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Star Wars: The Han Solo Trilogy #1
The Paradise Snare
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 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.
Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!
The first book in this exciting 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.
Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!
306 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1997
About the author
A.C. Crispin
64 books307 followersAnn Carol Crispin (1950-2013) was an American science fiction writer, the author of over twenty published novels. She wrote professionally since 1983. She wrote several Star Trek and Star Wars novels, and created her own original science fiction series called Starbridge.
Crispin also served as Eastern Regional Director, and then Vice President, of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. With Victoria Strauss, she founded Writer Beware, a "watchdog" group that is part of SFWA that warns aspiring writers about the dangers of scam agents, editors, and publishers. Writer Beware was founded in 1998, and has assisted law enforcement and civil authorities in tracking and shutting down writing scams.
Crispin, who also wrote a prequel providing the back story for the popular Pirates of the Caribbean movie series, died on September 6th, 2013 at the Hospice of Charles County in Waldorf, aged 63.
She was married to science fiction author Michael Capobianco.
Crispin also served as Eastern Regional Director, and then Vice President, of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. With Victoria Strauss, she founded Writer Beware, a "watchdog" group that is part of SFWA that warns aspiring writers about the dangers of scam agents, editors, and publishers. Writer Beware was founded in 1998, and has assisted law enforcement and civil authorities in tracking and shutting down writing scams.
Crispin, who also wrote a prequel providing the back story for the popular Pirates of the Caribbean movie series, died on September 6th, 2013 at the Hospice of Charles County in Waldorf, aged 63.
She was married to science fiction author Michael Capobianco.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 445 reviews
August 20, 2011
Three stars is all I could muster, but I did have fun with this book. It was a great way to rest my brain after finishing Solzhenitsyn's Cancer Ward.
★★: This was the finest episode of Corellia 90210 EVER! I had no idea until rereading this that Young Han Solo was actually played (at least in the mind of A.C. Crispin) by a Young Luke Perry. Bad boy Han hanging out with the richies from Corellia (some family, and some family of the girl he loves), and he's so handsome and dashing and such a great surfer (oops ... pilot).
+★: Han himself was pretty damn groovy. You can tell that Crispin really has an affinity for his character (or else a love for Harrison Ford), and she delivers a pretty satisfying childhood full of Oliver Twist-y incidents (can you say F8-GN? Clever name for a droid, eh?), abuse at the hands of a bounty hunting bully, and believable dreams of becoming an Imperial Officer. There are some disappointments though ...
-★: ...and those come with the language Han uses. Yeah, yeah, Han says "Sweetheart" plenty in the Trilogy, but does he have to say "Honey" and "Sweetheart" so bloody much? I'd say know. And if I had to read about how "scruffy looking" he was one more time I would have thrown the book across the room (then dutifully picked it up and continued).
-★★: Did Han really need a giant black tiger man as his sidekick/bodyguard? Muuurgh was cool enough, but he was so blatantly a replacement for Chewbacca, and so cheesily a part of another "utopian" society being oppressed by the Empire, that I was more than a little pissed. I was a lot pissed actually, and with Han already spending time with his foster mother, Dewlanna (a fierce old Wookie woman who dies for his freedom), I thought there was more than enough Chewie related idiocy for one book.
+★: But Coruscant was super fucking cool. I kept waiting for a Replicant to leap out from behind a building and break Deckerd's fingers.
+★★★: And I really loved the spice processing planet of Ylesia. The fact that most of the book was set there, with its weak-ass Hutt overlord, Zavval, its Exultation inducing Rhino Priests, the T'landa Til, its Glitterstim factory, its uber-fungus and mud pits, and "High Priest" Teroenza's museum of galactic artifacts -- giving Crispin a chance to weave in some Indiana Jones -- it was a fun place to spend my fantasy hours for a couple of days. I am not entirely convinced the T'landa Til were as "evil" as Crispin wanted them to be -- even for slavers -- but they were still a good set of antagonists for Han.
-★: There was no need for the Princess Leia cameo. Enough of the fangirl crap already. :P
So ... lots of fun, and I'm very glad I gave this a second read. Candy for the brain is good.
★★+★-★-★★+★+★★★-★ = 3 ★s
★★: This was the finest episode of Corellia 90210 EVER! I had no idea until rereading this that Young Han Solo was actually played (at least in the mind of A.C. Crispin) by a Young Luke Perry. Bad boy Han hanging out with the richies from Corellia (some family, and some family of the girl he loves), and he's so handsome and dashing and such a great surfer (oops ... pilot).
+★: Han himself was pretty damn groovy. You can tell that Crispin really has an affinity for his character (or else a love for Harrison Ford), and she delivers a pretty satisfying childhood full of Oliver Twist-y incidents (can you say F8-GN? Clever name for a droid, eh?), abuse at the hands of a bounty hunting bully, and believable dreams of becoming an Imperial Officer. There are some disappointments though ...
-★: ...and those come with the language Han uses. Yeah, yeah, Han says "Sweetheart" plenty in the Trilogy, but does he have to say "Honey" and "Sweetheart" so bloody much? I'd say know. And if I had to read about how "scruffy looking" he was one more time I would have thrown the book across the room (then dutifully picked it up and continued).
-★★: Did Han really need a giant black tiger man as his sidekick/bodyguard? Muuurgh was cool enough, but he was so blatantly a replacement for Chewbacca, and so cheesily a part of another "utopian" society being oppressed by the Empire, that I was more than a little pissed. I was a lot pissed actually, and with Han already spending time with his foster mother, Dewlanna (a fierce old Wookie woman who dies for his freedom), I thought there was more than enough Chewie related idiocy for one book.
+★: But Coruscant was super fucking cool. I kept waiting for a Replicant to leap out from behind a building and break Deckerd's fingers.
+★★★: And I really loved the spice processing planet of Ylesia. The fact that most of the book was set there, with its weak-ass Hutt overlord, Zavval, its Exultation inducing Rhino Priests, the T'landa Til, its Glitterstim factory, its uber-fungus and mud pits, and "High Priest" Teroenza's museum of galactic artifacts -- giving Crispin a chance to weave in some Indiana Jones -- it was a fun place to spend my fantasy hours for a couple of days. I am not entirely convinced the T'landa Til were as "evil" as Crispin wanted them to be -- even for slavers -- but they were still a good set of antagonists for Han.
-★: There was no need for the Princess Leia cameo. Enough of the fangirl crap already. :P
So ... lots of fun, and I'm very glad I gave this a second read. Candy for the brain is good.
★★+★-★-★★+★+★★★-★ = 3 ★s
March 24, 2024
What a terrific and entertaining book! I’ve been told for a while that I needed to read this book, and I had thought about it, but had been burned by the Brian Daley trilogy, which I thought was incredibly mediocre.
This book is anything but mediocre!
The book has longer chapters, and is in itself a fairly quick read. Each chapter propelled me to the next, and I just had to find out what happened. I finished it in one sitting (literally).
Han Solo is absolutely on point in this trilogy. It takes a very specific writer to get him correct. I think AC Crispin joins the ranks of Lawrence and Jon Kasdan (Solo) and DJ Older (Last Shot). Han felt so relatable and understandable. His dream for a better future really works well for an American reader, who can relate to the American dream. And his ability to come up with things on the fly, while also having everything mess up is perfectly in character.
The supporting cast in this book is great! Muuurgh was hilarious and fun and a perfect foil for Han. Bria was a terrific love interest.
The discussion of religion really works for Han’s character, and Han’s perceptiveness and eagerness to save Bria from Ylesia was great!
There are a ton of EU/Legends references in the book. Won’t say what they are specifically, but fans of the Corellian Trilogy and the Young Jedi Knights books will recognize some familiar faces.
Overall, I loved this book! Engaging and entertaining and a terrific read, especially if you want something short and sweet. 9.3 out of 10!
This book is anything but mediocre!
The book has longer chapters, and is in itself a fairly quick read. Each chapter propelled me to the next, and I just had to find out what happened. I finished it in one sitting (literally).
Han Solo is absolutely on point in this trilogy. It takes a very specific writer to get him correct. I think AC Crispin joins the ranks of Lawrence and Jon Kasdan (Solo) and DJ Older (Last Shot). Han felt so relatable and understandable. His dream for a better future really works well for an American reader, who can relate to the American dream. And his ability to come up with things on the fly, while also having everything mess up is perfectly in character.
The supporting cast in this book is great! Muuurgh was hilarious and fun and a perfect foil for Han. Bria was a terrific love interest.
