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taberiusrex's review against another edition
5.0
Now this is a drop-dead awesome Star Wars book. It dives deep into the universe, dredging up the galaxy's murky depths as it addresses questions of loyalty, duty, and responsibility. Every character is flawed, there isn't a clear good or evil side to the conflict, and the characters have to work to earn their endings. Plus, one or two solid cameos from other Star Wars stories.
I'm not one to reminisce about the Legends books—I thought the continuity was irreparably snarled and they were too afraid to move past the Jedi-and-Sith status quo—but this book reads like some of the best of them: Rogue Squadron, Republic Commando, even the original Thrawn trilogy. It also takes full advantage of the Disney Canon reset to tell an interesting new story with deep and interesting characters.
This is definitely among my favorites for Star Wars books. I'd recommend this to anyone who is interested in reading more about the galaxy far, far away, since it's very approachable, but especially to fans of Rogue One.
I'm not one to reminisce about the Legends books—I thought the continuity was irreparably snarled and they were too afraid to move past the Jedi-and-Sith status quo—but this book reads like some of the best of them: Rogue Squadron, Republic Commando, even the original Thrawn trilogy. It also takes full advantage of the Disney Canon reset to tell an interesting new story with deep and interesting characters.
This is definitely among my favorites for Star Wars books. I'd recommend this to anyone who is interested in reading more about the galaxy far, far away, since it's very approachable, but especially to fans of Rogue One.
disneyfreak627's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
timartin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
jarichan's review against another edition
4.0
Zwar fand ich das Cover von Anfang an sehr interessant, aber dass mir auch der Inhalt derart zusagen würde, damit habe ich nicht gerechnet.
Das Star Wars-Universum (zumindest die Extended Version) überzeugt oft mit Helden, die keine sind. Wie in diesem Falle. Freed zeichnet das Bild einer Gruppe, die nur mühsam zusammenarbeiten kann, und zeichnet seine Figuren sehr gut aus. Zumindest bei Yrica ist dies eindeutig der Fall.
Das Buch hat mich sehr schnell stark vereinnahmt, wie es bei einem Star Wars-Titel schon länger nicht mehr der Fall war. Schön, wieder mal einen richtig guten Titel der Reihe in den Händen zu halten.
Nun freue ich mich auf den zweiten Teil, der für Dezember geplant ist, und hoffe, dass sich dieser nach diesem grandiosen Start nicht als Enttäuschung präsentiern wird.
Das Star Wars-Universum (zumindest die Extended Version) überzeugt oft mit Helden, die keine sind. Wie in diesem Falle. Freed zeichnet das Bild einer Gruppe, die nur mühsam zusammenarbeiten kann, und zeichnet seine Figuren sehr gut aus. Zumindest bei Yrica ist dies eindeutig der Fall.
Das Buch hat mich sehr schnell stark vereinnahmt, wie es bei einem Star Wars-Titel schon länger nicht mehr der Fall war. Schön, wieder mal einen richtig guten Titel der Reihe in den Händen zu halten.
Nun freue ich mich auf den zweiten Teil, der für Dezember geplant ist, und hoffe, dass sich dieser nach diesem grandiosen Start nicht als Enttäuschung präsentiern wird.
foreverbeautifulbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Totally reminded me of Rebels! I loved we got little cameos.
gingerreader99's review against another edition
4.0
The ending makes it obvious that this was set up as being the introductory novel to a trilogy and one I look forward to finishing. Freed has shown multiple times over now and with this book that he can demonstrate the harshness and reality of war and the civil war specifically at that. The true nature of the people fighting when you look away from Like , Han and Leia at the 'little people' involved. While the plot itself does not make a large impact on the Star Wars universe itself it does add more to the puzzle of what happened after Endor and before TFA.
bulwerka's review against another edition
4.0
This one is pretty good, one of the things holding Star Wars back right now is an over reliance on the extended Skywalker friends and family list, the universe has become too narrow. I like stories that really color in the Galaxy, and while not perfect, this one told a compelling enough story outside the bounds of the movies.
