Reviews

Life Debt by Chuck Wendig

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!

joeyc1110's review

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.

tiedyedude's review against another edition

4.0

With all the pesky character introductions and set-up out of the way, this sequel incorporates some legacy characters into a decent story that digs into the politics of transitioning out of the Empire and the continued effectiveness of a small, ragtag group of rebels to get things done.

starwarrior91's review against another edition

3.0

Several good and occasionally great concepts sullied by either weak execution, poor dialogue, or both. I’m glad I’m finally going through this trilogy, but also glad this author no longer produces Star Wars content

typesetjez's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

super_jane19's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

4.25