Aftermath – Life Debt (Star Wars – Aftermath #2) By: Chuck Wendig

Plot:

Set between the events of “Return of the Jedi” and “The Force Awakens, “the never-before-told story that began with “Star Wars: Aftermath” continues in this thrilling novel, the second book of Chuck Wendig s “New York Times” bestselling trilogy.

“It is a dark time for the Empire. . . .”

The Emperor is dead, and the remnants of his former Empire are in retreat. As the New Republic fights to restore a lasting peace to the galaxy, some dare to imagine new beginnings and new destinies. For Han Solo, that means settling his last outstanding debt, by helping Chewbacca liberate the Wookiee s homeworld of Kashyyyk. 

Meanwhile, Norra Wexley and her band of Imperial hunters pursue Grand Admiral Rae Sloane and the Empire s remaining leadership across the galaxy. Even as more and more officers are brought to justice, Sloane continues to elude the New Republic, and Norra fears Sloane may be searching for a means to save the crumbling Empire from oblivion. But the hunt for Sloane is cut short when Norra receives an urgent request from Princess Leia Organa. The attempt to liberate Kashyyyk has carried Han Solo, Chewbacca, and a band of smugglers into an ambush resulting in Chewie s capture and Han s disappearance.

Breaking away from their official mission and racing toward the “Millennium Falcon” s last known location, Norra and her crew prepare for any challenge that stands between them and their missing comrades. But they can’t anticipate the true depth of the danger that awaits them or the ruthlessness of the enemy drawing them into his crosshairs.

Review:

First person present is never going to be my favorite tense to read in and like last time it took me some time to get into. It also took me a little bit to remember who was who and what was going on.

I ended up putting this book down a lot and didn’t really feel inspired to finish it until after I saw Rogue One. However, I don’t blame that solely on the book but more on the fact that I’m days away from my due date and having serious issues concentrating on anything.

Lots happened and Han, Leia, and Chewie were a bigger part in this story. There was more of a focus on romance and love interests in this one and I’m not sure if I like it. Didn’t really need the love triangle with Norra, though that ended up being interesting so I guess it was alright. The other romance was just background and I don’t really see why it was necessary.

I really liked the parts that showed the New Republic and the issues that it was experiencing. The transition is difficult and I like that things aren’t just coming easy. It was realistic that these people who are supposed to be good were falling into the same old traps.

Jas has somehow become a female Han Solo which I could do without. She was such a badass on her own and now she’s dealing with pretty much the exact same issues he had without the swagger and cool. She’s distant and blunt, which works with badass, but the rest of her story that was revealed was boring and pretty much already done.

Jom has been chewed up and discarded. Sinjir tried to grow only to fail and apart from Jas seems to be ignored which is sad.

I like the characters in this series a lot. I like the nods that I’m getting to the movies and the universe that’s being fleshed out. I just think there were too many threads going on in this one. The crew split up into groups and we followed both of them, we followed Admiral Sloane, Han, Leia, and a few other people. It was a lot and I think the main crew ended up suffering because of it.

3.5/5