| Title | : | Shadow Fall (Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1984820044 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781984820044 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 393 |
| Publication | : | First published June 23, 2020 |
Shadow Fall (Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron, #2) Reviews
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It has been a long time, since it has taken me this long to finish a Srar Wars book. I just could not get into this book, till the last 100 pages or so i was really chipping away at it to finish rather then enjoying it. It is the last quarter or so in the book that I really enjoyed.
I really liked the first book. Which made this book that much more disappointing for me. I appreciate character development, and characters being not just one sides, but for me all the characters seemed to not want to be there or simply go against their own nature simply because they could. One thing that really runs me the wrong way is i hate when there are a few characters, then just as i am getting into one characters story or they are in a perilous situation the chapter or section ends. Now I have to wait till all the other characters have been visited till get back to the story I was enthralled in. This happens a lot in the middle of this book.
The plotting in the book was way too over blown on the first quarter of the book. The strongest part of this book is when the battles start. The bond between soldiers, the sacrifice and duty. The other parts of the book I really liked were showing soldiers on both sides fighting for what the belive in, even if the main characters did not. Also I like the continuity of using characters from the other Disney Star Wars book and tv series.
Not the book I was expecting, or the direction I was expecting the book to go, but it get points for the final quarter and leaves the characters in a very interesting or uncertain place. -
** ALERT! ALERT! SPOILERS AHEAD FOR ALPHABET SQUADRON! **
It is not unknown in the Star Wars milieu for the sequel to outdo the original in terms of quality, a tendency hardbaked into the saga since the debut of The Empire Strikes Back in cinemas left jaws dropped worldwide.
I'm happy to report, therefore, that this tendency has been reaffirmed in the second book of Alexander Freed's "Alphabet Squadron" Trilogy.
As you might expect from the cover, the journey of the squadron's irascible hothead Chass na Chadic is a big part of the story...but perhaps not the journey you were expecting. The same holds true for the lot of the alphabet-ers as, also keeping true to Star Wars tradition, the gang gets separated during a vicious attack by their nemeses in the dreaded Imperial Shadow Wing, now led once more by the redoubtable Major Soran Keize, Alphabet Leader Yrica Quell's former mentor and (as was revealed toward the end of the previous book) the one who ordered her to desert the Empire following the genocidal events at Nacronis.
As with the previous entry, this is decidedly NOT a light space opera of derring do and high adventure. Decisions have really severe consequences and by gaining so much insight into two opposed groups of highly skilled and dedicated military forces you get a privileged view of how wartime ensures the best laid of plans can go catastrophically awry. When describing this book I think I even used the term, "Anxiety Generator", which is pretty rare in a genre where, traditionally, the "good guys" win in the end even if it is at some sacrifice.
I think I am more comfortable giving this one a full 4 stars without reservations due to the previous book taking care of the heavy lifting of introducing this oddball cast of characters and also, for me anyhow, creating this ultra-intense, human scale subgenre of Star Wars novels.
Also, -
This was not a good book.
I’m not even sure where to start. The plot is mind numbing and boring. The first 120 pages were entirely superfluous. I kept holding out hope that sooner or later it might turn around but it didn’t.
At around page 135 something interesting finally happened but then Freed separates all the characters involved so the interest level goes back to nothing.
For some reason Freed thought it would be a good idea to write a book about a squadron of pilots and put them all on the ground.
He also has an annoying habit of alternating in the way he uses character names. He does it with most of the characters. For the character Nath Tensent he’ll call him Nath for a while, then switch up and start calling him Tensent. Then he’ll switch back again.
If only that was the most annoying thing about his characters. Never have such a collection of whiny bitches been assembled in the Star Wars universe. Not a single one is like-able. And sadly, there’s no resolution to their problems. The book ends where it begins. Everyone has the same problems. It’s just 400 pages of them complaining.
The plot is even worse. The New Republic sets a trap for an infamous fighter squad of Empire loyalists then redeploys its major assets so they aren’t there when everything goes wrong. It’s never even explained why the trap fails, despite chapters devoted to Empire characters.
