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A review by thisdadreads
The Bacta War by Michael A. Stackpole
2.0
The Rogue Squadron has truly gone rogue, as they break away from the New Republic and forge their own path to take down the Empire in Rogue Squadron: The Bacta War, The Essential Legends Collection edition.
Michael A. Stackpole’s fourth installment of the Rogue Squadron series, The Bacta War, is among the next wave of Star Wars novels getting The Essential Legends Collection treatment. Originally published on February 6, 1997 by Bantam Spectra, the 2022 edition, published by Random House Worlds, features new cover art by Doaly and comes with an unabridged audiobook narrated by Marc Thompson.
Wedge Antilles and his Rogue Squadron buddies made the shocking decision to break from the New Republic in the previous novel, The Krytos Trap. They felt they could be more effective in taking down Ysanne Isard on their own rather than deal with the politics and infighting of the government. Their mission is clear, free the planet Thyferra from Isard’s control of bacta, destroy the Star Destroyers surrounding the planet, and bring healing to those still suffering from the Krytos virus. Throw in a dash of romance, a sprinkling of Jedi training, and numerous space battles and you’ve got one roller coaster of a book.
Corran Horn gets a lot of page time in The Bacta War. As revealed in the previous novel, he has some Jedi heritage and Luke Skywalker himself has tapped him to start learning the ways of the Force. In addition, he and Mirax Terrik’s relationship matures as they consummate their love, become engaged, and then married by the end of the book. Horn is definitely an interesting character, and Stackpole clearly enjoys writing him, but I can’t help but wonder if his number of scenes create an imbalance in the novel overall. There are numerous plotlines going on and too often Horn’s storylines take center stage. A small gripe, but I can’t help but wonder if Horn’s storyline would have done better as a standalone companion to the events of The Bacta War, I would have enjoyed an entire novel of his Jedi training and flourishing relationship with Mirax.
The Bacta War introduces a new character, Mirax’s father Booster Terrik, who provides some nice comic relief. He lives up to his name as a boisterous, outspoken Corellain smuggler and overprotective father. Any chapter he was involved in was a pleasure to read, providing a nice counterbalance to all the seriousness of the storyline. Plus it was nice seeing him squirm as he witnesses his daughter fall in love with someone who was a part of the Corellian Security Force (the gall!).
Ysanne Isard is no longer a shadowy villain, rather she’s front and center pulling the strings in her attempt to thwart Rogue Squadron. Admittedly, I felt some of the mystique of her character was stripped away having her be so present in The Bacta War. The element of mystery and evil present in previous novels was replaced with more standard villain tropes here. Having said that, she’s still a delicious villain with an icy personality that readers won’t soon forget. Additionally, The Bacta War contains numerous scenes of dogfighting, which may or may not be cause for excitement depending on your taste. Regardless, readers get a front row seat amidst the action as Rogue Squadron goes head to head with the Empire.
Michael A. Stackpole’s fourth installment of the Rogue Squadron series, The Bacta War, is among the next wave of Star Wars novels getting The Essential Legends Collection treatment. Originally published on February 6, 1997 by Bantam Spectra, the 2022 edition, published by Random House Worlds, features new cover art by Doaly and comes with an unabridged audiobook narrated by Marc Thompson.
Wedge Antilles and his Rogue Squadron buddies made the shocking decision to break from the New Republic in the previous novel, The Krytos Trap. They felt they could be more effective in taking down Ysanne Isard on their own rather than deal with the politics and infighting of the government. Their mission is clear, free the planet Thyferra from Isard’s control of bacta, destroy the Star Destroyers surrounding the planet, and bring healing to those still suffering from the Krytos virus. Throw in a dash of romance, a sprinkling of Jedi training, and numerous space battles and you’ve got one roller coaster of a book.
Corran Horn gets a lot of page time in The Bacta War. As revealed in the previous novel, he has some Jedi heritage and Luke Skywalker himself has tapped him to start learning the ways of the Force. In addition, he and Mirax Terrik’s relationship matures as they consummate their love, become engaged, and then married by the end of the book. Horn is definitely an interesting character, and Stackpole clearly enjoys writing him, but I can’t help but wonder if his number of scenes create an imbalance in the novel overall. There are numerous plotlines going on and too often Horn’s storylines take center stage. A small gripe, but I can’t help but wonder if Horn’s storyline would have done better as a standalone companion to the events of The Bacta War, I would have enjoyed an entire novel of his Jedi training and flourishing relationship with Mirax.
The Bacta War introduces a new character, Mirax’s father Booster Terrik, who provides some nice comic relief. He lives up to his name as a boisterous, outspoken Corellain smuggler and overprotective father. Any chapter he was involved in was a pleasure to read, providing a nice counterbalance to all the seriousness of the storyline. Plus it was nice seeing him squirm as he witnesses his daughter fall in love with someone who was a part of the Corellian Security Force (the gall!).
Ysanne Isard is no longer a shadowy villain, rather she’s front and center pulling the strings in her attempt to thwart Rogue Squadron. Admittedly, I felt some of the mystique of her character was stripped away having her be so present in The Bacta War. The element of mystery and evil present in previous novels was replaced with more standard villain tropes here. Having said that, she’s still a delicious villain with an icy personality that readers won’t soon forget. Additionally, The Bacta War contains numerous scenes of dogfighting, which may or may not be cause for excitement depending on your taste. Regardless, readers get a front row seat amidst the action as Rogue Squadron goes head to head with the Empire.