“X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar” (1999) is a standalone story with none of the continuity concerns of the previous eight books, and it was the last novel of the Bantam Books contract (although one collection, “Tales from the New Republic,” would follow). Perhaps for these reasons, Aaron Allston writes what I think is the best of the 10 “X-Wing” novels, and one that could serve as a template for the type of story a theoretical “X-Wing” animated series could do.
Jettisoning the 12-member Rogue and Wraith squadrons, Allston forms a four-member Red Squadron for a diplomatic mission to Adumar, a planet recently rediscovered by galactic powers-that-be. It draws interest from both the New Republic and the Empire due to its proton torpedo production.
Like an “X-men” comic writer picking his team for the mission, Allston chooses the four “movie star” X-wing pilots: Wedge Antilles, one of only 10 characters to appear in all three classic trilogy films (today’s challenge: name the other nine in the comment threads); Wes Janson and Hobbie Klivian, both of whom are mentioned by name in the snowspeeder battle; and Tycho Celchu, who draws TIEs off the Falcon’s tail during the second Death Star battle while flying an A-wing. (Tycho was created by Michael Stackpole but later retconned into “Return of the Jedi.”)
The freeness of Allston’s writing is evident in the byplay among the four friends; there isn’t a “Star Wars” yarn with better banter (It often involves Wedge sarcastically giving permission for someone to shoot somebody; Janson’s garish clothing choices also make for a fun recurring joke). “Starfighters of Adumar,” like many of the “X-wing” novels, also solves a continuity question raised by other works — it gets Wedge from his “Jedi Academy Trilogy” girlfriend, Qwi Xux, to his “Hand of Thrawn” wife, Iella Wessiri. Allston proves himself a competent romance writer; this one is especially entertaining because Wedge — so confident in a cockpit — is utterly out of his depth in the romance game.
It’s also a good political yarn; Adumar is unusual among “Star Wars” planets in that it doesn’t have a planet-wide government. Instead, it has countries much like Earth. Both of the galactic powers want Adumar to form a single government so it’ll be easier to work with; the New Republic wants it done democratically, while the Empire is content to see power determined by warfare. Furthermore, the Republic wants to convince the Adumari of the value of joining them, whereas the Empire might be content to take it by military force.
The culture of the most powerful country, Cartann, is interesting, too, as pilots regularly challenge each other to duels in the sky or to swordfights on the ground. These duels are always to the death, and when Wedge suggests simulators or paint-gun weapons, it’s an utterly foreign concept to the people of Cartann. As Wedge negotiates the arena of politics and diplomacy, it’s amusing, but also shows good character growth; this might be the single best Wedge novel.
Although there’s no good reason to not read all the “X-Wing” books in order, if you can only read one book, I suggest “Starfighters of Adumar.”
Since I reviewed the 10th book, “Mercy Kill,” when it came out last year, this brings us to the end of my “X-Wing” novel reviews. At some point down the road, I’ll go back to the chronological start of the “X-Wing” saga and tackle Stackpole’s comic book series, where these four characters pop up regularly in all their four-color glory.