Aftermath

Aftermath by Chuck Wendig, 379 pages


So despite giving up on the Star Wars extended universe somewhere in my high school years, I was at least briefly drawn back into its fold. In what might be the first new canon book of the Disney owned Star Wars era, Aftermath takes place shortly after the destruction of the second Death Star, while the faltering Empire tries to consolidate its power, and halt the rampant advance of the New Republic.

Despite being away from these books for so long, I can certainly see why younger me was so interested. There are gun (blaster) battles, space fights and other melees. Since at this point in the canon there is really only the one known Jedi, Luke, there are not any lightsaber battles, which is kind of a let down. The space fight is also a little half-hearted for my taste. Where this book does thrive though, is the portrayal of Admiral Akbar and the rebellious fighting from which the New Republic was born. This is not the orderly and neat battles the Empire is known for, this is the knock down drag out bar like fights that really could go either way. It was in this element Wendig really captured what makes the Star Wars series such a compelling read.

Despite being labeled quite clearly across the top that this is part of the "Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens" this book does not quite get you there. Which makes sense, as this is, I believe, part of a trilogy that results in The Force Awakens. So just read Aftermath, and those other two books then go see the movie. But really who am I kidding, you already saw the movie.