Tag: Alexander Freed

Canon Novel Review: Alphabet Squadron – Victory’s Price

Posted on February 28, 2021April 18, 2021 by Head Butler Ryan

– Spoiler Review –

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. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: Alphabet Squadron – Victory’s Price” →

Novel Review: From a Certain Point of View – The Empire Strikes Back

Posted on November 10, 2020April 4, 2022 by Head Butler Ryan

The idea for the original From a Certain Point of View garnered tons of attention for its nearly endless possibilities to reshape such classic films, giving them new life even 40 years after their debut. Thankfully it seems to be a tradition, at least for now since the prequels won’t have the opportunity for another 20 years (and let’s not even talk about how old I’d be when the sequels would hit the milestone…), to take the original trilogy films and retell them from new, interesting, and unexpected points of view, which brings us to From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back. Stronger across the board in its stories, with more consistently engaging tales and original or surprising points of view, and a far more coherent structure from one tale to next, From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back does not fall short of its source material, doing it justice by being such a great and memorable sequel. Continue reading “Novel Review: From a Certain Point of View – The Empire Strikes Back” →

From A Certain Point Of View: The Empire Strikes Back Character Cards Revealed

Posted on October 7, 2020November 11, 2020 by Head Butler Ryan

Updates regarding the much anticipated From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back have been sparse to non-existent since its announcement but one of the most moments leading up to its release has finally happened: social cards revealing who or what each of the 40 authors is writing about! Rolled out in 5 minutes intervals through Del Rey’s Twitter account, it was a blast to watch the unveiling unfold, especially when the Twitter account VeersWatch got his due. Head below for all the stories to be told, as I break them all down and reveal the top 10 I’m most excited for. UPDATE: Here’s my review, including which ones made my final Top Ten. Continue reading “From A Certain Point Of View: The Empire Strikes Back Character Cards Revealed” →

Alphabet Squadron: Victory’s Price is the Trilogy’s Ominous Sounding Finale

Posted on August 14, 2020April 26, 2022 by Head Butler Ryan

The Alphabet Squadron Trilogy is fresh off its truly riveting second entry, Shadow Fall, and a title like Victory’s Price for the grand finale sounds par for the course, especially since it’s so ominous. The cover has also been revealed, alongside a blurb, to get readers hyped for all the incoming pain straight to the heart when the book releases March 2021. Head below to see the full cover (which does have all of Alphabet Squad on it, and once you see it, it hurts…) and some thoughts on the blurb. (via Nerdist). UPDATE: My Victory’s Price review is here! Continue reading “Alphabet Squadron: Victory’s Price is the Trilogy’s Ominous Sounding Finale” →

Canon Novel Review: Alphabet Squadron – Shadow Fall

Posted on July 7, 2020February 1, 2023 by Head Butler Ryan

– Spoiler Review –

The second book in the Alphabet Squadron trilogy, Shadow Wing, written again by Alexander Freed, is another excellent entry, capitalizing on all of the first book’s strengths and finding ways to improve and expand. It’s one of those rare sequels that rises above the first, like Empire after A New Hope! Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: Alphabet Squadron – Shadow Fall” →

From A Certain Point Of View: The Empire Strikes Back Announced for November 2020 (Updated)

Posted on June 15, 2020November 11, 2020 by Head Butler Ryan

From a Certain Point of View was such a fun and unique way to celebrate A New Hope’s 40th Anniversary, The Empire Strikes Back’s own 40th birthday wouldn’t feel the same without it, and thankfully Del Rey announced From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back, out November 10! Revealed June 11, over 30 of the book’s 40 authors took to Twitter (thanks to Sarah for compiling the authors) to confirm their involvement, while the final few, plus some teases on what they are writing, were revealed today, June 15. Head below to see the list and assorted musing below! UPDATE: Here’s our review! Continue reading “From A Certain Point Of View: The Empire Strikes Back Announced for November 2020 (Updated)” →

Mynock Manor Suggests: Hera Syndulla Expanded Content

Posted on May 13, 2020May 18, 2020 by Head Butler Ryan

Staying at hotels, B&Bs, and even Airbnb’s there are often concierge services available about what to see and do in the area you’re visiting, so we’ve opened the concierge desk at the Manor to offer suggestions on what to read, watch, and enjoy when wanting to find out more about your favorite Star Wars characters now that you have the free time to do so! One of the biggest stars of the new canon arrived not on the big screen, but rather on the small screen, and she was not only an impressive pilot, great leader, and committed rebel…but also the best Space Mom this side of any galaxy: Hera Syndulla! Read on to find out more about the Rebellion’s most vital asset and her many adventures with friends, family, and even rogue archaeologists! Continue reading “Mynock Manor Suggests: Hera Syndulla Expanded Content” →

Alphabet Squadron: Shadow Fall Cover, First Excerpt Revealed

Posted on February 4, 2020April 26, 2022 by Head Butler Ryan

If you were wondering how they could outdo the bright and striking cover for the first entry in the Alphabet Squadron Trilogy by Alexander Freed, then look no further than the cover for the second entry, Shadow Fall! Chass na Chadic, the B-wing pilot with great piloting skills but even better skills at picking a sick playlist, graces the blue/purple-hued amazing cover, so here’s hoping her, and her past with a certain Partisan group, gets a little more focus in the the second chapter. The excerpt, via io9, offers a glimpse at how the 204th Shadow Wing finds a reason to enter the fray with Hera Syndulla’s New Republic forces again, already alleviating some of my concern of them being a trilogy-worthy enemy, the only real downside to the excellent first book. Freed’s Alphabet Squadron: Shadow Fall, arrives June 23, 2020. Check out the full cover below! UPDATE: My review is in! Continue reading “Alphabet Squadron: Shadow Fall Cover, First Excerpt Revealed” →

NYCC 2019: Marvel Goes Post-TESB with Relaunches, More Doctor Aphra Promised, New Thrawn Trilogy Incoming, and More!

Posted on October 7, 2019April 26, 2022 by Head Butler Ryan

The Lucasfilm Publishing Panel at NYCC 2019 was ripe with announcements, reveals, and intriguing hints of what’s to come. Marvel’s Star Wars comics head post-The Empire Strikes Back, the next Alphabet Squadron novel gets a release date, The Clone Wars gets an anthology book, some very scant details about Project Luminous, and much more so head below to learn what all happened! Continue reading “NYCC 2019: Marvel Goes Post-TESB with Relaunches, More Doctor Aphra Promised, New Thrawn Trilogy Incoming, and More!” →

Canon Novel Review: Alphabet Squadron

Posted on July 19, 2019October 2, 2023 by Head Butler Ryan

– Spoiler Review –

Alphabet Squadron, written by Alexander Freed, is the beginning of a trilogy involving a unique, ragtag group of pilots hunting down one of the Empire’s most feared TIE Fighter Wings, Shadow Wing, in a post-Return of the Jedi world. Its micro-level view of the larger conflict, with a focus on multifaceted, psychologically complex characters makes it a fresh and unique start to a larger trilogy. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: Alphabet Squadron” →