X-Wing (Book 2): Wedge's Gamble by Michael Stackpole (1996)

 X-Wing (Book 2): Wedge's Gamble by Michael Stackpole (1996)


Should've been Wedge's Gambit, and you'll never change my mind.

Summary: Rogue Squadron gets snuck onto Coruscant to prepare things for the invasion. Isaard seeds the planet with a plague that will only affect aliens.

What it introduces:

Asyr Sei'lar: First (actually developed character) non-shitty Bothan in the EU?

Inyri Forge: Lujayne's sister, who is a good pilot for no explained reason. 

Fliry Vorru: Ex-Moff, then Black Sun. Current minor villain.

Zekka Thyne: Asshole, Black Sun, even more minor villain.

Virar Needa: That Captain Needa's cousin.

Summary:

Rogue Squadron is undercover on Coruscant. Their main job is figuring out a way to take down the planetary shields for Ackbar and the fleet, but they also generally sow some chaos (with the help of some ex-Black Sun they recruit in the early part of the book). Tycho gets framed some more (Corran is very convinced he's the traitor), he continues to develop his relationship with Mirax, and the Wessiris make their first real appearance. Kirtan Loor is promoted to sort-of in charge of the Imperial partisan/terrorist cell. 

Rogue Squadron uses atmospheric mirrors to generate a giant storm that (almost) takes down the shield, but Corran has to make one last run to take out the last generator. He crashes and is captured.

Dead Rogues: 0!

Commentary/Review:

Stackpole reins in the action for a much more coherent book here.  It's a little fillery. I remember about as much of it now (about two weeks after finishing) as I did from reading it two decades ago. Still having issues with my notes, might switch to just doing them on paper or something.

3/5: Read it if you're reading the series (as any Star Wars fan should), but it's really not a strong book. Returning characters don't get much development, and the new ones won't get much until the next book.

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