David's Review of X-wing: Wraith Squadron

5/5 Rancors - Wraith Squadron is the fifth book in the X-wing series but the first one by Aaron Allston after four by Michael Stackpole. As is fitting for a new author, we also have a new squadron and a mostly new cast of characters. Not to worry - the book continues the excellent series of adventures that we have followed so far in the X-wing series. The flying is great, the plans are outrageously inventive, and the pilots capture your attention.

The basic idea in this tale is that Wedge Antilles creates a covert-action unit of X-wing fighters with the majority of its pilots being castoffs from other places. Wedge is looking for people who have skills other than being excellent pilots. Computer wizards, actors, spies, snipers - all have skills that can be used in military actions outside of the X-wings. Wedge selects his candidates for Wraith Squadron and launches into their training. Unfortunately, the training is cut short by an attack on their base and the pilots need to prove their worth in a hurry. As part of their initial action they succeed in capturing an Imperial warship and then plan to impersonate the crew while intensifying efforts to capture former Imperial Admiral Trigit, the man who led the attack on their training base. If they can accomplish the removal of Trigit, their way may be cleared to help with efforts to find and defeat Warlord Zsinj.

Wraith Squadron is not a one-book deal. We will be able to follow the adventures of the Wraiths in future books, and I look forward to it. Mr. Allston has done an excellent job.