Star Wars: X-wing (book series)

Star Wars: X-wing is a ten-book series of Star Wars novels by Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allston. Stackpole's contributions cover the adventures of a new Rogue Squadron formed by Wedge Antilles, while Allston's focus on Wraith Squadron, another creation of Antilles'.[1][2] The first seven novels take place 6.5-7.5 years ABY (After the Battle of Yavin). Isard's Revenge takes place 9 years ABY, and Starfighters of Adumar takes place 12–13 years ABY. The novels were reportedly inspired by the Star Wars: X-Wing series of space simulation combat video games.

While the first eight books are largely continuous, the first four form a complete story arc (being continuous works of Michael A. Stackpole), and the next three form another complete arc (being continuous works of Aaron Allston). Isard's Revenge mostly refers back to characters and situations created in Stackpole's first four novels. Starfighters of Adumar focuses on a few major characters (including, several officers from Rogue Squadron, namely: Wedge Antilles, Tycho Celchu, Wes Janson, and Hobbie Klivian). Like the other eight novels, it details the adventures of pilots in an X-wing squadron, but it is often considered to be a book of its own that shares little resemblance or continuity with the rest of the series.

At Star Wars Celebration V in 2010 a tenth novel in the series, Mercy Kill, was announced. It was released on August 7, 2012.

Books in the series

  1. Rogue Squadron by Michael A. Stackpole (1996)
  2. Wedge's Gamble by Michael A. Stackpole (1996)
  3. The Krytos Trap by Michael A. Stackpole (1996)
  4. The Bacta War by Michael A. Stackpole (1997)
  5. Wraith Squadron by Aaron Allston (1998)
  6. Iron Fist by Aaron Allston (1998)
  7. Solo Command by Aaron Allston (1999)
  8. Isard's Revenge by Michael A. Stackpole (1999)
  9. Starfighters of Adumar by Aaron Allston (1999)
  10. Mercy Kill by Aaron Allston (2012)

Plot synopses

The Taking of Coruscant, The Krytos Crisis, and The Bacta War

Rogue Squadron

Rogue Squadron (1996) is the first novel in the Star Wars: X-wing series. It was written by Michael A. Stackpole. It is set at the beginning of the New Republic era of the Star Wars universe and centers on the creation of a new Rogue Squadron by legendary Rebel Alliance pilot Wedge Antilles. As the first novel in the series, it introduces the primary character, Corran Horn, as well as a host of other characters, including Mirax Terrik, Erisi Dlarit, and Tycho Celchu. The novel focuses on the training and early development of the squadron, as well as the characters and their relationships (primarily Erisi's romantic interest in Corran, and Mirax and Corran's mutual romantic interest). The novel culminates in a daring attack on the Imperial stronghold of Borleias, the first step in an invasion of the capital world Coruscant.

Wedge's Gamble

Main article: Wedge's Gamble

Wedge's Gamble (1996) is the second novel in the Star Wars: X-wing series. It was written by Michael A. Stackpole. It is set at the beginning of the New Republic era of the Star Wars universe. Following the conquest of Borleias, the Rebels and Rogue Squadron must handle Imperial espionage ordered by the rogue imperial Warlord Zsinj. The apparent death of member Bror Jace, the subsequent recruiting by the squadron introduces new, hot-shot members, Aril Nunb and Pash Cracken. With worries of attacks by Zsinj's forces. The Provisional Council, convenes and decide that the invasion of Coruscant (capital of the old republic and currently imperial center) must proceed. A decision is handed down that criminals from the Black Sun, a criminal organization, who have been imprisoned in the Spice Mines of Kessel, would be released on Coruscant as saboteurs and to weaken resistance against for the coming invasion, the Rogues are first sent to Kessel. The Squadron uses the orbital mirrors to reflect sunlight onto the reservoirs of Coruscant, disabling the planetary shields, and allowing the Alliance fleet a fighting chance at taking the planet.

The Krytos Trap

Main article: The Krytos Trap

The Krytos Trap (1996) is the third novel in the Star Wars: X-wing series. It was written by Michael A. Stackpole. It is set at the beginning of the New Republic Era in the Star Wars universe and focuses on the problems the New Republic has in occupying Coruscant. The plot focuses on three key events. The first is the occupation of Coruscant and the trouble the Empire left behind with its crippling bio-attack on the planet. The virus used in the attack being the Krytos virus, ordered by Imperial leader Ysanne Isard and developed by General Evir Derricote. Humans are apparently immune, while all other species are vulnerable. This, combined with Imperial Intelligence officer Kirtan Loor's terrorist activities while taking orders from the Palpatine Counterinsurgency Front, leaves Coruscant and the New Republic in a state of emergency.

The Bacta War

Main article: The Bacta War (novel)

The Bacta War (1997) is the fourth installment to the Star Wars X-wing series of novels. It was written by Michael A. Stackpole. It is set at the beginning of the New Republic Era in the Star Wars universe and focuses on the conflict known as the Bacta War. While the Alliance fleet mounts a major campaign against a deadly warlord, former director of imperial intelligence, Ysanne Isard has taken control of Thyferra, intending to control production of medicinal bacta, the only cure for the deadly krytos virus Isard has released into the population of Coruscant and of Rogue Squadron Itself. Undermanned and deprived of Alliance support, Rogue Squadron resigns and goes rogue. They must oppose Isard's plans, defeat her Star Destroyer fleet, and free Thyferra from her rule in a winner-take-all battle against a seemingly superior force.

