Rebel Dawn by A. C. Crispin

 

Synopsis:

Here is the explosive conclusion of the blockbuster trilogy that chronicles the never-before-told story of the young Han Solo.  Set before the Star Wars(r) movie adventures, these books chronicle the coming-of-age of the galaxy's most famous con man, smuggler, and thief.

The Millennium Falcon is "the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy."  So when Han Solo wins it in a game of sabacc, he and Chewbacca become kings of the smugglers—uncatchable, unstoppable.  But with the Empire clamping down, Han knows his luck can't last.  Still, when an old girlfriend who is now the leader of an insurgent Rebel group offers him a shot at an incredible fortune, Han can't resist.  The plan seems a sure thing.  The resistance will be light and the take enormous.  Han and his friends will divide it equally with the Rebels.  Too bad for Han that the planet of Ylesia is far from a pushover, that the Rebels have an agenda of their own, and that smuggler friends can often turn into enemies...quicker than lightspeed.

Review by Patrick:

Want a ride? 'Cause this book will turn your stomach like being a passenger with Han making a Kessel Run. And yes, the Millennium Falcon not only make an appearance, but becomes Han's own ship.

What Crispin does as a writer with this book is absolutely fantastic. The story that was introduced in the first two novels of this trilogy comes to a close, but in addition, a wonderful back story is presented that ties directly into the first Star Wars movie, Episode IV: A New Hope. It's like there were these individual pretty strands that were made from the first two books or from our experience watching the Star Wars movies, and Crispin takes those strands and builds a beautiful web of storytelling.

Life isn't easy for the scoundrel and his Wookie companion. Things get pretty risky in the smuggling business, then there's the Hutts who are pretty upset, a lot of bounty hunters and one really famous one named Boba Fett... then there's the rebel alliance who have their own priorities, and an old love interest who gets caught up in everything as well.

Again, if you are a fan of Han Solo, or Harrison Ford, or just Star Wars in general, this trilogy was a good read. It had new story lines in it, with new characters, but it never strayed away from the consistency of the saga. I liked it and can't wait to read more. This book gets 4 stars from me, although I will have to admit, that about half way through, I couldn't put the book down.

Star Wars The Han Solo Trilogy: The Hutt Gambit by A. C. Crispin

Synopsis:

Here is the second novel in the blockbuster new trilogy that reveals the never-before-told story of the young Han Solo.  Set before the Star Wars(r) movie adventures, these books chronicle the coming-of-age of the galaxy's most famous con man, smuggler and thief.

Solo is now a fugitive from the Imperial Navy.  But he has made a valuable friend in a former Wookiee slave named Chewbacca, who has sworn Han a life debt.  Han will need all the help he can get.  For the Ylesian Hutts have dispatched the dreaded bounty hunter Boba Fett to track down the man who already outsmarted them once.  But Han and Chewie find themselves in even bigger trouble when they agree to lend their services to the crime lords Jiliac and Jabba the Hutt.  Suddenly the two smugglers are thrust into the middle of a battle between the might of the Empire and the treachery of their outlaw allies...a battle where even victory means death!

Review by Patrick:

So, the Imperial Navy didn't sit too well with Han. And who can blame him, those guys are jerks.

But then we get Chewbacca! The first book of the series introduced the Wookies to us, and we know how Han is fond of them, but this book is where we get to meet the iconic sidekick, and get to find out why they were together in the first place.

Okay, enough about the characters, what about the story line, you say? Well, pretty good. I mean you really get to find out what the Hutts have been doing. It ties back to the first book, but gives some really interesting insights on the politics surrounding the Hutts, the Imperials, their relation to each other, and the Outer Rim. This is also before Jabba is really in power, so we see him learning, planning, and ultimately becoming the slime ball we all know him to be in the movies.

Ah. I guess you can't explain the story without the characters. Anyways, the book was good. The plot built up with suspense, because you knew what was coming. The end of the book was going to be a battle, that's for sure. But then, ingenuity won the day, and Crispin created a battle plan that had guts, nerve, a barrel of luck, and some good strategy. The end of this book was movie quality, and I wouldn't mind paying the box office to see this one in theaters.

Disclaimer: There were no X-Wings in this book.

So, if you read the first book of this trilogy, keep reading. It's worth it. I'm giving this book a 4.5 for excellence in plot and character building.

Star Wars The Han Solo Trilogy: The Paradise Snare by A. C. Crispin

 

Synopsis:

Here is the first book in the blockbuster trilogy that chronicles the never-before-told story of the young Han Solo. Set before the Star Wars movie adventures, these books chronicle the coming-of-age of the galaxy's most famous con man, smuggler, and thief.

The first book in this exciting new Han Solo series begins with a recounting of Han's late teen years and shows us how he escaped an unhappy adopted home situation to carve out an adventurous new life for himself as a pilot. Han Solo, the handsome rogue, is every girl's dream man, and every boy's hero. The Paradise Snare is another stellar Star Wars production, complete with original music and sound effect.