This book has no redeeming qualities. It’s terrible and should be avoided. I’m truly disappointed. 1.5 stars -
As a middle novel of a trilogy, this story puts its protagonists in a variety of terrible and untenable situations, putting them through the emotional wringer. None come out the other side unmarked.
Much of this book concerns how Aphabet Squadron, backed by Hera Syndulla, are busy planning for and eventually fighting the Imperial 204th. There's a lot of action, once it gets started, with battles in space and on a planet where the 204th and Alphabet and ground bound infantry squads (we meet up again with Twitch from Twilight Company) fight fast and brutally.
Quell, Chas and Wyl come out at the other end of this book changed, all in interesting and unexpected way, and I look forward to rejoining them in book 3. -
Book #2 of the “Alphabet Squadron” trilogy, "Shadow Fall" is an entertaining, if not entirely satisfying follow-up to the first novel, "Alphabet Squadron." Author Alexander Freed finds himself having to pull double duty here, balancing the narrative need to build upon the story elements left hanging at the end of the previous novel, while also having to ably set up the endgame of the trilogy in a way that feels decisive and well thought out. That he manages to succeed a bit more at the latter than the former says something about the story here, which feels somewhat scattershot, almost as if Freed couldn’t fully decide where best to hone his attentions. That said, most of what’s here is fun enough, and for all its imperfections, "Shadow Fall" does majorly succeed in at least big area: it’s never boring.
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Actual rating is 2.5 stars.
This is the second book of a trilogy and the first one must be read before this one. In this one, Alphabet Squadron and the Rebels have taken a planet from the remnants of the Empire. While on this planet they devise a plan to capture an elite fighting squadron of the Empire.
I thought this one was a major step down from the first book which is ironic considering my gripe from the first book was the lack of buildup of the characters. In this one the author addressed the lack of buildup. After getting to know about the characters I wish the author didn't address my flaw of the previous book. It wasn't the characters but how we got to know them. It felt so contrived. This trilogy stressed the military aspect about these battles and I believe the author does excel at this aspect. He shows how chaotic battles can be and he also shows how both sides engage in the battle. I thought it was especially engaging in this book. But within these battles and to get to know the characters we are introduced to a cult and some kind of force tower. I still don't even understand the force tower and it reminded me more of the Tower of Sauron than anything else. These plot devices took a hard left turn from the main plot and it just did not fit naturally.
I am going right down the middle with my rating as that was how my enjoyment of this book went. The battles and the military aspect was a delight to read. The characters besides one do nothing for me. I understand not liking characters but it isn't even that. I just don't care about them. I will finish the trilogy but not in a hurry to do that. -
4/5
SHADOW FALL by Alexander Freed is the sequel to ALPHABET SQUADRON. Alexander Freed has a history of writing Star Wars novels in the new canon that take a remarkably unglamorous look at the Galactic Civil War. His heroes are frequently cynical, full of trauma, and often confused at meeting people who really believe it is a battle of Good vs. Evil. Alexander Freed also tends to right very sympathetic Imperial characters.
The premise of Alphabet Squadron as a series is Yrica (pronounced "Erica" in Jacen Solo fashion) Quell is a defecting Imperial starfighter pilot who has been sent to head up a ragtag band of misfits with varying starfighter types. Their goal is to bring down Shadow Wing, an elite Imperial combat unit that has been reigning hell on various groups during the Imperial retreat after Endor. It is something of a quixotic quest as the war effort is far bigger than the hunt for any individual group of Imperials, even as dangerous as Shadow Squadron.
In a perhaps deliberate deconstruction of the original Rogue Squadron and Wraith Squadron novels, Alphabet Squadron is not a group that comes together as a family. Indeed, its members become even more divided and shaken up by getting to know one another. Worse, their effectiveness is frequently questionable as they are carrying around enough baggage that they never know if the other members have their backs (or even if they want them).
There was a good scene in the previous novel where Hera Syndulla (Star Wars: Rebels) decides to mentor Yrica because she doesn't trust Intelligence officer Adal. This proves to be wasted effort because Yrica is a spectacularly awful leader and has no real loyalty to the Rebellion. Indeed, her Imperial war crimes are severe but she can't really seem to recant of them either and just wants to pretend she wasn't involved in them.
