While I was still on the fence about the original Alphabet Squadron book, Alexander Freed won me over with Shadow Fall's intricate and deeply personal character work and explorations of trauma. Building on those themes, he delivered a successful final instalment to his trilogy and made sure characters like Yrica Quell, Chass and Nath Tensent will continue to live in fans' hearts as well-rounded characters (despite and also because of their flaws and failings). There has rarely been a Star Wars book as suspenseful as this one!

The conclusion of the Alphabet Trilogy is not as mercilessly dark as it’s predecessor but it is ever but as tense and morally complex as a reader has grown to expect from Alexander Freed. He has done a difficult task but managed to stick the landing of this superb trilogy.

The final book in the Alphabet Squadron trilogy, Victory’s Price by Alexander Freed, is out today! I really enjoyed the first two books, so how does this one compare? Here are my spoiler free thoughts.

In short, I loved it. Alphabet Squadron is one of my favorite canon books. I liked Shadow Fall a lot, but not quite as much as the first in the series. And I would say Victory’s Price is probably somewhere in between. Over time I could see it rising to become even with the first book. But really, I have to admit that these books are a trilogy. They work together seamlessly to tell one, long story. It kind of reminds me of something like Lord of the Rings, which, sure, is broken into three books, but it’s clear what the story was from the start. Victory’s Price is an insanely satisfying conclusion to story beats established over the previous two books.

Now. It is super up my alley because I love pilot stories. I was inclined to like this trilogy from the start. I’d be hesitant to say Victory’s Price or the other two books are for any and every Star Wars fan. Looking at something like Light of the Jedi, I would one hundred percent recommend every fan at least give it a try. The Alphabet Squadron books are different. They’re very personal. They’re thoughtful. Even though they’re not overly long, I find them to be much more difficult reads. It just took me more time to get through it, because it’s heavy. While there are, of course, great dogfights, starfighter action scenes, and very creative locations for battles, they aren’t the highlight of the book for me. Every single book in the trilogy I feel like I’m a quarter of the way into it and I’m not convinced I like it, but then there will be one scene where everything just clicks for me and I get it.

I don’t think that’s what every Star Wars fan is looking for. Honestly, it’s usually not what I’m looking for in a Star Wars book. I like learning new revelations, new lore, all that good, nerdy stuff. There’s very little of that in any of the three books, but especially Victory’s Price. When it comes time to update the big Canon Timeline video I do every year, Alphabet Squadron won’t take up much time. But I find the characters, their story, and the real world questions these books bring up to be so good I just don’t care.

If you liked the first two Alphabet Squadron books, you will almost certainly love Victory’s Price. If you like pilot stories, or a book that will really challenge you and make you think, you’ll definitely get that here. But if you’re looking for new lore or revelations about the galaxy or Operation Cinder or how the Emperor somehow survived, that’s not what these books are about. They’re about seven characters and how war has affected them. And as the title suggests, this third book specifically asks what the price of victory is.

The Empire is notorious for achieving their goals no matter the cost. But what about when they start to be on the losing side? Why would they go along with something like Operation Cinder? Why keep committing genocides and atrocities for a dead Emperor? Maybe it’s because a New Republic victory would mean having to face the consequences of their actions. Maybe it’s because failing would mean all those terrible things someone did would have ultimately been for nothing. Maybe it’s both.

The book deals with guilt and personal growth and forgiveness in a very Star Wars way. With war and crazy heightened stakes. When does someone go too far to be beyond forgiveness? I think the book argues it’s when they lose the capacity to examine themselves, admit they were wrong about something, and commit to being better. But it also argues that forgiveness is personal, and doesn’t mean there won’t be any consequences. Again, this is a very heavy Star Wars read, in my opinion. I think I’ll do a full on spoiler review later, because I want to talk about these themes more in depth, but don’t want to spoiler anything for the book on day one of its release.

This review was published for Unaltered Magazine:
https://unaltered.at/2021/04/13/buch-review-star-wars-victorys-price-alphabet-squadron-buch-3/

Wer Star Wars hört, der denkt an actiongeladene Weltraum-Märchen voller finsterer Bösewichte und strahlender Helden – und auch wenn dies spätestens seit Rogue One und The Last Jedi nicht mehr ganz stimmt, können wir uns in den Filmen der Sternensaga bislang zumindest immer darauf verlassen, dass die Grenzen zwischen Gut und Böse klar gezeichnet sind und das Licht am Ende siegt. In den zugehörigen Büchern zum Krieg der Sterne sieht die Sache etwas anders aus. Hier wird nicht allzu selten und mit weit mehr Tiefgang als in den Leinwandabenteuern beleuchtet, wie fließend die Grenzen zwischen beiden Extremen wirklich sind, dass Moral viele Gesichter hat, und dass nicht jeder, der an die Werte des Imperiums – oder jene der Republik – glaubt, automatisch auch böse – oder eben nicht – ist. Aufritt: Victory’s Price, das vor wenigen Wochen die Alphabet Squadron-Trilogie abschloss, zuvor jedoch nochmals all ihre Charaktere vor so manche schwierige Entscheidung stellte.

