Genre: Science Fiction, Media Tie-In
Series: Book 2 of Empire and Rebellion
Publisher: LucasBooks, Del Rey (March 4, 2014)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy's Rating: 4 of 5 stars
I've been a reader for as long as I remember, but science fiction is still a relatively new genre for me. In fact, I don't think I started until I well into my high school years, and back then, I remember cutting my teeth on novelizations of the Star Wars prequel movies. There you go, my not-so-secret confession!
Obviously, I've branched out a lot more since those days, but I still retained my love for Star Wars books. To date, I've read a bunch by many different authors, and some of them have been better than others. Media tie-in novels have always been my guilty pleasure, especially when it comes to my beloved Star Wars, but admittedly the bar has never really been set that high. That's why whenever I do come across one that I genuinely like, I can't help but do a little happy dance.
And I'm definitely dancing now. Actually, I'd been excited about Honor Among Thieves for a long time, ever since I first learned that Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck will be working on a new stand alone Star Wars book under their nom de plume of James S.A. Corey. I adore their work on the Expanse series, and to hear that they would be writing a story about my favorite scoundrel was like a dream come true. Come on, James S.A. Corey and Han Solo? You just can't go wrong with a winning combination like that.
So you can see why I am so thrilled to say this book lived up to all my expectations. You can tell right away that the authors are fans of Star Wars and the characters themselves, because the first thing I noticed was how "right" Han sounded and felt in his dialogue and actions. He even felt true to the character in his internal narrative, all the way down to his growing affection for his new friends in the Rebel Alliance. This book takes place after the destruction of the Death Star but before the events of The Empire Strikes Back, so we get a real good look at how those experiences have affected and changed him.
The best part is, this is a Han Solo book through and through, and no doubt about it. Expect lots of his signature seat-of-the-pants approach to solving problems, the usual daring flyboy maneuvers, and of course a healthy dose of roguish humor. The plot is relatively simple, beginning when Han and Chewy are tasked on an assignment to extract a high-level rebel spy deep in Empire territory. Meet Agent Scarlet Hark, whose moxie might just give Han a run for his money. But as it turns out, Scarlet has uncovered delicate information about a new technology, one that can turn the tide of the war if only the rebels can secure it before the Empire gets their dirty hands on it.
I would say it's fairly predictable how things turn out, but then I think that is to be expected. We all know the war goes on in The Empire Strikes Back, et cetera, et cetera, so to an extent you can guess how everything in the story ends. Still, none of that manages to take away from the fun. Another thing I liked about this book is how deftly the plot involved all the main characters. One of my biggest problems with a lot of Star Wars books is how desperately some authors try to squeeze in all the prominent players, sometimes resorting to giving them obligatory sub plots that feel shoehorned in. Not an issue with this one, I can happily say. Despite Han Solo taking the center stage in this, Luke and Leia both also have their parts to play, and they actually are integral to the story.
Sure I may have my biases, being a big fan of James S.A. Corey and having a massive soft spot for Han Solo, but this is probably now favorite Star Wars novel, beating out Darth Plagueis, which is the former holder of that distinction and also another really great story. Star Wars books have certainly come a long way, and I look forward to seeing this trend continue.
A review copy of this book
was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Del Rey Books!
Nothing constructive to say here. Just going to him the Star Wars theme and make blaster noises.
ReplyDeleteLike I said, if you love themes and blaster sound effects, I think you'd love the audiobooks.
DeleteI just read this book too! It was so much fun. :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your thoughts :)
DeleteI have never read a Star Wars novelization...it just never occurred to me. I mean, I knew they were out there, but why mess with the movies? Sounds like I may have to give this one a shot. And Han--love him! I guess if I were to dive into a Star Wars novel, I'd want the story to be about Han.
ReplyDeleteThere are soooooo many. Lots of folks prefer the EU books that expand beyond the movies for that very reason. I personally very much enjoy the Old Republic era as well. If you like Han, I'd say give this a shot first (no pun intended)
DeleteThis new series is a good, safe place to jump in if you want to check out the books because it still holds so tightly to the movies.
DeleteI've enjoyed several of the expanded universe novels (particularly the Zahn titles), but I've had trouble getting excited about the 'gap' novels.
ReplyDeleteI can understand, it's hard to get excited when you know there won't be any huge surprises, and that as cool as the stories are they almost don't matter because they don't get referenced at all. I had trouble getting into Razor's Edge because of that, but like I said, when it comes to this one it's hard for me not to like anything to do with Han Solo.
DeleteThese novels are a little fluffier. They bring back the fun of the movies and thus far, the writers do a good job of capturing the characters that we originally fell in love with, while actually dealing with some of the less trivial emotions they had to deal with - which wasn't touched on in the movies. It's refreshing to go back to them now, before everyone started dying and becoming eeeeevil and wtf YV....
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