Book Review: Star Wars: X-Wing: Iron Fist SPOILERS!

In July 1998, Aaron Allston published his second X-Wing novel (X-Wing 6). It promised to be great, and yet fell into his stereo-typical writing of juvenile kids acting as adults. Synopsis:  Against all odds, the controversial Wraith Squadron has survived its first covert mission. But now they are called upon to cheat death twice. This time Wedge Antilles sends them in to stop the warlord Zsinj and his Super Star Destroyer, Iron Fist. If Zsinj joins the Empire, it could turn the tide of war against the Rebels. The Wraith Squadron's mission: infiltrate the warlord's fleet and uncover his carefully guarded plans. To do so, they must pose as ruthless pirates seeking to join Zsinj's forces. And that means first becoming pirates in space lanes teeming with Imperial Navy patrols. If that isn't enough to get them killed, they'll have to pass one last test—a suicide mission for Zsinj. Can they survive the test and turn the tables on Zsinj? Or is this the end for Wraith Squadron?

The novel opens with the Wraiths in a bar fight on Coruscant, but the New Republic Military Police arrive, and arrest them. Garik "Face" Loran takes them down when he notices their so-called Corellian walks aren't genuine. Colonel Atton Repness and Admiral Ackbar debrief them, then Ackbar give the Wraiths new orders. Ton Phanan and Kell Tainer recall that Repness was the one who wrecked Tyria Sarkin's career because she wouldn't steal a ship for him. Ton decides to bring Face in and then use Implacable survivor Lara Nostil against Repness and flush his illegal thefts out into the open. They convince Wedge to go along with it and then they get Lara to agree. Meanwhile, Piggy and Runt note that Zsinj is conversing with pirates, either to enlist them or get intel from them. Three new crew members join: Dia Passik, a Twi'lek ex-slave; Castin Donn, hacker; and Shalla Nelprin, whose sister is in the Katarn Commandos. Zsinj gets a communique from Gara--now Lara--and she offers to help bring Wraith Squadron down. Lara goes to expose Repness, but he subdues her. However, General Airen Cracken shows up and arrests Repness. Lara breezes through the remedial training and joins up with Wraith Squadron. Meanwhile, the Wraiths meet up with General Han Solo on Mon Remonda along with Rogue Squadron. Zsinj finds out where Lara is and is pleased that he can use her to end Solo's hunt for him. It's on Mon Remonda that Face suggests Wraith Squadron splits up and have only certain members infiltrate Zsinj's people. Under the name of Hawk-bats, Face leads Ton, Lara, Shalla, Wes, and a stuffed toy Ewok against Zsinj's fleet, but Ton dies. Ton leaves everything he owns to Face. The Hawk-bat's now include Face, Dia, Kell, and the Ewok toy. They attempt to join Zsinj, but Castin has stowed away and is found by Zsinj's men. Face pretends to not know him and Zsinj has him executed. Meanwhile, Myn Donos and Lara head to Aldivy so Lara can reunite with her "brother" and update Zsinj on Wraith Squadron, but a frantic call to Myn cuts that short as he strafes the place. Castin, meanwhile, stowed away with Face and gang who are now "working for" Zsinj. It's then revealed that ex-Imperial and former Rogue Squadron member Baron Soontir Fel is indeed working for Zsinj inhis old unit, 181st Imperial Fighter Wing/Group. Castin's caught, then brought before Zsinj, Melvar, Face and company. Dia, staying in character, kills Castin, though she notes to Face that Castin was already dead when two stormtroopers presented him to them. She goes insane and attempts to kill herself, but Kell and Face restrain her. Piecing together the data Zsinj gave Face and from what little Castin was able to obtain before his death, the Wraiths discover that Kuat Drive Yards, in orbit above Kuat, is Zsinj's next target, and the warlord is after a Super Star Destroyer. The Hawk-bats and Zsinj, with numerous others, attack KDY. The battle rages on and Shalla Nelprin is presumed dead, but is actually hiding and awaiting pick up after the battle. In the midst of the battle, Wedge, as Kettch, teams up with his brother in law (Fel) and the two of them fight alongside each other, and Wedge learns that Syal (his sister) is still alive, but Fel insists that the only other great human pilot is Luke and that Wedge can't hold a candle to either of them. After the fight, Face meets again with General Melvar, the Vibroaxe squadron leader, and others to receive payment. Zsinj, however, notices Mon Remonda and orders Iron Fist and Razor's Kiss to destroy the ship and Han Solo. But Rogue Squadron--led by Captain Tycho Celchu--and Wraith Squadron, with additional units, help defend the ship. Maneuvers by Solo's entire task force send Zsinj fleeing from the battle. Shalla--who was sabotaging Razor's Kiss--and Piggy are recovered, and Razor's Kiss is destroyed. As a result, Shalla is allowed to paint a half-SSD on her X-Wing in recognition that half of Razor's Kiss was her kill. Face reveals that after his surgery,he had his scars removed and looks younger than he used to.

