Iron Fist (Star Wars: X-Wing Series, Book 6)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: One of the main reasons that the X-wing series is so popular is that it is populated by new characters. And no matter how much action and suspense there is, character is what makes a good story. Personally I enjoyed Face Loran in the lead role this time--Kell Tainer never really interested me. When there are over 20 books involving the main movie characters, you tend to get tired with them, and X-wing is the refreshing antidote to this boredom. As someone has pointed out, in Return of the Jedi, look how "simple" it was to take out the Executor; that was an ambush by the Empire. In Iron Fist, there are two Super Star Destroyers-- only one of them battle operational--but the New Republic has a plan this time; they are attacking the ships on purpose. If you read the strategy the former Rebels used to take on Zsinj in the finale, it makes sense that they were able to do what they did. One thing: when the Wraiths were disguised as stormtrooper MP's, they took out the two guards in front of the hangar and replaced them. Wouldn't the two guards have been shock stormtroopers, and not MP's? Perhaps they wiped the paint of the MP insignia off in a scene we didn't see. I have seen people speculate that Myn Donos will fall in love with Shalla Nelprin, but I think Lara Notsil is the more likely candidate. Look at the scene when he finds her in the corridor in Hawk-bat base, and when he accompanies her to Aldivy. Thank you for your time, and read the book if you haven't already done so.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Book in the X-Wing Series so far!
Review: Iron Fist is, in my opinion, the best book of the X-Wing series. (Not counting Solo Command, I haven't read it yet.) There are lots of action scenes and I especially like the finale of the book. Mon Remonda was able to defeat the two SSD's because it had lots of fighters (that were better than TIE's) attacking Iron Fist, and Razor's Kiss was pretty much running on a skeleton crew. I also liked the parts with Baron Fel and Lieutenant Kettch. This is a great book,and I can't wait to read Solo Command.

Rating:
Summary: The X-Wing series keeps on kickin.
Review: This book is very good. Now Allston may not have that same style as Stackpole, but he can do a very good job. Oh, and about the Mon Remonda, it is a very powerful craft. It has mutiple backup generators, 48 turbolasers, and twenty ion cannons. Check your specs before you bash a book.

Rating:
Summary: A evil warlord theartens the fate of the New Republic
Review: Aaron Allston does a wonderful job displaying this book. Warlord Zsinj and his Super Star Destroyer IRON FIST try to evade the New Republic. During this point he tries to capture a new SSD, RAZOR'S KISS but will he succeed?? I'll let you find out.

Rating:
Summary: Deny Physics? A scientist maybe, but not an author
Review: To start it off simly the book made no sense. When the two SSDs were battling the Mon Remonda, they should have won in a minute. Mone Remonda doesn't have 50 turbolasers or even 30 ion cannons. An Imperial Star Destroyer has 60 turbolasers and 60 ion cannons. And Mon Remonda is battling a SUPER Star Destroyer. REalistic? I think not. If you're an author and want to learn about how NOT to write, this book is an A+ example. Otherwise, run for the hills!

Rating:
Summary: Greatest of the X-Wings so far.
Review: First I would like to say that I am a obsessive reader of Star Wars novels. This book is one of the best. The desroying of a super star destroyer with no shields by a mon calamarian cruiser is not unbelieveable. The tension between Baron Fel and Wedge Antilles mounts and the only solution is for them to head one on one. It would be a great battle between Rouge Squadron and the 181st. The sexual tension between Wedge is something new. Who would have thought that the leader of Rouge and Wraith Squadrons would want a mate. The personality conflicts with Lara Nostil is also new. I hope she comes clean and stays with the Wraiths. Over all, this is the best X-Wing to date. I can't wait for the last and final chapter of the X-Wing books.

Rating:
Summary: Extremely Successful Sophomore Effort
Review: Aaron Allston's second Star Wars book equals any other episode in the X-Wing series in intelligent writing and fast-paced action. Allston again successfully gives his main character an endearing set of qualities and emotional troubles. In this book, he switches focus from Kell Tainer, who was afraid of failure and cowardice to Garik "Face" Loran, who is wracked with guilt of his childhood service to the Empire. Unlike some other Star Wars novels, such as Darksaber, the enemy is both sophisticated and strong enough to present a legitimate battle. Though the ending is a bit predictable, it is nevertheless satisfying and worthy of the adventure tradition begun by George Lucas.

Rating:
Summary: A Good book, but a little overdone with the enemy
Review: I thought the book was good, and I did like the first Wraith book. But how all the sudden does the Empire have all of this stuff? Where are the Super Star Destroyers coming from? I thought they were supposed to be incredibly expensive, powerful, and rare ships! From the impression I got in the movies of Star Wars, the Executer was one of a kind. It said in Darksaber that Executer nearly bankrupted the Empire. Yet now I can name a million of the things from the books, the movies, the comics, and even the video games. They were kind of neat while they were so much more incredible and powerful. But oh well. Life goes on (sigh).

Rating:
Summary: Mediocre - Except for Gara!
Review: Overall, I think Allston hasn't filled the shoes left by Stackpole. It seems that no matter how much Imperial hardware is arrayed, all the rebels have to do to defeat it is show up in an X-Wing; after a while this becomes a shop-worn cliche. The only thing that makes this book worth-while is Gara Petothel's character. Is it just me or is Allston setting her up to be Yisanne Isard's long lost sister? She is extremely smart and resourceful (like Isard, except Gara is less arrogant and has a moral compass). Both are from Coruscant. Recall that Isard had her parents executed (as did Gara). In addition, hints are continually dropped that Isard may still be alive. The potential for a family reunion (ala, Luke/Vader) is there.

Rating:
Summary: Stackpole shows he can really stand up to Zahn
Review: Stackpole has given us many books, all great, but this was the first one that really gave an actual person behind new caracters, something that until now only Darkhorse comix and Zahn were able to do. I think that the action oriented plot is pretty cool thoughout the X-wing and Wraith Squad, sometimes refreshing to Zahns all war tacticts books which remind me a little to much of Clancy. The only reason i didn't give this book five stars is that the main character was kinda switched and that Stackpole falls with the rest of the Star Wars writers in that he doesn't give the New Republic any challenge.