Zwischen den Fronten
Das Ende von Shadow Fall ließ Hauptcharakter Yrica Quell und ihre Staffel gebrochen zurück: Das Geheimnis um ihren nicht ganz freiwilligen Abgang aus Shadow Wing war gelüftet, ihre ehemaligen Kammeraden gegen sie aufgebracht, und der einzige Mensch, der Alphabet noch zusammenhalten konnte, Adan Caern, fand sein vorzeitiges Ende auf einem desolaten Asteroiden, weit weg von allen, denen er Erklärungen geschuldet hätte. Als wir Yrica in Shadow Fall das letzte Mal sahen, war sie auf dem Weg zurück zu Shadow Wing – zurück in die Arme ihres ehemaligen Mentors Soran Keize –, während die Überreste von Alphabet mit den Verlusten ihres Kampfs im Cerberon-System klarkommen mussten, nicht zuletzt von Yrica selbst.
Victory’s Price setzt genau dort an. Wenige Wochen nach ihrer Rückkehr ist Quell erneut im Dienst von Shadow Wing und plant nun Angriffe auf jene, die sie bis vor Kurzem Freunde und Kameraden nannte. Immer noch nennt – denn während nach außen hin alles den Anschein machen soll, dass Yrica nach einem wenig erfreulichen Trip in die vergebungslosen Arme der Republik ihren Weg zurück zu ihren wahren Verbündeten gefunden hat, agiert sie in Wirklichkeit, und ohne Wissen dieser, als geheimer Spion der Neuen Republik.
Doch ganz so einfach sind die Dinge nicht – denn der wiederhergestellte Kontakt mit ihren imperialen Ex-Kollegen, allen voran Keize, ruft Erinnerungen an ihre eigene Vergangenheit wach und konfrontiert Yrica mit der Frage, was sie von ihren Nun-wieder-Kameraden tatsächlich unterscheidet – und ob sich nach allem, was sie getan hat, überhaupt noch das Recht hat, diese zu verurteilen.

Moralisches Dilemma
Einige Kernthemen, die sich durch alle drei Alphabet Squadron-Bücher ziehen, sind die Fragen danach, bis zu welchem Punkt der Zweck die Mittel heiligt, welchen Stellenwert Loyalität einnehmen darf, und ob vergangene Fehler durch folgende Taten tatsächlich ausgeglichen werden können. Victory’s Price versucht, die jeweiligen Antworten zu finden, macht dabei allerdings klar, dass dies lediglich aus der Perspektive einzelner Charaktere geschehen kann und dass so etwas wie eine allgemeine Wahrheit diesbezüglich schlicht nicht existiert.
Wie seine Vorgänger wirft das Buch fantastische Blicke in die Gefühlswelt seiner Charaktere und zeichnet Figuren, die sowohl komplex wie auch glaubhaft sind – und das alles vor einer übergeordneten Story, die bis zur letzten Seite auf Trab hält. Die Längen, die einige Passagen von Shadow Fall ein wenig mühsam zu lesen machten, werden in Victory’s Price zu kurzweiligen Szenen, die die richtige Balance zwischen Action und Introspektive finden. Was der Geschichte dabei definitiv guttut, ist der oftmalige Schauplatzwechsel, der in Teil zwei ein wenig fehlte – und auch der Fokus auf das Vorantreiben und den eventuellen Abschluss der einzelnen Charakter-Bögen bringt frischen Wind ins Geschehen. War Kairos beispielsweise bislang ein wörtlich stillschweigendes Mysterium, über das wir in zwei vollen Büchern kaum Neues erfuhren, kommt nun letztendlich mehr Licht in die Sache. Wyl darf sich als neu eingesetzter Anführer von Alphabet Squadron neuen Herausforderungen und alten Sehnsüchten stellen, während Chass ihre seit jeher chaotische Gefühlswelt auf neuen Wegen in von ihr unbeschrittene Bahnen lenkt. Der wohl interessanteste Charakter (noch-)Alphabets ist aber nach wie vor der Harte-Schale-weicher-Kern-Haudrauf Nath, der in Victory’s Price ebenfalls wieder glänzen darf und dabei einmal mehr beweist, dass Graucharaktere Geschichten erst die richtige Würze verleihen.
Quell selbst, mitsamt ihrem moralischen Konflikt, wird schön gezeichnet und wirft Fragen und Blickwiesen auf, die beim Lesen vor allem deshalb so faszinieren, weil sie die Realität mehr denn je widerspiegeln: Unterschiedliche Perspektiven, Prioritäten und gewählte Mittel, die konträrer nicht sein könnten, aber dennoch allesamt weder aus bösen Absichten noch noblen Intentionen heraus entstehend, sondern das bloße Resultat der eigenen (oft konditionierten) Werte, Erfahrungen und Umstände sind.

