre, and a recording of the Hoxim incident by Jixtus. Roscu leaves with the recording, whcih she shares with her Patriarch, who unbeknownst to her, has made a deal with Jixtus to buy several Grysk ships.
Roscu leaves to Ornfra, where she is confronted by Senior Captain Irizi'in'daro and the Chiss heavy cruiser Grayshrike. She is informed by Ziinda that there is a Grysk missile platform hidden as a Mitth spy platform next to her. Roscu barely escapes the Grysk attack unscathed and a freighter controlling the platform blows up.
As tensions rise in the Ascendancy, Thrawn captures the Kilji picket cruiser Hammer with the Paccosh Uingali foar Marocsaa. Gaining data on the Illumine Kilhorde—the battle fleet of the Kiljis—Thrawn makes an alliance with the Paataatus to destroy the Kiljis. In the meantime, Nakirre and Jixtus mock and confront each other several times, which makes the Generalirius realize that he is but a tool of the Grysks. The Kilhorde is destroyed by Chiss forces while Nakirre and Jixtus travel to Sunrise, where they encounter Thrawn's fleet lying in wait for them.
Nakirre is informed of the Kilhorde's destruction, and he berates Jixtus, who kills the Kilji with a concealed pistol. A battle erupts between the incoming Grysk fleet and Thrawn's force. Thrawn is victorious by preventing the Grysks' retreat through his use of a gravity generator which he captured from Vagaari pirates. Jixtus destroys all his vessels through kill switches aboard them, and warns Thrawn that although Thrawn defeated him, the Grysks will return to make good on their promise of destroying the Ascendancy. Jixtus then activates his ship's kill switch, ending his own life. Despite saving the Ascendancy from civil war, Thrawn is exiled to Lesser Space on orders of the Defense Hierarchy Council. Thrawn spends his last day on Csilla remembering Thrass at a bistro in which they often met and saying his final farewells to his dearest friends.
==Continuity==
In the prologue, it is stated that the Republic shield generator Thrawn stole from Lesser Space resisted the UAG's attempts of replication, but in Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising, it is stated that Thrawn's one-person freighter was equipped with a prototype Republic shield generator for his battle with General Yiv of the Nikardun Destiny. 
In chapter 10 the Springhawk is twice called the Grayshrike.
In chapter 17, Rivlex is called a Patriel while he is identified as a Patriarch in the same page. (366)
In chapter 20, Ziinda identifies the Csap family as a "ruling family", which they are not.
In chapter 26 the Springhawk helm officer, Tumaz'mor'diamir, is twice called Evroes'ky'mormi, who is the Vigilant weapons officer.
In chapter 28 Mid Captain Csap'ro'strob is called Mid Commander, although Supreme General Ba'kif has just confirmed Apros's upcoming promotion to Senior Captain.
In chapter 28 Thrawn is noted as a merit adoptive. However, in Memories 13 of Chaos Rising he was made a trial born,Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising and the dramatis personae of Greater GoodThrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good and Lesser Evil lists him as a trial born.
The dialogue between Syndic Thrass and his human co–pilot, as well as their flashback section, are identical—or extremely similar—to the events and writing presented in Zahn's 2006 Outbound Flight novel.Outbound Flight
==Media==
===Editions===
*; November 16, 2021; Del Rey; US Hardcover
*; November 16, 2021; Del Rey; US eBook
*; November 16, 2021; Del Rey; US hardcover, Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition
*; November 16, 2021; Del Rey; US paperback, export edition 
*; August 2, 2022; Del Rey; US paperback 
===Cover gallery===
File:LesserEvil.jpg|Front cover
File:Thrawn Ascendancy Lesser Evil Barnes and Noble Exclusive Edition cover.jpg|Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition cover
File:LesserEvil-BN.jpg|Exclusive poster with Barnes & Noble edition
File:LesserEvil-OOP.jpg|Out of Print edition
File:LesserEvil-OOP-Art.jpg|Out of Print cover art
File:LesserEvil-OOP-Back.jpg|Back cover art
File:LesserEvil-OOP-Slipcase.jpg|Out of Print edition slipcase
File:LesserEvil-Czech.png|Czech cover - Thrawn Ascendence: Menší Zlo
==Appearances==
==Sources==
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==Notes and references==
==External links==
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Category:Canon adult novels