All in all, a fast read that gets most of Allston's terrible writing done and over with. Though, yes, he did pass away recently, his writing was indeed found fondly by large members of the EU fans; though this still baffles me, as I can't see why anyone loves his writing. But he will be missed in the former triumvirate that was the Zahn-Stackpole-Allston saga. And now it's just Zahn left writing for Star Wars out of that lot. We will miss you and your terrible jokes, Allston. Yub Yub, Aaron.

Book Review: Star Wars: X-Wing: Wraith Squadron SPOILERS!

In February 1998, writer Aaron Allston joined the Bantam Spectra ring of Expanded Universe authors to bring you the first of many one-dimensional books, and surprisingly remains a fan favorite among certain fans. Synopsis: It is Wedge Antille's boldest creation: a covert-action unit of X-Wing fighters, its pilots drawn from the dregs of other units, castoffs, and rejects given one last chance. But before the new pilots can complete their training, the squadron's base is attacked by former Imperial Admiral Trigit, and Wraith Squadron is forced to swing into action--taking over an Imperial warship and impersonating its crew. The mission: to gain vital intelligence about Trigit's secret weapons, to sabotage the admiral's plans, and to lure him into an Alliance trap. But the high-stakes gamble pits Wraith Squadron's ragtag renegades against the Empire's most brilliant master of guile and deception. Are they up to the challenge? If not, the penalty is instant death.

The novel opens with Rogue Squadron returning from the Battle of Thyferra and heralded as heroes on Coruscant. Above Gravan Seven, Lieutenant Myn Donos becomes the lone survivor of Talon Squadron during the battle. Days later, Wedge proposes starting a new X-Wing unit to Admiral Ackbar; Ackbar refuses, but strikes a bet with Wedge--if Antilles can get the squadron up and running, he can stay a commander, but if he loses, he becomes a general. Wedge actively seeks to stop this, but seeing that Ackbar's serious, he agrees. After weeks of selection and training, the new squadron is formed; it consists of Commander Wedge Antilles, Lieutenant Wes Janson, Lieutenant Myn Donos, holo-actor Garik "Face" Loran, demolitions expert and former Katarn Commando Kell Tainer, gifted mathematical Gammorrean Voort "Piggy" saBinring, Antarian Ranger Tyria Sarkin, Hohass "Runt" Ekwesh, Falynn Sandskimmer, Eurrsk "Grinder" Thri'ag, Jesmin Ackbar, and doctor Ton Phanan. It turns out that General Han Solo is given the command of the teams that will hunt for Warlord Zsinj, but Wraith Squadron isn't fully active yet.

During the next set of training, the squadron gets a name: Wraith Squadron from one of the commando-pilots. Shortly afterward, the training base at Folor is attacked by Admiral Apwar Trigit. All squadrons flee, but Wraith Squadron, though fleeing, decides to strike back. During this, it turns out that Wes killed Kell's father early on in the Rebellion because Kell's father was going to give away their position to the Empire via his panicking. Kell bears a grudge against Wes for that, but Wedge attempts to defuse it. Though Kell works well with the squadron, he still harbors anger at Wes. On the shuttle Narra, Kell and squadron mechanic Cubber Daine, send out a distress signal to Imperial Captain Darillian's ship, Night Crawler. Aboard the jury-rigged ship Lunatic, Piggy boards Night Crawler and neutralizes the hangar bay, which allows Wraith Squadron to board it. Piggy captures the bridge; Grinder takes a look and happily announces to Wedge that the Imperials left everything intact and didn't get a signal off; Piggy also killed Darillian. After visiting a number of worlds, Night Crawler faces off against more Imperials and Myn's droid Shiner and Jesmin Ackbar die--Jesmin because Kell's unable to reach her in time.

