wispirr's review
5.0
I've decided I love this series.
Galactic Outlaws is the second Galaxy's Edge book, and it's surprising to me how different it is from the first. Legionnaire was a war story on a desert world, with about a postage stamp's worth of worldbuilding... until you get to the epilogue, which felt like a short story in which the writers tell you that you haven't seen anything yet. In this book, which takes place several years later, the worldbuilding gets blown wide open and we finally see the beginnings of a real epic conflict.
There are two main characters in here: Keel, an obvious Han Solo archetype but with more competence and fewer scruples; and Tyrus Rechs, who acts as a sort of cross between Boba Fett and Captain Rex from Clone Wars. Rechs is a fantastic character, one of my favorites in all of science fiction, a grizzled old supersoldier turned bounty hunter who's barely holding onto his sanity after getting into far too many fights and major galactic events. There's also several supporting characters, each of which is fun in their own way.
And that's the best word I know for this book: fun. The characters are entertaining, the action is relentless, and the pacing is fast. Yet the authors put just enough weighty themes in there (particularly the dangers of seeking revenge) to avoid letting the story feel vapid.
I'm excited to read the next one! With how fast the authors pump these books out I'm not sure if I'll ever catch up, and right now I'm totally okay with that.
Galactic Outlaws is the second Galaxy's Edge book, and it's surprising to me how different it is from the first. Legionnaire was a war story on a desert world, with about a postage stamp's worth of worldbuilding... until you get to the epilogue, which felt like a short story in which the writers tell you that you haven't seen anything yet. In this book, which takes place several years later, the worldbuilding gets blown wide open and we finally see the beginnings of a real epic conflict.
There are two main characters in here: Keel, an obvious Han Solo archetype but with more competence and fewer scruples; and Tyrus Rechs, who acts as a sort of cross between Boba Fett and Captain Rex from Clone Wars. Rechs is a fantastic character, one of my favorites in all of science fiction, a grizzled old supersoldier turned bounty hunter who's barely holding onto his sanity after getting into far too many fights and major galactic events. There's also several supporting characters, each of which is fun in their own way.
And that's the best word I know for this book: fun. The characters are entertaining, the action is relentless, and the pacing is fast. Yet the authors put just enough weighty themes in there (particularly the dangers of seeking revenge) to avoid letting the story feel vapid.
I'm excited to read the next one! With how fast the authors pump these books out I'm not sure if I'll ever catch up, and right now I'm totally okay with that.
lionkingzim's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
thinde's review
4.0
Wow! This is even better than the first book. In fact, it has a distinctly different tone as well.
The first book was 90% military action. This one maintains a dynamic tension between the main characters, as the reader tries to work out the central mystery while wondering when these characters will come together.
Am I saying "characters" too often? That's because this novel is very much a character-driven story. And they're all interesting, three-dimensional people that we are forced to care about.
The ending was a bit much for me, so I'll take a break before diving into this universe again.
The first book was 90% military action. This one maintains a dynamic tension between the main characters, as the reader tries to work out the central mystery while wondering when these characters will come together.
Am I saying "characters" too often? That's because this novel is very much a character-driven story. And they're all interesting, three-dimensional people that we are forced to care about.
The ending was a bit much for me, so I'll take a break before diving into this universe again.
dking's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
brodz54's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
jd83's review against another edition
4.0
Entertaining enough, a well rounded story, but not super engaging for some reason. I will probably read the next one in the series to see if it catches my attention more, and maybe try the 'Savage Wars' trilogy to see if that is good.
jamestomasino's review against another edition
4.0
I finally got around to this one and I'm glad I did. The story is very different in tone and setting than the previous book. This felt more like an adventure with colorful and memorable characters than the military story in book one. The ending has set some major changes in motion for the next story as well. Can't wait to read that next.
auspea's review against another edition
5.0
Great military space adventure, read it, you won't be disappointed.