A quick recap: This is shortly after the battle on Endor. General Hera Syndulla and Caern Adan put together a team of five pilots. Imperial defector Yrica Quell is posted as the point person for the squadron. Her cohorts are Nath, Wyl, Chass, and Kairos. While the first mission for an attack was ruled a victory, two things must be noted. They didn't destroy the Shadow Wing, and they nearly blew up an entire planet. Hardly a victory.
Regrouped, and ready for a new attempt, a plan is forged. An out of the way planet loyal to the Imperials (because their planet is on a trajectory course with an all-consuming black hole, and Palpatine promised the world support before his death). Alphabet Squadron believes they can overtake the scarred planet, making a big enough fuss, to attrack the Shadow Wing.
It sounds like a simple enough plan. However, nothing ever goes as planned. Instead, a quick coup becomes a viscous battle for survival!
In this second installment we get more deep and personal with all of the members of the cast. The insight is often disturbing, and troubling. We get to see how each member got to where they are. We also meet some new people. (With a slight flavor from Freed's Battlefront) We are introduced to the ground troops for the New Republic. And, eventually, the squadron and the ground troops get the chance to fight more side-by-side rather than by air and land.
I struggle with the shifting of one character between books. Soran Keize is mentioned a lot in the first book. He was Quell's Imperial superior--he was the one who insisted she flee after the destruction ofa planet because he knew she did not have the stomach to carry on. He also indicated he was going to flee. As he creates a new identity for himself in book one, all indicators point toward a better fit with the New Republic, and not the Empire. However, the character does a complete 180. And while some of the reasoning is explained, it didn't sit right with me.
Aside from that -- we have some personification of droids that is spectacular. Especially the relationship between Nath and his T5 unit, and Quell with Adan's IT-O torturer droid turned psychologist. But Nath and the T5 are reminiscent of Skywalker with his R2 when in the cockpit during a space dogfight against enemy TIEs.
To say a lot happens is so vague and unworthy of a review, but to get into it would clearly spoil the surprises that Freed has unfold in the tale. There are peaceful cults, angry characters, back stabbing allies, and the unexpected shift when trusted people in the know suddenly about-face and switch sides.
Overall, an un-put-down-able read! I was glued to the pages (except when I had to turn them). I am anxious for the third installment expected out later this year.
Phillip Tomasso
Author of the scifi horror novel, ABSOLUTE ZERO