Opposing Alphabet Squadron is the forces of Shadow Squadron. The Empire is in full retreat and scrambling for supplies, reinforcements, and equipment. They have since been taken over by Soran Keize, a pilot dedicated to protecting them as well as giving them purpose. Soran knows the war is lost and pointless but has a passionate devotion to the people he leads, even if it gets countless innocent people killed.
The novel follows Alphabet Squadron as they are stationed over a Deep Core world called Cerberon. Ceberon is a planet with remaining Imperial sympathies that is mostly pacified by the time events spiral out of control for both sides. Both sides wish to destroy the other for morale purposes and indirectly cause massive collateral damage. Friendships are destroyed, lives lost, and perspectives changed in a surprisingly dark as well as deep storyline.
So why the comparatively low score? Well, honestly, almost every character in this book is deeply unlikable. Yrica is a war criminal, Nath is a corrupt glory hound, Chass' harsh cruel exterior hides a harsh cruel interior, and Wyl--okay Wyl is nice. There's even a lengthy section of the book where Chass spends it hating on the religious commune that rescued her from certain death. It may be interesting but it's not exactly fun to read.
In conclusion, I recommend this book but I have to say its not the kind of read that I really go to Star Wars for. Given the awful things on in the world today, I'm pretty much for a book that reinforces that the shooting of Space Nazis in the face is a good thing. No one here really seems to have any ideaological commitment to the shooting of Space Nazis. If not for Wyl, I wouldn't want any of these people on my team. -
Plot was drifting in the void of space, her cockpit canopy blurred with wide swaths of carbon scoring; stars slowly orbiting, twinkling their taunts of adventure in the inaccessible distance of light years; her mind endlessly replaying the regrets of the mission gone wrong. Thankfully, her diagnostic panel was fully operational, the circuits and components connected by fraying and burnt wires, but the display was a bright ray of hope. If Plot was going to be stranded, at least she would be able to stay interested analyzing every minute detail of her near environs, mapping out every nook and cranny of the undiscovered or forgotten asteroids, planetoids, and motes floating in this abandoned sector of the Outer Rim.
She checked her shipboard readouts.
“Good,” she said to herself, “Oxygen and water recovery are all functioning. I’ll be cramped and uncomfortable, maybe a little hungry, but I’ll be around for a long time. Maybe there is hope of rescue, yet.”
From the back of the ship, her droid twittered and beeped, calling her obscene names and flickering her life support systems on and off a few times in mock menace. As Plot gazed out a clean section of the canopy, she mentally prepared herself for the coming days or months. In the Setting sector, there would be plenty of room and time to see and do things, engage in cynical introspection, regret past mistakes, and speculate about the future. She didn’t know what motivated her, but she did know that she would do many things, and observe many details, and somehow manage to fill many volumes.
The future did not look bright for Plot, but it was sure to be full of content.
If you are looking for endearing characters who grow over time, answers to the thousands of questions burning in the Star Wars galaxy, a rich and intricately woven plot, a pressing mystery to solve with important consequences- this is not the book you are looking for.
You will 5-star this book if:
You have never read an actual good book.
You love anything Star Wars makes no matter what.
The only thing you look for in a plot are exciting and meticulously described space battles.
You love pages and pages of internal turmoil, or technical details about spaceships, or both.
You promote any book out of principle that gives representation to same-sex attraction, or female leads, or both.
There are many admirable qualities of Alexander Freed’s writing. His long paragraphs are filled with Star Wars jargon, little details about how characters are thinking, feeling, or evaluating their situation, cinematic imagery, quirky interactions, and mostly just roll off the tongue.
However, for all of the details in the book, they are not pointing anywhere. Let me explain.
A story cannot and should not share every piece of information that could be told about a situation. Any given moment in time could be filled with reams of environmental data, history, psychology, etc. without telling anything meaningful about the story. This is because the story should examine other things in a way that cannot be communicated without the story. The skillful author takes all of the possible details that could be told to tell a story, and carefully carves out anything that doesn’t contribute to the stories’ final shape.
Or, think of each detail as an iron filing, and the themes and motives of the story as magnets just under the surface. An essay could be used to discuss the magnets themselves, but the storyteller runs the plot through each of the details to show how they align to these invisible themes.