Der Fuß des Eisbergs
Was die meisten Leute als Star Wars kennen, ist bloß die Spitze des sprichwörtlichen Eisbergs, während sich einige der besten, tiefgründigsten und introspektivsten Geschichten stattdessen in Büchern verstecken. Alphabet Squadron samt seinem dritten und somit letzten Teil Victory’s Price reiht sich hier in eine lange Folge eindrucksvoller Werke ein. Von Quell über ihre Staffelkameraden von Alphabet bis hin zu ihren beiden Mentoren Soran Keize und Hera Syndulla ist jeder Charakter der Serie wundervoll ausgearbeitet und beleuchtet jene Seiten des Konflikts zwischen Republik und Imperium, die in den Filmen und Serien oft zu kurz kommen: den menschlich-moralischen Aspekt, weit jenseits der spektakulären Weltraumschlachten, fantastischen Lichtschwertkämpfe und epischen Siege von Gut über Böse. Victory’s Price zeigt, dass es kaum besser ist, die richtigen Dinge aus den falschen Gründen zu tun als die falschen Dinge aus den richtigen Gründen, dass Moral und Anstand, mehr als alles andere, von der eigenen Perspektive abhängen, und dass Verlierer manchmal weniger verloren sind als Sieger. Victory’s Price war ein äußerst gelungener Abschluss für eine großartige Trilogie, die sich kein Fan von Star Wars, der tiefer in die Welt und ihre Geschichten eintauchen möchte, entgehen lassen sollte.

Here is our review (in French) : https://www.starwars-universe.com/actu-18259-critique-de-alphabet-squadron-victory-s-price-d-alexander-freed.html

Well, I wrote a whole review....and then copied unrelated text over it. So...this is an inferior take 2. :(

Between and betrayal and the ongoing war, the pilots of Alphabet Squadron must remember why they are fighting and what it means to be a team. Broken and tired after the Battle of Troithe in SHADOW FALL, VICTORY'S PRICE brings us one step closer to the end of the war and one step closer to peace. With the end in sight, both sides are trying to figure out what it means to win and to lose, and how to move forward in a new world. For the pilots of Alphabet Squadron, what is the price of victory?
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Freed has a strong understanding of the human condition and doesn't shy away from the complexities of trauma and the weight of war. He builds his characters in such a way that allows us to truly see who they are and what they are going though. This approach makes characters' interpersonal relationships the most meaty and interesting parts of the book. Not something you'd necessarily expect for a book that advertises it being about a group of pilots, at least not to me! So many of the conversations truly matter, not only to the characters, but to me as a reader who doesn't live in a space opera. Each character gets their due in this book, and each of them feels finds a satisfying c0nclusion to their character arc.

This series ends *well*. No spoilers here, but this is to say that I felt justified in the time that I spent reading these books and getting to know and fall in love with these characters. The conclusion of this book gives me a sense of hope for the world and a sense of gratitude for Alexander Freed. In a world where it seems that so much of our favorite media doesn't stick the landing or doesn't do right by the characters they've spent so long crafting, VICTORY'S PRICE is a balm.

There's not much I'd change in this book, but if I had to comment on one thing that I didn't love as much as the rest, I'd say that the beginning of the book moved a bit slower than the rest of it. It starts to hit around halfway through, and is impossible to put down once you get to part 3 (I'm serious, prepare yourself). But before that, the book is slower as it sets up this game of cat and mouse, and as we are building what the pilots' lives look like after the battle of Troithe. This isn't that strong of a criticism, I know, but it was honestly hard for me to find any!

All in all, Freed has outdone himself with this one. This finale is one I'd very highly recommend to not fans of the trilogy in books 1&2, but readers who are on the fence about starting the trilogy and readers who don't quite know if they're going to finish it. It is so so worth it, if you're asking me.

Alphabet Squadron: Victory’s Price is an Emotionally Satisfying Conclusion to the Trilogy 

Alphabet Squadron: Victory’s Price picks up right where Shadow Fall left us. Delivering the final act of a trilogy is no easy feat, and yet Alexander Freed delivers an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat, and satisfying conclusion to the beloved Alphabet Squadron series. 

With Wyl Lark on the cover of Alphabet Squadron: Victory’s Price, it’s safe to assume that his story is at the center of the novel — and it is. He also has a few close calls that had me seriously concerned about what direction this book was heading in. His journey is an emotionally satisfying one and the trauma that all of the characters have endured is mentioned, though not delved into as fully as I may have wanted to see. But there is a great note about the fact that they haven’t had a therapist aboard since Adan. 

As a fan of Star Wars: Rebels, I was thrilled with how much of a prominent role Hera Syndulla had in Alphabet Squadron: Victory’s Price. She was a driving force of motivation for the new characters that the series introduced us to and provided the perfect anchor for those who may need external character connections when delving into the literary universes of Star Wars. 

And don’t worry, Yrica Quell’s story is far from over since we last met with her. Victory’s Price delves deep into her character, motives, and actions — exploring her character arc with all of the grace and respect that should be afforded to her character. 

It would have been easy for Freed to choose a path where Mon Mothma decided to make an example out of Yrica Quell’s traitorous actions over the course of the Alphabet Squadron trilogy, but instead, he wrote a path that I hope more Star Wars creators are brave enough to tread in the future. Quell’s choices are not forgotten, her actions related to the destruction of Nacronis are not forgotten, but she is allowed to live with them. Despite it all, she even gets the girl in the end. 

The “Victory’s Price” segment of the novel brings satisfying closure for not only the readers, but for the characters. Readers are not left to worry about the fates of the characters they’ve grown fond of, as Freed elaborates on the “after” that they share together and independently, while smartly leaving it with the potential to revisit this chapter of the Star Wars story in the future. 

