Adrick's Rating:   2.3 out of 4

Deadly assassin X-7 has infiltrated the Rebel Alliance. Trained by ruthless Commander Rezi Soresh, X-7 is the best there is: He feels nothing and sees everything. Now he?s gunning for the ultimate prize: Luke Skywalker, the pilot that destroyed the Death Star.

The seemingly clueless kid from Tatooine proves more resourceful and difficult to eliminate than X-7 could ever have imagined. Surrounded by friends and allies, and with a connection to the Force that grows stronger every day, Luke seems all but impervious to the usual tactics.

But X-7 isn?t done with him yet. This time, he knows how to bring Luke down. He?ll shatter the trust that holds the Rebel Alliance together?and manufacture the ultimate betrayal.

Adrick:

    Wheeler uses a lot of elements from other Star Wars stories to make an interesting story, while still advancing the plot of the series. Luke returns to Tatooine to mourn Biggs Darklighter?s death with his friends from the A New Hope cut scenes. All the while, he?s stalked by Jabba the Hutt?s bounty hunter, the monstrous reptilian Bossk from The Empire Strikes Back. Ferus Olin reappears here briefly to set up the next book, and X-7 continues his mission to destroy Luke Skywalker.

As with Hostage, I admire Wheeler?s ability to tell a good story while exploring the aftermath of A New Hope in a more personal way than many authors have. It?s nice to see both Luke and Leia returning home.

Adrick:

    There are really few complaints I could make about Renegade. It?s an enjoyable, straightforward Star Wars adventure. As a self-declared continuity freak, however, this is the kind of book that makes me whimper. Wheeler seems to have done a lot of background research, which is nice, but the story of Luke Skywalker returning to Tatooine for the first time was already told in the comic Classic Star Wars: Tatooine Sojourn. And Luke?s first reunion with his friend Fixer appeared in the rather obviously titled Star Wars #31: Return to Tatooine. As much as I like Wheeler?s take on the idea; it?s hard to ignore the previous versions?

Adrick:

    Finding out that Alex Wheeler is most definitely not Jude Watson. I hate it when I?m wrong.