I love Thrawn, I love learning more about him and the Chiss, and I loved  seeing this younger version of him. Here, less experienced and amid his own people, Thrawn is more relaxed and easy-going than in his imperial years. It's great to finally see him making mistakes and stumbling in his plans, as well as his progression from wanting to aid other races as much as he can to eventually the relentless grand admiral we already met!

That being said, the book doesn't have as much of a plot other than an exposition of the Ascendacy and Thrawn's origin history. Is certainly interesting for his fans (hi), and the Chiss culture made me curious for more, but overall not an thrilling narrative by itself.