Review: Victory’s Price

For just the second time since the Star Wars universe books relaunched, we’re arrived at a momentous occasion: the conclusion of a book trilogy. (Let’s not split hairs right now regarding the new Thrawn books.) Out today, Alphabet Squadron: Victory’s Price by Alexander Freed brings the story of five New Republic pilots doing their best to survive to its conclusion even as the war against the Empire does the same above the sands of Jakku. After the previous book, Shadow Fall, none of the Alphabet pilots were doing well by any stretch of the imagination but will they all live to see a time of peace? Or will some of them pay the ultimate price in the name of victory? Continue reading

Review: Star Wars: Shadow Fall

What happens when you bring together five New Republic pilots who all fly different starfighters and put them under the command of an Intelligence officer and also one of the Rebellions best generals? You get Alphabet Squadron. And then, if you’re really lucky, you get three whole books about them! Thankfully, we are indeed really lucky or at least much luckier than the Alphabet Squadron crew.

Out today, Shadow Fall by Alexander Freed is the follow up to last year’s Alphabet Squadron and the second book in a planned trilogy about these ragtag pilots fighting a war against a dying Empire. Although they’re fresh off their victory at Pandem Nai, they’re still no closer to tracking down and destroying what’s left of the Empire’s Shadow Wing. Even worse (if your name is Yrica Quell), they also don’t know that Major Soran Keize has returned to the Empire and Shadow Wing. The solution? Alphabet Squadron, along with parts of the 61st Mobile Infantry, are going to set a trap in Cerberon. It’s risk but if it works, the job will finally be done. If it doesn’t, things could get far worse than any of them have anticipated. Continue reading

Review: Alphabet Squadron

You are not ready for Alphabet Squadron. No really: you’re not.

More than likely, you have an image in your mind for what you think Alexander Freed’s latest Star Wars book may be like. Maybe you think it’s going to be like the X-Wing books from Legends or maybe you’ve read his other Star Wars books and know how weighty they can be. You think you’re ready for this book but you’re not… and that’s not even remotely a bad thing. Continue reading