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stymieurgeson's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know if things are actually improving or I'm just getting used to it, but Life Debt does seem better than the first Aftermath novel. It's still not great literature, but I found it enjoyable. The overarching story is getting more interesting, especially with the machinations of Gallius Rax. And I'm actually starting to care about some of the characters. At first I was worried about such iconic characters as Leia and Han play big roles in this book, but it turned out okay. I'm eager to see how it all shakes out in the third installment.
maximusvitale66's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dmcke013's review against another edition
3.0
The second entry in [a:Chuck Wendig|17152|Chuck Wendig|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1294919586p2/17152.jpg]'s Star Wars: Aftermath series (trilogy) - a series in which the author was given the unenviable task of rebooting the whole Star Wars continuity, after Disney threw the old EU (Expanded Universe) out the window while reserving the rights to cherry-pick the best aspects (Grand Admiral Thrawn, anyone?) from that EU.
I was completely unaware while reading the first entry ([b:Aftermath|25131600|Aftermath (Star Wars Aftermath, #1)|Chuck Wendig|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1426620007s/25131600.jpg|44828548] that the author was also actually a screen writer, only finding this out by chance later.
That, perhaps, explains why I found the first book so choppy.
While I did find this better than that earlier entry, I'm not sure whether that is because I'm now coming at it with that fresh knowledge, or because (perhaps) the author had picked up on some oif the criticism aimed at that earlier work. There's also the fact, now, that the groundwork has been laid and the fuss died down somewhat: no longer do we have to worry about the sometimes vitriolic accusations aimed at the work.
With all that in mind, I have to say: I still prefer the Heir to the Empire series.
I was completely unaware while reading the first entry ([b:Aftermath|25131600|Aftermath (Star Wars Aftermath, #1)|Chuck Wendig|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1426620007s/25131600.jpg|44828548] that the author was also actually a screen writer, only finding this out by chance later.
That, perhaps, explains why I found the first book so choppy.
While I did find this better than that earlier entry, I'm not sure whether that is because I'm now coming at it with that fresh knowledge, or because (perhaps) the author had picked up on some oif the criticism aimed at that earlier work. There's also the fact, now, that the groundwork has been laid and the fuss died down somewhat: no longer do we have to worry about the sometimes vitriolic accusations aimed at the work.
With all that in mind, I have to say: I still prefer the Heir to the Empire series.
kappareads's review against another edition
It hurts to dnf a book past the halfway point, but a couple things were working against this book
1. Not the book's fault, but definitely affecting my reading experience is not being able to speed up the audiobook. So my motivation to read this book on 1x speed when I know it's gonna be like a 2 or 3 star read has plummeted
2. The gang split up in this last quarter and I'm not usually a fan when that happens. I do like the main cast (minus Jom because hes just... not needed?) but the gang really plays well together and I loved seeing that. They're split up (temporarily I hope) now and it's just not my favorite.
3. The first half seemed kind of... not needed? Like I lost the plot btu it was fine bcause then it hopped onto a whole different plot so???
4. Cobb Vanth's interlude was way closer to the start of the book this time, so my will to keep reading was less so.
Overall, this series is... fine, but I think I'm just going to read Cobb's chapter in book 3 and then try Wendig's horror books and other Disney Star Wars books
1. Not the book's fault, but definitely affecting my reading experience is not being able to speed up the audiobook. So my motivation to read this book on 1x speed when I know it's gonna be like a 2 or 3 star read has plummeted
2. The gang split up in this last quarter and I'm not usually a fan when that happens. I do like the main cast (minus Jom because hes just... not needed?) but the gang really plays well together and I loved seeing that. They're split up (temporarily I hope) now and it's just not my favorite.
3. The first half seemed kind of... not needed? Like I lost the plot btu it was fine bcause then it hopped onto a whole different plot so???
4. Cobb Vanth's interlude was way closer to the start of the book this time, so my will to keep reading was less so.
Overall, this series is... fine, but I think I'm just going to read Cobb's chapter in book 3 and then try Wendig's horror books and other Disney Star Wars books
theroguerebels's review against another edition
5.0
Since the reorganization of the Star Wars canon, the Aftermath series would technically be our first novel trilogy. Aftermath: Life Debt, the second part of the trilogy, takes characters and ideas introduced in Star Wars: Aftermath and builds on them like any good sequel. Lots of the story threads from Aftermath are picked up here (which in any sequel is to be expected) but it’s really cool that along with the main narrative, a lot of the side stories and characters from the interludes also get picked up. Speaking of which, the interludes are back, and they remain just as varied and interesting as in the previous book. The narrative is still written in that present tense style that Wendig used in the first Aftermath book, so if you weren’t a fan of the style itself, be aware that it does continue. It seems a bit tempered in this book, maybe a bit smoother, but I liked the style originally. How does it all fit together?
All in all this book really took what Aftermath laid down and ran with it in a hugely satisfying way! Many plot threads dropped in the interludes that seemed like small glimpses were expanded upon and some even threaded into the main narrative. The writing style continues to imbue this series with a real intensity that just keeps the reader engaged. Ties from The Phantom Menace, to The Clone Wars, to the Princess Leia comic series, to The Force Awakens are all pulled together here. Loved this book even more than its predecessor and I can’t wait to experience the final chapter in 2017! Star Wars Aftermath: Empire’s End!
All in all this book really took what Aftermath laid down and ran with it in a hugely satisfying way! Many plot threads dropped in the interludes that seemed like small glimpses were expanded upon and some even threaded into the main narrative. The writing style continues to imbue this series with a real intensity that just keeps the reader engaged. Ties from The Phantom Menace, to The Clone Wars, to the Princess Leia comic series, to The Force Awakens are all pulled together here. Loved this book even more than its predecessor and I can’t wait to experience the final chapter in 2017! Star Wars Aftermath: Empire’s End!
joeyc1110's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
eajklose's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
diegoba3927's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
robertmorvay's review against another edition
2.0
Boring. A typical middling, meandering step in a larger trilogy. Nothing of merit really occurs.
mhockenson's review against another edition
3.0
I don't get where all the hate for these books is coming from. Is it a literary masterpiece? Hell no! But then again, it's doesn't pretend to be. It is what it is, a decent Star Wars story. It's got Han, Leia, Wedge and others and it fills in some info that I've been questioning about 'The Force Awakens'. Stop whining about your precious EU being taken away and just enjoy the ride that these books provide.