Han Solo at Stars' End (Classic Star Wars)

The other reviews here tell the story well, so I'll just focus on why this book is so worth your time. First, Daley's Star Wars credentials are superb - he wrote all three of the radio scripts that are now considered canon. (And well worth checking out - 12-hr versions of Star Wars, Empire, and Jedi as broadcast on NPR: Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama.) Daley was also a Vietnam veteran from the 11th Armored Cavalry, so his novels carry plenty of authentic combat details and dialogue. This gives his writing a wonderful texture that puts you right there, seeing through Solo's eyes. Here, in the first chapter, Han steps out of the Falcon to make a delivery to a band of rebel aliens. ------------ Han wore his side arm, a custom-model blaster with rear-fitted macroscope, its front sight blade filed off to facilitate the speed draw. His holster was worn low, tied down at the thigh, cut so that it exposed the weapon's trigger and trigger guard. ...He also made certain that the interrupter-templates had automatically slid into place along the servo-guides for the belly turret, so that the quad-mounted guns wouldn't accidentally blow away the landing gear or ramp if he had to fire them while the ship was grounded. ------------ As a kid I ate that up. Now I simply admire the care Daley put into his writing and research. Lucas must've been impressed by this book as well, for he not only had Daley write all three Star Wars radio series, but he took at least two scenes from this book and used them in "The Empire Strikes Back." First there's the one where Han sets the Falcon down on an asteroid, and then this one, from the opening chapter, where Han tips the Falcon on its side to fly through a narrow mountain pass: ------------ Han tightened his grip on the controls, feeling the press of his flying gloves against them. "Pass, nothing - that thing's a slot! Hold your breath, Chewie, we'll have to skin through." He killed all shields, since they'd have struck rock and overloaded, and wrenched his controls, standing the Millennium Falcon on her portside. Sheer crags closed in on either side, so that the roar of the freighter's engines rebounded from the cliffs... There was a slight jar, and the shriek of metal torn away as easily as paper. The long-range sensors winked out; the dish had been ripped off the upper hull by a protrusion of rock. Then the needle's eye was threaded sideways, and the Falcon was through the mountains. ------------ Han is fleshed-out well here, and it adds much to his character. There's not only his cocky attitude (mostly for show), shrewd business dealings, and sharp military experience, but also a hint of his compassion for the underdog, as when he gives advice to the rebel aliens about using the weapons he just dropped off. ------------ "Now, the Security Police here use those riot guns, right? Sawed-off, two-handers? They're real fond of using constant fire, because they can afford to waste power, just ho

As a child of the 80s, it's only natural that I was a fan of star wars growing up. As a fan of books, it's only natural that sooner or later I'd get involved in reading star wars. Admittedly, while being a fan of the original trilogy, and SOME parts of the prequels, I never touched a star wars book or comic before in my life. A co-worker lent me this book some months ago. Recently with the whole star wars turns 30 celebration, I watched the original trilogy on DVD again and got 'bit by the bug' as they say. The same happened to me with the star trek 40th birthday, grabbing onto the original series on DVD as well as as many paperbacks as I could. Anyway, enough back story ;) I was pleasantly surprised by how good this book was. I wasn't expecting that much but from start to finish, this book has that authentic spirit of star wars. And it centers around one of my favoirte characters, Han Solo. The characterization is spot on. Han, always looking out for number one seems to have an uncanny knack of getting involved in situations where he ends up being the hero, whether he likes it or not. The ironic part of it is is that he's GOOD at it! This book carries that characterization out very well. Just looking for ship's repairs and mock up trader papers, Han gets involved in a conspiracy involving the galactic Trade Authority in which 'enemies' of the Authority just happen to disappear without a trace. The play between Han, Chewbacca and the rest of teh characters, both good and bad (especially the droids..we all know how he feels about them) is really fun to read and there's plenty of action in the grand star wars fasion that, as fans, we're used to and have come to expect. My next read is going to be Han Solo's revenge and I can't wait. Highly recommended to any Star Wars fan, hardcore and casual alike.

The book is great. It was what I expected and it came so soon after ordering.

The plot kept getting better.When I started reading it seemed the book would never end then the plot took a turn.From that point on I was hooked.Then it got better.I loved the part where the robot kicked the other well trained robots butt(what ever its name was).

Han Solo at Star's End is a grand, rousing action adventure. I truly can say that it has influenced me greatly. The courageous Solo rescues his friend Chewbacca and the other prisoners of Star's End in one of the most exciting and enjoyable action sequences ever written. One of the best works of fiction I've ever read.