The discussion of religion really works for Han’s character, and Han’s perceptiveness and eagerness to save Bria from Ylesia was great!
There are a ton of EU/Legends references in the book. Won’t say what they are specifically, but fans of the Corellian Trilogy and the Young Jedi Knights books will recognize some familiar faces.
Overall, I loved this book! Engaging and entertaining and a terrific read, especially if you want something short and sweet. 9.3 out of 10!
August 26, 2021
I loved this book, I've always heard that the Crispin novels are better then the Solo movie, which I also enjoyed. But I can see why, Hans story was actually pretty tragic and brutal in this one. I knew his relationship with Bria couldn't work, but it was still tough when she left him.
It shows a really sad side to the universe, there's so few options for people that are force users, rich, or part of the government. The amount of slavery in SW was always implied or briefly shown, but it's just sad to see. It's crazy to think not a single character goes on a slavery crusade at any point in legends or canon. Ah well.
It shows a really sad side to the universe, there's so few options for people that are force users, rich, or part of the government. The amount of slavery in SW was always implied or briefly shown, but it's just sad to see. It's crazy to think not a single character goes on a slavery crusade at any point in legends or canon. Ah well.
Want to read
June 7, 2022Temporary DNF at 40% until I have time and motivation to get back to it. I was liking it, but I was liking the five other books I was reading at the time more...
June 21, 2016
Han Solo is my favorite Star Wars character. I love his witty comebacks and his fantastic character arc. And yet he's the character in the series we don't know anything about. His backstory never comes up, and I've always wanted to know more about him. How did he become friends with Chewbacca? How did he meet Lando? When did he become captain of the Millennium Falcon ? What's up with the "Kessel Run in twelve parsecs"? When I found out that there was a book series about Han Solo's backstory, I immediately put the first book on hold at the library.
Sadly, I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would.
Pros:
-It's about Han Solo.
-I never knew that
-Most Star Wars books take place either during the Republic time period or the post - ROTJ time period. I thought it was cool that this one takes place between trilogies.
Cons:
-When I think of Star Wars , the word "fun" is the first thing that comes to mind. The Paradise Snare was not fun. It was actually pretty depressing.
-Looking back on the plot, I personally think most of this book was unnecessary to the story. Other than the first two chapters explaining Han's childhood and the end when , I thought most of it felt like a subplot.
-I don't fully understand his romance with Bria. Other than the fact that they both think the other is attractive, I never was clear on why they liked each other.
-One of my other issues was in the area of content. A little more language and violence than in most Star Wars novels. Sexual content (while never graphic) was the biggest disappointment: several references to women being sold into prostitution, Han thinks about his long list of ex-girlfriends and it is implied that he never entered a romantic relationship with any intention of a long-term commitment, he sometimes thinks about how he "would like to spend the night" with a girl, etc. I was also highly disappointed that Han and Bria end up sleeping together. Everything is "off camera", but this bothered me.
Overall, I had high hopes for this series. While I am curious about the rest of Han Solo's story, I don't think I'll continue. The depressing tone and lack of morals presented made The Paradise Snare a "just okay" read for me. It lacked the innocent, light-hearted fun of the movies.
Sadly, I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would.
Pros:
-It's about Han Solo.
-I never knew that
-Most Star Wars books take place either during the Republic time period or the post - ROTJ time period. I thought it was cool that this one takes place between trilogies.
Cons:
-When I think of Star Wars , the word "fun" is the first thing that comes to mind. The Paradise Snare was not fun. It was actually pretty depressing.
-Looking back on the plot, I personally think most of this book was unnecessary to the story. Other than the first two chapters explaining Han's childhood and the end when , I thought most of it felt like a subplot.
-I don't fully understand his romance with Bria. Other than the fact that they both think the other is attractive, I never was clear on why they liked each other.
-One of my other issues was in the area of content. A little more language and violence than in most Star Wars novels. Sexual content (while never graphic) was the biggest disappointment: several references to women being sold into prostitution, Han thinks about his long list of ex-girlfriends and it is implied that he never entered a romantic relationship with any intention of a long-term commitment, he sometimes thinks about how he "would like to spend the night" with a girl, etc. I was also highly disappointed that Han and Bria end up sleeping together. Everything is "off camera", but this bothered me.
Overall, I had high hopes for this series. While I am curious about the rest of Han Solo's story, I don't think I'll continue. The depressing tone and lack of morals presented made The Paradise Snare a "just okay" read for me. It lacked the innocent, light-hearted fun of the movies.
February 5, 2021
I own this book.
Okay, I'm gonna say something controversial here; I don't like Han Solo all that much. I think his character is rash, pompous and I preferred him before Solo came out. Solo tried to make him kind, and I don't think Han Solo is an openly kind character, he's selfish because he has to be and he's kind to those he loves, not because he's actually deep down a kind person. Anyway, this book sets up Han's life before we see him in A New Hope. He's a kid who has grown up in essential slavery, being forced into begging, stealing and his general rogue behaviour. The book starts with him trying to leave the grips of his master, taking his Wookie friend, Dewlanna with him. But when Dewlanna is killed, it seals the deal more. He needs out. He wants to pursue a career in the Imperial Navy as a pilot, but this is no easy feat. Bouncing from job to job, Han tries in whatever way possible to make it to Coruscant to sign up as an officer, falling in love along the way with the seemingly distant Bria.
I preferred this story more than I liked the one they gave him in Solo. This one was filled with grit, there's no easy way to do anything. Han gets hurt, he gets angry, he gets heartbroken and while I can see similarities from where they've taken inspiration from this book and incorporated it into Solo, it definitely reads better.
Okay, I'm gonna say something controversial here; I don't like Han Solo all that much. I think his character is rash, pompous and I preferred him before Solo came out. Solo tried to make him kind, and I don't think Han Solo is an openly kind character, he's selfish because he has to be and he's kind to those he loves, not because he's actually deep down a kind person. Anyway, this book sets up Han's life before we see him in A New Hope. He's a kid who has grown up in essential slavery, being forced into begging, stealing and his general rogue behaviour. The book starts with him trying to leave the grips of his master, taking his Wookie friend, Dewlanna with him. But when Dewlanna is killed, it seals the deal more. He needs out. He wants to pursue a career in the Imperial Navy as a pilot, but this is no easy feat. Bouncing from job to job, Han tries in whatever way possible to make it to Coruscant to sign up as an officer, falling in love along the way with the seemingly distant Bria.
I preferred this story more than I liked the one they gave him in Solo. This one was filled with grit, there's no easy way to do anything. Han gets hurt, he gets angry, he gets heartbroken and while I can see similarities from where they've taken inspiration from this book and incorporated it into Solo, it definitely reads better.
May 7, 2009
I remember being a really snobby dork about these books- I thought I was going to hate them 'cause they were all trying to weave into the movies rather than going off on their own story. But surprisingly, these were great! Han's motivations are explained for his first appearance in A New Hope, we get his tragic first love, and find out why he gets to wear the Corellian Bloodstripes! Super necessary information!
July 16, 2010
"From now on, it's just me. Han Solo."
Han Solo. Rogue. Scoundrel. Scruffy-lookin' nerf herder. He's the smuggler that charmed our hearts in A New Hope, who came back to rescue Luke, who butted heads with Princess Leia in The Empire Strikes Back, and lead a Rebel task force against an Imperial fortress in Return of the Jedi. But where did he come from?
Han Solo was a young boy, employed by Gariss Shrike to pitpocket, pilot swoop bikes in races, and con people out of money. Tired of that life, Han Solo leaves to Ylesia to work as a pilot. There he uncovers the secrets of a cult that is holding Bria Tharen, fellow Corellian and love interest, hostage.
NOTE: Based on prior reading and recent audiobook.
I Liked:
Han Solo is so cool, so it was inevitable that he got his backstory fleshed out. And it is apparent Crispin put some thought into it. She hinted at Han's ability to understand Wookiee through his Wookiee friend, Dewlana. She mentioned his cousin, Thracken Sal-Solo. And she even dropped in a scene with Princess Leia (okay, that's stretching it, but from a certain point of view...).
Crispin's writing is easy on the mind (at least, when read by David Pittu). It is descriptive, but doesn't get bogged in details like Barbara Hambly's did. It has dialogue, but nothing near the quantities of Jeter's Bounty Hunters War. It is intelligent, clever, and well-written.