Alexander Freed’s strength lays in making nuanced characters that come alive on the pages of his novels. Each character in the Alphabet Squadron trilogy has had a distinct voice, a distinct personality, and a distinct way of resonating with all of us. Whether it’s stories about duty, acceptance, trust, or victory — Freed’s unique voice has created a Star Wars story that is worthy of sitting alongside the great sci-fi classics dwelling on anyone’s bookshelf.  

Alphabet Squadron: Victory’s Price is a fitting end to a trilogy that reinvigorated the imaginations of so many Star Wars fans. From daunting tales of piloting feats, to the human stories that resonate through every Star Wars tale, and the connections that make all of us who we are, you won’t want to miss out on the end of this story.

This review of Star Wars: Victory’s Price: An Alphabet Squadron Novel by Alexander Freed may contain minor spoilers.

The final book in the Alphabet Squadron trilogy was released this week. Victory’s Price by Alexander Freed brings to a close the story of a disparate group of pilots, known collectively as Alphabet Squadron, fighting the remnants of the Empire in the days and months following the Rebellion’s victory at Endor. In Victory’s Price, Wyl Lark graces the cover and takes center stage, just as Yrica Quell did in Alphabet Squadron, and Chass na Chadic did in Shadow Fall.

Although focus lands predominately on Wyl, the circumstances of the other characters don’t receive short shrift. Victory’s Price picks up not long after the events of Shadow Fall, and Yrica Quell has presumably deserted Alphabet Squadron for a return to the Empire and the 204th Shadow Wing, and to her mentor Soran Keize.

The circumstances surrounding Quell’s departure leave her former cohorts angry and confused. In particular Chass na Chadic and the enigmatic Kairos as they pursue Quell seeking revenge for her betrayal and participation in the Emperor’s deadly final order, Operation Cinder.

Wyl Lark is the new leader of Alphabet Squadron, but he’s increasingly disillusioned with the ongoing conflict. Wyl is weary of war and deeply homesick. He feels pulled in directions that would take him away from Alphabet. This eventually leads to conflict with Nath Tensent, and risks as Wyl tries to arrive at some resolution with Keize and Shadow Wing.

Under Soran Keize, and with Yrica Quell at his side, the 204th plays a game of cat and mouse across the galaxy with the New Republic forces led by General Hera Syndulla, as it deals judgement upon Imperial holdouts and continues with Operation Cinder.

Victory’s Price does not lack for adventure and thrilling action worthy of Star Wars, but it really shines in the quieter moments shared between the characters, people who have been through so much and bear the wounds. The relationships feel deeply personal and honest. Quell is still trying to find her place, and Kairos, her identity. Wyl longs for home, while Nath feels unease at being called a hero. Chass looks for understanding of herself, beyond the influence of the Children of the Empty Sun cult.

The final chapters are highly satisfying, and the conclusion is filled with forgiveness, mutual respect and admiration, and absolution of self and others. Each member of Alphabet Squadron has a fully developed arc. Writing these characters and imbuing them real emotion, courage, and complicated natures seems to be a special strength of author Alexander Freed.

The unabridged audiobook presentation of Victory’s Price is read by January LaVoy. She’s an effective narrator and keeps the pacing consistent with that set by the book. (Both book and audiobook were experienced for this review.) Overall, the quality of the audiobook is on par with the highest of standards. Select musical cues from the Star Wars films are used effectively, as well as some original music likely created for this production, accentuate the action and the interpersonal exchanges.

There’s always a bit of trepidation coming into the conclusion of a trilogy. Will the payoff be worth it? Will it resonate emotionally with the reader? Will it be satisfying? Yes is the answer to all these questions when applied to Victory’s Price. Outside of a quibble or two on the part of this reviewer, the conclusion of the Alphabet Squadron trilogy sits very well while leaving the reader with a desire to see more from these characters in the future. (Ahem, Kairos….)

Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you to Del Rey and Penguin Random House Audio for providing copies for review purposes.

Parts of my review of Victory's Price for Dork Side of the Force:

"By the events of Victory’s Price, the post-Endor galactic war has continued for almost a year. The Rebels-turned-New Republic soldiers are exhausted — mentally and physically — and many are hard-pressed to find any joy in victory over an Empire they’ve been fighting for decades. That includes Alphabet Squadron, the mish-mashed group of pilots who have been tasked with hunting down and destroying the notorious Shadow Wing. And by Victory’s Price, Nath Tensent, Wyl Lark, Chass na Chadic and Kairos are grappling with their commander Yrica Quell’s shocking decision at the end of Shadow Fall.

Each pilot comes with heavy baggage, including trauma, stalled grief, anger and resentment. That baggage is explored and resolved in Victory’s Price through heart-pounding space battles and so many close calls the book felt like a roller coaster of worry over whether characters would survive to the next page. The entire trilogy is heavy on military strategy, and Freed seems to have hit his stride in Victory’s Price on turning stiff dialogue and dizzying battles into an artful narrative.

The Alphabet Squadron trilogy has the best parts of Star Wars — emotionally complex characters overcoming impossible odds — with excitement, intensity and grit that set it apart. With Victory’s Price, Freed cements the series as a must-read for any Star Wars fan who wants to better understand the traumatic toll war has on those who wage it."

