Aftermath: Life Debt is the middle piece of the Aftermath trilogy, and an important one. The sequel tests the characters that we grew to love in the first one while also diving into the evolving politics of the galaxy. This sees our characters both split and reunite, both with each other and with who they thought they were. It also shines a spotlight on Han Solo, and especially his relationship with Chewbacca and the strong bond those two characters have.
The Aftermath trilogy laid the groundwork for the galaxy as we know it in The Mandalorian and related shows, and you can pick up the entire trilogy yourself here!
Spoilers ahead for Aftermath: Life Debt by Chuck Wendig.
What's most interesting about this book is seeing the New Republic as it's still trying to find its footing. They're in a precarious situation with few resources, and trying to finish a war and become a stable government at the same time. This means characters we're used to rooting for, like Mon Mothma, holding the New Republic back from helping liberate Kashyyyk in favor of trying to reach a settlement with the Empire that will save more lives. Now of course rebels don't turn rule-followers easily, and Kashyyyk is liberated thanks to the efforts of our main characters as well as Leia, Han and Ackbar. But it's really fun in the book to be able to see all sides of the conflict and understand where everyones coming from in this uncharted territory.
Speaking of uncharted territory, the Empire is in a worse spot than ever before. Sloane is forced to play leader in front of others, while under the thumb of Gallius Rax. Sloane is frustrated with her new position, but it all comes to a head when Sloane is sent to try and reach a peace treaty with the New Republic. She pretends she's ready to surrender, knowing full well that Rax has orchestrated an attack to interrupt peace talks, and hopefully cripple the fledgling New Republic before its wings are ready. But while Sloane pictures Star Destroyers bombarding the city and showing the full might of the Empire she believes in, what actually happens horrifies her. Recently freed captives in a secret prison on Kashyyyk turn out to secretly have mind controlling chips in their heads, and they are activated- leading to them turning on the people around them causing mass chaos and bloodshed. Now chaos and bloodshed isn't what horrifies Sloane- it's the guerilla tactics that do. Sloane feels like the Empire is above something so covert, and that it doesn't provide an image of pure strength to the galaxy. She flees the attack and swears revenge on Rax, and hopes to take her Empire back.
Now smaller-picture, what are our main characters up to? There's a lot of growth in this book, but also a lot of strain on our characters and their relationships. This applies to everybody, but I want to talk about the Wexleys especially. When Norra and Temmin help to free the secret prisoners, among them, to their surprise, is Brentin. Brentin, Norra's believed-late husband and Temmin's father. It's a sweet reunion, but things sour. Brentin is really off, going on mysterious long walks and acting distant and distracted from his family. Norra and Temmin's already fragile regrowing relationship ends up shattered when Temmin blames her for his father's melancholy.
But Temmin is a curious person, and that curiosity leads him to follow Brentin on one of his walks- before he can really get to the bottom of Brentin's suspicious behavior, Brentin stuns him and locks him away. Temmin escapes along with Mister Bones and tries to warn people, but he's too late and the above mentioned mind-control attack goes off, with Brentin nearly killing Mon Mothma before disappearing. Brentin escapes, stowing away with Sloane and making her promise to help him return to himself and get to the bottom of what's happening.
Be sure to check out Aftermath: Life Debt for yourself!
Comments