There is no real overarching plot (at this point--I do know from prior reading that Ylesia has a role to play in the later trilogy), but that makes sense. This is a story about Han; it really can't have a plot (other than, obviously, how did he get to be so jaded in A New Hope?). But I liked it. He lives in his own, disconnected world. You don't have tons of Jedi thrust unnecessarily into the story. He doesn't somehow bump into Vader or one of his minions. He doesn't have anything to do with Bail and Mon Mothma. He's just a guy on the outside. And that I greatly appreciate.
Bria Tharen is the other character we see in this novel. What interested me in her was her wholehearted devotion to a false religion and her withdrawal from the Exultation. I felt this really built up her character and made her different from Leia. It would have been all too easy for Crispin to make Bria a Leia clone, but I felt she stayed away from that.
While somewhat stereotypical and predictable, Han and Bria's tender, young romance is kinda sweet. It's simple, unaffected by the cares of age and responsibility. Han is young and wants the best for Bria, while also desiring to pursue a career in the Imperial Navy. Bria is just trying to piece herself together. They probably should never have met (Han is an orphan, Bria comes from a wealthy family), but circumstances throw them together and they cling to each other as only youth can.
I Didn't Like:
I can't help but finish this and feel somewhat depressed. Han's life is so miserable! He's raised an orphan in an Oliver Twist-type life. He loses the woman of his life. Can nothing go right for him?
Speaking of Oliver Twist, I felt that aspect was a little heavy and almost unnecessary. Couldn't Han have parents? Everyone in this saga has issues with parents: Leia is adopted, Luke is raised by his uncle, the Jedi are taken from their parents at a young age. For once, I want to see a decent mom and dad with their child. I was hoping that could be Han, but alas...
Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
A few passing d*** and h***.
Bria and Han are lovers. Han mentions having previous girlfriends/lovers. Bria comes close to being sold into a pleasure house.
The book begins with Han fighting against Shrike. He then fights his way off Ylesia and out of a bank.
Overall:
This is a nice peek into Han's backstory. I really enjoyed it...but I wish it had more lighthearted moments like The Han Solo Adventures. I definitely recommend, but be wary: if you want to laugh, you might find yourself crying instead.
Han Solo. Rogue. Scoundrel. Scruffy-lookin' nerf herder. He's the smuggler that charmed our hearts in A New Hope, who came back to rescue Luke, who butted heads with Princess Leia in The Empire Strikes Back, and lead a Rebel task force against an Imperial fortress in Return of the Jedi. But where did he come from?
Han Solo was a young boy, employed by Gariss Shrike to pitpocket, pilot swoop bikes in races, and con people out of money. Tired of that life, Han Solo leaves to Ylesia to work as a pilot. There he uncovers the secrets of a cult that is holding Bria Tharen, fellow Corellian and love interest, hostage.
NOTE: Based on prior reading and recent audiobook.
I Liked:
Han Solo is so cool, so it was inevitable that he got his backstory fleshed out. And it is apparent Crispin put some thought into it. She hinted at Han's ability to understand Wookiee through his Wookiee friend, Dewlana. She mentioned his cousin, Thracken Sal-Solo. And she even dropped in a scene with Princess Leia (okay, that's stretching it, but from a certain point of view...).
Crispin's writing is easy on the mind (at least, when read by David Pittu). It is descriptive, but doesn't get bogged in details like Barbara Hambly's did. It has dialogue, but nothing near the quantities of Jeter's Bounty Hunters War. It is intelligent, clever, and well-written.
There is no real overarching plot (at this point--I do know from prior reading that Ylesia has a role to play in the later trilogy), but that makes sense. This is a story about Han; it really can't have a plot (other than, obviously, how did he get to be so jaded in A New Hope?). But I liked it. He lives in his own, disconnected world. You don't have tons of Jedi thrust unnecessarily into the story. He doesn't somehow bump into Vader or one of his minions. He doesn't have anything to do with Bail and Mon Mothma. He's just a guy on the outside. And that I greatly appreciate.
Bria Tharen is the other character we see in this novel. What interested me in her was her wholehearted devotion to a false religion and her withdrawal from the Exultation. I felt this really built up her character and made her different from Leia. It would have been all too easy for Crispin to make Bria a Leia clone, but I felt she stayed away from that.
While somewhat stereotypical and predictable, Han and Bria's tender, young romance is kinda sweet. It's simple, unaffected by the cares of age and responsibility. Han is young and wants the best for Bria, while also desiring to pursue a career in the Imperial Navy. Bria is just trying to piece herself together. They probably should never have met (Han is an orphan, Bria comes from a wealthy family), but circumstances throw them together and they cling to each other as only youth can.
I Didn't Like:
I can't help but finish this and feel somewhat depressed. Han's life is so miserable! He's raised an orphan in an Oliver Twist-type life. He loses the woman of his life. Can nothing go right for him?
Speaking of Oliver Twist, I felt that aspect was a little heavy and almost unnecessary. Couldn't Han have parents? Everyone in this saga has issues with parents: Leia is adopted, Luke is raised by his uncle, the Jedi are taken from their parents at a young age. For once, I want to see a decent mom and dad with their child. I was hoping that could be Han, but alas...
Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
A few passing d*** and h***.
Bria and Han are lovers. Han mentions having previous girlfriends/lovers. Bria comes close to being sold into a pleasure house.
The book begins with Han fighting against Shrike. He then fights his way off Ylesia and out of a bank.
Overall:
This is a nice peek into Han's backstory. I really enjoyed it...but I wish it had more lighthearted moments like The Han Solo Adventures. I definitely recommend, but be wary: if you want to laugh, you might find yourself crying instead.
June 24, 2021
It’s funny what you remember and what you forget about old reads. I built up a Star Wars Expanded Universe book collection during my adolescence that I read and re-read countless times, repeatedly going on marathon re-reads every time I acquired five new additions or so, to see how things would look in a deeper context. It’s fair to say I was highly involved with this fictional world, and pretty much during any spare time I breathed and consumed Star Wars. But at some point – right about the time I went off to university – I didn’t have that kind of free time any more. The old marathon re-reads fell by the wayside, and I even grew lax about adding new releases to my collection. Somehow, over a decade has passed since I last read any of my Expanded Universe books. And I never reviewed them because I joined GoodReads in my 20s, but I always intended to. Recently I decided now is the time. I’ve been going through what were, for me, some new reads, latter-day releases, but now I’m entering the classic Bantam era where these books are very old friends indeed, and returning to The Paradise Snare has been a fascinating experience.
I remembered the broad strokes – Ylesia, the scam operation, Muuurgh, and Bria – but I’m surprised at how much I’d forgotten. I had no memory of the side trips to Alderaan or Togoria, and for some reason I’d thought that Bria left because she caved to her addiction. Probably because I liked Han and Leia and way back when had a sort of grudging perspective on Bria. In some ways it was a delight to re-read after this long because of the parts I’d forgotten made it almost as if I was reading it again for the first time! I know many readers would love to experience beloved books again for the first time, so this was a bit of a treat.
Other things struck me about the book too, some of which I’m not sure I noticed when I was younger. Most notably, how young Han and Bria come off – he’s 19 here, and she’s 18, with the book set 10 years before A New Hope. I think I had no reason to notice this before, and it’s only now, with a few adult years behind me, that it sticks out when a character will say or do something that seems so preciously naïve to me. They seem vulnerable, somehow. And Crispin obviously pitched this perfectly to show these teenagers struggling with navigating their first time in a scary, adult world; but of course, when I was younger than Han is supposed to be when I reading it, I never appreciated it before.
I love the effort that Crispin put into describing alien worlds. Sometimes in Star Wars it can get a little lazy, with different planets just being the ‘ice planet’ or the ‘desert planet’. Crispin doesn’t do that. As well as her descriptions being pretty detailed, she draws from hard sci fi to really make them feel alien; the colour of the sky, differences in gravity, suns that are larger or smaller and different in class, the rotational period of the planet being different. These are all concerns as soon as we leave Earth, but as I said, sometimes in Star Wars you get the impression that, apart from having one exotic, planet-spanning biome (which is kind of crazy in and of itself), the planets are just assumed to have 1g and the same length of day. Crispin just taking a tiny bit of extra time to do this makes her worlds stand out as more memorable than other worlds that have appeared in Star Wars.