It’s kind of got an x-wing rogue squadron vibe to it, but if you are expecting the new adventures of Corran Horn, you’ll be disappointed. Yrica Quell and her misfits could stand to get out of their own ways more often than not, but Wyl Lark is endearing and Nath Tensent is greasy in the right ways, so it worked for me.
It’s a tie in with a comic, like the aforementioned rogue squadron, so intrigued to read those too. Definitely will keep up with them in the future.
It’s kind of got an x-wing rogue squadron vibe to it, but if you are expecting the new adventures of Corran Horn, you’ll be disappointed. Yrica Quell and her misfits could stand to get out of their own ways more often than not, but Wyl Lark is endearing and Nath Tensent is greasy in the right ways, so it worked for me.
It’s a tie in with a comic, like the aforementioned rogue squadron, so intrigued to read those too. Definitely will keep up with them in the future.
cptrexct's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Mediocre
axlaru's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
toledoray7's review against another edition
5.0
What I Loved
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains spoilers.
1. Original Characters
This caught me off guard. While I enjoyed Freed’s previous Star Wars novel, Twilight Company, arguably the worst aspect of that novel was the lack of memorable characters. Alphabet Squadron is all about the main characters and their individual stories and development. We didn’t learn as much about Kairos as I would have liked but I am hoping Freed has plans to further her story in books 2 and 3. Everyone else has memorable character development and I am very much invested in their futures.
2. World Building
Twilight Company takes place in the days and months post ROTJ and does a great job revealing the status of the New Republic in its early days. We get a look into how defectors were handled after the Battle of Endor and how the New Republic military is being run. While the Aftermath series touched on the politics of the New Republic post ROTJ we have never had an in-depth look at military operations until now. It was fascinating seeing how New Republic intelligence worked with the military and how missions were planned and executed. Freed has a good mind for military writing and I hope he continues to prioritize this in the rest of the series.
3. The exchange between Wyl Lark and Blink
This was the best scene in this novel and probably a top 3 scene in the entire canon novel collection.
The exchange starts out so innocent where you think you are going to witness enemies find common ground in a difficult situation and then it takes a massive turn that left me stunned.
“You’re going to rot here, Wyl Lark.”
Freed, Alexander. Alphabet Squadron (Star Wars) (p. 136). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
4. Shadow Wing
If you haven’t checked out Marvel’s Tie Fighter series you should as it ties in with Alphabet Squadron and provides a first hand look at the antagonists in this novel, the elite Tie fighter squadron Shadow Wing. I enjoy having the main adversary in a Star Wars story not be a superweapon or a powerful force wielding character. Shadow Wing is simply a collection of the deadliest Tie pilots in the Empire and they are feared for good reason. Other than their commander, Colonel Shakara Nuress a.k.a. Grandmother, we learn little of anything about Shadow Wing other than a few pilot call signs. I would love Freed to explore some characters of Shadow wings in books 2 and 3 and bring in more characters featured in the comic series.
5. Flight combat
I have read none of the Rogue Squadron books from Legends but I have in on good authority that they are excellent. The highlight of those novels was obviously the flight combat and it has been an aspect of Star Wars that has largely been missing in the new canon. Freed rights this wrong with Alphabet Squadron by providing exciting and expertly described action scenes. From this point in the story the stakes can only rise leaving me excited to see what scenes Freed has on deck for the rest of the trilogy.
What I disliked
1. Yrica Quell
Quell is supposed to be the protagonist of this story but she is unfortunately the least interesting character. The decisions she makes throughout the novel are head-scratching and her motivations are a muddled mess. Sometimes she is extremely anti-Empire then sometimes she is reminiscing about how well the organization of the Empire was and it almost seems like she wants the New Republic to be more like the Empire. The scene that explains her defection was unconvincing and I didn’t buy it. It is too complicated and creates unnecessary drama for books 2 and 3.
