Shadow Fall Review

spoilers ahead!!!!!

"Alphabet Squadron's hunt for the deadliest TIE fighters in the galaxy continues in this Star Wars adventure!"

Shadow Fall by Alexander Freed is a riveting second entry in the Alphabet Squadron trilogy. The book continues the story of our favorite pilots Yrica Quell, Wyl Lark, Nath Tensent, Chass na Chadic, and Kairos as they defend the Cerberon system from 204th Imperial fighter wing. The pilots have to face new challenges as they continue to learn about each other — including facets of their lives they never wanted shared...

I loved this book as much as I loved the first one (which was a lot, if you recall)!!! Alexander Freed's narrative style continues to impress me, with every choice being both unexpected and extremely satisfying. The way the squad is forced to split up throughout the Cerberon system (a system with a such a rich history and culture) was brilliant, and every unique mission challenges and deeply affects each character. I especially loved Chass' journey of being coerced into a cult and having to make her way out. Yrica's story of being stuck with Caern (the man who sent out the details on Yrica's involvement in Operation Cinder) was so capitvating, and Adan's death shocked me in such a great way.

My favorite part of this book was the way that Alexander Freed differentiates between the varying periods of people's lives. Soran Keize becoming himself after being Devon for a time, Chass becoming Maya Hallik (rogue one [peak] reference btw) to better infiltrate the cult; there is power and meaning in becoming someone else and the names we take. Additionally, the way Freed explores the ambiguity and malleablity of memory and testimony was brilliant, reminding me of both testimonio narratives in migrant stories and the way that queer people form lives in delineated eras. It's hard to put into words, but I love it.

Kairos being out of the fight for a while was an interesting choice, but I think that (in addition to not knowing most of the other members of alphabet squadron's fates) it made the squadron's feelings for each other more palpable. I also really liked the callbacks to Freed's first canon novel, Battlefront: Twilight Company. Overall, I really really enjoyed this book. Definitely worth continuing the alphabet squadron books if you've started, but this trilogy is quickly becoming an essential star wars read for me. 9.5/10, amazing sequel!