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0xchloe's review against another edition
5.0
9.5/10 for star wars, 8.5 independently. Good entry for the new canon, better than a fair amount of the EU stuff.
manowar666's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
julia206's review against another edition
Maybe it's the genre but I just couldn't connect with the characters at all. I'm familiar with the Star Wars universe but it felt like there was very little depth to the characters (at least from the first 200 pages). The premise could have been a really interesting opportunity to include topics like guilt, responsibility and redemption, the question of how far "following orders" can be a justification, but to me it seemed like the characters were simply put in the story with their backstory added later on, without their past affecting the present.
izzya's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
larsenac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dmcke013's review against another edition
2.0
During the mid-to-late 90s (prior to even the Prequels), there was an explosion of Star Wars Expanded Universe novels.
Most of those novels concentrated on Han, Luke, Leia and co.
Most, but not all.
Alongside those, there was also two separate series of books, initially taking Wedge Antilles as a key character, concentrating instead on the fighter pilots of (initially) Rogue Squadron and (later) Wraith Squadron, taking inspiration for the X-Wing and TIE fighter computer games of the time.
And those novels themselves - now considered 'Legends' i.e. no longer canon - could very well have provided inspiration for this, the first of a spin-off trilogy (I think) from a series of graphic novels.
Whereas Rogue and Wraith squadron both had their pilots flying the same type of fighter craft, and both were very cinematic in their presentation, this novel - definitely in the first half (which, I felt, dragged somewhat) - concentrates more on its members psychology, with the so-called Alphabet squadron headed up by an ex-Imperial keen to prove her loyalty to the New Republic. And why is it called Alphabet Squadron? Because the pilots fly a mix of starfighter, from an A-Wing (i.e. that which crashes into the Star Destroyer bridge in Return of the Jedi) to a B Wing (the cross-shaped bomber glimpsed in flight), to an X-Wing (the type Luke Skywalker flies) to a U-Wing (The personnel carrier introduced in Rogue One) to a Y-Wing (the initial bombing run on the Death Star).
Most of those novels concentrated on Han, Luke, Leia and co.
Most, but not all.
Alongside those, there was also two separate series of books, initially taking Wedge Antilles as a key character, concentrating instead on the fighter pilots of (initially) Rogue Squadron and (later) Wraith Squadron, taking inspiration for the X-Wing and TIE fighter computer games of the time.
And those novels themselves - now considered 'Legends' i.e. no longer canon - could very well have provided inspiration for this, the first of a spin-off trilogy (I think) from a series of graphic novels.
Whereas Rogue and Wraith squadron both had their pilots flying the same type of fighter craft, and both were very cinematic in their presentation, this novel - definitely in the first half (which, I felt, dragged somewhat) - concentrates more on its members psychology, with the so-called Alphabet squadron headed up by an ex-Imperial keen to prove her loyalty to the New Republic. And why is it called Alphabet Squadron? Because the pilots fly a mix of starfighter, from an A-Wing (i.e. that which crashes into the Star Destroyer bridge in Return of the Jedi) to a B Wing (the cross-shaped bomber glimpsed in flight), to an X-Wing (the type Luke Skywalker flies) to a U-Wing (The personnel carrier introduced in Rogue One) to a Y-Wing (the initial bombing run on the Death Star).
theroguerebels's review against another edition
4.0
“You know your squadron will fight, but will they fight for you?”
– Hera Syndulla
I like Alexander Freed.
As a fan of Star Wars Battlefront: Twilight Company and the novelization of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story I kinda already knew that but here we are.
In fact, even if you hadn’t read either of those books I think you can kind of take the tone of Rogue One and understand the tone of his writing in these books.
Alphabet Squadron doesn’t have a lot of “fun” moments but really fits MUCH more in line with the Rogue One and Battlefront mentality.
Every day people in war.
No heroes, just the mission, and all those who live on for the next one.
I really enjoyed this book and love meeting new Star Wars characters.
The setting is about 5 months after the Battle of Endor and we watch these characters um… assemble?
Can I say that? That’s what it felt like.
Also… the audiobook ROCKS. This might not be the first time I’m hearing some unfamiliar music but it definitely stands out and elevates the material! The performance and production as always are on point!
There’s a lot of little cool things that I dug in this book. Operation Cinder, the Emperor’s Messenger, the balasar, Liana Hallik, Separatists, The Spectres, Verpines on Abednedo, Ghosts in the Jendorn system, HERA SYNDULLA, Wings of the Master memories, Mon Mothma’s speech, masked martial arts, General Skywalker, “Rebellions are built of hope”, The Cavern Angels, an alphabet tattoo, The sympathetic torture droid, and Shadow Wing!
This book is super enjoyable with starfighter action and opening a trilogy! There’s also a tie in Marvel comic called TIE Fighter that connects to the story a bit and tells some Shadow Wing business. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Alphabet Squadron and I’m eager to spend more time with these characters!
– Sal P.
“War is always monstrous. But that doesn’t make us monsters.”
– Soren Keize
– Hera Syndulla
I like Alexander Freed.
As a fan of Star Wars Battlefront: Twilight Company and the novelization of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story I kinda already knew that but here we are.
In fact, even if you hadn’t read either of those books I think you can kind of take the tone of Rogue One and understand the tone of his writing in these books.
Alphabet Squadron doesn’t have a lot of “fun” moments but really fits MUCH more in line with the Rogue One and Battlefront mentality.
Every day people in war.
No heroes, just the mission, and all those who live on for the next one.
I really enjoyed this book and love meeting new Star Wars characters.
The setting is about 5 months after the Battle of Endor and we watch these characters um… assemble?
Can I say that? That’s what it felt like.
Also… the audiobook ROCKS. This might not be the first time I’m hearing some unfamiliar music but it definitely stands out and elevates the material! The performance and production as always are on point!
There’s a lot of little cool things that I dug in this book. Operation Cinder, the Emperor’s Messenger, the balasar, Liana Hallik, Separatists, The Spectres, Verpines on Abednedo, Ghosts in the Jendorn system, HERA SYNDULLA, Wings of the Master memories, Mon Mothma’s speech, masked martial arts, General Skywalker, “Rebellions are built of hope”, The Cavern Angels, an alphabet tattoo, The sympathetic torture droid, and Shadow Wing!
This book is super enjoyable with starfighter action and opening a trilogy! There’s also a tie in Marvel comic called TIE Fighter that connects to the story a bit and tells some Shadow Wing business. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Alphabet Squadron and I’m eager to spend more time with these characters!
– Sal P.
“War is always monstrous. But that doesn’t make us monsters.”
– Soren Keize
ks2_alwaysreading's review against another edition
1.0
Dragged on for what seemed like forever. It just didn't have that Star Wars-feel...maybe because I am used to the original Star Wars canon books and not the new ones.