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Rating: 
Summary: Wow!
Review: "The Golden One", the first in the trilogy that Deborah Chester has written is fantastic. I read "The Crimson Claw" (2nd novel) first, because I spotted it in the local grocery store. "The Golden One" is an impressive novel because the intertwining stories of Ampris, Israi and Elrabin helped me get a very clear view of the Viis Empire. Israi's father, the Kaa, is a very interesting character as well, and I enjoy seeing him ignore the fact that his empire is crumbling and indulging the sri-Kaa (Israi). I think the artwork on the back of the book is very good, for I enjoy sci-fi art. I once tried reading Star Wars books, but it was just too much for me. There's too many of them, just like Star Trek books! Anyway, I hope you enjoy "The Golden One" as much as I did.
Rating: 
Summary: Once in a great while
Review: a book comes along that really inspires you... to vomit. Of the many books of sci-fi schlock I've poured through in my lifetime, this one is one of the worst. The characters are rarely interesting and the plot seems thin and in the end of this book, rushed. It seems by the 170th page of boring melodrama the author was in such a hurry to cut it short to fufill "trilogy" requirements she railroaded the characters into confusing and counter-intuitive behavior. I re-read the last part of the book to make sure I wasn't missing anything, and I wasn't. I haven't bothered to read the next two books in the saga. Usually, a first installment of a saga is supposed to grip you, not repulse you. And this did such a wonderful job of repulsing me I refused to even continue with the series. Instead, I reread "Dune" and found my faith in sci-fi writing restored.
Rating:
Summary: Alien Chronicles: The Golden One is very good adventure.
Review: I admit that at first I bought the book because the cover has the Lucasfilm logo. The story is very engrossing and I was drawn in immediately. The book's central strength is character development, something that can be found lacking in so many other novels. My only question is if the trilogy is in any way related to the Star Wars universe. If it is, then what time period is it set in? There are no references to the Jedi or other Star Wars characters. I kept expecting Luke to come into the Story at some point. It is, however, refreshing to read a book, supported by George Lucas, that doesn't rely on strong action or already familiar characters to tell the story. All of the previews that I have read are correct to point out that the characters reactions are believable and that the author did not use fantastic technology to rescue the characters. There were no Lightsabers used. In fact none of the main characters have acquired weapons yet. My only quibble is that book two isn't out yet. Otherwise the book is very strongly written and the characters well developed.
Rating:
Summary: One of the worst books I've ever read
Review: I am an avid fan of fantasy and sci-fi, and when I noticed this book on the shelf at the local book store, I was interested enough to buy it. The first book in the trilogy, "The Golden One", doesn't really let one know how bad the writing is going to get. I give it one star simply because it isn't particularly well-written, and the storyline is transparently bland. It is obviously intended to hook the customer into buying the whole trilogy, which only goes downhill from the beginning. The really sad thing is that there was a lot of potential to make this interesting, but the characters, instead of developing, become more and more one-dimensional as the story progresses. The conversations and thought-processes of the characters could have been written by a fourth-grade B student. By the end of the third book, I was so disgusted and impatient to simply be done with it, that I had to force myself to read it through to the end instead of tossing it into a garbage can. I won't give away any parts of the story, just in case someonee is foolish enough to buy this stinker, but be forewarned: the author becomes so pedantic towards the end that there can be absolutely no doubt, at all, not even the tiniest, smallest, most miniscule bit of doubt, that the lead character, Ampris, is a "tragically noble heroine who just wants to believe the best in others no matter how many times they disappoint her". Or that everyone else in the books, with the exception of her best friend, is a despicable, self-centered, back-stabbing excuse for a (sorry, can't use the word "human", so insert your own noun, here).This series, in conclusion, is an utterly pathetic attempt at writing, that starts out mediocre and eventually becomes simply abominable. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON IT!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent story!
Review: I was captured by the story and read the entire book in just a few sittings. I liked the way that the characters were introduced and developed, and enjoyed the contrasts between the rich and leisurely lifestyles of the ruling race with the utter filth and disgust that the subservient races could never escape. There is a George Orwell slant to the story, with the underlying message that absolute power corrupts absolutely. I look forward to justice being served in the next two books. I did not know that the remaining books in the trilogy had not yet been written, and I was not happy to learn that I would have to wait several months for the next book. I wish that I had waited until all the books were in print before I started reading The Golden One.I do like the author's style of writing, and commend her on her ability to tell an interesting and captivating story. I strongly recommend this book, but would advise that you wait until all three books are in print before you get started. I hate having to wait for the rest of the story!
Rating:
Summary: The Best single in a trilogy i have ever read...
Review: This is the best way to start a trilogy, but then again, the companies Gorge Lucas ( unsure of spelling ) know all about trilogies. Star Wars... but this one is different. This is a story about a once beautiful society, the Viis, who are now degrading. The story is from the two main characters, Ampris and Elrabin. Although the speices in this book are similar to creatures of earth, very unlike starwars, they are well described and explored. This is a story that will leave you waiting for the other two books, as it did to me... I have asked quite a few times at the local bookstore, but it isn't out yet. I can't wait till it is. Like one of the other reviewers, i wish i wouldn't have found this book till after the trilogy was out, thatway i could read them all as one big story. This is the best book i have read in a long time.
Rating: 
Summary: Great story worth reading, but it ends too soon.
Review: Wonderfully crafted storytelling. This novel tells the story of two principle characters, Ampris and Elrabin - Ampris being the real focus. Both characters are members of subjugated species within the Viis empire. Ampris' early years are pampered, while Elrabin's are impoverished. Yet fate brings them together. However, they are not united till the very end. The great strength of this book is the character development. All of the characters' thoughts and actions develop naturally from their circumstances and backgrounds. Deborah Chester has done a wonderful job of creating three dimensional, and believable, characters. Additionally, when a crisis develops, the characters' responses, and the story line, remain believable. Ms. Chester never relied on tricks or unlikely interventions to rescue a character in distress. The main flaw of the book is that it ends with a cliffhanger. The story is no where near completing the story line. I grant that given Ms. Chester's richly detailed telling, 344 pages are just not enough to get us there - but I want resolution. I've read that book two in not due to be published until October - I can't wait. To her credit, Ms. Chester does provide some resolution. We see Ampris' character develop, through experience, the psychology that will bring her to greatness and we see how she and Elrabin will be thrust together. But, I don't want to wait nine months to find out what happens next. All in all, I recommend Alien Chronicles The Golden One without reservation.
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