She carries this over to other aspects of the story as well. Space feels vast, and dangerous. We’re explicitly told that space travel takes several days – instead of the mere hours that, again, some other Expanded Universe novels imply. I loved the logic of the automated starship, and Han’s struggle with the increased g-forces and lack of air on board, turning even his first venture out into the galaxy, what should on paper be a simple A to B, into a tense fight to survive. Crispin has a way of turning seemingly straightforward situations into story twists with serious obstacles. She has a good handle on the author’s maxim here of throwing her characters out of the frying pan and into the fire, never letting Han get away with anything too easily, even though she has his manner of strolling in to a situation as if he can have it all his own way down pat. This especially rings true when things are going well and Han seems like he’s in some good circumstances. The story is in danger, at those points, of becoming dull and tedious because of the lack of challenge, but Crispin taps into Han’s nose for opportunity and habit of scoping things out to quickly inject twists and drama back in to these slow moments. As a whole, the story ends up being a thrilling adventure tale of the dark, criminal underside of the Imperial era, full of heists, cons, and sudden reversals.
If I had any complaints it’s that Bria comes across like a bit too much of a wet rag for Han to be so taken with her.
Now, when I started re-reading this book, it occurred to me that now would be the perfect time to finally watch the new film about Han’s younger years, and compare them both and tell you all just how good Crispin’s vision was and how it didn’t deserve to be written off by edict from on high. Then I realised how stupid that would be. Some of you would always suspect I went in from the beginning with an axe to grind by deliberately setting out to compare the two, and therefore dismiss my opinion as invalid. So I still haven’t seen the film – even though I have a suspicion that it wouldn’t be my thing – and I just want to recommend Crispin’s trilogy of books on its own merits. I’m not going to call it the most fantastic entry into the Expanded Universe, but she creates a honest-to-goodness rollicking fun adventure, is consistently competent at her craft, and never falters in throwing down the gauntlet of challenges and obstacles for our protagonists to create an exciting story that draws you in. I had a good time reading this.
Talk of the Clone Wars: Garris Shrike’s vessel is described as ‘ancient’ and a ‘relic’ of the Clone Wars, a Liberator-class ship, ‘slow by modern standards’. I know tech can change fast, but, an ‘ancient relic’ merely nine years after the end of the Clone Wars? The book is set 10 years before the Battle of Yavin – and, thus, according to George Lucas’ prequels, just 9 years after the Clone Wars ended. Han is 19 years old here, and his love interest, Bria Tharen, is 18. Bria describes herself as having ‘grown up in the aftermath of the Clone Wars’. She was 9 years old when the Clone Wars ended, which I suppose you could argue makes her statement still tally, but I really think ‘grown up in the aftermath’ implies something that happened when you were a baby or just a few years before you were born. Inspector Hal Horn of CorSec gets an easter egg mention too, and in other media his son Corran, who is the same age as Luke and Leia, states that his father was about 10 years old when the Clone Wars ended. That isn’t mentioned here, but if Hal were only 20 here it’d be most unusual for him to hold an Inspector position. The feeling I’m getting from these descriptors is that the Clone Wars envisioned by Crispin occurred about ten years earlier than Lucas actually set them – about the same time as Lucas slotted in The Phantom Menace instead. This tallies with the descriptions of Shrike’s outmoded vessel, Han and Bria growing up in the aftermath of the Clone Wars, and Hal Horn being a CorSec Inspector at this point.
7 out of 10
I remembered the broad strokes – Ylesia, the scam operation, Muuurgh, and Bria – but I’m surprised at how much I’d forgotten. I had no memory of the side trips to Alderaan or Togoria, and for some reason I’d thought that Bria left because she caved to her addiction. Probably because I liked Han and Leia and way back when had a sort of grudging perspective on Bria. In some ways it was a delight to re-read after this long because of the parts I’d forgotten made it almost as if I was reading it again for the first time! I know many readers would love to experience beloved books again for the first time, so this was a bit of a treat.
Other things struck me about the book too, some of which I’m not sure I noticed when I was younger. Most notably, how young Han and Bria come off – he’s 19 here, and she’s 18, with the book set 10 years before A New Hope. I think I had no reason to notice this before, and it’s only now, with a few adult years behind me, that it sticks out when a character will say or do something that seems so preciously naïve to me. They seem vulnerable, somehow. And Crispin obviously pitched this perfectly to show these teenagers struggling with navigating their first time in a scary, adult world; but of course, when I was younger than Han is supposed to be when I reading it, I never appreciated it before.
I love the effort that Crispin put into describing alien worlds. Sometimes in Star Wars it can get a little lazy, with different planets just being the ‘ice planet’ or the ‘desert planet’. Crispin doesn’t do that. As well as her descriptions being pretty detailed, she draws from hard sci fi to really make them feel alien; the colour of the sky, differences in gravity, suns that are larger or smaller and different in class, the rotational period of the planet being different. These are all concerns as soon as we leave Earth, but as I said, sometimes in Star Wars you get the impression that, apart from having one exotic, planet-spanning biome (which is kind of crazy in and of itself), the planets are just assumed to have 1g and the same length of day. Crispin just taking a tiny bit of extra time to do this makes her worlds stand out as more memorable than other worlds that have appeared in Star Wars.
She carries this over to other aspects of the story as well. Space feels vast, and dangerous. We’re explicitly told that space travel takes several days – instead of the mere hours that, again, some other Expanded Universe novels imply. I loved the logic of the automated starship, and Han’s struggle with the increased g-forces and lack of air on board, turning even his first venture out into the galaxy, what should on paper be a simple A to B, into a tense fight to survive. Crispin has a way of turning seemingly straightforward situations into story twists with serious obstacles. She has a good handle on the author’s maxim here of throwing her characters out of the frying pan and into the fire, never letting Han get away with anything too easily, even though she has his manner of strolling in to a situation as if he can have it all his own way down pat. This especially rings true when things are going well and Han seems like he’s in some good circumstances. The story is in danger, at those points, of becoming dull and tedious because of the lack of challenge, but Crispin taps into Han’s nose for opportunity and habit of scoping things out to quickly inject twists and drama back in to these slow moments. As a whole, the story ends up being a thrilling adventure tale of the dark, criminal underside of the Imperial era, full of heists, cons, and sudden reversals.
If I had any complaints it’s that Bria comes across like a bit too much of a wet rag for Han to be so taken with her.
Now, when I started re-reading this book, it occurred to me that now would be the perfect time to finally watch the new film about Han’s younger years, and compare them both and tell you all just how good Crispin’s vision was and how it didn’t deserve to be written off by edict from on high. Then I realised how stupid that would be. Some of you would always suspect I went in from the beginning with an axe to grind by deliberately setting out to compare the two, and therefore dismiss my opinion as invalid. So I still haven’t seen the film – even though I have a suspicion that it wouldn’t be my thing – and I just want to recommend Crispin’s trilogy of books on its own merits. I’m not going to call it the most fantastic entry into the Expanded Universe, but she creates a honest-to-goodness rollicking fun adventure, is consistently competent at her craft, and never falters in throwing down the gauntlet of challenges and obstacles for our protagonists to create an exciting story that draws you in. I had a good time reading this.
Talk of the Clone Wars: Garris Shrike’s vessel is described as ‘ancient’ and a ‘relic’ of the Clone Wars, a Liberator-class ship, ‘slow by modern standards’. I know tech can change fast, but, an ‘ancient relic’ merely nine years after the end of the Clone Wars? The book is set 10 years before the Battle of Yavin – and, thus, according to George Lucas’ prequels, just 9 years after the Clone Wars ended. Han is 19 years old here, and his love interest, Bria Tharen, is 18. Bria describes herself as having ‘grown up in the aftermath of the Clone Wars’. She was 9 years old when the Clone Wars ended, which I suppose you could argue makes her statement still tally, but I really think ‘grown up in the aftermath’ implies something that happened when you were a baby or just a few years before you were born. Inspector Hal Horn of CorSec gets an easter egg mention too, and in other media his son Corran, who is the same age as Luke and Leia, states that his father was about 10 years old when the Clone Wars ended. That isn’t mentioned here, but if Hal were only 20 here it’d be most unusual for him to hold an Inspector position. The feeling I’m getting from these descriptors is that the Clone Wars envisioned by Crispin occurred about ten years earlier than Lucas actually set them – about the same time as Lucas slotted in The Phantom Menace instead. This tallies with the descriptions of Shrike’s outmoded vessel, Han and Bria growing up in the aftermath of the Clone Wars, and Hal Horn being a CorSec Inspector at this point.
