Gotta love it when you review a book and there is a picture of it for your blog entry.

Wraith Squadron is the Fifth book in the X-Wing series, written by Aaron Allston. Michael Stackpole wrote the first four books of the series which focused on the reformed Rogue Squadron. Both squadrons are elite groups that take on some of the most dangerous assignments facing the New Republic. The similarities end there. After the events of the first four books Wedge recognizes the need for a squadron of capable pilots with commando and infiltration skills. The New Republic's resources are spread thin and Wedge realizes his superiors will not support shifting pilots to the new squadron. Wedge decides to take his new unit from the bottom of the barrel of pilots, beings with the commando/infiltration skills but only a few steps away from washing out of the New Republic pilot program. The Wraiths find themselves hunting Warlord Zsinj - a former imperial with a Super Star Destroyer who manages to amass a great deal of power.

Wedge puts the new recruits through the wringer and during the shake up many personal issues emerge. Kell Tainer's fear of repeating his father's failure and Tyria's lack of self confidence are two examples. The Wraiths struggle with their individual issues which inevitably spill into the lives of their squad mates. They deal with issues as they engage Warlord Zsinj. Like most people in the real world, the Wraiths are horrible at addressing their individual problems, but eager to help one another. I for one, can identify with this, its always easier to solve other people's problems than it is to solve my own. Even Wedge finds himself face to face with his own demons - leading another group into battle knowing that no matter how experienced he is there is the chance his men may not make it home.

Overall the Wraiths were a little annoying in the beginning, many are stubborn and fail to acknowledge their short comings. After a while they started to grow on me, when it comes to the Wraiths secondary skills they are more confident and more capable, which helps keep the plot going while the Wraiths work on their flying skills. Some of the comedy is juvenile pranks you would expect from a group of renegade military pilots. It all works to make an entertaining and suspenseful adventure. I like the fact that Allston keeps it simple - no preachy life lessons or cryptic solutions that come out of a fortune cookie, just familiar perspectives, and a little dose of reality.

One thing that Allston achieves with his characters is a strong sense of family. Stackpole was somewhat limited since the Rogues are elite, larger than life heroes that bury their fears behind bravado. The Wraiths are misfits and question marks, even Wedge doubts them at times. The additional dynamic of being unique and outside the norm makes the Wraith's bond that much stronger. The Rogues work to maintain their excellence, and the Wraiths are just trying to survive the next mission.

Another stand out from the previous novels is how the authors handles Wedge. Stackpole wrote Wedge as an accomplished military leader, confident and concerned about his men. Allston goes deeper with Wedge who feels somewhat disconnected from his rag-tag group. I really enjoyed Allston's work in Wraith Squadron. Some of the situations are a little hard to swallow. Runt's tendency to lose control in battle comes off like someone too hopped up on mountain dew to stay in control and left me scratching my head, should I be concerned or laughing. The plot, great story telling, and underdog nature of the Wraiths work well and make for an entertaining read.