In Shadow Fall, the filings are just heaped and heaped. There are a few little magnets that are identifiable, but they are buried in mounds of inane details about movements and components and internal anguish. Take this passage as representative of a thousand like it:
“They spent another hour reviewing details. Adan’s team had worked up a psych profile of Governor Hastemoor that did little to illuminate his strategies. Analysis of the U-wing’s reconnaissance imaging had allowed the droids to plot out multiple “minimum-risk” routes for the ground troops. Quell read off inventories provided by Sergeant Ragness of starfighter munitions (though Syndulla dismissed these-“If we win here, I’m not worried about running low on torpedoes tomorrow”; Quell disliked the principle but couldn’t argue).”
What is happening here? You won’t care about any of these details in 15 minutes, much less by the end of the book. There is no foreshadowing (no pun intended.) The troop routes won’t be a factor in the story. You won’t care about the psychology of Governor Hastemoor. You won’t hear from Sergeant Ragness, so diligently cameo’d, ever again. The difference of opinion between Hera and Quell doesn’t play into any other part of the narrative. It’s just a scene. A dead scene. Why not give the names and ranks of everyone in the room? Why not give a transcript of everything they discussed?
No.
Time lapse to show some things that matter, rather than spending the ink on the scenes that should happen off-stage. Unfortunately, the reader will spend many more hours in this book “reviewing details.”
Notably, the driving force of the book, like it’s predecessor Alphabet Squadron #1, is not compelling whatsoever. Stop Shadow Wing. Why? We only really interact with one member of Shadow Wing, and he seems like a generally decent fellow. The few encounters with other members are generally favorable. They are elite pilots that operated under the defeated Empire. What, they kicked your dog? Smacked your mom in the face? I don’t get it. Why should the reader feel like they should be brought to justice? Throughout the book, they have absolutely no nefarious plan.
Ok, but they could be a foil to examine the true story arc that each character goes through.
Well…
Except that the story arcs here do not substantially change since the beginning of the first book: regrets, cynicism, internal turmoil, trust dynamics, speculation. Also some cults, and a weird force tower, and a flight school? But those are truly meaningless side jaunts that try to effect some character change, where each character comes out just as flat and cold as they went in. A few story beats try to drop revelatory bombshells, but without any character buy-in, the bombs are duds.
This book is barely connected to the Star Wars universe, does not develop any of the many themes, motives, or loose ends already examined in Star Wars canon, every character is basically checked out and jaded with barely the will to live, on a mission that has no real value.
But, don’t worry, there will be a sequel. -
Star Wars: Shadow Fall was written by New York Times Best Selling author, Alexander Freed. Shadow Fall is book two in the Alphabet Squadron Series.
SUMMARY: The Imperial remnants are scattered across the galaxy still fighting against the newly formed republic, desperately holding strong to it’s territories. In this novel, the story focuses primarily in the Cerberon system over the planet Troithe. New Republic forces including Alphabet Squadron, fight against the imperials to take hold of the capital. A plan is devised to lure Shadow Wing, the deadly TIE Fighter unit out into the open. Shadow Wing had gone silent since the last major event from book one, the battle at Pandem Nai.
Once the TIE unit shows itself to Alphabet Squadron and the rest of the New Repbulic forces, the war over Troithe intensifies. Will Alphabet Squadron hold strong and put an end to Shadow Wing? Will Shadow Wing once again commit mass genocide on another innocent planet? You’ll have to get the book and read for yourself to know the outcome of this page turner!
CHARACTERS: The cast of characters from Alphabet Squadron continue on in this novel. In my review of book one, I spoke briefly on Yrica Quell & Wyl Lark. Now, I will mention Chass na Chadic and Soran Keize
Chass na Chadic: She was inspired by Jyn Erso, a real hero, not a myth or a legend. Chass is aggressive and sometimes a little moody. She seems lost, like she doesn’t know who she truly is, who she’s meant to be or become. She’s defiant and doesn’t get along with the others too well. She tunes out the others others by cranking up music in her cockpit. Her childhood was rough, but the things she’s learned from that time in her life, help her through a difficult and somewhat odd event in the current battle.