7 out of 10
March 17, 2013
Reading Star Wars fiction is a guilty pleasure for me, so consider this a guilty five star! Aside from the original trilogy novelizations, I loved A Splinter of the Mind's Eye, and the old Brian Daley Han Solo trilogy. I recall reading the Thrawn Trilogy in the 1990's, which was what happened after Return of the Jedi, and being captured by what was then an unspoiled dream of what the franchise could become. Since then, I haven't read much at all in the genre, and like most of us, endured a less than thrilling prequel trilogy of movies. However, with the acquisition of the franchise by Disney (yeah, we'll save that issue for another day), I am nevertheless excited by new Star Wars, and continuations of the original story, no less! Specifically, I have heard juicy rumor of Han Solo specific movie(s) that are inspired by Ann Crispin's prequel trilogy of the coming of age of everyone's favorite smuggler. So I freakin' picked up the first book and frankly, enjoyed the hell out of it. It was like old times! While the older, stodgier, and well read me wanted to pull back on the rating because there was a fairly simple story, (well grounded and fleshed out in the SW universe), it was not the deepest and soul changing of reads. However, my younger, idealistic and unrepentant Star Wars loving self beat the crap out of my jaded old self and left him unconscious while I relived that childhood fascination and joy through this book. I can't wait till the Millennium Falcon shows up! On to book two...
March 4, 2015
This book is part of the Legends expanded universe. It is the first book of a trilogy. It tells the story of Han Solo's early life and how he leaves his home world in search of his place in the galaxy.
This book was an enjoyable book. I think for the most part the author stayed true to form for Han's character and his development. I did wish that Han was a little more scoundrel than he was portrayed. In this book it felt like Han was a little too quick to do the right thing instead of looking out for himself. Maybe something will happen in the following books that Han develops this trait. I really enjoyed his comrade in this story and you can see how Han and Chewie's relationship will come to be whenever they meet up.
When the characters visit different worlds the reader gets a clear picture as the author did a terrific job painting a picture. She also does a wonderful job with her action scenes. What really stood out for me was the path that the author has Han on and I am looking forward to how this plays out in the second book.
This isn't the best book in this universe but it isn't the worst either. It is a nice book that provides background information to everyone's favorite scruffy looking nerf herder that has nice nods to the movies and the expanded universe.
This book was an enjoyable book. I think for the most part the author stayed true to form for Han's character and his development. I did wish that Han was a little more scoundrel than he was portrayed. In this book it felt like Han was a little too quick to do the right thing instead of looking out for himself. Maybe something will happen in the following books that Han develops this trait. I really enjoyed his comrade in this story and you can see how Han and Chewie's relationship will come to be whenever they meet up.
When the characters visit different worlds the reader gets a clear picture as the author did a terrific job painting a picture. She also does a wonderful job with her action scenes. What really stood out for me was the path that the author has Han on and I am looking forward to how this plays out in the second book.
This isn't the best book in this universe but it isn't the worst either. It is a nice book that provides background information to everyone's favorite scruffy looking nerf herder that has nice nods to the movies and the expanded universe.
October 16, 2021
This creates an origin for Han that has since been dismissed by Disney as "Legends" with their acquisition of Lucasfilm. Though this shouldn't stop any fan of Star Wars, or especially Han Solo, from reading this book for it was outstanding. I hadn't read this book since it was first published in 1997 and reread it because bookstore chain Barnes & Noble published it and the other two books in this trilogy by A.C. Crispin in hardcover.
Without spoiling any major plot points, young Han escapes a difficult life at the expense of a (surprising) friend and assumes an alias that lands him on a planet of religious devotees where things are not what they seem. He finds a friend and a love and eventually makes the decision to escape his devious partners with his new friends.
I was very impressed with whom Solo is friends with at the beginning of the novel, which unquestionable shows how he will make a more famous friend. I was wowed with the world he ends up and the way things are run on that planet--I can't recall reading anything like this in any past or present Star Wars book or comic. My hat is off to author Crispin for creating such a devious situation on this world. Muuurgh was the most engaging new character of the novel. I loved his dialogue and his character arc. Again, he paves the way for a future iconic friend. The love interest was also engaging and I really like where their relationship goes. The conclusion of the novel was a surprise given where Han ends up and what happens the night before.
I remembered liking this book when it initially came out, but I really enjoyed it this go around. Absolutely recommended reading for Star Wars fans.
Without spoiling any major plot points, young Han escapes a difficult life at the expense of a (surprising) friend and assumes an alias that lands him on a planet of religious devotees where things are not what they seem. He finds a friend and a love and eventually makes the decision to escape his devious partners with his new friends.
I was very impressed with whom Solo is friends with at the beginning of the novel, which unquestionable shows how he will make a more famous friend. I was wowed with the world he ends up and the way things are run on that planet--I can't recall reading anything like this in any past or present Star Wars book or comic. My hat is off to author Crispin for creating such a devious situation on this world. Muuurgh was the most engaging new character of the novel. I loved his dialogue and his character arc. Again, he paves the way for a future iconic friend. The love interest was also engaging and I really like where their relationship goes. The conclusion of the novel was a surprise given where Han ends up and what happens the night before.
I remembered liking this book when it initially came out, but I really enjoyed it this go around. Absolutely recommended reading for Star Wars fans.
April 1, 2014
I loved Star Wars as a kid. I'm pretty sure I read every Star Wars novel published prior to the release of The-Prequels-Which-Shall-Not-Be-Named in 1999, and I still own a few of the best. I'm going to review the first book of each of 4 sets that I think are worth your time to read.
[In general, if you're wondering where to start with Star Wars novels, a good rule of thumb is that if it was originally published by Bantam Spectra, it's probably worth the risk. Once Del Rey re-acquired rights to the franchise in 1999 everything went downhill.]
A.C. Crispin's Han Solo Trilogy (not to be confused with the comparatively terrible Han Solo Adventures by Brian Daley) earns my recommendation. Crispin nails the feel of Han's character and voice, gives him credible backstories that fit the original cannon, and spins some great adventures with plenty of wit and emotion.
If you're looking for more of the stuck-up half-witted scruffy-looking nerf herder smuggling one step ahead of the law as only a lovable scoundrel can, Crispin's books are your ticket.
[In general, if you're wondering where to start with Star Wars novels, a good rule of thumb is that if it was originally published by Bantam Spectra, it's probably worth the risk. Once Del Rey re-acquired rights to the franchise in 1999 everything went downhill.]
A.C. Crispin's Han Solo Trilogy (not to be confused with the comparatively terrible Han Solo Adventures by Brian Daley) earns my recommendation. Crispin nails the feel of Han's character and voice, gives him credible backstories that fit the original cannon, and spins some great adventures with plenty of wit and emotion.
If you're looking for more of the stuck-up half-witted scruffy-looking nerf herder smuggling one step ahead of the law as only a lovable scoundrel can, Crispin's books are your ticket.
August 4, 2016
5 stars
Nice to know more about Han Solo. Wonder if we will see Bria again. The plot was very interesting. Hope Han does well at the Imperial Academy.
Can't wait to read the Hurt Gambit!!!! Also can't wait to read more Star Wars books!!!
Nice to know more about Han Solo. Wonder if we will see Bria again. The plot was very interesting. Hope Han does well at the Imperial Academy.
Can't wait to read the Hurt Gambit!!!! Also can't wait to read more Star Wars books!!!
April 15, 2019
Le premesse erano buone, ed Han Solo è un personaggio che permette moooolta libertà di scrittura. Sinceramente ero interessata a scoprire qualche particolare in più sul suo passato e cosa mi ritrovo? Le prime 100 pagine vanno bene ma appena entra in scena la ragazza subito si capisce dove si andrà a finire IN UN CAVOLO DI ROMANZETTO DA DUE SOLDI.
Sia chiaro, io non sono completamente contraria alla storia d'amore sempre e comunque. Una storia d'amore ben scritta e che ha un senso con la trama va benissimo! Il problema è quando un personaggio esiste solo ed unicamente per essere l'interesse amoroso del protagonista SDENG ecco che entra in scena Bria!
E' moralmente superiore a tutti ( è finita in quel pianeta di schifo solo perché poverina stava cercando l'ascensione o cose così, insomma wow madre teresa di calcutta dei poveri ) e per sfiga tu guarda è finita incastrata in un covo di hutt mafiosi ( ma tu guarda, e dire che tutti pensavamo che gli hutt fossero onesti e buoni no?). Han ci tiene a precisare sempre che questa specie di condizionamento mentale funziona solo sui deboli, difatti su di lui non funziona nemmeno la prima volta e Bria allora? Bria era mentalmente debole? no, ovviamente! Han precisa che no, ovviamente lei è assolutamente fortissima quindi chiaramente qualcosa è andato storto ma non è colpa sua ( ok, se lo dici tu Han, sarà perché ti piace?). Bria ovviamente non è nata la notte di natale in una stalla, la sua famiglia è una delle più ricche famiglie nobili corelliane e la sua famiglia trama per togliersi Han dai piedi in tutti i modi possibili.