Endings are hard, just ask J.J. Abrams, especially ones with many moving pieces, high to catastrophically high stakes, and a large main cast, all who must be accounted for since this story begins and ends, in media res. Considering canon only and removing The High Republic, there’s almost as much Star Wars that comes after Alphabet Squadron, as does before it. So, not only does Alexander have to squeeze this trilogy into a very delicate part of the timeline, but it must be precise, it must be entertaining, and it must be accountable.

So, how did Mr. Freed do?

I made it known even before reading Victory’s Price that this trilogy is my favorite of all time, including the EU. The first two books are achievements in Star Wars storytelling as far as I’m concerned, with Shadow Fall in particular expanding our purview of what a Star Wars book can accomplish.

I’m happy to say that not only did Victory’s Price reinforce my position, but it’s also made me even more bold when it comes to stating it. So, to answer the question, yes, Alex stuck the landing. How he did that and what takes place is what we’ll discuss.

The greatest compliment I can give Alex is that he somehow writes Star Wars without it feeling contrived in any way. You could replace every single Star Wars axiom and bit of vernacular and it would still be a great story. He’s one of only a few who I think accomplishes this on the reg, Claudia Gray being another that springs to mind. Strong, tactile character work is at the heart of both, grounding stories with emotionally relatable underpinnings.

What Alex has done here, is go beyond simple battles of good versus evil, of light versus dark. More than almost any other, what he’s offering is a decisively more morally complex view of the not only the universe, but also the people who occupy it. And in doing so, has created a majestically nuanced version of Star Wars that is more textured, complicated, beautiful, violent, and rich than before. And he did it without using superlatives or ideas and concepts that have been laundered to death. I really think this is as original a Star Wars story as you’re likely to get nowadays in that part of the timeline.

To read the full review, please follow the link below.

Alexander Freed delivers an emotional and satisfying conclusion to the Alphabet Squadron trilogy whose story reiterates that war, even in victory, has its price. Following the events of Shadow Fall, Hera is left trying to unite those under her command in order to put an end to the Imperial remnants, all leading to the final battle of the Galactic Civil War: the Battle of Jakku. In a way, Victory’s Price is an extension of Shadow Fall in regard to being another character focused story which is something, I feel, the trilogy needed - especially when it comes to Kairos (yes, there is finally more Kairos!) I was disappointed that Kairos wasn’t expanded upon in Shadow Fall like her fellow squad members, and even though I think there could have been more Kairos in Victory’s Price, I am content with Kairos’ characterization in this novel. Besides more Kairos, Hera also gains a more interactive role throughout the book! To my surprise, Hera’s active presence didn’t overshadow the main characters, in my opinion. Hera has a distinct purpose in the trilogy (especially in Victory’s Price) so her role harmoniously compliments the overall story. Hera’s inclusion in the Alphabet Squadron trilogy is well executed (Victory’s Price is definitely the highlight,) and even though she’s not the main focal point, I loved learning what she’s been up to as a General in the Rebellion (still hoping for more Hera someday, but I digress.) There’s a lot of good stuff in Victory’s Price - references to events in the original trilogy, expansions on Operation Cinder/Imperial Operations, glimpses into how the New Republic operates - that enhances this story as well as the material surrounding it. Despite a few lingering questions, I am pleased with the conclusion of the Alphabet Squadron trilogy, and I recommend checking out these books if you’re looking for something new to read.

Even Victory has it's price...

Alexander Freed perfectly caps off the Alphabet Squadron trilogy with "Victory's Price." This third installment makes clear the a philosophical debate at the heart of these books: how will society judge those who've either directly or indirectly carried out atrocities? We see this throughout the eyes of Yrica Quell as she has continued to struggle with determining her place in the galaxy, but it really comes to the forefront through her interactions with her former master Soran Keize.

Much of Victory's Price focuses on the quieter more intimate moments between the characters we've grown with for two years, all set within a wild space chase that leaves you wanting more with every surprising turn. It all feels deserved with how authentic Alphabet squad has become, thanks to Freed's powerful prose. The book hits an explosive third act, and it's nearly impossible to put it down. Every page keeps you floored leading up to a satisfying and logical conclusion.

The Alphabet Squadron trilogy is Star Wars publishing at its best, and I hope Freed gets more access to the galaxy sandbox in the years to come.

“No one wants the Chadawan people dead, Wyl Lark. No one except an Emperor long gone and a handful of his devotees. That’s why Cinder is a tragedy, not war.”

Why do we fight? Does it even matter what side we are on? Are there truly any winners in war? Throughout the course of his compelling trilogy, Alexander Freed has challenged readers with questions such as these. Victory’s Price blurs the lines between friend and foe, honour and disgrace, winners and losers. Star Wars fans might already know the final outcome of the war between the Empire and the New Republic, but readers will eagerly fly through these pages with their heartstrings bared for characters on both sides of the battlefield. Freed accomplishes what few authors can in the Alphabet Squadron trilogy. Any capable writer can create beloved protagonists, but it takes incredible skill to create an equally relatable antagonist. Whilst Shadow Wing may be at fault for the dreaded Operation: Cinder (which was first introduced in Battlefront II), this skilled and deadly TIE Fighter squadron has transformed beyond a one dimensional villain. Readers will find themselves torn between the established heroes and villains; asking themselves what is victory’s price?