Soran Keize: Major Soran Keize, holds the empire in disdain after Operation Cinder. His eyes were opened to just how dark the Emperor truly was. The Empire wasn’t a just government with it best interests aimed at protecting and serving the people of the galaxy. It was all about power. His love of the Empire died, his loyalty to Shadow Wing remains, and his hunger for revenge against Alphabet Squadron is fierce.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Alexander Freed proves once again that he is an A-list author. Formation of the New Republic isn’t easy at all! I love that we get to see how fierce and powerful the imperial remnants still are, of course they would be, this tale does take place before the Battle of Jakku. The Empire was massive, the battle didn’t end with Endor, like some military troops may have thought. You can feel the desperation of the soldiers and pilots. The war isn’t over but the desire for the fighting to stop is great. The tension is extremely high in this story. Emotions the characters go through bleed from the pages! Many moments will raise your anxiety and keep you glued to the book.
You’ll burn through these pages so fast it’ll likely ignite a fire!
It’s a wonderful, deeper character study for a few of the characters. In the previous novel they had a more mysterious edge, their backgrounds weren’t explored. In this novel, we explore the past of a certain character that helps drive the plot forward. The story progresses by jumping from one character’s perspective to the next. It’s quite simple to follow for a war story that has so much going on. Freed is one of those authors that understands character development and how to make each character unique. The dialogue was great! Tension, guilt, surprise, anger, etc. were written so well.
War at its worst, Diversity at its best. There’s a character everyone can relate to!
I was pleasantly surprised by certain outcomes in the story. My skin prickled with chills multiple times. Rarely do I audibly react to things that happen in a book. This book summoned two audible gasps and wide eyed “wow” reaction. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Alphabet Squadron, the first book in this trilogy… Shadow Fall opened my mind to appreciate the first book a little more. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I can’t recall finishing a book while having chills and an drooping jaw from surprise.
So, do I recommend that you read Star Wars: Shadow Fall? Yes! I wasn’t a big fan of the first book, but this second installment was outstanding! -
This series continues to be the best Star Wars I’ve read, and Alexander Freed the best SW author. I respect an author who can bring together Star Wars, Mordor, and HAL 9000, of course, but beyond that feat, Freed’s exploration of the aftermath of war and its effects on various people is completely gripping. I appreciate that this series is much less interested in “awesome action scenes” and more focused on real questions—big-picture questions such as “How do people ever stop fighting once a war ends (or can they? Does the war ever really end?)?” and more personal questions like “Can a person truly forgive and be forgiven? Do shame and guilt follow each of us around for our entire lives?” It’s fascinating, and most of it is territory that hasn’t been explored in SW at all. I can’t wait to see how it concludes in the final book.
My only wish is that Freed would also write a trilogy from Shadow Wing’s point of view. We’re not getting as much of that story, and I’d like to see how he’d write the events of this trilogy from the other side. Perhaps more of that is coming in book three. -
Update that glorious cover already, Goodreads!
*One day later*
Yeeeeessss that is one beautiful cover. Alphabet Squadron just got higher up on my tbr. -
*I received a digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review here and to discuss on the Friends of the Force podcast. Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early!
Alexander Freed once again knocks it out of the park with the second installment of the "Alphabet Squadron" trilogy.
In this darker middle chapter, the heroes of Alphabet Squadron are tested like never before, both individually and as a team. Between losing battles and isolation, the members of Alphabet Squadron must confront themselves and each other if they want to succeed.
In finishing this book, I am speechless. Freed's precise and detailed writing gives the reader a deep understanding of not only the worlds that Alphabet Squadron and their foes Shadow Wing inhabit, but also of the inner workings of each of the main characters. I feel like I know how each one of them thinks and what makes them tick. I know what their weaknesses are and how they will be exploited. These characters are messy and full of depth; I'd argue they're some of the most interesting in all of Star Wars.
My favorite dynamic in this installment is between Nath and Wyl. Where Nath is hardened, Wyl is still hopeful. Their interactions are incredibly interesting and important to the dynamic of the team, and are developed well in this book!
There are multiple moments in this book where I gasped out loud or swore in shock. I absolutely cannot wait to be talking about these moments with the Star Wars community! While the pace of this book is still on the slower side, as it was with "Alphabet Squadron," it's not a slog by any means. The narrative is packed with meaningful moments and intentional foreshadowing. There are many interesting connections to other canon ideas, places, and people that work to make this world feel real.
