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33rd out of 234 books
—
429 voters
Wedge's Gamble (Star Wars: X-Wing #2)
by
Michael A. Stackpole (Goodreads Author)
Sleek, swift, and deadly, they are the X-wing fighters. And as the battle against the Empire rages across the vastness of space, the pilots risk both their lives and their machines for the cause of the Rebel Alliance. Now they must embark on a dangerous espionage mission, braving betrayal and death on the Imperial homeworld to smash the power of a ruthless foe!
It is the ev...more
It is the ev...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
June 1996
by Spectra
(first published January 1st 1996)
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by Michael A. Stackpole, published in 1996.
This Star Wars novel is the second in the “X-Wing” series which features Wedge Antilles and the pilots of Rogue Squadron. This time though there is not so much space flying battles and planet infiltration and intrigue.
The rebellion has a plan, and it is to take control of Empire Central: Coruscant, the seat of the Empire. With Palpatine and Vader gone the Empire is in trouble, but Ysanne Isard is in control now and every bit as cruel and ruthless as her...more
This Star Wars novel is the second in the “X-Wing” series which features Wedge Antilles and the pilots of Rogue Squadron. This time though there is not so much space flying battles and planet infiltration and intrigue.
The rebellion has a plan, and it is to take control of Empire Central: Coruscant, the seat of the Empire. With Palpatine and Vader gone the Empire is in trouble, but Ysanne Isard is in control now and every bit as cruel and ruthless as her...more
Here marks the tenth book in my quest to read through as much of the expanded universe as I possibly can before the end of the year. The second installment of the X-Wing series in many ways mirrors the second film in the original trilogy in that it’s much more engaging than its predecessor and ends on a cliffhanger with one of the principle players in the hands of the enemy. I don’t think that tactic was in any way accidental, I think the author was hoping people would see the parallel and under...more
Roque Squadron kembali beraksi! Misi ahli-ahli Roque Squadron kali ini adalah untuk merampas sebuah planet yang bernama Coruscant (planet ini juga dikenali sebagai Imperial Center). Planet yang begitu strategik dan penting ini perlu ditawan oleh pihak New Republic kerana Coruscant merupakan pusat utama pentadbiran perang Imperial High Command yang tidak mahu tunduk kepada New Republic. Coruscant ini berada di bawah penguasaan Ysanne "Iceheart" Isard. Penawanan planet tersebut juga penting dilaku...more
I have fond memories of reading this book as a kid, and thought I'd revisit it once more. As far as pulp fiction—and Star Wars fiction, that—goes, it's pretty good. Wedge's Gamble was one of my favorites in the X-wing series, and one of my favorite Star Wars novels. As with
Rogue Squadon
, Stackpole does a good job of dramatizing his characters, bringing them to life and pulling you into their lives. In fact, this is probably why the Rogue Squadron series was so successful: Stackpole created new...more
Dec 21, 2010
Felicity
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Old-school Star Wars fans.
Recommended to Felicity by:
Ryan Grove
This sequel to
Rogue Squadron
is less dogfight-heavy and even more adventurous than the first. Our heroes hang up their flight suits in order to infiltrate Coruscant, the central planet of the Empire and bring down its defenses. This was almost a sticking point for me -- really, fighter pilots? Don't you guys have Bothans for this sort of thing? -- but since it was such fun, I decided not to quibble. There's another plot point, involving Kessel, that I thought was wrongheaded, but everything af...more
The second in my Star Wars nostalgia reboot (yes, I am rebooting my nostalgia for Star Wars), Wedge's Gamble is a pretty good book. No major "WOW" moments, but then, no glaring flaws. I'm pretty sure I missed this one when I read it when I was younger, because I don't remember any of these events.
I should emphasize that this is a fun read. It won't blow your mind or leave you dazed, pondering the meaning of the universe. It's just fun.
Stackpole seems to have a better handle on his series since t...more
I should emphasize that this is a fun read. It won't blow your mind or leave you dazed, pondering the meaning of the universe. It's just fun.
Stackpole seems to have a better handle on his series since t...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This is the second book in the X-Wing series. I read the first last month and filmed a video review, but it's privated because it was a really horrible video. I'll just say that I really enjoyed the first book, and it made me look forward to reading this one.
I enjoyed this one even more than the first. I liked the characters in the first book, but I became really attached to them in this one. And the ending has me wanting to go grab the next one right now and start reading.
As with the first book...more
I enjoyed this one even more than the first. I liked the characters in the first book, but I became really attached to them in this one. And the ending has me wanting to go grab the next one right now and start reading.