In contrast to Freed’s previous two novels, Alphabet Squadron and Shadow Fall, the pacing of Victory’s Price was nearing light-speed. Arguably, there was a lot of ground to cover following Shadow Fall as many of the central characters had separated in order to complete individualized journeys and tasks. Despite this, the story never felt rushed and each character arc was written with justice. It is only through Freed’s brilliant characterization that poignant themes surrounding war, belonging, loss and even hope are effectively addressed. A sense of belonging is defined as the human emotional need to be accepted within a group. Freed throughout the course of his three novels and a series of interwoven plots demonstrates the challenges and obstacles that threaten our innate need for belonging. The initial coming together of Alphabet Squadron followed by their separation in Shadow Fall and finally their ultimate challenge in Victory’s Price demonstrates the complex nature of love, friendship and found family. The realistic and often less than ideal situations discussed in Freed’s novel in regard to characterization is what makes his work stand out amongst other Star Wars writers; akin to real life the outcome of each situation and relationship is unpredictable.

Despite the serious tone of all three novels in the trilogy, Freed still manages to include beautifully witty prose, especially through his use of dialogue. Both Nath Tensent and the lovable Wyl Lark provide a plethora of memorable moments over the course of the series, with Wyl truly coming into his own as he matures and gains independence as the novels progress. Similarly, the somewhat aggressive banter between the rest of the squadron reminds readers that even in the darkest of times, there is always room for laughter. After all, Star Wars has taught us that “Hope is like the sun. If you only believe in it when you see it, you’ll never make it through the night”. Ultimately, Freed’s writing reflects this sentiment perfectly; while he explores dark themes, readers are never left without that glimmer of hope and sunlight.

Victory’s Price is an epic conclusion to one of the most anticipated Star Wars series in recent years. Strap in and prepare yourselves for moments of joy, adrenaline, heartbreak and excitement as you fly alongside the pilots of Alphabet Squadron for one final ride.

Victory always has a price, but what will it be for Alphabet Squadron? Writer Alexander Freed sends off his trilogy with the fantastic, expansive, and fitting finale in Alphabet Squadron: Victory’s Price, where the battle to take down Shadow Wing, as the war barrels towards its conclusion, culminates in a reckoning for the misfit team of pilots and those on the other side, leaving us with the modern era’s best trilogy of novels; I don’t say it lightly, but it might be one of the best book trilogies in Star Wars publishing history, even.

When Shadow Fall surpassed the first novel, I was surprised and delighted, as it’s not very often we get a stronger sequel (books or movies), so I was concerned and anxious to see if Victory’s Price could do the even more difficult task: end the trilogy right. Alexander Freed pulls off the near impossible here, as Victory’s Price is not only the strongest book in the trilogy, but it also caps off this micro-focused exploration of war and its costs on those who fight it with such aplomb and finesse it’s a thrilling, compelling, and exhausting read…in the best way possible. There might be some familiarity to the composure of the book, like the Imperials’ Shadow Wing and General Hera Syndulla’s battle group locked in a battle with a unique planetary/system situation again or Wyl Lark attempting to contact and bridge the gap with the enemy, but thanks to how the familiarity naturally builds on what has come before, while Freed attaches an inescapable sense of finality to the proceedings, takes this from a potential retread to excellent payoff from all that’s come before. A lot of what makes Victory’s Price feel like the perfect payoff is the strength of the characters Freed has built for the trilogy, from their motivations, interpersonal relationship, and unique lives, and how those personalities react to the end of the war growing in sight as the Battle of Jakku approaches. Despite such a galaxy-changing moment looming over the book, Freed never loses the focus on the characters we’ve come to love and fear for, no matter their self-imploding impulses, keeping their trials and tribulations at the forefront of the novel. While there are snippets of the larger war unfolding, taking the focus away from Alphabet would be a disservice to these great and complex characters, and Freed balances these glimpses so well you don’t feel completely left out about what’s happening throughout the galaxy as you enjoy these personal journeys. As much fun as it is to see the macro-view, Freed’s distinct micro-view of the war has always led to some tense, spiritual, and deep novels, and the finale to the Alphabet Squadron Trilogy doesn’t disappoint on that front, especially as it digs into a character we’ve all long awaited to learn more about. Fans of the trilogy already know they’ll enjoy this one, especially if they’ve loved the second more than the first, though if you’re just curious what the fuss is about, I can tell you it’ll be well worth the investment, aided by a grand, sweeping, and still personal finale with Victory’s Price.

