Rating: 
Summary: Han Solo Lives
Review: This is one of the better books of the recent SW releases. I have to agree with some of the other reviewers that some of the recent SW releases haven't been stellar, but this one has been very good. The characterization of Solo is right on without being too annoyingly drawn from movie cliches. I think if I see the phrase 'lop sided grin' one more time in these SW books I'll puke, but it's bound to continue. Anyway, the characterization of Solo is not only believable but sympathetic. One part I didn't like were the descriptions of some of his flashbacks of the past to his childhood. The descriptions themselves were kind of annoying and more a distraction than anything else, although the Thracken Sal Solo flashback was kind of interesting. Overall, a must read if you like the new SW books and Han Solo
Rating:
Summary: Almost, but not quite, as good as the Daley books.
Review: I'll make this short. If you like Star Wars and you like Han Solo, read the book. Crispin does a great job of showing Solo's early years, and what turned him into the hard-edged type he was in the movies. The story is interesting, and the characterization dead-on. The main problem is that, due to how Han's past has been written by a half-dozen other people, her attempts at making this story fit with all the other histories seem more than a little forced. But that's only a minor gripe, as these are almost as much fun to read as Daley's excellent trilogy of Han books
Rating: 
Summary: A fun, easy read
Review: On its own merits "The Paradise Snare" is average fiction. It's a very easy read that I was able to cruise through in just a few sittings. It doesn't get hung up with flowery language or "big words". This works to its benefit as it's a very fast read and gives us great insight into Han Solo's earlier years. You can see where the author is going with Solo and how he initially starts the novel a naive (compared to the mature solo; he's still sharper than the average 17 year old), sensitive (Solo cries throughout the first chapter) young man and by the final chapters he's well on his way to the arrogant sarcastic scoundrel we all love. I recommend it to any Star Wars fan, in fact I'm in the middle of "Hut Gambit" book two in the series (equally as good, if not better so far), however for those with little interest in the greatest space opera of all time, the book lacks the depth and sophistication of better written sci-fi.
Rating:
Summary: the genesis of the young Han Solo
Review: Han Solo is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars Universe, and he has been since the first film was released. With "The Paradise Snare", author A.C. Crispin brings us the first part of the story of a young Han Solo and shows us what made him into the rogue that we have come to love. Han starts out working (indentured, it seems) to a criminal named Garris Shrike. He finally wants out and there is no way that Shrike will let him. But, with the help and sacrifice of his wookiee friend, Dewlanna, Han is able to escape and find a job as a pilot on the planet Ylesia. On the planet, Han is assigned a bodyguard, Muuurgh, who is as much guarding Han as guarding Ylesia against Han. Ylesia has a secret that relates to the spice mining it produces. It is supposedly a religious community which the pilgrims voluntarily work, but Han soon feels that something isn't quite right. He meets a pilgrim, #923 (we do later learn her name), and starts falling for her and wants to rescue her as well as rescue himself from the soon to be hopeless situation on Ylesia. This book was much better than I expected. It succeeds at doing several things all at once. First, and most importantly, it is an entertaining story in its own right. Second, it starts giving hints and clues and examples of how Han Solo became the man he was in the movies. He distrusts religion and holds himself back from falling in love. He is friends with a wookiee. Why? The set up begins in "The Paradise Snare". Third, this book sets up more Han Solo novels in the future (two more books of this trilogy) and makes us wonder how a boy dreaming of being a soldier in the Empire grow up to fight in the Rebellion? Within the context of Star Wars, this was a good story. -Joe Sherry
Rating:
Summary: Riverside student
Review: With the notable exceptions of Brian Daley and T. Zahn, I've been disgusted by the supposed Star Wars novels. A.C. Crispin, however, obviously knows the universe and shows it with her on-target depictions of beloved characters. Fans of the Marvel comic series will be delighted to see some of those characters pop up from time to time, and Chrispin neatly ties in not only Lucas' work but also Brian Daley's. This is an excellent trilogy and I highly recommend it for real Star Wars fans. Even the most hardcore will find NO fault here. Neither does this critic, for what it's worth, and I quit counting the times I've watched Star Wars after it topped a hundred.