Wraith Squadron and The War Against Warlord Zsinj

Wraith Squadron

Wraith Squadron (1998) is the fifth of ten books in the Star Wars: X-wing series of novels. It was written by Aaron Allston. After returning to Coruscant with Rogue Squadron following the Bacta War, Wedge Antilles, with his experiences of insurgency with the Rogues during the war, decided to create a new starfighter unit which would take only pilots with commando-type skills. When pitching the idea to Admiral Ackbar, the Mon Calamari raised the issue of the cost to assemble such an elite unit. Antilles countered by saying he'd only take pilots who were on the verge of being discharged from Starfighter Command, reasoning that while many would be irredeemable, there would be a few pilots who had just made one mistake too many.

Iron Fist

Main article: Iron Fist (novel)

Iron Fist (1998) is a novel set in the Star Wars Expanded Universe. It is the sixth novel in the Star Wars: X-wing series, and was written by Aaron Allston. It continues the exploits of Wraith Squadron begun by Allston in Wraith Squadron. Against all odds, the controversial Wraith Squadron has survived its first covert mission. But now they are called upon to cheat death twice. This time Wedge Antilles sends them in to stop the warlord Zsinj and his Super Star Destroyer, Iron Fist. If Zsinj joins the Empire, it could turn the tide of war against the Rebels. The Wraith Squadron's mission: infiltrate the warlord's fleet and uncover his carefully guarded plans. To do so, they must pose as ruthless pirates seeking to join Zsinj's forces. And that means first becoming pirates in space lanes teeming with Imperial Navy patrols. If that isn't enough to get them killed, they'll have to pass one last test—a suicide mission for Zsinj.

Solo Command

Main article: Solo Command

Solo Command (1999) is the seventh novel in the Star Wars: X-wing series, and the final book to detail the adventures of Wraith Squadron. It was written by Aaron Allston. Their covert mission has been a success. The enemy has been vanquished. Or so they thought. The Super Star Destroyer Iron Fist somehow escaped destruction and with it the New Republic's greatest threat, the infamous warlord Zsinj. To defeat him, Wraith Squadron must join a combat task force led by the only man crafty enough to beat Zsinj at his own game: Han Solo. But Zsinj knows the X-wing fighters' indomitable courage is both their greatest strength—and their greatest weakness. For even against the most overwhelming odds, the Rebels will fight to the death. And that will leave Zsinj the galaxy's unchallenged master!

Isard's Revenge and Starfighters of Adumar

Isard's Revenge

Main article: Isard's Revenge

Isard's Revenge (1999) is the eighth novel in the Star Wars: X-wing series. It marks a return by writer Michael A. Stackpole to the series he created, after a hiatus of three novels by Aaron Allston. In returning to the series, Stackpole brought back a number of elements that made the original four books popular: General Wedge Antilles has returned as commander of the New Republic X-wing unit Rogue Squadron, and former Imperial leader Ysanne Isard is once again the villain. It's the kind of mission only Wedge Antilles and the Rogue Squadron would dare to undertake. Against impossible odds they will stage a daring raid into an enemy stronghold—only to be rescued from certain destruction by an unexpected ally. Ysanne Isard, the ruthless Imperial commander, has appeared on the scene seemingly from out of nowhere. Now she proposes a most unusual alliance, offering to help Wedge rescue his captured comrades from Imperial Warlord Admiral Krennel's sadistic prison camp. But her offer is not without a price. Wedge must lead Rogue Squadron in Isard's deadly struggle against an enemy made in her own image. It's an offer Wedge would love to refuse, for Isard is certain to betray them. But how can they leave their comrades at Krennel's mercy? The answer is: they can't—even if it means being caught between Krennel's ruthlessness and Isard's treachery.

Starfighters of Adumar

Starfighters of Adumar (1999) is the ninth book in the Star Wars: X-wing series. It was written by Aaron Allston. The neutral world of Adumar has decided to pick a side in the war to control the galaxy. Delegates from both the New Republic and the Empire have been invited to Adumar, and each camp will be given a chance to plead its government's case. But there is one small catch: since the Adumari prize military skill above all else, they insist that both delegations be composed exclusively of fighter pilots. For pilot Wedge Antilles and his company, it's an unfamiliar exercise in diplomacy - and one that's filled with unexpected peril. For once they arrive, the X-wing pilots are challenged by Adumar's fierce warriors and attacked by Imperial assassins bent on eliminating all competition. But these challenges pale in comparison to the threat posed by a rogue Republic agent...one who is determined to win Adumar's allegiance once and for all - even if it costs the X-wing pilots their lives.

Important characters

Rogue Squadron

See also: Rogue Squadron

Current Rogues (As of Book Eight: ‘Isard’s Revenge’)

Former Rogues

Rogue Support Personnel

Wraith Squadron

See also: Wraith Squadron

Current Wraiths (As of Book Seven: ‘Solo Command’)

Former Wraiths

Wraith Support Personnel

Other Rebel personnel

Imperial personnel

Miscellaneous personnel

References

  1. ↑ Britt, Ryan. "Even More Kids on the Playground: X-Wing #1 Rogue Squadron". TOR. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  2. ↑ "X-Wing - Wraith Squadron by Aaron Allston". TheForce.Net. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
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