Book Review: Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron, by Alexander Freed
“This is what the Empire looks like, now: fewer planet-killing superweapons, more murderous fanatics.”
Author: Alexander Freed
Freed is a veteran science fiction and fantasy writer who is no stranger to the Star Wars universe, having written Star Wars Battlefront: Twilight Company (the novel accompanying the Battlefront video game) and the novel adaption of Rogue One. He’s also written for numerous Star Wars video games and comics.
Setting and timing
Alphabet Squadron takes place shortly after the Battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi. The galaxy is free of the Emperor’s reign of terror--but not all of the galaxy.
Pockets of Imperial resistance and control remain. Portions of the military continue to serve the idea of the Empire, carrying on the fight against the emerging Republic.
The book takes us to numerous planets and outer-space settings as Alphabet Squadron attempts to locate—and eradicate—the remains of the Empire.
Plot
As the Rebels move on from the victory celebration at Endor, a complex new problem emerges: now what?
Gone are the days of tactical strikes and disruption. Now, as the Rebellion tries to morph from chaotic force for change into a stable, lasting governance, it must root out the remaining pockets of Imperial resistance to bring about a uniform and lasting peace.
Key to tamping down the Imperial remnants is the destruction of the Imperial 204th, a competent and deadly Tie Fighter squadron that has carried out planet-wide destruction
And so Alphabet Squadron, a diverse group of fighter pilots led by Imperial defector Yrica Quell, is formed. We are taken along as the team learns to work together through a series of missions which increase in danger and complexity, culminating with a direct engagement with the 204th.
Key Themes
Teamwork
The members of Alphabet Squadron come from wildly different backgrounds and perspectives, and led by Quill, who is reticent to get her hands dirty with the team, choosing instead to lead from an icy distance.
The strain of battle is only made worse when it must be waged with relative strangers, and while we see cohesiveness improve throughout the book, Alphabet Squadron remains unfinished as a team as the story ends. But they’re getting there.
Redemption
Quell particpated in atrocities as an Imperial pilot, taking part in a directive called Operation Cinder, a genocidal directive delivered by the Emperor, via technology, after his death. Quell has the opportunity to atone for her actions as the story unfolds.
Moral ambiguity
As we have seen with the new canon, good and evil aren't so black and white:
Freed doesn’t mistake war’s fuzzy grey areas for equality of viewpoints. Sure, we see the motivations that drive Imperial pilots and officers on display — but they still partake in genocidal acts, as a misplaced sense of fighting for the less-wrong side, or because they live in a world where their worldview is heavily shaped by Imperial censors and media. And while the Rebellion is less organized and efficient, they’re still fighting against a fascist ruler
Imperials-vs-Rebellion isn’t a clear story of good vs evil. Some remaining members of the Imperial forces stay because there is no where else to go, and they fear being killed by citizens as reprisal for the Empire’s actions, or by Rebel Forces as part of policing and clean up actions.
Key characters
Alphabet Squadron is led by Imperial defector Yrica Quell, who never feels worthy of her position, but ultimately finds her place--and some sense of redemption--in her new role in the Alliance.
Wyl Lark is a young A-Wing pilot.
Nath Tensent is an older pilot, and the war has left him bitter.
Chass na Chadic is straight up out for blood. Flies a B-Wing.
The mysterious and silent Kairos flies a U-Wing.
Caern Adan, a Balosar, is a New Republic intellegence agent, who, out of a desire to eradicate the 204th, creates the idea for an elite team which became Alphabet Squadron.
Freed creates a couple of extremely creative and creepy droids.
IT-O is a reconfigured Imperial torture droid, who now serves as a floating Freud, counciling and correcting Yrica and Caern.
The Emperor's Messenger is a red-cloaked and faceless floating droid designed to communicate the Emperor’s will. Yet, after giving the Operation Cinder command following the Emperor’s death, it shares no further messages. It only floats and observes. It’s a mystery, and I hope we see more of it.
Sum it All Up
The Dark
The book struggles with pacing early on, as character backgrounds and relationships are put into place. Eventually, Alphabet Squadron finds its rhythm, moving between battles and character interactions and developments smoothly:
As IT-O says:
“Building a rapport requires time. Without a rapport, I can be of little use to my patient or to you.”
The Light
The book itself has a difficult mission. Alphabet Squadron kicks off a new trilogy, and must drive fan interest without leaning on popular characters from the films or TV shows.
At first, the book struggles, like an X-Wing breaking away from a planet’s gravity well. But eventually it takes flight, and the ending leaves you ready for the series’ second installment, Shadow Fall, which arrives in the spring of 2020.
Recommendation
A good read for the Star Wars fan looking for cool space battles and more stories from the post-Empire (and The Mandalorian) timeframe.
A good—not great—start to what should be a fun and important trilogy in the book universe.