The Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron trilogy from Alexander Freed wasn’t always my cup of tea, but it told such a compelling story that I couldn’t be happier with the end result. For a finale, Victory’s Price works to deliver our heroes the conclusions they deserve not the conclusions you might want.

Despite my feeling that Shadow Fall was a slog to get through at times, I never felt that way work Victory’s Price. Everything just flowed for me, and while I know that’s expected for the final book in a series, it was still an enjoyable experience.

Despite my feeling that Shadow Fall was a slog to get through at times, I never felt that way work Victory’s Price. Everything just flowed for me, and while I know that’s expected for the final book in a series, it was still an enjoyable experience.

The overarching theme of Victory’s Price is forgiveness. Not a “blanket forgiveness”, but the ability to recognize that despite someone’s worst transgressions, they’re still worthy and deserving of forgiveness if they seek to right their wrongs for true atonement. There’s no one size fits all for justice, however, and we must never forget that forgiveness without atonement is meaningless.

All of our frustratingly head-strong heroes get their time to shine. Some more than others, of course. With the climatic resolution of this series taking place on two battle fronts (see what I did there?), Freed simultaneously gives us another look at the Battle of Jakku and our first scenes from Coruscant during the finale of the Galactic Civil War.

As a big fan of Star Wars: Rebels, I never knew exactly how much I missed Hera Syndulla prior to this book. Freed writes her as a thoughtful, tired leader in the New Republic as they look finally end the war against the remnants of the Empire.

While I always feared that Freed was going to venture too far into hard sci-fi for my liking, he always managed to pull back the reins and hit that perfect Star Wars groove between fantasy and sci-fi.

I’m overwhelmingly pleased that we were able to get a new yet familiar story in the Star Wars universe. I highly recommend Freed’s Alphabet Squadron trilogy.

(originally written April 2021)