What do You think about Solo Command (1999)?
X-Wing - Solo Command: This is not the finale you're looking forI admit to being a little disappointed in Solo Command - but merely in the sense of it not truly resolving anything. This is meant to be the finale to the Wraiths vs Zsinj saga. To that end, it builds up beautifully - with the same intrigue and adventure that we've come to expect in this series. The final showdown at the novel's climax is a great read, but the ending just leaves you wanting more closure. The fact that the true ending was already scripted by the events in The Courtship of Princess Leia necessitates this abbreviated ending so you can't blame Allston. He does his best with the corner into which he was painted.Overall, though, the book was a fun read but not quite as enjoyable as the two previous Wraith entries in this series. I found myself feeling a bit betrayed in that, still, Solo is relegated to a minor supporting role in a novel bearing his name. The cover would have you believe that our favorite Corellian is going to strap in and fly the Falcon alongside the heroes of Wraith Squadron to bring down this self-proclaimed warlord. Instead we get a battered stand-in YT-1300 (the "Millennium Falsehood") that they use as bait for Zsinj - the actual Falcon never making an appearance. Worse yet, Han really never leaves his flag officer role to get his hands dirty in true Solo fashion. I suppose that it can be said that this lack of action helped convince him that he wasn't military material - accelerating his eventual resignation from service to the New Republic armed forces. But that doesn't do the reader of this novel any favors.In short, it was a good book in the series and continues to tell the tale of "Face" Loran and his band of misfit pilots - Wedge Antilles is slowly fading out of day-to-day combat operations as he moves toward his eventual promotion to general. Face is a worth successor to the role of protagonist and is easy to identify with.
—Tom Ferratt
For the past few months, I have been reading all of the X-wing novels, plus I Jedi since it's spiritually in the same series. I recall enjoying Solo Command when I first read it many moons ago, but I must admit that it did not hold up to a re-reading that well. Most of my qualms with Solo Command are the same as with Aaron Allston's other X-wing novels: the characters and their situations are melodramatic to the point of farce, and I don't really feel strongly about any of them. I also think that Allston couldn't figure out from which character to tell the story; he starts off Wraith Squadron focusing on Kell Tainer, but progresses to using Wedge Antilles and Garik "Face" Loran as the primary narrators. Contrast this to Stackpole's novels, which are almost entirely told from the point of view of Corran Horn. As a result, I don't think any of Allston's characters became as likable as Stackpole's Horn. Moreover, he ramps up the melodrama of the character's personal lives almost as a substitute for any real drama or action in his main plot. The relationship between Myn Donos and Lara Nostil was just so completely over the top that I couldn't take it seriously in Iron First or in Solo Command. The whole book feels loosely thrown together; there are some good moments of humor in the novel (unlike most of Stackpole's work), but that's its only redeeming quality. Otherwise, I feel like Solo Command was barely worth my time. I've moved on to the next book in the series, Isard's Revenge, and it's a breath of fresh air; Stackpole's writing is so much more mature and cohesive.
—Michael
So much is going on in this book. The characters are evolving to a point where they could almost each their own books devoted to them. Although this book had much more Han Solo in it than most the others, I really wanted more of our newest characters. However, I guess that is what has to happen. Now that the Wraiths are a solid group and proven squadron, it's time to focus on Zsinj. We actually get to see more from General Han Solo and get into his battle with Zsinj. And what a battle it is. The Mon Remonda and Iron Fist pound at each other in this book. We still have the fighter battles going on, but now get to see how capital ships battle as well. Nail biting excitement and disbelief around every corner. Great book. Rated four stars only because it ended too soon and on a cliffhanger.
—Arlene Kellas
