Rogue Squadron by Michael A Stackpole
Set: 6.5 ABY
They are sleek, swift, and deadly. They are the X-wing fighters. And as the struggle rages across the vastness of space, the fearless men and women who pilot them risk both their lives and their machines. Their mission: to defend the Rebel Alliance against a still-powerful and battle-hardened Imperial foe in a last-ditch effort to control the stars!
Its very name strikes fear into enemy hearts. So when Rebel hero Wedge Antilles rebuilds the legendary Rogue Squadron, he seeks out only the best-the most skilled, the most daring X-wing pilots. Through arduous training and dangerous missions, he weeds out the weak from the strong, assembling a group of hard-bitten warriors to fight, ready to die. Antilles knows the grim truth: that even with the best X-wing jockeys in the galaxy, many will not survive their near-suicidal missions. But when Rogue Squadron is ordered to assist in the assault on the heavily fortified Imperial stronghold of Black Moon, even the bravest must wonder if any at all will survive…
In reviewing Star Wars novels there are going to be a dozen or two that I’ll need to reread. In some cases, that’ll be relatively frustrating, as they aren’t necessarily worthy of a reread. However, in the case of the X-Wing series it’s pretty much a joy!
Written by Michael A. Stackpole, X-Wing: Rogue Squadron launches us into the lives of the fighter pilots of the Star Wars universe. And from one of the smallest speaking bit-parts in the Star Wars movies, Wedge Antilles gets to play centre stage for nine books, which only continues to grow his status as cult hero.
The book focuses first and foremost of the rejuvenation of Rogue Squadron, under the leadership of Wedge Antilles. They seek out the best there are within an X-Wing cockpit, and form them up to be the tip of the sword that plans to finish off the Empire. Because despite being rid of the Emperor and Darth Vader, the Empire is still alive and kicking.
The secondary character for this book is Corran Horn, a character new for this book, but one that will end up playing significant roles within Rogue Squadron, and without in the many books that follow.
This book is definitely one of those gems that you need on your shelf. Stackpole really has a good grasp of the mechanics and physics behind flying an X-Wing, maybe too much as sometimes the story bogs down in technical descriptions of what is happening. But ignoring that, this book is top notch!
Focusing on the first big push towards capturing Coruscant, Rogue Squadron has to deal with political machinations and strong and hidden enemies in an attempt to take the Imperial planet Borleias, codenamed Black Moon. Death and destruction is par for the course in this book, and all realistically done which really is a breath of fresh air. I loved this book to pieces, and love rereading all of the Rogue Squadron books.
X-Wing: Rogue Squadron is really a gem of a book, and if you’re at all interested in reading more of the Star Wars universe, this is definitely one of the best places to start. Set so close to the end of Return of the Jedi, it’s a great jumping on point with a great story and a great writer.
This Rogue Squadron book review was written by Joshua S Hill


All reviews for: Star Wars: X-Wing
Rogue Squadron
Star Wars: X-Wing: Book 1
They are sleek, swift, and deadly. They are the X-wing fighters. And as the struggle rages across the vastness of space, the fearless men and women who pilot them risk both...
Wedge’s Gamble
Star Wars: X-Wing: Book 2
It is the evil heart of a battered and reeling Empire: Coruscant, the giant city-world from whose massive towers the Imperial High Command directs the war. The Rebels will ...

The Krytos Trap
Star Wars: X-Wing: Book 3
The Rebels have taken Coruscant, but their problems are far from over. A killer virus called Krytos is wiping out the indigenous population, and a counter-revolution is exp...
Have you read Rogue Squadron?
We've found that while readers like to know what we think of a book they find additional reader reviews a massive help in deciding if it is the right book for them. So if you have a spare moment, please tell us your thoughts by writing a reader's review. Thank you.
Rogue Squadron reader reviews
8/10 from 1 reviews
There are currently no reader reviews for this book. Why not be the first?
Write a reader review
Thank you for taking the time to write a review on this book, it really makes a difference and helps readers to find their perfect book.
More recommended reading in this genre

Fatal Alliance
Sean Williams
Tassaa Bareesh, a matriarch in the Hutt crime cartel, is holding an auction that’s drawing attention from across the galaxy. Representatives of both the Republic and ...

Master & Apprentice
Claudia Gray
An unexpected offer threatens the bond between Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi as the two Jedi navigate a dangerous new planet and an uncertain future.A Jedi must be...
Star Wars: Hand of Thrawn
Timothy Zahn
Once the unquestioned master of countless solar systems, the Empire is tottering on the brink of total collapse. Once commanding an invincible armada of Star Destroyers, it...

Star Wars - Imperial Handbook: A Commander's Guide
Daniel Wallace
Set in-world, Star Wars: The Imperial Handbook shares the knowledge of a newly promoted Commander in the Imperial Military, providing a comprehensive overview of the Imperi...

Death Troopers
Joe Schreiber
In the time immediately following the destruction of the Death Star and the years between the Battle of Yavin and the foundation of the Rebel Base on Hoth, the Empire's...
Star Wars: New Jedi Order
Various authors
Twenty-one years have passed since the heroes of the Rebel Alliance destroyed the Death Star, breaking the power of the Emperor. Since then, the New Republic has valiantly ...

Star Wars: The Old Republic
Various authors
3,500 years in the past of the far-away galaxy, when the Jedi and Galactic Republic clashed with the Sith Empire, smuggler Jet Nebula has stumbled across a treasure richer ...

Star Wars - Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side
Daniel Wallace
The Sith have existed in the galaxy for centuries, lurking, waiting for their chance to seize control. In his quest for domination, Darth Sidious tracked down five pivotal ...

Star Wars: Republic Commando
Karen Traviss
As the Clone Wars rage, victory or defeat lies in the hands of elite squads who take on the toughest assignments in the galaxy ...On a mission to sabotage a chemical weapon...
Looking for more suggestions? Try these pages: