I finished Empire's End this week. I'm glad that it gave us some background that leads into Episode VII a bit, but leaves a HUGE gap where a lot obviously happens.
A few more specific spoilery thoughts:
I'm glad Sloane survived. I love her. I also love the ambiguity that comes with her being there in the Unknown Regions at what is effectively the dawn of the First Order but not there leading it in TFA. She'd be 75 at the time of TFA, so her being at least retired seems likely, if she managed to survive the machinations of Hux, to say nothing of Snoke.
Speaking of Snoke, I also love what is implied by his total absence (not a surprise, but glad they didn't throw him in). What this REALLY means is that the Emperor's "new domain" do-over of the Empire that is initially led by Sloane gets usurped by Snoke.
It seems likely that Wedge and Norra are killed in the First Order attack on Hosnian Prime, right? If both were instructors at their starfighter pilot academy, and they obviously get together, it seems likely that they would have retired there as well. If so, they'd have been killed in the Starkiller Base attack.
RIP Mister Bones
I look forward to at least a comic book appearance by Jas and her new crew.
Sooooo ready for TLJ! And looking forward to the combination of the Rebels finale next week and the Thrawn novel to follow later. And Rogue One on Blu Ray in April. Good times.