Ora, il libro aveva anche delle premesse interessanti, queste promesse però sono andate in fumo per colpa di una storia d'amore che, non solo è gestita e scritta veramente male, ma occupa troppo spazio in un libro che no ( giuro, ho controllato ) non è un harmony!
Sia chiaro, io non sono completamente contraria alla storia d'amore sempre e comunque. Una storia d'amore ben scritta e che ha un senso con la trama va benissimo! Il problema è quando un personaggio esiste solo ed unicamente per essere l'interesse amoroso del protagonista SDENG ecco che entra in scena Bria!
E' moralmente superiore a tutti ( è finita in quel pianeta di schifo solo perché poverina stava cercando l'ascensione o cose così, insomma wow madre teresa di calcutta dei poveri ) e per sfiga tu guarda è finita incastrata in un covo di hutt mafiosi ( ma tu guarda, e dire che tutti pensavamo che gli hutt fossero onesti e buoni no?). Han ci tiene a precisare sempre che questa specie di condizionamento mentale funziona solo sui deboli, difatti su di lui non funziona nemmeno la prima volta e Bria allora? Bria era mentalmente debole? no, ovviamente! Han precisa che no, ovviamente lei è assolutamente fortissima quindi chiaramente qualcosa è andato storto ma non è colpa sua ( ok, se lo dici tu Han, sarà perché ti piace?). Bria ovviamente non è nata la notte di natale in una stalla, la sua famiglia è una delle più ricche famiglie nobili corelliane e la sua famiglia trama per togliersi Han dai piedi in tutti i modi possibili.
Ora, il libro aveva anche delle premesse interessanti, queste promesse però sono andate in fumo per colpa di una storia d'amore che, non solo è gestita e scritta veramente male, ma occupa troppo spazio in un libro che no ( giuro, ho controllato ) non è un harmony!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2022
This book started out as a 4 star read for me. Creative origins of Han Solo (even though he was almost too gee-whiz for me) and the adventure he went onto from there, some of the unsavory characters in his network, the exciting situations he found himself in and how he managed to get out of them. Unfortunately once he met Bria the book was bumped down a star. Towards the end it read more like a romantic science fiction story than anything relating to Star Wars. She got on my last nerve and her exit was just unbelievable.
I'm looking forward to the next and I hope Han stays on his road to being the rebel we all know and love, not the love struck pilot he ended up being here.
I'm looking forward to the next and I hope Han stays on his road to being the rebel we all know and love, not the love struck pilot he ended up being here.
January 3, 2020
I loved this book. I love seeing Han as a teenager and seeing what he was up to. I like Muuurgh but Chewie is definitely better. I like that Han spent time with his foster mom and I hate that she had to die for his freedom. I loved the relationship between him and Bria and it sucks that they had to leave each other. I definitely love reading about Han’s story before the rebellion and before he met Luke and Leia. 5/5 stars.
May 5, 2023
May the 4th be with you.
August 25, 2023
This was quite a good one! I was slightly nervous going in because this is a pretty early EU book, and my experience with a lot of those has been… well, less than stellar. But I’m happy to say this was much more of a hit than a miss.
There are a few things I love in this book. First, it helps a lot that it gets Han Solo really right. This book, and trilogy, are all about him and his story so making sure that Han feels like Han is a big part of that, and I think he was handled excellently. I also really enjoyed the other characters. The two primary characters besides Han are Muuurgh, an alien “bodyguard” who Han eventually becomes good friends with, and Bria, a fellow Corellian that Han befriends and eventually falls in love with. The other characters were great as well, but these main three were the standouts. The plot here is good as well. It basically serves as a big part of Han’s backstory—some of his experiences as a young man, getting involved in smuggling and other activities, why he’s kind of pessimistic and hard in A New Hope, and how he wound up at the Imperial Academy. There were some interesting themes here as well, such as briefly dealing with topics such as addiction and religion/religious trauma. Finally, there’s some excellent worldbuilding here, such as discussing the planets of Corellia and Ylesia as well as expanding on some species and other elements.
As for negatives, I only have a couple. First, as I stated, Han and Bria eventually develop a romance. I think they’re generally okay but I felt that this happened way too quickly. Now, it’s certainly possible that this could happen due to their situation and younger age, but it just felt too fast to me. Secondly, the structure felt a bit odd. Most of the big conflicts and events are resolved by the 2/3-3/4 mark, and the latter part of the book is mostly winding down the arcs for the side characters, as well as discussing what Han did after the big events. It’s enjoyable to read but feels like a very extended falling action after the climax.
Overall this was a really enjoyable read. It was fun, action packed, and had great characters and a good story. Definitely recommend checking this one out.
Rating: 9/10
There are a few things I love in this book. First, it helps a lot that it gets Han Solo really right. This book, and trilogy, are all about him and his story so making sure that Han feels like Han is a big part of that, and I think he was handled excellently. I also really enjoyed the other characters. The two primary characters besides Han are Muuurgh, an alien “bodyguard” who Han eventually becomes good friends with, and Bria, a fellow Corellian that Han befriends and eventually falls in love with. The other characters were great as well, but these main three were the standouts. The plot here is good as well. It basically serves as a big part of Han’s backstory—some of his experiences as a young man, getting involved in smuggling and other activities, why he’s kind of pessimistic and hard in A New Hope, and how he wound up at the Imperial Academy. There were some interesting themes here as well, such as briefly dealing with topics such as addiction and religion/religious trauma. Finally, there’s some excellent worldbuilding here, such as discussing the planets of Corellia and Ylesia as well as expanding on some species and other elements.
As for negatives, I only have a couple. First, as I stated, Han and Bria eventually develop a romance. I think they’re generally okay but I felt that this happened way too quickly. Now, it’s certainly possible that this could happen due to their situation and younger age, but it just felt too fast to me. Secondly, the structure felt a bit odd. Most of the big conflicts and events are resolved by the 2/3-3/4 mark, and the latter part of the book is mostly winding down the arcs for the side characters, as well as discussing what Han did after the big events. It’s enjoyable to read but feels like a very extended falling action after the climax.
Overall this was a really enjoyable read. It was fun, action packed, and had great characters and a good story. Definitely recommend checking this one out.
Rating: 9/10
September 22, 2023
I absolutely LOVED this book. Next to Indiana Jones and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo was one of my childhood heroes, and I expected a lot from this book and it delivered so much! It feels like the original trilogy in all the best ways. If you’re a fan of Han Solo, then I definitely recommend this book! I’m very excited to read the other two novels in the trilogy!
January 9, 2012
by A. C. Crispin, published in 1997.
This is my first attempt at reading a Star Wars novel and, I’ll admit it, I read it because it features Han Solo. Now Han is probably the most endearing character to grace the Star Wars franchise (at least I think so) and hence I was compelled to give this novel - first of three actually - a go.
I’ll get the tedious writer’s annoyances out of the way first. Liberal use of the word “wryly” and “dryly” and other ly words kept kicking me out of the story and need not have been used, ever. As well, the pacing was choppy (maybe editing?) through the book and so the story didn’t flow well. And lastly, I know the author needed to keep Han’s voice the same as the movies, but really, is every male or female character either a “pal” or a “sweetheart”?
But the writing annoyances aside, I really did enjoy this novel and am already into the second. And the writing is much, much better so far.
In The Paradise Snare we get the back story and early history of Han Solo. His formative years reminded me so much of Oliver Twist that it seemed to be a direct lift fo Dicken’s story. Please sir, can I have more nerf soup? Hey, whatever works.
But to be fair again, I did enjoy myself and this was quick read. It is fun to re-visit the Star Wars universe with Han as your guide. This novel is an exploration of how Han gets to be who he is in the first Movie (yes, episode IV) and why he acts the way he does.
A few other main characters share Han’s life in novel one. One is a love interest named Bria, one a comrade (like Chewie actually) Muuurgh, who is a giant cat-like alien. And then there is Shrike, his master (and not a nice guy at all) when he was stuck as a lackey on the pirate ship Trader’s Luck.
