Blade Squadron - Zero Hour

Star Wars Disney Canon Short Stories

by David J. Williams, Mark S. Williams

A sequel to the short story "Blade Squadron" and a tie-in prequel to the novel Aftermath, this short story takes place after the Battle of Endor.

Genres: Star Wars, Short Stories

6 pages, Unknown Binding

First published September 8, 2015

About the author

Descended from Australian convicts, David J. Williams nonetheless managed to be born in Hertfordshire, England, and subsequently moved to Washington D.C. just in time for Nixon’s impeachment. Graduating from Yale with a degree in history some time later, he narrowly escaped the life of a graduate student and ended up doing time in Corporate America, which drove him so crazy he started moonlighting on video games and (as he got even crazier) novels.

The Autumn Rain trilogy sold to Bantam Spectra in the summer of 2007; the release of THE MACHINERY OF LIGHT in May of 2010 completes the series.

Reviews

[Jim C · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a short story that is part of a series. Most of these stories are stand alone. This one is but it does take us back to characters from the first two entries to this series. In this one the Battle of Endor is over and the rebels have one. There is still work to do by Blade Squadron.

If I had to use a word to describe this story I would use brief. I know that is to be expected with a short story but this one was too short. In a previous review I have stated I like these characters and I wish they had more depth. That holds here also. As for the story it works but there is nothing memorable to it. I believe part of the problem was how it was told. We had flashbacks and the medium that I read this story did not separate them. A couple of times I was confused as I had no idea I was in the middle of a flashback. The ending was the biggest disappointment. It just ended in the middle of a scene. Thanks for leaving me hanging.

I really don't expect much with these stories. They are just a quick little time filler for me. But I do expect a complete story. If it wasn't for the characters this would have been a one star rating.

[Richard Eyres · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short story in Star Wars Insider 160. It is a sequel to the Blade Squadron short story, and a prequel to the Aftermath book (which i have yet to read).
We are back with Moonsong, after the battle of Endor. The war is not over, and they still have targets. Moonsong sees a potential target.

Its a short story, so you can not get too much in, but i enjoyed what i read. As i have not read Aftermath at the moment, i have no idea if the characters are in it, and if it will flesh them out. It doesn't take too long to read - so enjoy.

[Ahdom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am beginning to read the supplemental short stories. I noticed there were several Blade Squadron stories that follow Gina Moonsong and her comrades on different missions. I also realized afterwards that this was not the first entry in the timeline. I plan to read all of these and going forward, I am going to read them in order as I approach reading the final installment of the Aftermath trilogy, Aftermath: Empire's End and Alphabet Squadron

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is a sequel of sorts of Blade Squadron, only it's set after the cleanup of the Battle of Endor, and helps set the stage for Aftermath. I just read this yesterday, and I've already forgotten much about it. Like its predecessor, Zero Hour has some decent action, but almost no characterization, so there's not much to engage the reader here. It was part of a free Star Wars sampler e-book, though, so I'm not complaining (too much).

[Alternate Lore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid entry in the Blade Squadron saga depicts their first mission after Endor. This one changes things up a little bit by alternating between the mission itself and a flashback to just before they set out, handling both character development and action, as we've come to expect from the series.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the Aftermath Trilogy's support stories, featuring Gina Moonsong.

[Ekenedilichukwu Ikegwuani · Rating 3 out of 5]

decent short story. barely ties in to aftermath like they say it does

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series. Well done. Fast paced. Good characterization in small chunks. Serialized format. I feel I've missed parts of the larger story.

[Marcin Kowalski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something about the missions of Blade Squadron does not satisfy me. They are an ok read, but they don't exactly draw me in. This time we get the theme of personal feelings versus professionality.
Both don’t always go well with each other, but in the typical Hollywood script, the recklessness of the more emotional partner is rewarded, so the rational thinker ends up looking stupid. I kinda was hoping for a change here, but no, all we got was one properly told story without much surprises.