Myn goes into a near coma. When Wes covers for Myn, Kell finally realizes that Wes isn't a monster and forgives him for the imaginations of a child. Face, Kell, Tyria, and Falynn help Myn recover from his coma and convince him that the failure at Garvan Seven wasn't his fault and that his former squadron would want him to live. Wedge asks New Republic Captain Choday Hrakness to help them out by filling out Night Crawler with a complete crew, commanded by Hrakness himself, but under direct command of Wedge; Hrakness agrees and Night Crawler appears to work for Zsinj while secretly having some of Zsinj's borderline worlds unknowingly joining the New Republic. Wraith Squadron gets a holocom from Trigit who demands to know what they've been up to--he believes them to still be Imperial officers under the complete command of the deceased Captain Darillian--but Face manages to convince him to drop the subject. Trigit says he can't wait to see them at the rendezvous point. At the rendezvous point, Trigit points out that Night Crawler has been upgraded and has picked up a shuttle.

Imperial Lieutenant Gara Petothel warns Trigit that their secret weapon has been neutralized by the New Republic at Talasea and Trigit orders a change of course. Hrakness catches on and orders the crew to open fire on Provocateur and  Constrictor's engines, leaving the ships unable to escape. Implacable gets a shot off to the bridge of Night Crawler and Hrakness ends up spaced. Implacable gets away, much to Rogue Squadron, General Edor Crispin, and Wraith Squadron's disappointment. Face, Tyria, and Kell get promotions while the sole surviving member of Night Crawler's crew, Imperial Lieutenant Atril Tabanne is promoted to Captain in the New Republic Fleet. Kell receives the Kalidor Crescent for excellent piloting skills and bravery; Kell doesn't want it because he failed to save Jesmin's life, but Tyria berates him for being an idiot. Later, Night Crawler rendezvous with Trigit and Zsinj; Zsinj sends them out to eliminate Rogue Squadron--Trigit boasts that he'll do to Rogue Squadron what he did to Talon Squadron: annihilation. At Ession, the climax comes to a head between Wraith Squadron and Night Crawler.

Gara warns Trigit that it might be a Rogue Squadron trap. The Katarn Commandos, led by Lieutenant Judder Page, sabotage the Imperial reinforcements from Ession, and because of this Trigit tells Gara that if they (Trigit, Gara, and Implacable) survive, they're going renegade. During the fight, Kell loses it and attempts to flee, but he sees Tyria getting swarmed by TIE Fighters and rushes back to rescue her. Falynn and Grinder enter the Star Destroy to blow out its reactor as well as to severely cripple Implacable from the inside. General Crispin, commanding the A-Wing group Blue Squadron, arrives to lend a hand, as does Rogue Squadron. Trigit arms the Star Destroyer for self destruction, but Gara stops it just to save 35,000 people's lives, then she orders the crew to abandon ship. Grinder's X-Wing explodes during the attempt to escape the falling Implacable. Falynn dies as Impacable crashes into Ession's moon. Baron Soontir Fel--former Imperial ace pilot of the 181st Imperial Fighter Group, and Rogue Squadron pilot--orders the rest of the crew of Implacable to surrender, including the pilots; Wedge wonders when Fel went back to the Empire and why he's only an observer to Trigit. Crespin eliminates Trigit's wingmen while Myn blows Trigit up. Days later, Admiral Ackbar tells Kell that he's grateful that Kell attempted to save his niece's life. Ackbar finds Wedge and reminds him that the three month bet isn't up and despite Wraith Squadron's first victory, Wedge might have to accept that promotion.

All in all, a flat, stale, one-dimensional novel with gratuitous overused "humor" that's hardly worth reading. Believe me, it's worse than Piers Anthony's puns.

Up next: Honor Harrington: Shadow of Saganami by David Weber.

Book Review: Star Wars: X-Wing: The Bacta War SPOILERS!

In 1997, Michael A. Stackpole polished off his X-Wing saga with The Bacta War. This time, Rogue Squadron's deprived of New Republic resources as they take back control of Thyferra--the biggest manufacturer of bacta galaxy-wide--from the hands of Ysanne Isard. Synopsis: While the Alliance fleet mounts a major campaign against a deadly warlord, Ysanne Isard has seized control of Thyferra, intending to use its precious supply of bacta to destabilize and destroy the New Republic. It falls to Rogue Squadron--undermanned, deprived of Alliance support and even weapons--to oppose Isard's dangerous designs, defeat her powerful complement of Star Destroyers, and free Thyferra from her iron rule. But when Isard discovers the Squadron's secret base, its ragtag group of pilots must scramble for survival in a winner-take-all battle against Isard's overwhelming and seemingly superior force.