I am SO looking forward to seeing how this trilogy concludes, and I have many thoughts on where the third installment may go! If you're a Star Wars fan, this is a book and series you can't miss. -
What can I say? Wow. This is just fantastic! If you found the first one a bit slow with all the character building during the first chapters but you enjoyed the second half of it you’ll love this one. Action-packed and masterfully written. Alexander Freed really knows how to build the story through the characters. Absolutely recommend!
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If you’re looking for a Star Wars book to really sink your teeth into, this is it. Freed writes dense stories full of complexity with huge payoffs for his spectacularly-developed characters. Shadow Fall follows up on the foundation laid in its predecessor by adding layers to the characters, massive twists, and creative worldbuilding. It has a great balance of gravitas and the fun that you expect from a Star Wars book all about starfighter pilots. I’ve really come to love most of these characters and can’t wait for the trilogy’s conclusion! It’s definitely worth your time and I can almost guarantee that you’ll want to read it more than once.
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I finished the book but only because i started it. A story has to be truly bad to make me leave it unfinished and this was not.
It was not all that good, either. A barely coherent series of events masquerading as a plot to allow a series of things that shouldn't have happened happen.
Some attempts at character growth in the mains that I found mostly failed though a few piece stood up. Wyl Lark was ok. Quell's therapy was interesting but not particularly engaging.
Sadly, the best character in the book is Soran Keize and that's a bad thing since he's supposed to be the bad guy. But he's the most sympathetic and believable character in the series.
Only having a generic 'bad guy' in that the good guys are against the bad guys but not really having a villain made this a bit of a dull read.
After this, I'm not sure I'll pick up the third book. I do want to know what happens to Keize but he seems destined to either die or defect. I might be just as satisfied to read the coles notes after the book has been out a while since there's not a lot here that keeps me intrigued. -
Excellent depictions of space battles and the grim futility of war. Worthy character development for just about everyone except Kairos. Few Star Wars authors can make you feel like you're inside someone's head as viscerally as Freed can.
The periodic bouts of relentless despair weren't the most enjoyable things to read, but Star Wars likes to do that in its middle chapters. And some decisions (like Hera's departure) felt more like necessary chess-piece movements than natural character choices or story progressions. Also, way too many similes. It got to the point where it became laughable.
A questionable ending that could go one of two ways, only one of them sensible. I'd be very disappointed and confused if that ending led to the other outcome.
The pros mostly make up for the cons here. It's a solid progression of Alphabet Squadron's adventures, and a promising setup for the final chapter. -
I was ready for this book to break my heart. I didn't expect it to do it in the way it did. But that's what happens when you love the characters.
I really do love everyone (even started coming around on Nath) from the squad! I probably could have done with a bit less time spent on Soran Kreize though. I usually spent most of his sections wanting to get back to my squadron.
But Mr Freed SO HELP ME if you don't explain in the third book who is watching Hera's kid I shall be forced to... come up with an even more ludicrous explanation than Mon MOthma. -
Overall, this is an interesting series. But I also find the writing style a bit too intricate and dense at times. I find it very hard to get into the novels; it takes me about half way before I really start to feel invested. Partly, Freed spends too much on battle maneuvers and the like; I wonder if that's part of the block for me. The characters are interesting, though I also don't feel all that connected to them. I'm not sure I really like any of the main characters all that much (Here Syndulla being an exception of course)
That said, there is something compelling about these books. The overall arc is intriguing: where are these characters going -- individually and collectively? The exploration of the costs of war, the complex ways it impacts each of the characters, is when the book is at its best. I look forward to reading the finale of the trilogy. -
Absolutely loved this book! One of the best Star Wars books
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I have accepted that this series just isn't for me and that makes me SO SAD.
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🙃
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An exemplary feat in writing and character development. Alexander Freed raised the bar and broke all my expectations with logical, beautiful growth that was necessary, empowering and heartbreaking. There were moments in this book that were exhilarating and SO wild. Alphabet Squadron and Shadow Fall continue to be the only books that I've begun again immediately after finishing, it's that good.
