The Han Solo Trilogy

By AC Crispin

Review by Jonathan Hicks

Hmmmmm….

I use this sound-imitating word to express my feelings about this series of books.

I say again: Hmmmmmm......

Look, I not going to deny that I was bought the first book as a gift and then was compelled to buy the other two. I wasn’t bowled over by the Paradise Snare. I always had the feeling that Han Solo, when younger, was boisterous and adventurous but, unfortunately, these traits don’t really come across. I suppose it would be easy to say that those facets of his personality grew as he did but it would have been nice...

I digress. The Paradise Snare is very well written and, although I have not read any other Crispin works, I was impressed by the fluidity of the writing. Certain scenes, however, seem to drag with no apparent impact on the story. Just when you think things have boiled over and its time for some serious Star Wars action (which is what you expect from Han Solo) you feel kind of let down when the adventure is pretty low-key.

From the Hutt Gambit I expected more, but what you are given is a long description and insight into Hutt politics, which, while interesting, you are quite willing to put aside for something to happen.

The final one, Rebel Dawn, is just a loose-ends tie up where things really start to happen. Although the end is predictable, it is a very good book which reads well at very satisfying clip.

The whole trilogy is a work of background information. All three books are packed with characters pasts and their influence and relationships with Han Solo. It’s also an account of how Solo got into the business of smuggling, what happened when he joined the Academy and how he made friends and enemies alike. Its a biography, basically.

Which is a shame. Star Wars has always been, to me, a story of heroism and space adventure, Saturday morning flick stuff where the heroes are cheered and the bad guys are booed. Over the last few years, especially with the release of Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (which I haven’t wrote a review on but which I thought was top notch) the Star Wars universe has evolved into a story of not just black and white, good and evil, but a story with sharp contrasts in various colours. You can now get under the skin of characters, which is what these books offer.

So, if you want a series of books of grand adventure and excitement, you may find yourself a little disappointed with this series. If you want more information on the characters and their beginnings, then you can’t go far wrong. I do believe that these books will appeal to two kinds of Star Wars fan.

Myself? Give me a heavy blaster pistol and a fast starship anytime.