2. The tattoo and painting of the ships
What finally brings Alphabet squadron together? A heroic battle that they used teamwork to win? A life or death situation that required one of them to sacrifice their own agenda for the benefit of the squadron? Nope, a logo painted on the ships and a tattoo on Quell’s arm. Seriously? Quell spends most of the novel secluding herself from the rest of the team so they can build cohesion among each other. I don’t get how this makes sense. She is the squadron leader so she should be included in those bonding moments. From an otherwise terrific novel this was a glaring weakness for me.
Overall many more positive than negatives with Alphabet Squadron and this ranks in the top 3 of canon novels for me so far with Bloodline and Aftermath: Empire’s End.
4.5/5 stars
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains spoilers.
1. Original Characters
This caught me off guard. While I enjoyed Freed’s previous Star Wars novel, Twilight Company, arguably the worst aspect of that novel was the lack of memorable characters. Alphabet Squadron is all about the main characters and their individual stories and development. We didn’t learn as much about Kairos as I would have liked but I am hoping Freed has plans to further her story in books 2 and 3. Everyone else has memorable character development and I am very much invested in their futures.
2. World Building
Twilight Company takes place in the days and months post ROTJ and does a great job revealing the status of the New Republic in its early days. We get a look into how defectors were handled after the Battle of Endor and how the New Republic military is being run. While the Aftermath series touched on the politics of the New Republic post ROTJ we have never had an in-depth look at military operations until now. It was fascinating seeing how New Republic intelligence worked with the military and how missions were planned and executed. Freed has a good mind for military writing and I hope he continues to prioritize this in the rest of the series.
3. The exchange between Wyl Lark and Blink
This was the best scene in this novel and probably a top 3 scene in the entire canon novel collection.
The exchange starts out so innocent where you think you are going to witness enemies find common ground in a difficult situation and then it takes a massive turn that left me stunned.
“You’re going to rot here, Wyl Lark.”
Freed, Alexander. Alphabet Squadron (Star Wars) (p. 136). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
4. Shadow Wing
If you haven’t checked out Marvel’s Tie Fighter series you should as it ties in with Alphabet Squadron and provides a first hand look at the antagonists in this novel, the elite Tie fighter squadron Shadow Wing. I enjoy having the main adversary in a Star Wars story not be a superweapon or a powerful force wielding character. Shadow Wing is simply a collection of the deadliest Tie pilots in the Empire and they are feared for good reason. Other than their commander, Colonel Shakara Nuress a.k.a. Grandmother, we learn little of anything about Shadow Wing other than a few pilot call signs. I would love Freed to explore some characters of Shadow wings in books 2 and 3 and bring in more characters featured in the comic series.
5. Flight combat
I have read none of the Rogue Squadron books from Legends but I have in on good authority that they are excellent. The highlight of those novels was obviously the flight combat and it has been an aspect of Star Wars that has largely been missing in the new canon. Freed rights this wrong with Alphabet Squadron by providing exciting and expertly described action scenes. From this point in the story the stakes can only rise leaving me excited to see what scenes Freed has on deck for the rest of the trilogy.
What I disliked
1. Yrica Quell
Quell is supposed to be the protagonist of this story but she is unfortunately the least interesting character. The decisions she makes throughout the novel are head-scratching and her motivations are a muddled mess. Sometimes she is extremely anti-Empire then sometimes she is reminiscing about how well the organization of the Empire was and it almost seems like she wants the New Republic to be more like the Empire. The scene that explains her defection was unconvincing and I didn’t buy it. It is too complicated and creates unnecessary drama for books 2 and 3.
2. The tattoo and painting of the ships
What finally brings Alphabet squadron together? A heroic battle that they used teamwork to win? A life or death situation that required one of them to sacrifice their own agenda for the benefit of the squadron? Nope, a logo painted on the ships and a tattoo on Quell’s arm. Seriously? Quell spends most of the novel secluding herself from the rest of the team so they can build cohesion among each other. I don’t get how this makes sense. She is the squadron leader so she should be included in those bonding moments. From an otherwise terrific novel this was a glaring weakness for me.
Overall many more positive than negatives with Alphabet Squadron and this ranks in the top 3 of canon novels for me so far with Bloodline and Aftermath: Empire’s End.
4.5/5 stars