As with the first book...more
I started the month with a Star Wars book. ‘X-wing: Wedge’s Gamble’ is the second in the X-Wing series by Michael Stackpole. It continues to follow Wedge Antilles, Corran Horn, and the rest of Rogue Squadron through the next several months. The focus of the novel is actually a major happening in the Star Wars Universe, which is the Rebel Alliance taking over the central planet Corsucant. Against that backdrop, we follow the interpersonal relationships, the political maneuvering, and, of course,...more
The 2nd novel in the X-Wing series, "Wedge's Gamble", takes the events of the last book & continues with the battle for Coruscant. In this installment, we see our leader Wedge take part in what is a gamble itself to infiltrate the city as a plague is being prepared to be unleashed on the unsuspecting citizens. Stackpole's story is as engaging as the first & continues on a path that keeps you guessing from beginning to end as we the reader continue to get an understanding of the resurrect...more
In my review of the previous title in the series, I said something about how I like the author's work better when he had his characters behind the controls of a piece of science ficiton hardware. I think I may need to adjust that opinion seeing as I liked this book as well, although for most of it the characters spend very little of the story flying the spacecraft mentioned in the title.
In some ways, this feels like the "Empire Strikes Back" of the book series. The big air combat sequence is at...more
In some ways, this feels like the "Empire Strikes Back" of the book series. The big air combat sequence is at...more
Picking up where Rogue Squadron left off, Wedge, Corran, and the rest of Rogue Squadron mourn the death of one of their own and discover they have a traitor in their midst. Is Tycho Celchu really an Imperial sleeper agent as New Republic Intelligence fears?
Despite all this, the New Republic is poised to make the push for Coruscant, and they need Rogue Squadron to make the first move. The squadron is being sent to the heart of what's left of the Empire on an important intelligence gathering missi...more
Despite all this, the New Republic is poised to make the push for Coruscant, and they need Rogue Squadron to make the first move. The squadron is being sent to the heart of what's left of the Empire on an important intelligence gathering missi...more
Wedge's Gamble is an improvement over Rogue Squadron, in my opinion. The characters feel a little more fleshed out, and while some of that may have to do with it having the benefit of the previous book to build on, I think they were written a little better here.
Despite the somewhat absurd premise (send a starfighter squadron in to do a mission more suited to commandos or some sort of specialized infiltrators, or even regular old spies), the book is a fun read. It doesn't really have any parts th...more
Despite the somewhat absurd premise (send a starfighter squadron in to do a mission more suited to commandos or some sort of specialized infiltrators, or even regular old spies), the book is a fun read. It doesn't really have any parts th...more
"Start boiling the water. This world is dirty and needs a bath"
Rogue Squadron has a new mission: liberate Coruscant. Wedge and a team first negotiate for the release of Black Sun prisoners on Kessel to weaken the Empire's hold. Then, they must lower the shields on Coruscant so that the Rebels may attack. But will our favorite aces succeed or will Kirtan Loor sniff them out?
I Liked:
So much to enjoy!
Now that all the characters are introduced, we can get into the full-time groove of adventure. Corr...more
Rogue Squadron has a new mission: liberate Coruscant. Wedge and a team first negotiate for the release of Black Sun prisoners on Kessel to weaken the Empire's hold. Then, they must lower the shields on Coruscant so that the Rebels may attack. But will our favorite aces succeed or will Kirtan Loor sniff them out?
I Liked:
So much to enjoy!
Now that all the characters are introduced, we can get into the full-time groove of adventure. Corr...more
Still, there's no sense of urgency. This Krytos virus thing doesn't feel scary and Ysanne Isard is not a presence in my imagination and it's already the 2nd book! However, I think Stackpole's space battle scenes are pretty decent, also his characterization of Corran, if not Wedge. And again, Tycho still a mysterious figure, although I assume that's on purpose to make him look shady. And Leia cameo! Where's Han?! Yeah, major villain problems though. I totally skimmed the chapters where the Imps a...more
My impression of this book? I have to admit this one was a little bit of a let down for me, but to be far it was still somewhat entertaining.
My two biggest criticisms weren't anything to do with the flow or mechanics of the story, but purely wanting some particular plot points expanded upon or gone in a different direction.
1. Stackpole should have expanded upon the Black Sun angle more. I find the fact that the rebellion was willing to release hardened criminals from Kessel to help with Corusc...more
My two biggest criticisms weren't anything to do with the flow or mechanics of the story, but purely wanting some particular plot points expanded upon or gone in a different direction.
1. Stackpole should have expanded upon the Black Sun angle more. I find the fact that the rebellion was willing to release hardened criminals from Kessel to help with Corusc...more
Shadowhawk reviews the second Star Wars X-wing novel featuring the infamous Rogue Squadron by the talented Michael Stackpole.