Alphabet Squadron continues to give me what other Star Wars stories do not: diversity, queer representation and raw, powerful emotion. This sequel was extraordinary in the ways that it forced these beautiful characters to explore grief, trauma and guilt - and what it means to confront the worst parts of yourself, and how you move forward. There is so much growth in these pilots over the course of this novel, moments that made me proud of them, and other moments that made me feel sadness, anguish and disappointment. There's also something to be said about the subtle ways of showing growth and care between all of these characters, from the way Yrica relishes in Chass' arm around her, to the brotherhood blooming between Wyl and Nath, down to the way Chass seeks unspoken comfort in Yrica - none of these gestures are grand or showy. Their bonds with each other are extremely delicate, and their moments are fleeting, but their connections with one another are strong, which makes the later betryals all the more painful. The way these characters come off the page and exude such a realness will never not completely amaze me. I can predict nothing of them or their actions - and I love and admire that way of writing, so much.
I am continuously awed by the way Alexander writes the conflict and reasoning behind both sides of the Rebellion and the Empire. It's never so easy to write one or the other off as a complete villain, and it's endlessly fascinating. Furthermore, I am also continuously awed by how Alexander Freed writes battle sequences, so tactical in description and yet, so easy to understand. There is one scene in particular where Wyl Lark, my favorite pansexual baby angel, pulls off an incredible flight move that made me ready to dethrone Poe Dameron as BEST DAMN PILOT IN THE GALAXY.
There is absolutely nothing about this series that is predictable, not at all in ways other Star Wars stories maybe can be. This story is packed with thrills, heartache, pain, surprises and so much more. Alphabet Squadron continues to be my all time favorite Star Wars and I'm going to be on edge while we wait for the final installment. I can't wait to have Yrica, Chass, Wyl, Nath and Kiros back in my life, once again. -
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Alphabet Squadron is back - and it's no less ragtag or more coordinated than it was before. Quell continues to hide her war crimes from her own people, knowing that they will lose all faith in her once they found out what she has done. An attempt to trap Shadow Wing once and for all may end the conflict or it might just cost the squadron everything.
Alexander Freed's one main strength is his ability to write military engagements. I've always enjoyed that about his books, especially Twilight Company (which I consider his best). But his characters are secondary to this and always feel a tad flat and unapproachable. The first book in this series wasn't perfect, though it showed a lot of promise in developing the characters. This time I just didn't like any of them.
A frustrating bridging sequel with far more B story than an actual A story. -
This could just be me, but I had a similar experience with this as I did the first book. The first half was a bit of a slog to get though, but the second half was amazing. The characters are very cool, and I love reading about Hera and her missions continuing after Rebels.
The ending was really good, and set up the final book quite well, I’m excited to get to it. -
In typical Star Wars fashion, "Shadow Fall" fits right into the darker-middle-chapter mold that so often splits up our heroes, sends them on a journey of self-discovery, and leaves the audience questioning whatever shocking change in the status quo our heroes endure by the end. Right when we think Alphabet Squad has formed some sense of cohesion in Shadow's predecessor, Freed takes the trilogy in a new direction and executes it flawlessly.
Shadow Fall isn't a book about war, which could turn away apprehensive readers, but rather a story about relationships between unlikely allies and longtime foes in the context of war. This is what sets the novel, and its trilogy, apart from many other Star Wars books I've read. I've come to understand and care for these characters just as I would for any of our heroes on the big screen. Everything in Freed's post-ROTJ galaxy is described with such great sense of detail and delicacy that make you want to live in this universe (as long as you have a trusty pilot by your side). At the same time, everything Shadow Fall stands for aligns with and adds to the repertoire of what Star Wars can be.
The book begs one core question: what happens when we dwell on our mistakes rather than search for a way to move forward and grow beyond our misgivings? To some extent, the entirety of Alphabet Squadron faces this central question to varying degrees, and it's a question that is aligned with redemption and atonement, two concepts which are the lifeblood of the franchise. Shadow Fall challenges us to look at our own choices, as they relate to the characters, to ensure we don't venture down those same dangerous paths.
