Aftermath: Star Wars

Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens

By: Chuck Wendig

Narrated by: Marc Thompson

Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens

“Star Wars: Aftermath [reveals] what happened after the events of 1983’s Return of the Jedi. It turns out, there’s more than just the Empire for the good guys to worry about.”—The Hollywood Reporter

As the Empire reels from its critical defeats at the Battle of Endor, the Rebel Alliance—now a fledgling New Republic—presses its advantage by hunting down the enemy’s scattered forces before they can regroup and retaliate. But above the remote planet Akiva, an ominous show of the enemy’s strength is unfolding. Out on a lone reconnaissance mission, pilot Wedge Antilles watches Imperial Star Destroyers gather like birds of prey circling for a kill, but he’s taken captive before he can report back to the New Republic leaders.

Meanwhile, on the planet’s surface, former rebel fighter Norra Wexley has returned to her native world—war weary, ready to reunite with her estranged son, and eager to build a new life in some distant place. But when Norra intercepts Wedge Antilles’s urgent distress call, she realizes her time as a freedom fighter is not yet over. What she doesn’t know is just how close the enemy is—or how decisive and dangerous her new mission will be.

Determined to preserve the Empire’s power, the surviving Imperial elite are converging on Akiva for a top-secret emergency summit—to consolidate their forces and rally for a counterstrike. But they haven’t reckoned on Norra and her newfound allies—her technical-genius son, a Zabrak bounty hunter, and a reprobate Imperial defector—who are prepared to do whatever they must to end the Empire’s oppressive reign once and for all.

©2015 Chuck Wendig (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[Chuck] Wendig neatly captures the current states of the Empire and Rebel Alliance and does so through flawed, real, and nuanced characters. His writing gets you up close and personal. . . . Wendig does wonders with dialogue and voice and carving out space for everyone to breathe. Aftermath is a strong foot forward into unexplored territory and puts down just enough foundation that you can start picturing the Resistance and First Order of The Force Awakens taking shape.”—Nerdist

“The Force is strong with Star Wars: Aftermath.”—Alternative Nation

“The Star Wars universe is fresh and new again, and just as rich and mysterious as it always was.”—Den of Geek

Captivating

Mark Thompson narration is wonderful as always.
Story was intriguing.
The interludes were an amazing spoiler to what is to come, as is the epilogue.
Absolutely ready for the next installment.

Another excellent Star Wars work.

Would you listen to Aftermath: Star Wars again? Why?

I might in case I missed something.

What other book might you compare Aftermath: Star Wars to and why?

I can't think of one.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where Admiral Slone forces the banker to give the officers his yacht to escape.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The scene that almost made me cry was the flashback/nightmare of Nora's husband being taken away by Storm Troopers.

Any additional comments?

None.

Hoped for more

What did you like best about Aftermath: Star Wars? What did you like least?

The music, narrator and SFX. I was pretty much bored with the story and the characters. You are moving along and then there are these "interludes" and you know that it fits in somewhere but didn't really care. I listen to the book when I am out walking the dog so I am getting an hour or so at a time and the story just didn't really want me to finish it.

Would you be willing to try another book from Chuck Wendig? Why or why not?

Not sure. How much was the writing his fault or was it what he was allowed to work with to keep the Force Awakens a secret.

Which scene was your favorite?

Maybe the aerial combat.

Could you see Aftermath: Star Wars being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Oh please no.

Any additional comments?

Felt like I wasted my time. I wished I had read reviews about the story before I jumped into this book.

A planetary roller coaster to listen to!

its not often that I verbally express surprise out loud, especially during work-but this performance had me repeatedly surprised lol

Well Done

Not having read the book but listening to the unabridged Aubible version, I must say that I truly enjoyed it. The background sound tracks added imensley to the story. My favorite character is the Droid Mr. Bones. Roger, Roger!
I look forward to the next book.

very disappointing

with all of the other books being put into Legends and taking out a Canon I was very excited to start this series of books. performance is decent riding though is mediocre at best. characters are weak outside of wedge Antilles and the blip with Han and Chewie. overall not impressed not sure if I want to even finish the other two.

average

I didn't care for the lack of progression of the star wars main storyline, basically just fluff that didn't help move the discussion along about what happened after episode 6. the group in the story seemed to be formulated and cookie cutter. There was a slight tone towards a younger tween age group with some of the discussions that I didn't care for as an adult but don't mind as I know others are younger. but then they introduce alcohol shots in detail and same sex relationships that for some would be considered pg13 or R rated.

great new characters

the only thing I didn't 7nderstand was the 2 minutes Han solo was in the book.

meh

seemed cheap at times - <insert name> is about to die with no chance of survival. goodbye universe. Then <insert extremely unlikely luck> saves them. - seems to happen too much. once or twice is fine but not as much as was in this book.

Not worth the hate it is receiving

Everyone seems to be complaining about the lack of "star" characters. If you read the description you would already know this book is not about them, though I have no doubt they will make an appearance in the coming books of this trilogy. Yes there are quite a few loose ends, but that is often the case with trilogies. I've read many of the old EU books and I don't have a problem with the new additions so far. I feel as if this trilogy will do the franchise justice and I can't wait to read the other two.