Today's the day- I am caught up with having a book review for every canon Star Wars novel on this blog! Until tomorrow, when Reign of the Empire: Mask of Fear comes out. But until then, we're focusing on Aftermath: Empire's End by Chuck Wendig. A thrilling conclusion to the trilogy and among the first media to focus on the Battle of Jakku. Each of the characters' arcs concludes in a satisfying way. The ending of the book is joyful and hopeful, but with an ominous cloud hanging over it all.
Want to read these books that just get more and more important to the rest of Star Wars every year? Pick up a copy of the whole trilogy, you won't regret it!
Spoilers ahead for Aftermath: Empire's End by Chuck Wendig.
The Wexley family really takes center stage in this book. Brentin is working with Sloane, trying to figure out what happened to him and make things right, while Sloane strives for revenge against Rax, who she feels destroyed her Empire. Norra, meanwhile, is on a hunt for revenge herself- or justice, depending on how you look at it. Temmin struggles, though. He feels a lot of guilt over what happened, even if he knows it isn't his fault. When a scouting mission to Jakku means Norra and Jas jumping into an escape pod before everybody else escapes, Temmin is desperate to go back and blaze through the entire Imperial fleet- even though it isn't that easy.
Norra, after a tough time in the Jakku desert, reunites with her husband, but it's a short-lived reunion as he's shot by Gallius Rax before the pair really have the time to talk. Throughout the entire book, Norra has conflicting feelings about her husband- unsure of who he is anymore, or where they stand, and what she even wants out of their relationship anymore. It's only at the end does she have clarity and realize how much she just wants him- but too late. It's devastating, but also a good reminder to not put your loved ones on the backburner.
Temmin also witnesses a loss of his own, when Mister Bones claims an AT-ST walker, only for said walker to be destroyed by New Republic bombers not realizing it was no longer an enemy. Temmin has a lot of ups and downs- successes on his missions, improving as a pilot, but also fear for his family and a constant plague of uncertainty and self-doubt. The loss of Mister Bones, Temmin's close friend and a symbol of his accomplishments is a massive blow. Not to mention the later loss of his father, who he barely had time to reconnect with. The losses are heartbreaking, but the end of the war does give both of them time to heal and regrow their relationship.
Sinjir in this book really reminded me why he's one of my favorite Star Wars book characters. He's been adrift for so long, holding only on to the small crew our characters have, that he doesn't know what's on the other side. But he really finds his purpose here- through his very sweet relationship with Conder Kyl, but also with a new career. Mon Mothma unexpectedly offers him a job as an advisor, despite his loathing for politics and really everything. But that's what makes him so good, and his perspective so needed for her. It was a refreshing arc, and lovely to see a character who struggled so much with his perception of himself and with having any hope in people or the galaxy. I also loved his friendship with Jas, who experienced a simple journey learning about how good it feels to be good, and that it's okay to be a little bit trusting.
The ending chapters of the book are really hopeful, which is needed right now. Things aren't perfect and the people of the New Republic have a hard road ahead of them, but things are better. Celebrations across the galaxy, worlds freed from tyranny and a promise of a better galaxy. The political machine will be as frustrating as its ever been, Imperial remnants remain in hiding and there are people who will try to take advantage of the lack of Imperial control- but the galaxy is free for the first time in a long time. It's a breath of fresh air for everybody, and a good reminder that it was all worth it.
Now we know that the story is not over- Sloane escapes, and she has work to do too. Those remnants that escaped to Wild Space need to start getting ready to form the First Order, after all, and the clock is ticking.
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