Everything falls into the place and the story of Han Solo unfolds. Crispin does a good job of moulding young Han and we see him getting in and out of scrapes as we would expect. I found the love story a bit much, but understand it as back story as to why Han treats Leia the way he does in the movie.
We also get hints about the Hutts, and Jabba name among others is also brought up. General good fun with some fast paced action sequences. A pretty good read if you are into Star Wars and Han Solo. We don’t see the Millennium Falcon or Chewbacca in this one, but all you need to do is start the second book to find them.
As a straight up Science Fiction - it doesn’t quite pass the test. To poorly written, choppy pacing and the supporting characters are too obviously form-fitted into their roles.
As a Star Wars novel I would give this a 3 out of 5. There was enough here to redeem it as a fun read and having started the second in the series I already know it gets a whole lot better.
This is my first attempt at reading a Star Wars novel and, I’ll admit it, I read it because it features Han Solo. Now Han is probably the most endearing character to grace the Star Wars franchise (at least I think so) and hence I was compelled to give this novel - first of three actually - a go.
I’ll get the tedious writer’s annoyances out of the way first. Liberal use of the word “wryly” and “dryly” and other ly words kept kicking me out of the story and need not have been used, ever. As well, the pacing was choppy (maybe editing?) through the book and so the story didn’t flow well. And lastly, I know the author needed to keep Han’s voice the same as the movies, but really, is every male or female character either a “pal” or a “sweetheart”?
But the writing annoyances aside, I really did enjoy this novel and am already into the second. And the writing is much, much better so far.
In The Paradise Snare we get the back story and early history of Han Solo. His formative years reminded me so much of Oliver Twist that it seemed to be a direct lift fo Dicken’s story. Please sir, can I have more nerf soup? Hey, whatever works.
But to be fair again, I did enjoy myself and this was quick read. It is fun to re-visit the Star Wars universe with Han as your guide. This novel is an exploration of how Han gets to be who he is in the first Movie (yes, episode IV) and why he acts the way he does.
A few other main characters share Han’s life in novel one. One is a love interest named Bria, one a comrade (like Chewie actually) Muuurgh, who is a giant cat-like alien. And then there is Shrike, his master (and not a nice guy at all) when he was stuck as a lackey on the pirate ship Trader’s Luck.
Everything falls into the place and the story of Han Solo unfolds. Crispin does a good job of moulding young Han and we see him getting in and out of scrapes as we would expect. I found the love story a bit much, but understand it as back story as to why Han treats Leia the way he does in the movie.
We also get hints about the Hutts, and Jabba name among others is also brought up. General good fun with some fast paced action sequences. A pretty good read if you are into Star Wars and Han Solo. We don’t see the Millennium Falcon or Chewbacca in this one, but all you need to do is start the second book to find them.
As a straight up Science Fiction - it doesn’t quite pass the test. To poorly written, choppy pacing and the supporting characters are too obviously form-fitted into their roles.
As a Star Wars novel I would give this a 3 out of 5. There was enough here to redeem it as a fun read and having started the second in the series I already know it gets a whole lot better.
August 12, 2015
The Good: One of George Lucas' best-loved characters, Han Solo is one of the Rebel Alliance's heroes in the original trilogy...but, not much is known about his pre-A New Hope past. A. C. Crispin draws back the curtain and shows us Han as a teenager and young adult; he discovers his family history...and falls in love. Fans of the title character will definitely enjoy this one.
The Bad: Nothing to complain about; it just wasn't spectacular.
Content Concerns:
• Sex: Kissing; talk of a man and woman being in each other's arms, but only within the context of marriage. 4/5
• Nudity: None. 5/5
• Language: Two or three cases of implied profanity; five or six uses of the term "shut up". 3/5
• Violence: Some sci-fi action violence, in the spirit of the films. 3/5
• Drugs: References to drinking and "smoking [of] prescription drugs". 3/5
• Frightening/Intense Scenes: Much like in the films, Han finds himself in a perilous situation or two, but emerges victorious; a scene or two of emotional intensity. 3/5
Conclusion: With the plethora of Star Wars Expanded Universe books in print, it's tough to know where to start. While I would normally suggest beginning with Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy, this book is perfectly understandable to those who have only seen the original trilogy; when this literary trilogy originally came out, The Phantom Menace hadn't even arrived in theaters yet. Fans of these books know what to expect, and that's what they get here.
Score: 4/5
The Bad: Nothing to complain about; it just wasn't spectacular.
Content Concerns:
• Sex: Kissing; talk of a man and woman being in each other's arms, but only within the context of marriage. 4/5
• Nudity: None. 5/5
• Language: Two or three cases of implied profanity; five or six uses of the term "shut up". 3/5
• Violence: Some sci-fi action violence, in the spirit of the films. 3/5
• Drugs: References to drinking and "smoking [of] prescription drugs". 3/5
• Frightening/Intense Scenes: Much like in the films, Han finds himself in a perilous situation or two, but emerges victorious; a scene or two of emotional intensity. 3/5
Conclusion: With the plethora of Star Wars Expanded Universe books in print, it's tough to know where to start. While I would normally suggest beginning with Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy, this book is perfectly understandable to those who have only seen the original trilogy; when this literary trilogy originally came out, The Phantom Menace hadn't even arrived in theaters yet. Fans of these books know what to expect, and that's what they get here.
Score: 4/5
September 25, 2014
If you are a fan of the Star Wars books, particularly if you are a fan of Han Solo, this is the beginning of an enjoyable trilogy.
Covering the ten years before the original Star Wars movie began--Chapter IV-A New Hope--Han escapes from the only 'home' he has ever known--the illegal ship Trader's Luck.
His ultimate dream: to enter the Imperial Space Academy. So, to get piloting experience, he takes a job piloting for the planet Ylesia. He soon starts picking up pratical expereince.
But he also finds that the "religious pilogrims" are in fact virtual slaves. The religious "exaltation" they feel is a trick artificially created by the overseers.
Han sees nothing wrong with smuggling--but he does not deal in slaves; and when he becomes acquainted with a young woman from his own planet, Corellia, he determines to rescue her.
Quick reading with lots of adventures--battles; crash landings; intrigue and lots of alien and human cultures. It is true to the "feel" of the original Star Wars. Of course, readers of general SF 'space opera' will enjoy it as well.
Book I ends with Cadet Han Solo marching off into a bright future at the Imperial Space Academy......(You think so?lol)
Edited 9/25/14 to fix typos
Covering the ten years before the original Star Wars movie began--Chapter IV-A New Hope--Han escapes from the only 'home' he has ever known--the illegal ship Trader's Luck.
His ultimate dream: to enter the Imperial Space Academy. So, to get piloting experience, he takes a job piloting for the planet Ylesia. He soon starts picking up pratical expereince.
But he also finds that the "religious pilogrims" are in fact virtual slaves. The religious "exaltation" they feel is a trick artificially created by the overseers.
Han sees nothing wrong with smuggling--but he does not deal in slaves; and when he becomes acquainted with a young woman from his own planet, Corellia, he determines to rescue her.
Quick reading with lots of adventures--battles; crash landings; intrigue and lots of alien and human cultures. It is true to the "feel" of the original Star Wars. Of course, readers of general SF 'space opera' will enjoy it as well.
Book I ends with Cadet Han Solo marching off into a bright future at the Imperial Space Academy......(You think so?lol)
Edited 9/25/14 to fix typos
December 23, 2022
This was.... okay I guess. For light reading to pass the time. Honestly I've seen better writing in fan fiction than this.
Nitpick #1: Was it really necessary to refer to Han as 'the Corellian' or 'the young Corellian' every other sentence. I get it, Han is from Corellia. If I didn't get it from watching the Original Trilogy, I would have gotten it the first 3 times Crispin mentioned it in the first few pages alone.
Nitpick #2: Maybe I'm biased to Han and Leia, but Han and Bria's romance seems shallow and uninteresting. I couldn't tell what it was that attracted them to each other, other than 'good looks'.
Nitpick #3: The shoehorning of all the Han movie references like him being 'scruffy', or him repeating entire sentences that he said in the movies... it just felt so artificial and unnatural.
But at the end of the day, I am Han Solo trash and will still consume any media with him in it, so eff it, 2.5 stars, round up to 3.
Nitpick #1: Was it really necessary to refer to Han as 'the Corellian' or 'the young Corellian' every other sentence. I get it, Han is from Corellia. If I didn't get it from watching the Original Trilogy, I would have gotten it the first 3 times Crispin mentioned it in the first few pages alone.
