| Toy stuff and HAN SOLO: AT STARS END review |
[May. 7th, 2007|02:59 pm] |
I got my twelve Inch Qui-Gon today, which I've wanted since I saw the one Joel bought (I think at the fx show). This time I got my wife’s blessing first because it hasn’t been too long since my purchase of Bespin Han.
I've also managed to dig up most of my toys that have been hiding in my closet for the past few years.
All because of your damn show reminding me about how cool star wars is.
I’ll post pictures as soon as I have my stuff setup properly.
HAN SOLO: AT STARS ENDBy Brian Daley 
I have to admit a couple things that I’m sure have an impact on my view of the book. First off, my favorite character is Han Solo. Second, I enjoy the habitats and fake-science tech of Star Wars a lot. This book ahs plenty of both, so it’s naturally skewed to my liking.
OVERVIEW:
The first Star Wars book written that was not intended for the screen (SPLINTER OF THE MIND’S EYE was written as backup in case Lucas needed to make a quick sequel with only the actors contracted to do more Star Wars films). The book takes place before the events of Episode IV.
Han Solo agrees to find an outlaw, Chewbacca gets kidnapped, Han Solo shoots things. The plot is nothing to write home about, but it doesn’t hurt the book much. Part space-western, part sci-fi, mostly science fantasy; the book moves along at a brisk pace and is a lot of fun.
OVERALL:
A fun book and a nice mix of 70’s science fiction and Star Wars. There are some plot scenes, characters and some dialogue that are groaners. You will especially grow tired of Han telling everyone that he is only out for himself.
Despite it’s flaws, it’s still a lot of fun. Daley captures Han and Chewie just about perfectly. There are plenty of planets, aliens and technology to keep things rolling. Most importantly, it actually feels like a Star Wars book.
GOOD STUFF:
Han and Chewie. Daley gets these two almost exactly right (though here and there I’d groan over a line that just wouldn’t fit. Han saying “oh my.” Doesn’t quite work). The interplay between the two is great. Daley fleshes out Chewie’s role in a way we really don’t see as much in the films until maybe the interrogation scenes in Empire. We learn a little bit about their history and how Han and Chewie work together. We get more glimpses at the man Han was and who he will become.
Daley gets the fun part of Star Wars fake-tech. Lots of droids, lots of ships. Daley gives enough detail to give you an idea of what the tech is like, but not so much as to weigh the story down
There are two main droids in the book, Blue Max and Bollox. I gritted my teeth at first when they appeared. Too many Star Wars books insert two droids for no other reason than the movies had two droids. Daley not only gives them a reason to be in the book, but gives them distinct personalities too. They essentially serve the same “humor” element as they did in the movies, but not in the same way at all.
NOT SO GOOD STUFF:
Han, Chewie, Bollox and Blue Max are about the only truly distinct characters in the book. The others aren’t written badly, but aren’t all that memorable either.
The plot is very simple, closer to a space western. Again, not bad, but not great either. The book coasts on the four characters mentioned above.
Also mentioned above, Han tells everyone how selfish he is. Everyone. It’s like his standard hand shake. It gets old. It gets old really fast.
The dialogue has some groaners, but not as many as I feared. The plot has more groaners, but easily looked past. The prose is good and swift, but does sometimes lag here and there. Again, the book is coasting on Han and Chewie, but as far as coasting goes, it does a great job.
STUFF THAT MIGHT THROW YOU:
For Star Wars fans, it might be hard getting used to the giant corporation Han is battling against. I’m guessing Daley couldn’t use the Empire in the book. Instead Daley carves out a system in the galaxy that is run by a giant corporation whose soldiers are called “Espos”. While you can see Daley is just trying to write the empire without using them by name, it’s not hard to reconcile with the rest of Star Wars.
WORTH IT? I thought so. It’s light reading, it’s quick reading. It’s insubstantial, but fun. Certainly worth the read if you like Han Solo.
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| Comments: |
Sorry about Qui Gon, dude.
NOT!
Haha, no seriously, thanks for the review. I just finally read these about 2 months ago, and came to many of the same conclusions you did. I don't recall the order of Daley's Solo trilogy, but they are kind of formulaic. I need to read Lando and the Mindharp of Sharu (Joel's Zepplin cover band in high school), but I'm waiting because I have a feelng it's going to be similar.
haha.
I've heard the Lando books are just plain terrible. Hope it's not true, but I've never heard a good review of them.
I lost the dust covers for my Han Solo books...
GIMME YOURS!!!
Hahaha....do you still regret Qui-Gon? | |
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