Aside from a more meta-level perspective, Shadow Fall is chock-full of exciting moments that will make you throw out your arm from fist-pumping the air or make you question your understanding of the Cosmic Force. It's also not lacking in its moments of sadness and despair, realities of war that Freed has not shied away from throughout his Star Wars work. If you're looking for the next best trilogy since Chuck Wendig's "Aftermath" series, Shadow Fall has proven that Freed's "Alphabet" story is the one.
The wait until 2021 for the final book in this series won't be easy, but, knowing there will be an inevitable goodbye to this cast of characters, I'm willing to ride out the wait as long as I can. -
Star Wars Sparkles: ✨✨✨✨✨
Alphabet Squadron was the first new-canon Star Wars book I read this year, at the beginning of my spiral down the pit of fandom. It set a pretty high bar, which hasn't really been matched since - it wasn't the perfect novel, but it felt a lot like the best of the old Star Wars canon books - self-contained little stories set with their own interesting cast of characters, not galaxy-changing events.
SHADOW FALL lives up to that, and even surpasses it - I loved this book, and it builds on the characterisation and events of the first one very well.
Alphabet Squadron's fight with the 204th Imperial Fighter Wing "Shadow Wing" continues, this time on a fringe-core planet nobody really cares that much about, other than the people living there. SHADOW FALL switches perspectives between the various Alphabet squadmates and Major Keize, the returned leader of Shadow Wing as they vector towards their inevitable confrontation.
Something I loved about ALPHABET SQUADRON was how it tackled things like PTSD and survivor's guilt, which aren't really explored as much as they should be - especially not in Star Wars. The main character, Quell, struggles hugely with her part in the atrocities of the Empire, and several of the other main characters have their own baggage which seems very natural and well-implemented, resulting in some of the most well-rounded characters I've seen in Star Wars fiction.
With the added viewpoint of Soran Keize, we are also given a valuable look into the emotions and philosophy of the Imperial survivors - they aren't evil. They are loyal, and they have their own reasons for believing that the Empire is in the right. Despite being the antagonists, they are portrayed as hugely sympathetic and Imperial/"Bad Guy" perspectives are sorely needed in Star Wars canon.
Most of all it feels as if Freed was given total creative freedom over his stories, both ALPHABET SQUADRON and SHADOW FALL, whereas a lot of other Star Wars new canon that I've read feels very much like it was at least outlined by committee - this is where your story needs to start, this is where it needs to end to help set up other new canon pieces, and these are the events and characters you need to show. The Alphabet Squadron books are a delightful breath of fresh air in that respect, feeling like a totally personal creative vision - and it helps that they aren't linked to galaxy-changing events like most canon tends to be. It reminds me a lot of the old STAR WARS: X-WING novels, in that way, which I'm pretty sure I compared them to in the first book's review.
Very, very enjoyable - can't wait for book 3. -
And this is just the middle book of a soon-to-be-completed trilogy? Hmm. It's quite detailed about minutia, especially battles. The new Star Wars fiction, really, REALLY needs to resume the "Dramatis Personae" page at the front; I cannot keep all these characters straight, and the shifts within each chapter don't help that. They don't have unique dialogue or style to separate them, either; just what different letter their star ship has. I do like the fact that each chapter has its own title.
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A much smoother sailing with some mild turbulence in the second book of this trilogy.
The execution of this was better than its predecessor was. Its pacing was a lot better compared to the last book, and I’m grateful for it. The story of Shadow Fall drew me in a lot sooner than Alphabet Squadron’s did.
Again, like the previous books, the characters were still just okay. Like before, out of the members of Alphabet Squadron, Nath Tensent remains to be my favorite. As for Yrica Quell, she was better and far more interesting here than she was in the last book, or at least I thought she was.
In regards to the audiobook, the music and sound effects were perfect as usual. It does a marvelous job of truly bringing the action moments to life. I was a little surprised Saskia Maarleveld did not reprise her role as narrator here, but I grew accustomed to Carol Monda’s performance before hitting the halfway point. It does make me wonder who will next narrate the final installment of this trilogy.
Overall, while I didn’t absolutely love this, I did enjoy it a little more than the first book. A good sign to be sure, and that gives me hope that Victory’s Price will be the finale I’ll end up loving.