Nitpick #2: Maybe I'm biased to Han and Leia, but Han and Bria's romance seems shallow and uninteresting. I couldn't tell what it was that attracted them to each other, other than 'good looks'.
Nitpick #3: The shoehorning of all the Han movie references like him being 'scruffy', or him repeating entire sentences that he said in the movies... it just felt so artificial and unnatural.
But at the end of the day, I am Han Solo trash and will still consume any media with him in it, so eff it, 2.5 stars, round up to 3.
March 24, 2010
This was the very first Star Wars novel I ever read and it introduced me to a world into which I would dive wholeheartedly for the next several years. Han Solo would become my favorite character in the universe and I would dream of nothing else.
Looking back, I can't say exactly what struck my fantasy most about this book, but it was enough to send me searching desperately for the next in the series. Whatever it was, it captivated my attention so thoroughly that even now I can't help but read the books with fondness as I recall the way they made me thrill to the core way back in 6th grade.
Looking back, I can't say exactly what struck my fantasy most about this book, but it was enough to send me searching desperately for the next in the series. Whatever it was, it captivated my attention so thoroughly that even now I can't help but read the books with fondness as I recall the way they made me thrill to the core way back in 6th grade.
November 30, 2020
Overall this was a decent read but lacked something special. I absolutely hated the love story, and could’ve been written by a six year old. I did like the actual story, however. I wish I could’ve been a little more technical as it reads like a book for younger kids.
Nothing special. Took me forever to read. I have the trilogy and I’m gonna take a break from this author for a bit. 3/10
Nothing special. Took me forever to read. I have the trilogy and I’m gonna take a break from this author for a bit. 3/10
March 8, 2009
A necessary start to the life of Han Solo. Not great literature, but provides a foundational piece of SW universe history.
December 11, 2022
Take a shot for every time Han says “honey”, or “sweetheart”. You’ll die.
January 9, 2015
I knew it was going to be a 5-star at the first wookie growl, but this was incredible!
July 16, 2022
Star Wars: The Paradise Snare By A.C. Crispin, is a media tie-in novel based of the Star Wars movies, and the first book of The “Han Solo Trilogy.”
Set in the Legends timeline. The Paradise Snare, focuses on a young Han Solo, a young thief who was pretty much raised by a criminal named Captain Garris Shrike. Solo joined Shrike's pirate vessel as a young boy, and eventually got pretty good at piloting. As Han got a older and has enough of Shrike's abuse, he flees and finds himself on the strange planet, Ylesia where he takes a piloting job. The people of Ylesia have come to the planet as religious pilgrims, seeking the "exultation" by the t'landa Til, a strange alien race. Turns out, the people are basically being brain washed. They have become slaves to the t'landa Til, mining and refining spice. Han becomes a spice runner for the t’landa Til, piloting a ship through risky territory. Eventually, Han pretty much falls in love with one of these slaves and does his best to break her and himself free of the t'landa Til's grasp and spell.
Author A. C. Crispin has started her trilogy of Han Solo stories with a book about taking chances. Han takes a chance by fighting to escape from Garris Shrike. Han takes a chance by going to Ylesia and hoping for a job. Han takes a chance on Bria Tharen by trusting her with the truth, and most importantly, he takes a chance on his bodyguard Muururgh, a giant being called a Togorian. Star Wars: The Paradise Snare is the foundational block that builds the character of Han Solo that Star Wars fans know so well. It was exciting to see where Han developed so many of his traits from.
This book is filled with your standard tropes of character development. Young man escapes to freedom, finds love, friendship, then ultimately loses these, but achieves his goals in the end. Crispin has taken a combination of ideas from Les Miserables and Oliver to flesh out some of the ideas she has about where Han Solo came from.
The best part of the book is the relationship Han develops with Muuurgh, his Togorian bodyguard. Since landing on Ylesia, Han gets assigned this ‘friend’ mostly because the High Priest doesn’t trust Han, and Muuurgh is honor bound to keep Han in line. The power of Han’s friendship changes Muuurgh, and ultimately will lead to Han’s escape from Ylesia, and reuniting Muuurgh with his lost love.
While Crispin has started to paint the portrait of a checkered past for Han Solo filled with bad deeds, we know Han Solo is not a bad guy. The dynamics of Muuurgh and Han lets us know how Han could develop such a close relationship with Chewbacca when he meets him, and it’s clear to readers that the friendship that Han develops for Muuurgh is genuine and not an act.
For the most part, the theme of escape plays throughout the book, and no matter how far we run, demons can always find us. While Han escapes from Garris Shrike at the beginning, readers know there has to be a final confrontation. The end of the book contains a bloody rooftop fight in Coruscant, which sounds painful and almost animalistic in the struggle between Han and Shrike. The level of danger that Crispin paints into the scene and how she makes readers feel like Han is not only battling the sadistic Shrike to live, but fighting to bury his past with Shrike keeps readers on the edge of their seat.
Typically in Star Wars battles, people are blown up in space, shot by a blaster, or killed by a lightsaber. In this climactic scene readers are going to be taken aback by the level of violence in this fight. It was harsh, but it also made the life that Han Solo lived seem more real and genuine then what we might typically think of.
All in all, The Paradise Snare is a promising start to the Han Solo Trilogy. While the story does not present the epic scope of some of the prequel stories I've read, it is a very well thought out and smart story that brings an already vivid character to even brighter life.
Set in the Legends timeline. The Paradise Snare, focuses on a young Han Solo, a young thief who was pretty much raised by a criminal named Captain Garris Shrike. Solo joined Shrike's pirate vessel as a young boy, and eventually got pretty good at piloting. As Han got a older and has enough of Shrike's abuse, he flees and finds himself on the strange planet, Ylesia where he takes a piloting job. The people of Ylesia have come to the planet as religious pilgrims, seeking the "exultation" by the t'landa Til, a strange alien race. Turns out, the people are basically being brain washed. They have become slaves to the t'landa Til, mining and refining spice. Han becomes a spice runner for the t’landa Til, piloting a ship through risky territory. Eventually, Han pretty much falls in love with one of these slaves and does his best to break her and himself free of the t'landa Til's grasp and spell.
Author A. C. Crispin has started her trilogy of Han Solo stories with a book about taking chances. Han takes a chance by fighting to escape from Garris Shrike. Han takes a chance by going to Ylesia and hoping for a job. Han takes a chance on Bria Tharen by trusting her with the truth, and most importantly, he takes a chance on his bodyguard Muururgh, a giant being called a Togorian. Star Wars: The Paradise Snare is the foundational block that builds the character of Han Solo that Star Wars fans know so well. It was exciting to see where Han developed so many of his traits from.
This book is filled with your standard tropes of character development. Young man escapes to freedom, finds love, friendship, then ultimately loses these, but achieves his goals in the end. Crispin has taken a combination of ideas from Les Miserables and Oliver to flesh out some of the ideas she has about where Han Solo came from.
The best part of the book is the relationship Han develops with Muuurgh, his Togorian bodyguard. Since landing on Ylesia, Han gets assigned this ‘friend’ mostly because the High Priest doesn’t trust Han, and Muuurgh is honor bound to keep Han in line. The power of Han’s friendship changes Muuurgh, and ultimately will lead to Han’s escape from Ylesia, and reuniting Muuurgh with his lost love.
While Crispin has started to paint the portrait of a checkered past for Han Solo filled with bad deeds, we know Han Solo is not a bad guy. The dynamics of Muuurgh and Han lets us know how Han could develop such a close relationship with Chewbacca when he meets him, and it’s clear to readers that the friendship that Han develops for Muuurgh is genuine and not an act.
For the most part, the theme of escape plays throughout the book, and no matter how far we run, demons can always find us. While Han escapes from Garris Shrike at the beginning, readers know there has to be a final confrontation. The end of the book contains a bloody rooftop fight in Coruscant, which sounds painful and almost animalistic in the struggle between Han and Shrike. The level of danger that Crispin paints into the scene and how she makes readers feel like Han is not only battling the sadistic Shrike to live, but fighting to bury his past with Shrike keeps readers on the edge of their seat.
Typically in Star Wars battles, people are blown up in space, shot by a blaster, or killed by a lightsaber. In this climactic scene readers are going to be taken aback by the level of violence in this fight. It was harsh, but it also made the life that Han Solo lived seem more real and genuine then what we might typically think of.
All in all, The Paradise Snare is a promising start to the Han Solo Trilogy. While the story does not present the epic scope of some of the prequel stories I've read, it is a very well thought out and smart story that brings an already vivid character to even brighter life.
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