A review by emsemce123
Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This was a chore for me to get through. I wouldn't call the writing bad by any means but it was just missing something. The writing is good, there's a diverse cast of characters, all with their own backstories and motivations and some with hidden agendas but for some reason, I just don't care. I was never on the edge of my seat, never unable to put the book down, and sometimes even having to force myself to pick it back up again. It's like the author beautifully described a blank canvas to me instead of painting something, and the only thing (debatable) worse than atrocious writing that angers me is decent writing that makes me feel indifferent to the plot and characters. Small nitpicks there are times where the author doesn't take full advantage of an entirely fictional universe, dropping things directly related to reality ( turns of phrases and the length of time. It wouldn't be the same on different planets or at least it doesn't have to be.) And other times he's a little to confident with the Star Wars Fandoms involvement. I consider myself a casual fan, I know what certain races and spacecraft are by name alone, but he definitely could've added some descriptions for casuals like myself or even non-fans (though I doubt non-fans would even pick up a SW book) this gets good praise but I've read better SW extended lore. 

the reveal at the end of the book on who Devon really is, thanks. I hated it. Too little too late in my opinion and like I said I found it hard to care about anything in this book. Tensent discovers and discloses the truth about Yrica Quell's "defection" to Adan, but if the whole point was to make it look genuine so she could leave the Empire, why the hell is there an official report directly contradicting and exposing it for rebels/the Empire to find? What. The. Hell. Admittedly this could've been explained and I zoned it out but I don't remember anything about it.