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3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
There is so much to like about Aftermath and yet at the same time, there is plenty of room to be disappointed. The only reason this book scores a 4-star review from me is due to a few things.
1) I haven't read a book in several months and therefore any book would have been a 4-star score.
2) The action sequences are constant and they more often than not, breathtaking.
3) It's Star Wars.
Chuck Wendig's writing style is somewhat dumbed down for YA and common core readers. Nothing difficult about the read whatsoever. The interludes are fascinating and at the same time distract from the primary storyline. I have to be quite honest and say that I am disappointed with Chuck's efforts. This book should have been a slam dunk but instead it turns out to be a quite predictable storyline.
The good guys win and the bad guys lose. None of the heroes die. All too predictable to build a Star Wars fanbase from the youth. In many aspects, the story reminds me of the Phantom Menace (aside from the best part of the Sith Lord battle)
The introduction of the new character, Mr. Bones was a great addition. A reprogrammed B1 battle droid with a snarky sense of humor. He fits right into the current Star Wars universe where the robots deliver the comedy and the humans deliver the nonsense.
Pros: Great new characters 5 stars
Cons: Storywriting style and plot, 3 stars
1) I haven't read a book in several months and therefore any book would have been a 4-star score.
2) The action sequences are constant and they more often than not, breathtaking.
3) It's Star Wars.
Chuck Wendig's writing style is somewhat dumbed down for YA and common core readers. Nothing difficult about the read whatsoever. The interludes are fascinating and at the same time distract from the primary storyline. I have to be quite honest and say that I am disappointed with Chuck's efforts. This book should have been a slam dunk but instead it turns out to be a quite predictable storyline.
The good guys win and the bad guys lose. None of the heroes die. All too predictable to build a Star Wars fanbase from the youth. In many aspects, the story reminds me of the Phantom Menace (aside from the best part of the Sith Lord battle)
The introduction of the new character, Mr. Bones was a great addition. A reprogrammed B1 battle droid with a snarky sense of humor. He fits right into the current Star Wars universe where the robots deliver the comedy and the humans deliver the nonsense.
Pros: Great new characters 5 stars
Cons: Storywriting style and plot, 3 stars
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really liked the scale and the scope of the story. The size of it was great. it felt like a universe in my hands and I was watching it be reshaped.
the pace and momentum of the story fooled me. I really wanted it to pick up and not be able to turn the pages fast enough. Wendig does that so well. However I understand it's the opening of a trilogy and it does feel like it has set the stage for a really great story.
the one thing that bothered me most and took me out of the story was there were multiple instances where one character finds themselves in trouble and the chapter will end on a note that is supposed to keep the reader's attention and not put the book down. the first instance was great but then it happens a few more times. sure, the character probably really thought it was over, she was toast but I knew better.
3 stars because I can't give it 4 with the hope that the rest of the trilogy will be stellar. I've been burned before. Though Wendig's Heartland trilogy is exceptional. this is different. this is Star Wars and I really hope that the thing that makes SW great pops up in the next ones.
FUN FACTOR.
the pace and momentum of the story fooled me. I really wanted it to pick up and not be able to turn the pages fast enough. Wendig does that so well. However I understand it's the opening of a trilogy and it does feel like it has set the stage for a really great story.
the one thing that bothered me most and took me out of the story was there were multiple instances where one character finds themselves in trouble and the chapter will end on a note that is supposed to keep the reader's attention and not put the book down. the first instance was great but then it happens a few more times. sure, the character probably really thought it was over, she was toast but I knew better.
3 stars because I can't give it 4 with the hope that the rest of the trilogy will be stellar. I've been burned before. Though Wendig's Heartland trilogy is exceptional. this is different. this is Star Wars and I really hope that the thing that makes SW great pops up in the next ones.
FUN FACTOR.
All in all, Wendig's Aftermath is a solid Star Wars novel. It has action and adventure in the standard space opera sense. We're introduced to interesting new characters, re-introduced to some old familiar faces, and given glimpses into a wider galaxy and how it is impacted by the war between the New Republic (nay Alliance to Restore the Republic/Rebel Alliance) and the remnants of the Empire (nay Galactic Empire).
