The Women’s War
Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By Jenna Glass
Publisher: Del Rey, an imprint of Random House Books
Release Date: March 6, 2019

To say that this book is a work of feminist fantasy is a lot like saying the ocean is wet. The Women’s War is a definitive work of raising women up in a patriarchal society, of that there can be no question. However, there is so much more to the story that it defies simplistic characterizations. This tale strives, and often succeeds, to ring the bell of resistance in an otherwise bleak world devoid of equality.

The best part of this novel is, hands down, the depth of character that author Jenna Glass brings to her work. So much time and paper is devoted to all of the characters that the setting seems to suffer quite often. As the reader connects quickly and strongly with the protagonist Alysoon, so do they empathetically bond with the women who are subjugated at every turn. This is a man’s world and not many are apt to forget it; even the magic of this world is divided. But it is through this division that something new has arisen. Something that will not just equalize but enable the women to turn the tables on any who would oppress them.

The Point
Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By John Dixon
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: August 7, 2018

Authors of superhero novels have a unique opportunity to showcase their characters in a way that many comic books and movies could never pull off. Due to the sheer length of prose fiction, authors are not only able to tell the story of a hero who “saves the day” from the next big threat, but they’re given the freedom to create and explore dynamic characters with layered emotions, whose lives are not simply defined by the costume they wear or the power they possess, but by how their actions – at all times – affect their dual existence. The Point by John Dixon is a story that, based on its premise, has so much potential; however, the length of time without a “real threat,” the general pacing of the novel, and low-stakes deaths all contribute to The Point truly missing “the point.”

Star Wars: X-Wing
Written by Aaron Allston
Book 5: Wraith Squadron
Book 6: Iron Fist
Book 7: Solo Command
Del Rey Books

The second part of the X-Wing series of Star Wars novels, and the second last set of books from which I’ll be reviewing, we are introduced to Wedge Antilles’ idea of a flying-commando group. While Rogue Squadron turned out to be fliers who might be able to do other things, Wedge wanted a group of specialist commando’s who, just probably, could fly.

And thus, Wraith Squadron was born, and with it some of the greatest characters you could ever hope for.

Only Wedge is brought over from the first four books for Wraith Squadron, and he is joined by Wes Janson, a character that appears very briefly in Empire Strikes Back. Together, they choose a bunch of misfits and outcasts, most on their last chance in the New Republic military, but that have specific skills, to join their new Wraith Squadron (Wes is Wedge’s number 2).