Reviews

Well, now the toxic fanbase can stop calling me a “Disney shill.” This is the second Star Wars story in a row that just wasn't for me. I do believe there is an audience for this story, I don't dismiss it, I also think it's an important carrier pigeon to the great arc of Star Wars and filling in the gaps from ROTJ to TFA.

But I was really struggling to connect with the characters. I just didn't care about anyone. It was almost as if they weren't given personalities because that's wasn't the point of the story. It was very relevant to war, the trauma of war, and the terrible side of it. Even for the “good guys.” I think this particular trilogy had elements in it that very much mirrored conflicts going on today in the real world and it's why I stuck it out for as long as I did.

This book also reinforces the idea that Palpatine was going to return, which makes me think about a lot of the criticisms in the fandom about that plot point. All these toxic fans claim they read the books, comics, and research the lore-- yet they didn't catch onto the books saying it with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.

In the end I wasn't enjoying this story. I hate DNFing things, but my time is also too valuable to continue things I don't enjoy.

psyco12_2000's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kamo_valenz's review

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5.0

What can I say? Wow. This is just fantastic! If you found the first one a bit slow with all the character building during the first chapters but you enjoyed the second half of it you’ll love this one. Action-packed and masterfully written. Alexander Freed really knows how to build the story through the characters. Absolutely recommend!

galacticvampire's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional

4.75

The Alphabet Squadron trilogy is introducing me to a new love: full-on war stories. 60% of this book is spent in battle. Ships flying, bombs exploding and heavy strategising, which I understand not being everyone's cup of tea, but I ate it up!

Even then, in the end of the day, this is a character-study. Alexander Freed is using the Star Wars background to ask the price of fighting, what happens to the survivors and weight of not seeing any option but to continue an endless cycle of violence.

Chass and Quell were definitely my favourite characters exactly because they embody those themes. Chass' helplessness at her future and suicide ideation were almost as painful ad Quell's unwillingness to let go of guilt and shame. Their chapters hurt but were also beautiful.

The rest of the cast also really felt real in their struggles, and while I really sympathised for Wyl's desire to stop fighting, I admit I skimmed some of his and Nath's chapters. Hera's presence was just on the right dose: enough to fulfil my wish for seeing her without stealing the spotlight of the real story being told.

thebacklister's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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