Aftermath: Empire's End (Star Wars: Aftermath, #3) by Chuck Wendig

Aftermath: Empire's End (Star Wars: Aftermath, #3) by Chuck Wendig-423 pages

I liked this the best of the three. It is as good an ending as one could ask/hope for with what came before in the first two books of the trilogy. Overall, I thought the trilogy was okay and it did shed some light on the end of the Empire and beginning of the New Republic and even a hint of the start of the First Order, but it's not as good as Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy (and I am excited for Thrawn, as an aside). I thought that Han, Leia, and many of the other original characters were much more "true to character" in this novel than in the previous one, also. Overall, I enjoyed reading Aftermath: Empire's End, as I do any Star Wars novel I read (at least any I've read thus far). 
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Lost Stars (Star Wars: Journey to the Force Awakens) by Claudia Gray

Lost Stars (Star Wars: Journey to the Force Awakens) by Claudia Gray-551 pages

I read Bloodline, also by Claudia Gray, and enjoyed it quite a bit and I had read many good reviews of this so I wanted to read it. It was very interesting to see the events of the original Star Wars trilogy through the eyes of those who were in the lower positions and worked their way up. I also enjoyed the plot of this novel and Gray's prose is high quality. I enjoyed Lost Stars much more than Aftermath by Chuck Wendig (although I am not as harsh on Aftermath as some) as the plot and prose are so much better and more professional. Overall, I enjoyed reading about a boy and a girl from the same planet who both initially join the Imperial Fleet happily, but eventually take two different paths only to be reunited in the end.

Star Wars: Bloodline (Star Wars Canon) by Claudia Gray

Star Wars: Bloodline (Star Wars Canon) by Claudia Gray-341 pages

I enjoyed reading this more than I enjoyed Aftermath, although I did enjoy Aftermath. Bloodline is set a few years prior to The Force Awakens and follow's Princess Leia's last months as a member of the Galactic Senate of the New Republic. Additionally, it uncovers some of the origins of the First Order and shows how Leia came to be leader of The Resistance. The political climate is eerily similar to that of today in that there are two main parties, Populist and Centrist, that distrust each other and, for the most part, will not work together. However, Leia (a Populist) and another senator named Ransom Casterfo (a Centrist) are able to get past their partisanship and work together for a while. Han is in the book, as well, though in more of a cameo role. Luke and Ben are only mentioned, so as to not reveal the mystery behind the beginnings of Ben's downfall to becoming Kylo Ren and the founding of the Knights of Ren. I am sure we will find out more in Episode VIII, although I can hardly wait. Overall, Claudia Gray makes an intriguing, captivating book with what she was given to work with. I would definitely recommend it to fans of Star Wars, especially those who enjoyed The Force Awakens.

Aftermath-Star Wars: Aftermath #1 by Chuck Wendig

Aftermath-Star Wars: Aftermath #1 by Chuck Wendig-366 pages

I recently learned about the new Star Wars novels set in the years after Episode VI and before Episode VII and decided I want to read them. This is the first of those new novels and part of a trilogy. The story follows a group of New Republic "rebels," first individually, then working together as a group, albeit reluctantly and sort of accidentally. The "rebels" are on Akiva for various reasons and soon learn that the Empire is holding an important meeting on the planet and, in the end, decide to work together to take down the Imperials holding the meeting. Twists and turns occur throughout the story which makes for an intriguing, interesting read. I have mixed opinions about the Interludes littered throughout the story. On one hand, they show the "aftermath" of the Empire's defeat at Endor, while on the other they are merely a distraction. Overall, it was an easy, fun read, though the writing at times was choppy and improper grammar could be found throughout. Having read this, I am interested in reading the rest of the trilogy (which has yet to be published) and in reading Bloodline, which is another of the new Star Wars novels set between the events of Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.