Rating:
Summary: A fun, easy read
Review: On its own merits "The Paradise Snare" is average fiction. It's a very easy read that I was able to cruise through in just a few sittings. It doesn't get hung up with flowery language or "big words". This works to its benefit as it's a very fast read and gives us great insight into Han Solo's earlier years. You can see where the author is going with Solo and how he initially starts the novel a naive (compared to the mature solo; he's still sharper than the average 17 year old), sensitive (Solo cries throughout the first chapter) young man and by the final chapters he's well on his way to the arrogant sarcastic scoundrel we all love. I recommend it to any Star Wars fan, in fact I'm in the middle of "Hut Gambit" book two in the series (equally as good, if not better so far), however for those with little interest in the greatest space opera of all time, the book lacks the depth and sophistication of better written sci-fi.
Rating:
Summary: the genesis of the young Han Solo
Review: Han Solo is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars Universe, and he has been since the first film was released. With "The Paradise Snare", author A.C. Crispin brings us the first part of the story of a young Han Solo and shows us what made him into the rogue that we have come to love. Han starts out working (indentured, it seems) to a criminal named Garris Shrike. He finally wants out and there is no way that Shrike will let him. But, with the help and sacrifice of his wookiee friend, Dewlanna, Han is able to escape and find a job as a pilot on the planet Ylesia. On the planet, Han is assigned a bodyguard, Muuurgh, who is as much guarding Han as guarding Ylesia against Han. Ylesia has a secret that relates to the spice mining it produces. It is supposedly a religious community which the pilgrims voluntarily work, but Han soon feels that something isn't quite right. He meets a pilgrim, #923 (we do later learn her name), and starts falling for her and wants to rescue her as well as rescue himself from the soon to be hopeless situation on Ylesia. This book was much better than I expected. It succeeds at doing several things all at once. First, and most importantly, it is an entertaining story in its own right. Second, it starts giving hints and clues and examples of how Han Solo became the man he was in the movies. He distrusts religion and holds himself back from falling in love. He is friends with a wookiee. Why? The set up begins in "The Paradise Snare". Third, this book sets up more Han Solo novels in the future (two more books of this trilogy) and makes us wonder how a boy dreaming of being a soldier in the Empire grow up to fight in the Rebellion? Within the context of Star Wars, this was a good story. -Joe Sherry
Rating:
Summary: Great Introduction to Han Solo
Review: This is a tremendous introduction to the life of the great Han Solo. This is the second time I have read this book, and it was better the second time I read it. Solo is my favorite character from Star Wars, because he is so witty and arrogant. Crispin does an excellent job introducing the wit and the arrogance of Solo through this masterful introduction. Here is a brief summary: His interaction the wookie, Dewlanna helped to shape his future life with Chewie, because, she saved his life with Garris Shrike. It was because of this that he was able to escape to Ylesia, and be their pilot. The whole Ylesian affair gave the book a very interesting twist. This is what helped shape Hans' excellent piloting skills and where he met Bria Tharen. But, the sham that the Tlanda Til were putting on with the 'Exultation' is ultimately what sent Bria away from Han. This was a sad take in the book, but an excellent move for character development and the overall plot of the story line of Star Wars. His short love affair with Bria helped to shape his arrogance and individuality. This finally leads Han to apply and be accepted into to be an Imperial pilot. This is a great introduction to a wonderful man in a wonderful story.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderus begening to a epic tryligy
Review: The Paradise Snare is great if you are interested in finding out the background of Han Solo. Outside of that, it's pretty average science fiction. The story moves along well, and keeps you interested, but it doesn't really stand out from a lot of other science fiction. If you want to find out how Han got his start, I'd recommend this, otherwise, there are some better science fiction novels out there.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Origin Trilogy for an Enduring Character!
Review: The rogue with the heart of gold is epitomized in Star Wars' Han Solo. Supposedly in it for the money, he helps save the day and joins the Rebellion. Now here is his story. Crispin writes a terrific adventure yarn, fleshing out a young Han Solo and making him believable as a character and giving him perhaps the best and most complete origin story in the Star Wars universe. This story begins with a teenage Han Solo escaping from his home/prison on a wandering ship run by a bad-hearted version of Fagan from Oliver Twist. Solo is more like the Artful Dodger and less like Oliver. He escapes makes his own way in the world, meets a woman who might become the love of his life and at the end of the story joins the Imperial Academy. The evolution of the character is readily apparant, as he is loyal to his friends, an excellent pilot and at times a hero though usually on the wring side of the law. Anway this first book in Crispins series is by far the best of the 3 and truly brings Han Solo to life.
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