The novel opens with Corran Horn and Mirax Terrik talking about their new found freedom. Meanwhile, Wedge Antilles and Tycho Celchu check out an abandoned station in the Yag'Dhul system and begin to set up operations. During that, M-3PO (Emtrey) arrives as surplus along with the squads X-Wings and Iella Wessiri. On Thyferra, Ysanne Isard demands to know how Erisi Dlarit's fighter wing in the Thyferran Home Defense Corps is doing; the two get into arguments throughout the story with Flirry Vorru defending Erisi to Isard. Corran and Mirax, now on Tatooine to try and buy supplies from Huff Darklighter--Gavin Darklighter's uncle--but the man proves resistant. Corran meets Booster Terrik--Mirax's father--and he begins to threaten Corran, but Mirax steps in. Booster berates Corran, for saying that his coupling with Mirax would kill his father and nearly kills him (Booster) because his daughter is in love with CorSec.

Mirax puts her father in his place and, with Huff still refusing, starts to give up. Booster, giving up, demands that Huff hand over the supplies to Wedge, which Huff does despite being angry about it. On a trip to Elshandruu Pica, Wedge manages to convince Captain Sair Yonka to defect from Isard's service by promising him credits and a chance to strike back. He agrees and goes into hiding with his ship Avarice (now called Freedom), his crew, and the local Moff's wife. Wedge convinces former ally Tal'dira to join Rogue Squadron. He also gets word from old comrades Elscol Loro and Sixtus Quin and that they plan to join him. Talon Karrde appears briefly to help out, but one of his people, Melina Carniss, sold them out when the convoy was ambushed by Captain Ait Convarion's Star Destroyer Corrupter. Wedge and his Rogues repulse the attack. Karrde discovers her betrayal and wants to kill her, but Booster manages to convince Karrde to use her to live long enough to feed misinformation to Isard in exchange for a gravity well projector.

Bror Jace also shows up, reveals that he didn't die, but secretly snuck back onto Thyferra and helped set up the local resistance. Isard threatens to kill Thyferran Vratix civilians if resistance to her regime hadn't ceased in one month. No longer keeping their base at Yag'Dhul secret, the Rogues bring in the next supply convoy--including Carniss. Carniss leaves a beacon in the system and the Star Destroyers Virulence and Lusankya and begin to destroy the station; Rogue Squadron and its fleet of freighters appear to be fleeing the system. Booster powers up the gravity well projector and locks Lusankya in place with dozens of tractor beams. Captain Joak Drysso attempts to complete the destruction of the space station, but three hundred proton torpedoes launch into the path of Lusankya, however, Captain Lakwii Varrscha of Virulence selflessly moves her ship in front of Lusankya; Drysso thanks Varrscha for her sacrifice and flees back to Thyferra. Booster, aided by the arrival of a Cracken's Flight Group, led by Captain Pash Cracken, was able to convince Captain Varrscha to surrender Virulence without a fight. Booster proceeds to load it up with his people and Cracken's fighters.

With aid from both Iella and Winter, Elscol and Quin, and the entire campaign stratagized, the Battle of Thyferra kicks off. Vorru flees the battle, with Erisi promising to find him and start a life. Corran tracks Isard's fleeing Lambda-class shuttle and, after sufficient warning to Isard, blows it up; the pilot is revealed to be Erisi; Isard has disappeared. Booster and Cracken's Flight Group arrives and convinces Drysso to surrender. Upon inspecting Lusankya, Corran discovers that General Jan Dodonna, Urlor Sette, and the rest of the prisoners were stored elsewhere; Corran vows to never give up looking for them. General Airen Cracken tries to convince Booster to surrender Virulence, but Booster refuses. Corran and Talon suggest that Booster be allowed to keep the Star Destroyer, just minus a few turbolasers to which Cracken eventually agrees. Corran and Mirax marry, then, with Wedge, they tell Booster who gets angry, but calms down eventually. The novel ends with Wedge leading Rogue Squadron back to Coruscant to reintegrate with the New Republic and continue in the hunt for Warlord Zsinj.

All in all, a very great finale to Stackpole's main arc in the popular X-Wing saga. It's too bad that it was followed by the dreck that was Aaron Allston's childish contributions to the series. Great characterization and wonderful battle descriptions make this the perfect book to fully grasp how rich the Expanded Universe truly is. Plus, this book further solidifies the Timothy Zahn-Michael A. Stackpole saga which the fans love. 