As always, the truth strength of the Alphabet Squadron Trilogy has been its characters, and even with an expanded role for Hera Syndulla and Soran Keize, everyone’s favorite dysfunctional, damaged, and loveable group of unique pilots receives the spotlight and introspective deep-dive they all deserve. In fact, it was hard to pick a favorite character’s journey, as they each have expansive, fitting tales, but if you’d ask me to make a choice, I’d say it’s a tie between Quell and Kairos. By the beginning of Victory’s Price, the group is more dysfunctional than ever before, as Yrica Quell’s perceived death, alongside Alphabet’s Intelligence Group Leader Caern Adan and torture droid turned therapist IT-O, hang over the group and the trials/revelations they all faced in the Cerberon system (as seen in Shadow Fall). Learning Quell’s secret, she aided Operation Cinder for the Empire, razing a planet to the ground, has hit everyone hard, breaking the spirit and comradery of Alphabet, while her ‘death’ robs them of closure. For Wyl Lark, the soft-boy of the group, always eager to find a peaceful end to events, reaching out to their enemies in the hopes they’ll agree, he has stepped up as leader of not only Alphabet, but the entire group of squadrons under Syndulla’s command. This doesn’t mean he still doesn’t want a peaceful resolution to their dogged pursuit of Shadow Wing, and the lengths he goes to attempt achieving that this time around show the strength of Wyl’s convictions and willingness to live with his decisions; his actions have often made me shake my head, mainly at the depth of his attempts, but his efforts here helped me understand him better and reframed my thoughts on all he’s done. The riff between Wyl and Nath Tensent, a reluctant hero now who does a great job making it look easy despite his internal struggles with others casting him in the role as hero, is a big focus for both of the characters, as they both go through their own problems and try to repair things after the events on Troithe. I’ve always enjoyed Nath, not just for his humor, but also for his practicality and how he’s always been able to help the rest of the group work through their own demons, though this leaves him alone with his own; Nath’s overall arc, and the end result, surprised me to a degree though in retrospect it shouldn’t have. As for Chass na Chadic, she’s easily my pick for second place with Victory’s Price’s personal journeys, mere parsecs under Quell/Kairos. Her time with the cult, originally an attempt to track down an enemy that led to her becoming more comfortable than she’d admit about the sense of belonging and purpose it gave her life much like the cults of her childhood did, mean the Theelin’s return to Alphabet puts all the peace and purpose out of reach. Her struggles with the seductive nature of the cult, her return to desiring an ending like Jyn Erso’s, and anger at being betrayed/left behind by Quell all bubble and boil over across Alphabet; it should be no surprise the most violate member of the group has this effect once again! Thanks to VP, Chass remains my favorite overall character of the Trilogy, as her struggle for purpose and coming to terms with being the victor instead of the underdog has been fun, thrilling, and emotional to watch. How Alphabet, including Kairos (whom I’ll talk about later), reacts to the news of Quell’s survival, and defection back to Shadow Wing, offers even more fertile drama that Freed capitalizes on, and then builds on as the story unfolds even more.

While the New Republic and Alphabet believe Quell dead at the end of the previous book, in reality she defected back to her old comrades, but for what purpose? Her gauntlet on the planetoid in the Cerberon system, covered in a hauntingly spectacular Chapter in Shadow Fall, left her with a newfound clarity about her past, but her future is still in question. Why did she rejoin her old Squadron? Why did she abandon her current one in their time of greatest need? Is she still fighting for the New Republic, a mole within her old team’s ranks? And how does she accomplish being a mole if she remembers why she cared about these people, no matter their offenses? Quell has always felt to me as the “main” character of Alphabet and her psychological journey is the one that frames the entire Trilogy, and just when you thought she couldn’t be more compelling or more troubled, Victory’s Price ratchets everything up to 11 for her, as her time with her old comrades, and eventually having to face her old ones, pushes and pulls her from duty, honor, friendship, and some of the most important decisions of the novel. It was hard to get a read on Quell in the first novel, and I wasn’t as big of a fan of her as a result, but both Shadow Fall and VP changed my mind considerably. She’s compelling alone, especially when she heads a secret top mission on Soran Keize’s request, her old mentor and Shadow’s current leader, but her time with Soran and especially with Alphabet again are absolute highlights of the book. Soran’s goals with the Messenger droid, first introduced to canon 6 years ago as the harbingers of Palpatine’s Operation Cinder plan, offer tons of intriguing debates about the futility of war and the struggles of attaining a true peaceful time once it’s over. I often found myself begrudgingly agreeing with Soran on his many philosophical ideas about how to attain true peace for both sides after the war, but the counters Quell and others make show Freed’s deftness and skill with characters believing they are the hero of their own stories. Quell’s sections were often the most riveting of the novel, not simply due to her situation, but more due to her mental state and the unpredictability of what she might do next, right up until the final moment. She’s a protagonist like none other and Victory’s Price only highlights why she’s been so compelling to watch,

Kairos’ journey is as compelling as Quell’s (if not more so at times), since we finally peel back the layers and dive into her life, story, and history. It’s easily the most fascinating part of the entire Trilogy for me, with the chapters centered on her story being even more memorable than the previous book’s Chapter 18. From book one, there’s been such a strong pull towards the mystery around who or what Kairos was, with her wordless story, told though a type of sign language on a pilot’s retreat Syndulla forces them on, really getting the ball rolling, while the reveal of what’s beneath her wrappings and helmet in book two made her story a must-learn. Victory’s Price doesn’t disappoint in bringing the mystery to an end, even as it leaves plenty open to interpretations/doesn’t answer every lingering question, to the point I want to stay as vaguely as possible about her section, even in the spoiler section below. In a way, what unfolds around Kairos and her story, and for those that join her on her journey, felt like something I can only remember now: an utter sense of fascination and unlimited potential with the Galaxy Far, Far Away when I first saw the original trilogy as a 5 year old. I know that’s heaping a lot of praise on Kairos’ story, and it might make one worried it’ll buckle under such expectations, but I don’t fear it will; it truly captures the wonder I recall from first being introduced to Star Wars, as it’s unique and memorable as any species’ story we’ve ever been told. Even more compelling is how the chapters uncovering her past both lead to her exceptional ending but also impact and affect the other characters along with her in profound and lasting ways that nudge them towards their final moments in the book as well. If Quell’s overall story didn’t end the way it does here, I’d argue I enjoyed Kairos more, but all the time we’ve already spent dealing with Quell and her complicated life is what will always give her the edge, since Kairos’ details have only just been uncovered, though they beg for an immediate reread of the entire Trilogy to see how it’ll add to her earlier appearances.

