My book review of Han Solo's Revenge by Brian Daley.
Brian Daley's Han Solo's Revenge takes readers on another swashbuckling adventure with everyone's favorite rogue smuggler and his faithful co-pilot, Chewbacca. Set in the gap between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, the novel captures the essence of Han Solo's persona—cynical, opportunistic, and always on the lookout for the next payday.
Title: Han Solo's Revenge
By: Brian Daley
Genre: Sci-Fi
Pages: 198
Release Date: October 12th, 1979
Publisher: Del Rey; Ballantine Books
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Summary from Goodreads:
SLAVERS BY CHANCE
There's always work for a space-faring freighter captain who doesn't ask awkward questions, and Han Solo quickly got a job that would pay him a cool 10,000 credits. It would also, he discovered as soon as he made planetfall to pick up his cargo, earn him and Chewbacca summary execution. The Corporate Sector Authority could overlook many crimes, but the slave trade carried with it mandatory capital punishment.
Thanks to the quick thinking of Blue Max, a computer-partner of Han's work 'droid Bollux, Han was able to turn the tables on the slavers and free their captives. But he and Chewie were dead broke, with not many prospects in sight.
Figuring that somebody still owe him 10,000 credits, Han kept a rendezvous the slavers had arranged with their shadowy boss. But the lovely girl who kept the date didn't fit his idea of a slave trader. And she wasn't. Rather, Fiolla was a full-fledged officer of the Sector Authority...most of whose laws Han had already broken. Now he was in real trouble!
Review:
Daley does a fantastic job of staying true to Han’s character. His sarcastic wit and devil-may-care attitude are present throughout, making the book a fun read for Star Wars fans who enjoy Solo’s banter. The interactions between Han and Chewie are well written, showcasing their loyalty and partnership.
The pacing is fast and action-packed, with plenty of space battles and narrow escapes to keep the story moving. Fans of the original trilogy will appreciate the familiar setting and tone, as Daley successfully captures the feel of the Star Wars universe.
While the action is engaging, the plot lacks depth. Han’s motivations revolve mainly around money and self-interest, which can make the story feel somewhat one-dimensional. The villains are forgettable, with no real threat or gravitas to make them stand out. For a reader hoping for more character development or complexity, Han Solo’s Revenge might feel a bit underwhelming.
There’s also a sense that the stakes aren’t high enough. While the novel delivers on adventure, it doesn’t add much to Han’s overall arc in the Star Wars saga. You don’t get much new insight into his character beyond what’s already well-known from the films.
Han Solo’s Revenge is an enjoyable, if somewhat shallow, read for Star Wars fans who want more of Han’s escapades. It doesn’t reach the heights of other entries in the expanded universe, but it offers a solid dose of entertainment. If you’re looking for light, action-heavy Star Wars fiction, this book fits the bill—but don’t expect much in the way of deeper storytelling.
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