Review: Star Wars: X-Wing: The Krytos Trap SPOILERS!

In October 1996, revered Star Wars veteran author Michael A. Stackpole completed the third installment in the epic X-Wing saga. This time, Tycho Celchu's on trial for the murder of Corran Horn and only the evidence of a dead man can save him. Synopsis: The Rebels have taken Coruscant. But their problems are far from over. A killer virus called Krytos is wiping out the indigenous population, and a counterrevolution is exploding. At the center of the storm is the highly charged treason trial of Rebel hero Tycho Celchu. While agent provocateurs carry out their acts of terrorism, the fledgling state can be defended only by the blood and courage of the Rogue Squadron. As the X-Wing fighters scramble to save the Rebellion, Corran Horn, given up for dead in Ysanne Isard's inescapable prison, discovers he alone holds the key to freeing Coruscant from the Empire!

The novel opens with Wedge holding a funeral for Corran. Kirtan Loor, on orders from Isard, leads the counterrevolution. The Provisional Council remains unconvinced of Tycho's innocence, despite Wedge's claims. Warlord Zsinj is causing problems near Thyferra, raiding the New Republic's bacta supply lines. Meanwhile Corran Horn is being tested for betrayal; he fails because he refuses to betray his friends so Isard has him placed with the other prisoners--the most notable of which is General Jan Dodonna, who was captured just after the Battle for Yavin IV (A New Hope) when Vader invaded. Also there is General Evir Derricote, imprisoned for his failure at Borleias. The trial starts and things don't look good for Tycho; Halla Ettyk treats all of Rogue Squadron like they're threats while Nawara Ven insists on proper protocol for questioning the witnesses. Fliry Vorru corners Kirtan and proposes and alliance which Kirtan agrees to. Despite Wedge's attempt to help, the case for Tycho being innocent goes awry. More doubt is placed on him than before. Admiral Ackbar sends Rogue Squadron on a mission to orbital tide-locked Ryloth, while the trial is put on a temporary hold.

Vorru orders Kirtan to target a school of innocent civilian kids; Kirtan cautiously agrees, but is wary of Vorru. Meanwhile, Wedge and the Rogues arrive on Ryloth and Wedge is greeted by Cazne'olan, someone he met a couple years back (X-Wing Rogue Squadron: Battleground: Tatooine a comic done by Stackpole during the almighty rein of Dark Horse comics in the 1990s). Corran tells Dodonna and Urlor Sette that he plans on escaping Lusankya. Twi'lek warrior Tal'dira challenges Wedge to fight like a warrior--Tal'dira chooses the merchant Koh'shak to fight Wedge--but he refuses and points out the gifts he brought were meant for warriors; Tal'dira applauds Wedge for his honor. Corran, despite Derricote's attempt to kill him, manages to escape Lusankya; Derricote ends up dead thanks to Dodonna whom Corran promises to come back and rescue. Back at the trial, Nawara heavily questions Quarren New Republic Intelligence agent Tsillin Wel about the amount of credits the Empire paid into Tycho; they learn that Tycho is of middling importance to them, as was Crix Madine, both of whom had six accounts by the Empire, though neither were aware of them. Nawara speculates that this draws attention to the point of Tycho being innocent, but neither he nor Tycho fully believe things can be easily won.

The Rogues manage to destroy one of Zsinj's war ships above the graveyard of Alderaan. Wedge suspects foul play and orders Nawara back to Coruscant via a long route to Tatooine. Kirtan Loor overcomes his deeds and turns himself into Nawara Ven, saying he has evidence to clear Tycho. Corran somehow wishes for the stormtroopers searching for Derricote to go away and they do. He learns that Tycho wasn't of use to Isard, and neither was Madine; the true spy for Isard shocks Corran. Iella Wessiri goes to bring Kirtan Loor to the trial. Vorru warns Borsk Fey'lya about an attack on a bacta storage cell in one of his (Vorru's) sectors. The Rogues are sent to deal with it. Corran ends up in a desolate museum where holograms of deceased Jedi are set up. Corran learns that his father, Hal Horn was an apprentice to Neeja Halcyon. Stormtroopers invade and Corran takes Neeja's lightsaber and fights his way out. One their way to the trial, Nawara, Kirtan, and Iella are ambushed by Diric Wessiri--Iella's husband. Diric kills Loor thinking he's Derricote; Iella asks him why and Diric, dying, responds "Lusankya." During the fight above the bacta station, a portion of the mountains break loose and a Super Star Destroyer bursts out, the IFF transponder reading Lusankya. Tycho, distraught, demands to represent himself; Emtry and Whistler point out that there is one witness left--Corran bursts into the courtroom and informs them about Tycho's innocence and that the traitor is none other than Erisi Dlarit. Erisi and Vorru flee with Isard on Lusankya. The Rogues are ordered to pursue Zsinj, even though evidence suggests Isard's going to take over the bacta cartels on Thyferra. The Rogues, except for Pash Cracken, resign and leave; Pash retakes command of Cracken's Flight Group.