As I mentioned earlier, Hera Syndulla, Space Mom, General, Captain of the Ghost, Moral Center of the Universe, has an expanded role this entry, a steady increase per book, and it’s her best non-Star Wars Rebels appearance yet. As a big Rebels fan, Hera finally getting to talk about the past a bit more, and hint at some of her future, was refreshing, as it’s felt like Freed had to tip-toe around topics like that in the earlier books (for reasons likely beyond his control) and now Hera can really feel like…Hera. Freed manages to capture this specific time-frame for the character in a way which feels natural to her progression, and the hints at what she might be up to next after the war, be it her son or friends she wants to fight for instead of the galaxy (I’m sensing live-action/animated show with Hera soon), give Hera’s appearances an exciting sense of future but also weight from all she’s experienced. In a cast of characters who oscillate the moral grey (and darker) often, Hera is a moral center and rock, and having such an anchor throughout the Trilogy, and most prominently in Victory’s Price helps us see even the most outrageous actions by these characters in a more friendly light, as well helps the characters work through the feelings and torn ideals raging through them. Hera is such an excellent character overall and Freed has done her in justice in so many ways I’m glad we got this part of her story from him.

If it hasn’t been clear by now, Victory’s Price is an emotional journey for both the characters and the readers. These convincing, relatable, broken characters have strung us along through their ups and downs and Freed has made it continuously rewarding to invest in them, even against our best judgments. I’ve had tears, shouts of excitement or fear, absolute dread, shear wonderment, and more while reading every entry in the Alphabet Squadron Trilogy, and it’s ending is no different, though it capitalizes on those previous feelings and built-up trust with Freed, using them as a spring-board to deliver an emotionally complex, fitting, and rewarding finale for readers and characters alike. It’s honestly, as I said at the opening, the best trilogy of Star Wars books in not only a long time, but maybe ever.

Alphabet Squadron: Victory’s Price is an exhaustively emotional, utterly compelling, and ultimately rewarding finale for the Trilogy, taking the crown as best book of the Trilogy and ensuring it a spot in the annuals of Star Wars’ history.

Star Wars: Victory's Price was written by New York Times Best Selling Author, Alexander Freed. It was published by Del Rey.

Victory's Price concludes the Alphabet Squadron trilogy.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: I loved this book! It was mostly everything I was hoping it would be. The last time we saw these characters, they were all put in really tough and surprising situations. That element continues as many of the cast goes through extreme changes and adjustments. By the time the story concludes, I found some of the character arcs satisfying, while some were left open or just a tad too awkward.

Alexander Freed’s writing is outstanding. The novel feels more than just sci-fi/fantasy - it feels real. From the dialogue to the descriptions, every moment was fleshed out nicely. The way Freed creates characters and what he puts them through is just incredible. The war has changed people, there’s no easy walk in the park for anyone, the hero’s suffer. The desperation for victory or death drives the plot!

The book read quickly, not one moment did I feel I was wasting my precious time or drift off from boredom. I was glued to the pages all the way to end! The only negative I have to say, is there is one moment in the end that feels like a "check the box, gotta include that thing" in the story, it came across unnatural and as an afterthought. However, Overall - Victory's Price is a fast paced nail-biting conclusion to the Alphabet Squadron trilogy. Freed's brilliance and storytelling ability is just, next level.

CHARACTERS: The cast of characters is great, I'm only picking two to discuss.

Wyl Lark: He's been commanding the squadron, and he's still homesick. He doesn't have the fight in him anymore. He want's the war to end and just go home already. His relationship with his unit is on the rocks, but they still have a bond that holds them together, even by the weakest thread. Whyl is the one character that actually made me feel anger and bitter. Alexander Freed's writing is just too good.

Kairos: She's always been the odd one, the mysterious female with something going on internally. She's unique, the mystery continues with Kairos. She's a hunter, which makes her an excellent tracker.

Yrica Quell: All I'll say in this review, is that she surprised me.

Chass Na Chadic: She's a wild one, after her wild adventure in the Cerberon system, she's left scarred and emotionally on edge. She's a bad A, with an attitude, and shows no fear of anyone or anything. She's my favorite character in this trilogy.

RATING: I give this novel an A.

SUMMARY: After the events that took place in the Cerberon System, the New Republic has the 204th Imperial Unit Shadow Wing mostly on the run playing defense. Between each run in, the 204th strikes its judgment on select Imperial holdouts in the galaxy. Operation Cinder phase II, has begun. The New Republic, specifically the group lead by General Syndulla, is to put an end to the 204th. The mission gets tricky, as it appears there is a mole within Syndulla's New Republic ship, as well as one within the 204th!

Many twists and turns entangle the opposing sides, all the way up to the epic, final battle of the Republic and the Empire - over the sands of Jakku.