Rating: Summary: Another day, another gambit Review: A.C. Crispin continues to expand on the life of Han Solo in this excellent, second entry of her trilogy. The story picks up a few years after The Paradise Snare. Han has been kicked out the Imperial Navy for saving Chewbacca, and together the two travel to Nar Shaddaa and sign on to run spice for the Hutts. Along the way they meet Lando, Boba Fett, and Han gains some temporary new love intrests. The book culminates in a battle for the smuggler's moon when an Imperial Moff decides to clamp down on the illegal activity.There are some major flaws in this book, making it the weak link of the trilogy, but a lot of it stems from the restrictions placed by Lucasfilm. By far the most disappointing part was that, after the hopeful ending of the last book, we don't get to see Han as an Imperial officer. This would have added another dimension to Solo's character, but appearantly Lucasfilm wouldn't allow that portion of the story to be told. As such, when Han goes to track down an old friend who was also kicked out of the service, the character doesn't feel properly fleshed out. The crucial story of Han saving Chewbacca is also told through bits and pieces without a full, satisfying narrative flashback. This is, next to Han obtaining the Falcon, the most important piece of the character's history, and Lucasfilm ruined Crispin's chance to tell it. Han's experiences at the academy could have made for a full novel in itself, or at least an extra hundred pages of The Hutt Gambit. As it stands, the book feels somewhat incomplete. My only other criticism is that Crispin introduces Lando as a rookie pilot who saves Han so he can teach him how to fly. Again, I'm not sure if this was Lucasfilm's work or not, but this part of his characterization feels off. After all, Lando blew up the second Death Star, so shouldn't he already be a pretty strong pilot? Other than those points, the book is still great. Crispin's writing style is smooth and absorbing, allowing for a very quick read. The subplots involving the Hutts conspiring against each other sets up Jabba's rise to power in the next book. We see a new side to the relationship between Han and Jabba, as Jabba pays to have the bounty on Han removed. Though we see little of Bria, her character seem to be constantly developing, and has now joined an underground resistance movement, which leads to the formation of the Rebel Alliance. Thankfully, Han's new love interests are welcome additions that don't take away from the main romance subplot between Han and Bria. They also reappear years later in other SW novels, for a cool bit of continuity. There is a cameo by Baron Fel, and another Star Wars fan favourite, though his dialogue feels like a cliched mix of his most famous lines from the movies. Overall, while the Hutt Gambit is disappointing in the stuff Crispin was forced to leave out or skim over, it's still another great Star Wars book, and builds up suspense for the trilogy's final installment, Rebel Dawn.
Rating: Summary: Everyone is after the Laser Brian! Review: Han and his shaggy sidekick now feel it is their job to defend their smuggler friends on the moon of Nar Shadda. They do an astoundingly well, there is even a brief appearance by Darth Vader in this book. It provides some wonderful background for the "Dark Empire" series of comic books that were put out by Dark House all those years ago. This includes all of Han's smuggler buddies and the Bounty Hunters. I only have one question, how exactly did Han manage to alienate all of these people? Did they all just get greedy? Other then my questions it is an excellent book and a fine edition any serious Star Wars fans library.
Rating: Summary: Good Continuation... Review: The second book in Han Solo's saga is nearly as brilliant as the first, with a solid, interesting, believable plot; good, well developed characters, and well described settings. It begins a couple of years after the first one ended, after Han's parted ways (thank God) with the first great love of his life, Bria Theran. In that time, however, he's managed to get taken into the Imperial Academy for fleet commanders, and then kicked out into the street again for one trick to many; this time rescuing the enslaved wookie, Chewbaaca. Now, with no ship, no job, no girlfriend, and an ecstaticly grateful wookie, Han's lost everything he worked his life to attain, and through it all, he begins to find his identity as a smuggler. One thing that annoyed me though, was the book's rather akward starting point. What was Han's life like while he was in the academy? How did he rescue Chewbaaca? To me, this left a huge gap in the story, interupting the smooth flow of the overall trilogy. Despite this minor fault, all in all I'd definetely recommend this book to any Star Wars fan, particulerly those who love Han Solo (duh). This one is definitely not for little kids though, on account of the often intense violence.
Rating: Summary: Review Review: In the second book of the series Han Solo loses his Imperial military status after saving the slave wookie Chewbacca. Chewie fallows Han around until Han finally excepts him as a partner and friend. The Ylesian priests also have the mighty Boba Fett on Han's trail. To make things worse Han gets a job flying for Jiliac and Jabba the Hutt. Will things turn out okay or will it go down the drain for Han?
Rating: Summary: A good book Review: very good book! Has all the qualaties for a good star wars book! Very action packed! If you love Han Solo as much as I do, This book is for you!
Rating: Summary: Interesting and accurate Review: This book is just great! Following the events in Paradise Snare, this is about Han and Chewie's early relationship, his employment with Jabba the Hutt, and our favorite dashing young gambler, Lando Calrissian. Every character present is interesting and exciting while remaining true to what has been laid down in the films. If you've ever had any questions about Han's early life, read this trilogy.
Rating: Summary: Star Wars -Han Solo Trilogy, The Hutt Gambit- (Seafire12) Review: Unlike most trilogy's this one doesn't let up in it's description, dialgoue, and suspense. It is full of action and plot twists. A.C. Crispin has done a wonderful job. After reading all three books I felt like I knew Han personally. I litteratley felt Han's pain over Bria. This is a must read.
Rating: Summary: Bre's Review: Firstly, I'd like to say that I really enjoyed this book. A.C. Crispin is a great writer. I felt that Han was really well represented, along with his relationship with Chewbacca. The author has done a marvellous job incorporating every single smuggling buddy Han has ever been recorded to have. The bit with the fortune-teller was a nice touch.
Rating: Summary: Awesome Review: This book explains how he meets Lando, Chewie, Boba Fett, Jabba, and when he firts saw the Millennium Falcon! It's a must get for Star Wars fans.
Rating: Summary: Hutt Gambit Review: This was a great book with plots within plots, betrayal, and just plain greed.The second book in the Han Solo trilogy has more suspense and action in the story. Han is now a freelance pilot, who is working for the Hutts, as they are competing with each other over the smuggling operation in the galaxy. Han begin his adventure by being thrown out of Imperial Navy for insorbination. He becomes friends with Chewbacca, who believes in a life debt for saving his life. The two of them struggle to survive in their enviroment. Han finds there is a planet called Nar Shadda where other smugglers operate to apply their trade. This is where Han learns the best trade routes and hones his skills as a pilot. This makes him the most famous smuggler in the galaxy. The most enjoyable parts of the book to me is the planning and battle narration of Nar Shadda.
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