I swear, it seems like a lot was given away, but a lot wasn't mentioned either. It's hard to sum down a 355 page novel where things are constantly happening and most of Stackpole's plot points from the series are wrapped up here. Nevertheless, The Krytos Trap is one of the best of the Star Wars Expanded Universe novels that deftly weaves starfighter battles with political intrigue and a dash of what the galaxy far, far away's court system is like. I'll be back soon with the conclusion to Stackpole's four-part X-Wing story soon in Star Wars: X-Wing: The Bacta War.

Book Review: Star Wars: X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble SPOILERS!

In 1996, author Michael A. Stackpole returned to pen a second Star Wars X-Wing novel. This time, the Battle for Coruscant is the deciding blow against Imperial Forces as Rogue Squadron takes center stage ont eh metropolis world. Synopsis: Sleek, swift, and deadly, they are the X-wing fighters. And as the battle against the Empire rages across the vastness of space, the pilots risk both their lives and their machines for the cause of the Rebel Alliance. Now they must embark on a dangerous espionage mission, braving betrayal and death on the Imperial homeworld to smash the power of a ruthless foe! It is the evil heart of a battered and reeling Empire: Coruscant, the giant city-world from whose massive towers the Imperial High Command directs the war. The Rebels will invade this mighty citadel in a daring move to bring the Empire to its knees. But first Wedge Antilles and his X-wing pilots must infiltrate Coruscant to gain vital intelligence information. Capture means death, or worse--enslavement by the vicious leader known as "Iceheart," Ysanne Isard, now Emperor in all but name. And one of Rogue Squadron's own is already her slave, a traitor hidden behind a mask of innocence, working to betray both colleagues and the Rebellion itself.

The novel opens with Corran Horn and two Y-Wing bombers of Champion Squadron as they battle Imperial TIE-Fighters and the freighter Vengeance Derra IV above Borleias. The Imperials are a scouting team from Warlord Zsinj as he assesses the New Republic's forward base in the push for Coruscant. The Imperials lose and Vengeance flees. Cmdr. Wedge Antilles welcomes Capt. Aril Nunb and Lt. Pash Cracken to Rogue Squadron. Corran's suspicious of Tycho Celchu, believing him to be a spy for Ysanne "Iceheart" Isard when he was captured and imprisoned on Lusankya. The Rogues and the Katarn Commandos, led by Lt. Judder Page, break some high risk prisoners out of Kessel to aid in the taking of Coruscant: mainly Black Sun members such as Zekka Thyne, Fliry Vorru, and others, including Inyri Forge, sister of recently deceased Lujayne Forge. The Rogues are told, in groups of two, about the Coruscant campaign. Corran's paired up with Erisi Dlarit. On Coruscant, Kirtan Loor and General Evir Derricote concoct the Krytos virus and figure out how best to distribute it so that when the New Republic takes Coruscant, the aliens all die. Kirtan wants to do so without harming every species to encourage the dissident aliens to join the fledgling Galactic Empire. Gavin Darklighter, Nawara Ven, Rhysati Ynr, and Aril Nunb learn from the Bothan Asyr Sei'lar and her friends that Imperials are capturing aliens for unknown reasons. The Imps raid the place where Asyr and her friends are about to kill Gavin for being a bigot. Gavin saves Asyr from death but Aril Nunb is captured. Everyone regroups and Thyne's wounded. Corran voices his suspicion about Tycho, but Wedge tells him to leave it. Loor threatens Derricote over the fate of all Sullustans. The Imps storm Rogue Squadron's hide-hole and Thyne dies, but not before revealing to Corran that he and a Rogue Squadron member betrayed them to the Imperials. Corran suspects Tycho even further. Tycho arrives and tells Wedge that they have 48 hours to take out Coruscant's shields. The shields fall and the Battle for Coruscant begins. During the battle, Corran is shot down. The battle ends and Tycho is arrested for Corran's murder. In Lusankya, Isard taunts Corran about breaking him like she did Tycho.

