Review: Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed
I don’t read tie-ins very often. This one landed in my convention swag a bit ago and I finally got around to reading it.
I probably won’t bother buying the other two books, but it’s not bad. It’s solid military fiction that is written to appeal to Star Wars fans who want a starfighter kick.
In classic Star Wars tradition, it follows a motley crew of rebels. Although the New Republic now exists, they’re still mopping up the Empire. And the “rebel” feel is still there. Squadron leader Yrica Quell is a former TIE fighter pilot who defected after the fall of Endor and worse. Her team are Wyl Lark — young, brilliant, idealistic and from a world with flying mounts, Chass na Chadic — a former street urchin who’s implied to be a species hybrid and plays music when she flies, Nath Tensent — a con man, and finally Kairos. Kairos is never stated to be a Mandalorian, but is clearly intended to be read that way. No, she never takes the helmet off. They’re all good pilots. They can’t stand each other.
It’s basically that kind of story. Their enemy is the Shadow Wing…Quell’s former outfit trying to carve out an essential place from which they can help rebuild the Empire. Tensent wants revenge. Quell wants to prove herself. Wyl Lark wants to protect his homeworld…and go home. Chass na Chadic just wants to blow…
