hstapp's review against another edition
2.0
More blackface from Allston.
It was an okay book. I feel like a big part of these spy type novels is seeing the planning and detail that goes into them. We don't get much of that in this book. The excitement's subdued.
I don't really like Voort's journey and growth here. All the characters really just seem kind of flat. 12 characters is a lot. Especially when most of them are new.
It was an okay book. I feel like a big part of these spy type novels is seeing the planning and detail that goes into them. We don't get much of that in this book. The excitement's subdued.
I don't really like Voort's journey and growth here. All the characters really just seem kind of flat. 12 characters is a lot. Especially when most of them are new.
nachtfalke's review against another edition
5.0
The very necessary reunion novel; like "Adumar" and "Issard's Revenge", not much more than fan service - but of the good kind. "X-Wing" had a substantial fan base in the SW community, and the Del Rey books with their super-convoluted plots didn't manage to emulate the feeling of the earlier novels at all - at least not for me. This one, written when it must have been obvious that a reboot of SW was in the works already, is a nice reprise - and a farewell, because it's the kind of novel that we're probably not going to see again.
mal8181's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mparker546's review against another edition
4.0
Good legacy addition to the series. Sad there will not be more of these.
alphaalexis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
bianca_horkan's review
2.0
I was really, really hoping for the Wraith Squadron of old...well, the "feel" of it anyway.
I didn't get it. I only finished this book because I felt obligated to do so, for the sake of my own fandom.
I didn't get it. I only finished this book because I felt obligated to do so, for the sake of my own fandom.
kristensk's review against another edition
4.0
Finally, there is a new X-Wing novel, and it is fantastic with all of Aaron Allston's trademark humor and a gripping, twisting plot.
madetofly's review against another edition
3.0
I'll keep this review brief as this is the tenth book in a series.
This book felt like it might have been better as a standalone than as part of the X-Wing series. Not only was it published more than a decade after the book that comes before it but the story also takes place long, long after the previous book. Few characters from earlier in the series appear in this book, and though Piggy was meant to serve as a bridge, I'm not sure that it was effective.
Mostly, it felt like this story was too removed from what came before it to be part of the same series.
On top of that, I found it difficult to get into the story and found myself bored for the majority of it. I don't regret having read it as I had read all of the others, but it wasn't my favorite.
http://hmweasley-blog.blogspot.com/2017/06/book-review-x-wing-mercy-kill-by-aaron.html
This book felt like it might have been better as a standalone than as part of the X-Wing series. Not only was it published more than a decade after the book that comes before it but the story also takes place long, long after the previous book. Few characters from earlier in the series appear in this book, and though Piggy was meant to serve as a bridge, I'm not sure that it was effective.
Mostly, it felt like this story was too removed from what came before it to be part of the same series.
On top of that, I found it difficult to get into the story and found myself bored for the majority of it. I don't regret having read it as I had read all of the others, but it wasn't my favorite.
http://hmweasley-blog.blogspot.com/2017/06/book-review-x-wing-mercy-kill-by-aaron.html
idonthavebroadband's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
2.75
peregrineace's review
4.0
In the interest of fairness, I need to admit that I purchased this book after the untimely passing of author Aaron Allston and wanted to show support for the hours of entertainment he's provided me over the years. I loved the X-Wing series as a kid. Allston and Stackpole got me through more than a few boring classes. But I had put off this book due to my disinterest in the recent, recycled Star Wars EU. Plus, the reviews were mixed and I wasn't sure I wanted to tarnish some great memories of a fun series with a bad ending.
Now, I'm not really sure what those other reviewers are talking about. While this isn't a direct continuation of the original Wraith Squadron series in story or style, it's certainly in the spirit of it. The heists, the groan worthy jokes, the banter, the ridiculously complicated schemes... it's all here. This story is a little more single-character-centric but Allston did a solid job moving Piggy, Face, & Co. ahead 30 years, as well as accounting for some of what Wraith Squadron was doing during the Vong war. I even enjoyed meeting some of the new Wraiths, particularly Myri Antilles, although a few of them blurred a bit for me. The only thing I disliked was that the final mission was less tense than I'd have liked; it was a bit of a mystery as to what they were trying to accomplish so the big reveal(s) didn't work as well for me.
For fans of the rest of the SW EU, a passing familiarity with the New Jedi Order series and a re-read of Wraith Squadron are helpful (lots of name dropping from that set). I only read half of Fate of the Jedi and wasn't lost, although there are some minor spoilers for that series. Still definitely recommended for fans nostalgic for the X-Wing series of the '90s.
Now, I'm not really sure what those other reviewers are talking about. While this isn't a direct continuation of the original Wraith Squadron series in story or style, it's certainly in the spirit of it. The heists, the groan worthy jokes, the banter, the ridiculously complicated schemes... it's all here. This story is a little more single-character-centric but Allston did a solid job moving Piggy, Face, & Co. ahead 30 years, as well as accounting for some of what Wraith Squadron was doing during the Vong war. I even enjoyed meeting some of the new Wraiths, particularly Myri Antilles, although a few of them blurred a bit for me. The only thing I disliked was that the final mission was less tense than I'd have liked; it was a bit of a mystery as to what they were trying to accomplish so the big reveal(s) didn't work as well for me.
For fans of the rest of the SW EU, a passing familiarity with the New Jedi Order series and a re-read of Wraith Squadron are helpful (lots of name dropping from that set). I only read half of Fate of the Jedi and wasn't lost, although there are some minor spoilers for that series. Still definitely recommended for fans nostalgic for the X-Wing series of the '90s.