Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina

4 Stars

This was a solid, satisfying prequel that added just the right amount of backstory to the Maze Runner world. I loved getting a closer look at how everything came together and seeing familiar characters before the maze, before the rules, before everything went wrong.

It didn’t quite hit the emotional highs of the original series for me, but it deepened the story in a way that made me appreciate the whole Maze Runner universe even more. If you loved the series like I did, this one feels like filling in the missing puzzle pieces you didn’t know you needed.

Not essential, but definitely worth the read for fans.

Timothy Zahn has done it again. Anytime Zahn writes about Thrawn, I’m strapped in and ready for the ride. This book is pure Star Wars magic, the kind that reminds you why this galaxy hooked you in the first place.

The tension ramps up beautifully, the stakes feel real, and Thrawn continues to be one of the most compelling villains in the entire Star Wars universe. Cold, brilliant, and always ten steps ahead, every scene he’s in crackles with anticipation. Watching the New Republic struggle to keep its footing while shadows of the Empire regroup made this impossible to put down.

This is peak Thrawn. Smart, strategic, and deeply satisfying. A must read for Star Wars fans and proof that Zahn understands these characters and this universe on a molecular level. 

4 Stars

This one was an emotional ride from start to finish. Beautifully written, tender, and quietly devastating. It’s the kind of book that sneaks up on you, wrapping you in warmth before breaking your heart when you least expect it.

The characters felt deeply human, flawed, loving, and trying their best, which made the heartbreak hit even harder. I found myself lingering over passages, needing to pause just to sit with the emotions before moving on.

Wonderful and heartbreaking all at once. A story that stays with you long after the last page.

This memoir had moments that really worked for me, but overall it felt pretty disjointed. The constant jumping back and forth through the timeline made it hard to settle into the story, and I found myself having to reorient more often than I wanted.

The writing itself was fine, nothing especially memorable, but what kept me reading was Brolin’s honesty. He’s incredibly open about his past, his mistakes, and the messier parts of his life, and that vulnerability was easily the strongest part of the book.

Not a bad read, just uneven. Worth it if you’re interested in Josh Brolin and don’t mind a memoir that wanders a bit.

I went into this without reading the previous books in the series, even though the book itself strongly suggests you do. And honestly? I was still completely immersed. The world is rich, layered, and clearly built with care, and the characters already feel deeply developed from the moment you meet them.

I never felt lost or confused, which says a lot for a series novella sitting at #4.5. It was easy to follow along, settle into the story, and quickly fall in love with the characters and their dynamics. You can feel the history behind everything without it becoming a barrier to entry.

A really enjoyable read that made me curious to go back and start the series from the beginning.