“A promising novel in concept that regrettably suffers in the execution of that idea.” ~The Founding Fields
Like I mentioned earlier, the X-wing novels are some of my favourite novels in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (SWEU). However, as is common for any series, there are some good ones and some bad ones and a few average ones. The first novel in the series, Rogue Squadro...more
“A promising novel in concept that regrettably suffers in the execution of that idea.” ~The Founding Fields
Like I mentioned earlier, the X-wing novels are some of my favourite novels in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (SWEU). However, as is common for any series, there are some good ones and some bad ones and a few average ones. The first novel in the series, Rogue Squadro...more
These books are really just garbage. I love Star Wars, but it does seem that the more Star Wars-y it gets, the worse the taste that is left in my mouth after I'm finished. It's an interesting enough plot, I guess, but when the books star either boring characters or characters whose only interesting facets are due to them being carbon copies of interesting characters from the original film trilogy. Also, it seems that science fiction books get more ridiculous the larger amount of made up words th...more
Good follow up to the first book in this series. Once again it left me hanging and wanting more and so I've already purchased the next book in the series! The only thing I didn't like about this one is that most of the action takes place on Coruscant which is lame because I was addicted to this series because of the x wing fights and this one just doesn't have much of that. But the whole betrayal/spy thing is cool and I'm excited to dive into the next one!
The plot and characters are developing nicely. Everybody seems fairly dynamic, and not too obnoxious. I really liked Corran’s morals in resisting Erisi’s advances, and how he reasoned out not succumbing to her temptations. Total cliffhanger ending—loved it, and I can’t wait to see Corran escape from Iceheart’s prison. I really want to see him develop into a Jedi Knight – there have been more than a few hints at his sensitivity to the Force.
It's neither the first time nor probably the last that I will write this in my brief reviews of SW EU books, but the infiltration of Coruscant here by Rogue Squadron presents a planet that is way cooler in the imagination than the one we actually saw in the prequel movies.
Why are the fighter pilots also espionage/commandos? Who knows? Who cares? It's guerrilla war against the Empire on its home turf!
Why are the fighter pilots also espionage/commandos? Who knows? Who cares? It's guerrilla war against the Empire on its home turf!
A fairly entertaining read. Both the characters and the plot develop nicely.
However a lot of the story seems to hinge on chance meetings considering the story takes place on a planet of trillions, and I do not accept "it was the will of the force" as an explanation. Besides that I find it very unlikely that military commander would use elite fighter pilots as spies. It kinda makes sense for one or two characters, ut not all of them.
However a lot of the story seems to hinge on chance meetings considering the story takes place on a planet of trillions, and I do not accept "it was the will of the force" as an explanation. Besides that I find it very unlikely that military commander would use elite fighter pilots as spies. It kinda makes sense for one or two characters, ut not all of them.
Another good Star Wars book! The plot is getting pretty intense and it makes me want to keep reading further into the series. Stackpole is probably my favorite author as of now because not only did he create my favorite character (Corran Horn) but his writing always impresses me and keeps me reading.
Also, all I have to say at the end of this novel is... POOR CORRAN!! You'll just have to read the book to find out what happens. :)
Also, all I have to say at the end of this novel is... POOR CORRAN!! You'll just have to read the book to find out what happens. :)
If I was hooked after the first book in this series, the second has only made me more addicted. Once again, Stackpole brings back very well-rounded and believeable characters and mixes them into an epic, action-packed storyline that demonstrates Stackpole's keen understanding of the Star Wars universe. Bring on the next title please!
This is one of those books that almost gets five stars but is held back by the fact that it is a Star Wars book, something that in and of itself will not stop me from giving it five stars. This book is good like many Star Wars: New Jedi Order were good. Planet-shaking events occur and the action is incredible. The events detail just how the Alliance secured Coruscant once and for all.
Wedge's Gamble is not only the best X-Wing book to date, it is also one of the best Star Wars books period. I'd r...more
Wedge's Gamble is not only the best X-Wing book to date, it is also one of the best Star Wars books period. I'd r...more
Aventura pulp sin mayores pretensiones. Se estructura con resúmenes de las relaciones establecidas en el libro anterior. AL principio choca que el escuadrón pícaro casi no vuele, pero la historia va agarrando vuelo y se pone más interesante a medida que avanza. Recomendado si te interesa el mundo de star wars, pero no esperes una obra maestra.
I read a lot of Star Wars novels in Jr. High. It took a few dozen books before I realized many of them just weren't all that stellar. The X-Wing series of books were a little better than most, in sheer entertainment. But they are all air and no substance, as I recall. Fun, but not much more.
Not bad, but I did have one big plot question. If you're going to send a squad to use deception, subterfuge and sabotage to learn about an enemy planet and then disable its defenses, why send a group of pilots? Then again, you could ask the same question about sending Han Solo to Endor.
First book of the X-wing series I've read after hearing for years that they are pretty good. I'd say this lived up to my expectations.
This is the story of the fighter squadron and their part in capturing Coruscant from Imperial control.
This is the story of the fighter squadron and their part in capturing Coruscant from Imperial control.
First things first. Michael A Stackpole is an excellent writer. That being said, I struggled to read this book. This is the first book of the X-Wing books that I have read and it was a bit difficult. During a planned war on Coruscant Rouge squadron get sent down to the planet as spies to learn what they can and to take out the shield generators.
There were some exciting scenes in the book but it kept losing me as it jumped between the different teams and different enemies. Half the time I did no...more
There were some exciting scenes in the book but it kept losing me as it jumped between the different teams and different enemies. Half the time I did no...more
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