Brad Tracy 
Venture beyond the Battlefront with Iden Versio and deploy with the Inferno Squad
It took one look at the back cover for me to fall in love with this book. It simply says, “The Rebellion has hope. The Empire has Inferno Squad.” Nerdgasm!
Author Christie Golden (on twitter @ChristieGolden) has delivered every fan boy’s (and fan girl’s) dream. To put it plainly, Inferno Squad is the blueprint of what a finely crafted Star Wars story should look like.
With many of the books I have read recently, it takes me a good five chapters to become emotionally involved enough with the characters to continue reading on for the rest of the story. Not so with this book. From scene one, I was like “oh damn!” (Not an easy feat, I assure you.) From there on, Christie Golden adds suspense, betrayal, intrigue, and extremely realistic and well-paced character development.
But perhaps the thing I like most about Inferno Squad is the fact that it is from the Imperial point of view. Not every Imperial who served in the military was like Emperor Palpatine, Grand Moff Tarkin or Director Krennic. In fact, I can guarantee you 99% of those who enlisted undoubtedly did so with the best of intentions. Sure we love to root for the Rebel Alliance — the good guys, blah — but the fact of the matter is they did perform terrorist acts, especially those Partisans in league with Saw Gerrera. Think about it: if your father was a shipyard worker on Kuat and this militant group came in and blew up that shipyard, killing your father, would you not want to avenge his death?
Inferno Squad combines the “hugeness” of Star Wars with compelling human stories. The best way I can sum up this book is with a quote from Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. “Luke, you’re going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.”
If you are serious Star Wars fanatic — or just a casual fan — this book is a must-read.
Additionally, if you enjoy audiobooks, you may also enjoy listening to this novel. Janina Gavankar (on twitter @Janina) who plays the main character, Iden Versio, in the upcoming EA video game of the same name, delivers a riveting performance. It is as raw and gritty as Christie’s writing. Definitely give it a listen!
Please leave a comment and let me know what you think, and as always, may the Force be with you!
JFK historian and assassination researcher. Member of Citizens Against Political Assassinations and Assassination Archives Research Center.
