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BBY/ABY is used to position items along the Star Wars Timeline. BBY refers to Before the Battle of Yavin. ABY refers to After the Battle of Yavin. The Battle of Yavin in Episode IV: A New Hope occured in 0 BBY/ABY.
The Youtini Expanded Universe Ranking system is a 1-5 scale that ranks EU book quality, difficulty, and importance. Books closer to Level 1 are easier to read and understand, more important, and of higher quality.
In this, the final volume of Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath trilogy, we find the epic conclusion to the journey of Nora, Temmin, Mr. Bones, Jas, Jom, and Sinjir, in the events following the destruction of the second Death Star. The book focuses on the Battle of Jakku one year after Return of the Jedi. It deals with the master plan of Gallius Rax, the trilogy’s mysterious villain, and the future of the galaxy. This book also tells the story of the birth of Ben Solo and the early days of Han and Leia’s family. Wendig weaves a complex plot to its culmination through a diverse cast of compelling and mostly original characters.
As the final showdown between the New Republic and the Empire draws near, all eyes turn to a once-isolated planet: Jakku.
The Battle of Endor shattered the Empire, scattering its remaining forces across the galaxy. But the months following the Rebellion's victory have not been easy. The fledgling New Republic has suffered a devastating attack from the Imperial remnant, forcing the new democracy to escalate their hunt for the hidden enemy.
For her role in the deadly ambush, Grand Admiral Rae Sloane is the most wanted Imperial war criminal—and one-time rebel pilot Norra Wexley, back in service at Leia's urgent request, is leading the hunt. But more than just loyalty to the New Republic drives Norra forward: Her husband was turned into a murderous pawn in Sloane's assassination plot, and now she wants vengeance as much as justice.
But Sloane, too, is on a furious quest: pursuing the treacherous Gallius Rax to the barren planet Jakku. As the true mastermind behind the Empire's devastating attack, Rax has led the Empire to its defining moment. The cunning strategist has gathered the powerful remnants of the Empire's war machine, preparing to execute the late Emperor Palpatine's final plan. As the Imperial fleet orbits Jakku, an armada of Republic fighters closes in to finish what began at Endor. Norra and her crew soar into the heart of an apocalyptic clash that will leave land and sky alike scorched. And the future of the galaxy will finally be decided.
If you've enjoyed the past two entries in the Aftermath series, you're in for an EPIC conclusion! Wendig brings together all of the pieces of the massive puzzle he's been constructing over the past two books, and the result is immensely satisfying and incredibly fun. A true can't miss as we go into the next era of Star Wars.
In the final entry of the Aftermath trilogy, we get a fair amount of action and resolution. Once again, a lack of inclusion of the more recognizable movie characters does tend to dampen the stakes somewhat. However, if you've read the first two installments, the chemistry and development of the original characters is sufficient enough to keep you invested in the outcome.
The first Canon trilogy goes out with a bang in the way a massive Star Wars story should. Made even more interesting by the Rise of Skywalker, Palpatine's plan from beyond the grave is both surprising and action-packed. The ensemble cast of characters are probably the most enjoyable aspect of the story, especially Wendig's use of fan-favorite Rae Sloane. It's a ton of fun to be immersed in the Battle of Jakku, leading to the wreckage of Star Destroyers that we see in the Force Awakens.
Aftermath: Empire's End concludes the Aftermath trilogy as the events of the last two books culminate in a galactic-sized conflict. The book is my favorite in the series, as the characters have become truly lovable, which makes the events in Empire's End moving. Additionally, the book is perhaps the most important of the three in developing the Star Wars Expanded Universe, as it includes events critical to understanding the formation of the New Republic. A satisfying conclusion and a must-read book for those who have read the first two of the Aftermath trilogy.
The galaxy is changing, and with peace now a possibility, some dare to imagine new beginnings and new destinies. For Han Solo, that means settling his last outstanding debt, by helping Chewbacca liberate the Wookiee's home world of Kashyyyk.
Meanwhile, Norra Wexley and her band of rebels pursue Admiral Rae Sloane and the remaining Imperial leadership across the galaxy. Sloane, increasingly wary of the mysterious fleet admiral, desperately searches for a means to save the crumbling Empire from oblivion. Even as Imperial forces fight to regain lost ground, Princess Leia and the New Republic seek to broker a lasting peace.
But the rebel's hunt for Admiral Sloane is cut short after the disappearance of Han Solo and Chewbacca. Desperate to save them, Leia conscripts Norra, Sinjir, Jas, and the rest of their team to find the missing smugglers and help them in their fight for freedom.
As the Empire reels from its critical defeats at the Battle of Endor, the Rebel Alliance—now a fledgling New Republic—presses its advantage by hunting down the enemy's scattered forces before they can regroup and retaliate. But above the remote planet Akiva, an ominous show of the enemy's strength is unfolding. Out on a lone reconnaissance mission, pilot Wedge Antilles watches Imperial Star Destroyers gather like birds of prey circling for a kill, but is taken captive before he can report back to the New Republic leaders.
Meanwhile, on the planet's surface, former Rebel fighter Norra Wexley has returned to her native world—war weary, ready to reunite with her estranged son, and eager to build a new life in some distant place. But when Norra intercepts Wedge Antilles's urgent distress call, she realizes her time as a freedom fighter is not yet over. What she doesn't know is just how close the enemy is—or how decisive and dangerous her new mission will be.
Determined to preserve the Empire's power, the surviving Imperial elite are converging on Akiva for a top-secret emergency summit—to consolidate their forces and rally for a counterstrike. But they haven't reckoned on Norra and her newfound allies—her technical genius son, a Zabrak bounty hunter, and a reprobate Imperial defector—who are prepared to do whatever they must to end the Empire's oppressive reign once and for all.
