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carlyxdeexx's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, people really didn’t like this book!
I have to admit, I didn’t know what to expect going into this. A novel meant to “fill in” some of the space between one series of movies and its current continuation? A much-beloved franchise, a different form of storytelling, will this be like a fanfiction, and if it is, a good one? After all, anyone who says all fanfic is bad hasn’t read enough, and sometimes all the fans really want is the fic. That’s it!
Anyway, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would for many reasons. But the most important one to me was the nuanced way it handled the post-Endor political climate. Here we have a successful rebellion, but not quite completely successful, and a crushed Empire, but not quite completely crushed. This conflict wasn’t the end of it all. Rebellion, after all, isn’t ultimately about winning.
It’s about what comes after the victory. The rebuilding. The creation of a more just society, one better than the last attempt. Not rebellion recruitment, but New Republic acceptance, kindness, and eagerness to move forward, to bring unity while also acknowledging the complexities of freedom and peace.
The cursory read-through I did of some other reviews called this book boring. I would say this could be considered a bit tame? But only a bit. And it’s hardly boring! These characters were delightful! I wanted more of them, and I thought I could pick a couple of the main cast I liked most, but seriously, all of them! Even Rae is very compelling—I’m so excited to see her approach evolve in the series. There’s a gay character, w00t, and just so many ladies! Ladies in charge, ladies just trying to live their lives, ladies who fight, ladies who don’t but sure as hell try, I was just. So pleased with these fleshed-out female characters.
I was particularly touched by the interludes involving Olia and Mon Mothma. Their compassion and allegiance to the New Republic’s values! Their determination to create a better society! There’s so much to this story that I feel like so many reviewers missed. Allegiances tested, family or freedom? How is the Empire stabbing itself in the foot? What traps does the New Republic risk stumbling into? Can we really change for the better? Can we see past each other’s mistakes, or even more crucially, move beyond and atone for our own? Will the Empire need to change to truly gain footing against the New Republic?
Seriously, not boring. I stayed awake reading this on the morning bus—it’s engaging stuff! I can’t wait to talk more about it to my little cousin, who recommended I read it.
My criticisms are few. The interludes could feel jumpy sometimes. I thought a moment with a couple main series characters was a bit shoehorned in there. The ending and a character’s repeated thwarting of certain death felt a little corny. Sometimes the writing got a bit quirky, but that honestly didn’t distract me. I didn’t feel like this wasn’t Star Wars, or felt disconnected in any way from the movies. It seamlessly added a layer of realistic complexity to the end of the original trilogy.
Go Chuck Wendig! You did a great job with this challenge and I’m excited for the sequel.
I have to admit, I didn’t know what to expect going into this. A novel meant to “fill in” some of the space between one series of movies and its current continuation? A much-beloved franchise, a different form of storytelling, will this be like a fanfiction, and if it is, a good one? After all, anyone who says all fanfic is bad hasn’t read enough, and sometimes all the fans really want is the fic. That’s it!
Anyway, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would for many reasons. But the most important one to me was the nuanced way it handled the post-Endor political climate. Here we have a successful rebellion, but not quite completely successful, and a crushed Empire, but not quite completely crushed. This conflict wasn’t the end of it all. Rebellion, after all, isn’t ultimately about winning.
It’s about what comes after the victory. The rebuilding. The creation of a more just society, one better than the last attempt. Not rebellion recruitment, but New Republic acceptance, kindness, and eagerness to move forward, to bring unity while also acknowledging the complexities of freedom and peace.
The cursory read-through I did of some other reviews called this book boring. I would say this could be considered a bit tame? But only a bit. And it’s hardly boring! These characters were delightful! I wanted more of them, and I thought I could pick a couple of the main cast I liked most, but seriously, all of them! Even Rae is very compelling—I’m so excited to see her approach evolve in the series. There’s a gay character, w00t, and just so many ladies! Ladies in charge, ladies just trying to live their lives, ladies who fight, ladies who don’t but sure as hell try, I was just. So pleased with these fleshed-out female characters.
I was particularly touched by the interludes involving Olia and Mon Mothma. Their compassion and allegiance to the New Republic’s values! Their determination to create a better society! There’s so much to this story that I feel like so many reviewers missed. Allegiances tested, family or freedom? How is the Empire stabbing itself in the foot? What traps does the New Republic risk stumbling into? Can we really change for the better? Can we see past each other’s mistakes, or even more crucially, move beyond and atone for our own? Will the Empire need to change to truly gain footing against the New Republic?
Seriously, not boring. I stayed awake reading this on the morning bus—it’s engaging stuff! I can’t wait to talk more about it to my little cousin, who recommended I read it.
My criticisms are few. The interludes could feel jumpy sometimes. I thought a moment with a couple main series characters was a bit shoehorned in there. The ending and a character’s repeated thwarting of certain death felt a little corny. Sometimes the writing got a bit quirky, but that honestly didn’t distract me. I didn’t feel like this wasn’t Star Wars, or felt disconnected in any way from the movies. It seamlessly added a layer of realistic complexity to the end of the original trilogy.
Go Chuck Wendig! You did a great job with this challenge and I’m excited for the sequel.
chitownbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
brentevs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ttodd86's review against another edition
2.0
A little late to the game as far as reading this one, but not impressed. I knew it was not about any of the main characters from the Skywalker stories, but it was far afield and there were just way too many times where we are led to believe someone has died, only to learn -- shockingly -- they are still alive! At the lower end of the Star Wars books.
limondesperso's review against another edition
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
3.5
ct_5555's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
jessraven's review against another edition
5.0
Such a fun read! The first in Wendig's Aftermath trilogy is full of heart, laughs, and the blaster-slinging action that we all love in a good Star Wars novel. It has something for fans of the sequels, the original trilogy, and even the prequels.
The characters, both new and familiar, were so easy to connect with. (I'm partial to Mr. Bones.)
I can't wait to start volume two!
The characters, both new and familiar, were so easy to connect with. (I'm partial to Mr. Bones.)
I can't wait to start volume two!
josephhack's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
davekan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5