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scriberjack's review against another edition
4.0
First time was a bit rough following the first half of the book, but I enjoyed it all the way through on the second read. The last 1/4 of the book or so is 5 Stars. Excited for book 2!
thesarahsilvester's review against another edition
3.0
Well, I love the cover. I usually do Star Wars by audio where possible, but they’ve not released this in NZ yet in that format, so I was reading the paperback. I did like the story but I found it a bit confusing in places. I’m still questioning some of the characters motivations and loyalty even when the story is over. I do think I’ll come back, perhaps reread this one before the next ones come out, as Yrica Quell is engaging enough to want more of. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
waveycowpar's review against another edition
4.0
This was really good.
There was two things I didn’t like:
No other book has mentioned Operation Cinder and so it seems to be an inconsistency in canon. I’m especially thinking of Lost Stars I think it was called and also the Aftermath series.
Second, “this is the story he told” coming before a story from the past of the timeline most of the book is set in. That little thing the author did was very annoying.
There was two things I didn’t like:
No other book has mentioned Operation Cinder and so it seems to be an inconsistency in canon. I’m especially thinking of Lost Stars I think it was called and also the Aftermath series.
Second, “this is the story he told” coming before a story from the past of the timeline most of the book is set in. That little thing the author did was very annoying.
kavinay's review against another edition
2.0
Good idea, but a bit of a slog until you get to Hera's ship. Feels like a very drawn out first act, though I'm liking the "Rogue One" feel compared to the X-Wing series.
bethanyjm's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book. Reminded me of Rouge One. The end was very tense.
esseastri's review against another edition
5.0
*openly weeps*
If you read no Star Wars books in your lifetime, that’s fine, but if you ever wanted to try one and didn’t know which one: PICK THIS ONE. Alexander Freed is really good at words and he’s really good at characters and he’s REALLY good at Star Wars. This book is a fantastic exploration of survivor’s guilt and defection and control and decisions, choices and family and plans gone awry. It’s a story about pilots that just so happens to be set in the Star Wars galaxy. It’s full to the brim of heart and soul. I cried a lot.
I LIVETWEETED IT, SO IF YOU DON'T MIND SPOILERS OR HAVE FINISHED THE BOOK, GO ENJOY THAT: https://twitter.com/esseastri/status/1143415599248232449
If you read no Star Wars books in your lifetime, that’s fine, but if you ever wanted to try one and didn’t know which one: PICK THIS ONE. Alexander Freed is really good at words and he’s really good at characters and he’s REALLY good at Star Wars. This book is a fantastic exploration of survivor’s guilt and defection and control and decisions, choices and family and plans gone awry. It’s a story about pilots that just so happens to be set in the Star Wars galaxy. It’s full to the brim of heart and soul. I cried a lot.
I LIVETWEETED IT, SO IF YOU DON'T MIND SPOILERS OR HAVE FINISHED THE BOOK, GO ENJOY THAT: https://twitter.com/esseastri/status/1143415599248232449
cmgriffin's review against another edition
4.0
There are a couple of things Alexander Freed always does really well, which cement him as one of my favorite authors writing Star Wars right now. First, he creates really vibrant characters, with distinct personalities and sometimes incredible flaws, and manages to bring you into their headspace. They're interesting, have diverse points of view, and you always come out understanding why they do everything they do - even when you disagree with them!
Second, he's really good at writing battle scenes. A lot of times I read a book with lots of fighting/action scenes in it and I find myself kind of skimming over the actual fights. Not when Freed is writing! I care about the characters involved, I care about the outcomes, I'm anxious about what will happen next.
All of this is extremely apparent in Alphabet Squadron, which has a big cast of characters, all of them really distinct and diverse, and some of the most well-written battle scenes I've read in a very long time. The first couple of chapters feel a little slow and disjointed (which is why I knocked off a star), but once things get going it's a very engrossing story. And every line Hera Syndulla utters is a gem, as always.
Second, he's really good at writing battle scenes. A lot of times I read a book with lots of fighting/action scenes in it and I find myself kind of skimming over the actual fights. Not when Freed is writing! I care about the characters involved, I care about the outcomes, I'm anxious about what will happen next.
All of this is extremely apparent in Alphabet Squadron, which has a big cast of characters, all of them really distinct and diverse, and some of the most well-written battle scenes I've read in a very long time. The first couple of chapters feel a little slow and disjointed (which is why I knocked off a star), but once things get going it's a very engrossing story. And every line Hera Syndulla utters is a gem, as always.
clearestblue's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25