The Alphabet Squadron trilogy is introducing me to a new love: full-on war stories. 60% of this book is spent in battle. Ships flying, bombs exploding and heavy strategising, which I understand not being everyone's cup of tea, but I ate it up!

Even then, in the end of the day, this is a character-study. Alexander Freed is using the Star Wars background to ask the price of fighting, what happens to the survivors and weight of not seeing any option but to continue an endless cycle of violence.

Chass and Quell were definitely my favourite characters exactly because they embody those themes. Chass' helplessness at her future and suicide ideation were almost as painful ad Quell's unwillingness to let go of guilt and shame. Their chapters hurt but were also beautiful.

The rest of the cast also really felt real in their struggles, and while I really sympathised for Wyl's desire to stop fighting, I admit I skimmed some of his and Nath's chapters. Hera's presence was just on the right dose: enough to fulfil my wish for seeing her without stealing the spotlight of the real story being told.