Review by Patrick:

Okay. So I'm a Star Wars fan. Actually, I'm a nerd of many different types, but Star Wars is one of them. So what better way to expand your nerdy knowledge than to read books in the saga?

The Paradise Snare gives the beginning of Han Solo's life, at least as far back as he can remember. This is very interesting to learn the childhood stories of the handsome smuggler. Later in the movies, Han says he's good at rescuing princesses. Well, it turns out he had to rescue himself first, then some friends. He's had some practice at rescuing. The book also set up some other themes that reoccur with Han.

The book by itself was good. It was interesting and was fast paced. There was good story building, spaceship flying with a brief encounter with pirates, blaster fights, and a lot more. Also, possibly Han's first love interest, and a new species that I hadn't heard of before, the Togorians, a feline species that are very formidable. It also wrapped up loose ends nicely, so even though this is part of a trilogy, it almost feels like a stand alone. Needless to say, I liked the book.

There were a few things that kind of irked me.  If you are a "Scoundress" shipper, you are just going to have to get over the fact that Han has a very diverse past, including women. The author made it feel like the Han in the book talked like and behaved like the Han in the movies. There were times I felt like I could hear the diolauge in Harrison Ford's voice. But I'm a little skeptical about how someone with this particular background could have so many specialties, like piloting, shooting a blaster, smuggling, learning alien languages in a matter of weeks, and other bits of his knowledge set. There's very little growth. He just comes from being a "slave" to rescuing himself with piloting a ship without controls. There were also a few questions that were not answered. One I think will be answered later in the trilogy, "why can't he remember anything before Garris Shrike." But other less minor ones. Like, "Why did the Ylesians want a Corellian to pilot?" and "Why did Bria ... spoilers, sorry?"

My recommendation, if you like Star Wars, space science fiction, the character of Han Solo, or a protagonist trying to overcome the punches that life throws their way, this is a good book. This book gets four stars from me.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfield

  

Synopsis:

It is the cusp of World War I. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ genetically fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.

Aleksandar Ferdinand, a Clanker, and Deryn Sharp, a Darwinist, are on opposite sides of the war. But their paths cross in the most unexpected way, taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure….One that will change both their lives forever.

Review by Patrick:

Wow. This book... the world the story lives in, is phenomenal. I can't even fathom how Scott Westerfeld came up with such an invention. He's written some pretty crazy stuff (nothing I haven't liked), but this might take the cake.

So jumping into this book without reading the gist of the story might leave you a little dazed. This book is an alternate history book in the time of World War I. Instead of the Allies and the Central Powers, you have the Darwinists and the Clankers. The Darwinists are in the belief that creatures can be 'fabricated' to do the bidding of their human creators. These creatures are fantastical creations with abilities that can only come with imagination, but everything is explained within the reasonably possible, so it feels very real. The Clankers are "Steam Punk," and way more advanced than the present day (presumably because they have to keep up with the creations of the animals, but anyways). These guys have machines that can do incredible things. Ever read or played Mech Warrior? These machines are in this book; the only difference is that they run on kerosene.

Not quite this, but animals do fight (in their own way)

And not quite this either (no lasers)

So that paragraph should help you with some of the terminology before getting into the books. Now for the story. This book is told from really two points of view, one on either side of the war. A lowly girl (who shouldn't be allowed into the British ranks), and the son of Archduke Franz Ferdinad (who you may have heard before). The two stories are both very interesting and keep you on your toes, but eventually they both merge together.

My only complaint with this book, is that it gives you lots of questions, and the last page comes too soon. This is part of a trilogy, and you will want to finish the other books. The questions must be answered. I can't wait to keep reading. Fantastic book. Worth it's weight in gold on an airship.

Sphere by Michael Crichton

Synopsis:

In the middle of the South Pacific, a thousand feet below the surface of the water, a huge vessel is discovered resting on the ocean floor. It is a spaceship of phenomenal dimensions, apparently undamaged by its fall from the sky. And, most startling, it appears to be at least three hundred years old. 

But even more fantastic—and frightening—is what waits inside . . .

Review by Patrick:

Okay, so this turned from my read-before-bedtime book to my stay-up-all-night-and-wake-up-early-to-finish book.

I really like other books from Michael Crichton, and this one turned out no different. I like that his books have enough facts and pseudo-science that you think it might have actually happened. And with this particular book, there's no way to prove that it didn't happen.

I wasn't expecting this book to be quite as psychological as it was. But it turned out that the main character was psychologist and the whole premise of the book is psychological. That really threw me for a twist when I was expecting some kind of alien book. But in some ways, it was necessary. This book wouldn't have been anything without the psychological perspective.

I like the book. I would recommend many people to read it. This one will stretch your imagination and mind, and give you a little bit of thrill and mystery. This book is worth reading. I rate it a 4.

Up Next:

Moby Dick, or The Whale.