One of the best X-Wing novels by Stackpole. It vividly details that entire operation to take Coruscant away from Imperial forces. A great read for anyone interested in the X-Wing series and ship fighting and stealth operations in general.

Book Review: Star Wars: X-Wing: Rogue Squadron SPOILERS!

Though it was only published in 1996 by sci-fi/fantasy author Michael A. Stackpole, X-Wing: Rogue Squadron is hard to find. Come to think of it, all of his Bantam Spectra Star Wars X-Wing novels are. Del Rey, the current forerunner for Star Wars novels, refused to renew the licensing and the best-selling X-Wing novel by Stackpole have since sold out. Synopsis: Join the most elite fighting force in space on a do-or-die mission only the X-Wings would dare! They are sleek, swift, and deadly. They are the X-Wing fighters. And as the struggle rages across the vastness of space, the fearless men and women who pilot them risk both their lives and their machines. Their mission: to defend the Rebel Alliance against a still-powerful and battle-hardened Imperial foe in a last-ditch effort to control the stars! It's very name strikes fear into enemy hearts. So when Rebel hero Wedge Antilles rebuilds the legendary Rogue Squadron, he seeks out only the best--the most skilled, the most daring X-Wing pilots. Through arduous training and dangerous missions, he weeds out the weak from the strong, assembling a group of hard-bitten warriors willing to fight, ready to die. Antilles knows the grim truth: that even with the best X-Wing jockeys in the galaxy, many will not survive their near-suicidal missions. But when Rogue Squadron is ordered to assist in the assault on the heavily fortified Imperial stronghold on Black Moon, even the bravest must wonder if nay at all will survive....

The novel starts off on Folor with Corran Horn training against a simulation of the doomed Redeemer scenario--a mission the Rebel Alliance failed against the Empire--and is the last one standing on the simrun. He won it with help from his astromech droid Whistler, who calculated every wing of TIE Fighters thrown at Corran's partners. Meanwhile, Commander Wedge Antilles meets with Admiral Ackbar about the selection of pilots for Rogue Squadron--which seem to be all about politics and appeasing key member worlds--and the fate of Captain Tycho Celchu. On Coruscant, Imperial Intelligence agent Kirtan Loor oversees the torture of a man named Gil Bastra; Kirtan wants information that will lead him to his old Corellian Security nemesis Corran Horn. Over the next few weeks Corran trains while Kirtan Loor meets with the head of Imperial Intelligence, Ysanne "Iceheart" Isard and helps General Evir Derricote get what he needs for Black Moon base. Ackbar tells Wedge that Rogue Squadron will be made active for the Coruscant campaign. The Rogues head to Talasea and rescue the smuggling vessel Pulsar Skate, captained by Mirax Terrik, the daughter of Booster Terrik and family rival to the Horns. Isard assigns Loor the task of killing Rogue Squadron. A few days on Talasea ends with the death of Lujayne Forge. Rogue Squadron and General Salm's squadrons attack Black Moon and are nearly slaughtered. They retreat and Lt. Judder Page and Corran talk and discover that Black Moon used to be known as Borleias and once had a secret Imperial TIE-Fighter base there. With that knowledge in mind, the pilots try again and succeed, though not before Mirax, having come to view Corran as a friend, and Tycho Celchu break regulation and commandeer a ship to save the pilots. Everyone but Corran makes it out and, during his free fall, Mirax arrives and saves him. With Black Moon taken, and most of Rogue Squadron alive--Andoorni Hui and Peshk Vri'syk died during one of the battles and Bror Jace is presumed dead while on leave, last known bearing: Thyferra--the Alliance makes further preparations for the Coruscant campaign.

This was the first novel to not feature This is the first novel to not feature any of the original heroic trio, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, or Leia Organa.It was also the first tie-in novel for the Star Wars X-wing game--not that the game and the novel have anything in common except X-wings and one of the levels. It was a great novel that captured the spirit of Star Wars as well as provide detail into the space battles. Great characters, scenic battles, and a never-ending supply of nods to Stackpole's Star Wars partners: Timothy Zahn and Aaron Allston. Back in the day, they ran the Expanded Universe.