Ratings25
Average rating3.9
The first novel in a new trilogy starring veteran New Republic pilots! On the brink of victory in a brutal war, five New Republic pilots transform from hunted to hunters in this epic Star Wars adventure. Set after Return of the Jedi, Alphabet Squadron follows a unique team, each flying a different class of starfighter as they struggle to end their war once and for all. The Emperor is dead. His final weapon has been destroyed. The Imperial Army is in disarray. In the aftermath, Yrica Quell is just one of thousands of defectors from her former cause living in a deserters’ shantytown—until she is selected to join Alphabet Squadron. Cobbled together from an eclectic assortment of pilots and starfighters, the five members of Alphabet are tasked by New Republic general Hera Syndulla herself. Like Yrica, each is a talented pilot struggling to find their place in a changing galaxy. Their mission: to track down and destroy the mysterious Shadow Wing, a lethal force of TIE fighters exacting bloody, reckless vengeance in the twilight of their reign. The newly formed unit embodies the heart and soul of the Rebellion: ragtag, resourceful, scrappy, and emboldened by their most audacious victory in decades. But going from underdog rebels to celebrated heroes isn’t as easy as it seems, and their inner demons threaten them as much as their enemies among the stars. The wayward warriors of Alphabet Squadron will have to learn to fly together if they want to protect the new era of peace they’ve fought so hard to achieve. Part of a Marvel and Del Rey crossover event, Alphabet Squadron is the counterpart to Marvel’s TIE Fighter miniseries, which follows the exploits of Shadow Wing as they scheme to thwart the New Republic.
Reviews with the most likes.
Good idea, but a bit of a slog until you get to Hera's ship. Feels like a very drawn out first act, though I'm liking the “Rogue One” feel compared to the X-Wing series.
Very reminiscent of the Rogue Squadron novels from the old EU. Compelling characters with tragic backstories brought together as a ragtag fighter squadron so that they can go pew pew at the bad guys. Perfectly Star Wars.
This book was an enjoyable ride from the empire over to the rebel alliance. I found the inclusion of already established characters (Syndulla) to make the story nicely grounded while introducing the new characters and story. However I feel like there were elements that I won't name that also came from the Aftermath trilogy so in a way it feels choppy because I read those first but this happened beforehand?
Although I rated this 4* I found the ending to be drawn out and the fleshing out of characters to still be a little rough even towards the end. I understand this is the first of a trilogy (that I will most definitely continue to read) however this book definitely could have ended a hundred pages sooner??
9.5/10 for star wars, 8.5 independently. Good entry for the new canon, better than a fair amount of the EU stuff.
Series
9 primary books13 released booksStar Wars Disney Canon Novel is a 111-book series with 9 primary works first released in 1976 with contributions by John Jackson Miller, Chuck Wendig, and 47 others.
Series
3 primary booksStar Wars: Alphabet Squadron is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2019 with contributions by Alexander Freed.