At its core, Aftermath is about the accidental discovery of a high ranking meeting of imperial remnants by a New Republic scout. On the scale of Galactic War, we see the standard fog of war where the powers that be make assumptions and deductions from arguably incidental and/or trivial events.
But just below that surface we see the way peoples' lives are changed by not only this civil war, but by the recent events at a certain moon above Endor.
We see a pilot who not only feels guilty about abandoning loved ones to join the rebellion, but is also wracked with feelings of duty and what could arguably be labeled as PTSD.
In fact, several characters have signs of PTSD, yet another sign of a drawn out war and the lives of those fighting it. Including an imperial who was marred by the Battle of Endor, and has since meandered away from his prior duties.
We're also given a glimpse into a teen who grew up in unusual circumstances linked to not only the war, but to the chaotic places on its fringe.
As is standard, and rightfully so, with space operas, we've near death experiences, linked and unlinked chaos, action, adventure, and character development.
If there's anything that some might have reasonable issue with, it's the selection of present tense by author Chuck Wendig. But, it's easy enough to adjust to, and it's not like he is the first person, nor the last, to use such a tool.
I found it to be an enjoyable work, and an excellent addition to the Star Wars canon.
At its core, Aftermath is about the accidental discovery of a high ranking meeting of imperial remnants by a New Republic scout. On the scale of Galactic War, we see the standard fog of war where the powers that be make assumptions and deductions from arguably incidental and/or trivial events.
But just below that surface we see the way peoples' lives are changed by not only this civil war, but by the recent events at a certain moon above Endor.
We see a pilot who not only feels guilty about abandoning loved ones to join the rebellion, but is also wracked with feelings of duty and what could arguably be labeled as PTSD.
In fact, several characters have signs of PTSD, yet another sign of a drawn out war and the lives of those fighting it. Including an imperial who was marred by the Battle of Endor, and has since meandered away from his prior duties.
We're also given a glimpse into a teen who grew up in unusual circumstances linked to not only the war, but to the chaotic places on its fringe.
As is standard, and rightfully so, with space operas, we've near death experiences, linked and unlinked chaos, action, adventure, and character development.
If there's anything that some might have reasonable issue with, it's the selection of present tense by author Chuck Wendig. But, it's easy enough to adjust to, and it's not like he is the first person, nor the last, to use such a tool.
I found it to be an enjoyable work, and an excellent addition to the Star Wars canon.
I really had no issues with this book. It's the first of the new-canon Star Wars books I've read and it engaged me from the start by integrating some awesome secondary characters from the SW universe, as well as peppering in some favorites. I enjoyed the story, the new characters, and although Wendig's writing wasn't amazing, it got the point across and did a great job of making me feel like I could see a Star Wars story happening. I recommend it to anyone wanting to jump into the new canon books. It's a great start and I'm excited for his next Aftermath book.
Yeah, I get caught up in hype, too. New movie, then they said "gay characters in new SW novel!" So I bought it, paid money for it, and pee-yew!! The story is okay, about an outer rim world just after the events of Return Of The Jedi; but the writing! Wow! Disney felt the time was right for fan fic to go legit, I guess. If anyone decides to read this, please count how many times the rebels are referred to as "Rebel scum." Also keep track of how many times the word TRAP is associated with Admiral Ackbar. Three-quarters through, it's obvious that even the editor could no longer be bothered. At one point, during a hand to hand fight, one person "lunches in," rather than lunges (page 265). Ugh. I spent money on this!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
3.5 stars. Better than a lot of people on here say, but how many times can characters ALMOST die then actually be alive.
This took wayyyyy too long to read, even when I was in full Star Wars fever after watching the first six and then getting to see Force Awakens partway through.
Good material here, but not enough for a complete story or even really the first in a trilogy. If the next one takes me as long to read, I'll know there's a problem. If not, then hurrah! Rejoice!
Good material here, but not enough for a complete story or even really the first in a trilogy. If the next one takes me as long to read, I'll know there's a problem. If not, then hurrah! Rejoice!