Rating: 
Summary: Refreshing Change Of Pace
Review: "Tatooine Ghost" is a great breath of fresh air rekindling the adventure of the original trilogy. Now I do enjoy the New Jedi Order series, but I also like to read a book without so much impending doom over the course of several novels. With that being said, Denning takes the classic characters of Han, Leia, Chewie, & C-3PO and inserts them in the familiar setting of Tatooine. They then have several scrapes trying to recover a secret device inside a painting with good ol' stormtroopers and Tusken Raiders. Fabulous adventures abound!
Additionally, I really enjoy the way Denning weaves in elements from Episodes I, II, IV, V, & VI, as well as a few EU novels. He also alludes to a certain art-loving Grand Admiral we have seen (in the chronological future).
The inclusion of minor characters from Eps I & II round out Leia's burgeoning knowledge of the force and her family's past and makes for good reading. I highly recommend this novel for all Star Wars fans eager for the return of the swashbuckling adventures we have come to love over the years.
Rating:
Summary: Finally a Great SW Book that Stars the Original Characters!
Review: I found Tatooine Ghost to be a beautiful book. I must admit I'm not a big fan of the EU, especially the NJO. The EU characters don't interest me much, and I've always just wanted a book focused on the original ones, which is probably a big reason why I liked this book so much. I'm also a fan of the prequels and I thought the bridge between them in this novel was just what we needed. Leia coming to terms with her parentage to explain her ease of being a Jedi later on had to be explained, and this book did it very well. Leia got a chance to see what Anakin was like before he went evil, and understand him as a human, not a monster, through his mother's eyes. Speaking of Shmi, I loved how in the book she was compared to Leia, even by Han when he pictured Leia being like that when she aged, still beautiful and dignified. The interaction between Han and Leia was probably the best I've ever seen in the Expanded Universe. I especially liked the scene where Han pulled Leia down on the bed when Leia went to change his hydradrip. The scene afterwards where they were running around without any clothes on was one of the funniest scenes in the SW books. Han, my favorite character, was actually written as someone smart and competent, rather than getting by on luck, which was a great change. Leia too seemed much more like the character we saw in the movies, strong but with a soft interior. Some other scenes I liked were Han and Leia's discussions over their different interpretations of the paintings, and Han taking sides with Anakin. The only thing I would have changed is made the conversation between Han and Leia at the end about having kids longer. It felt a bit rushed. I also wanted to see Leia get pregnant in the book. Terrofoc book overall though. I admit I teared up a few times while reading it.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: In a word to sum up my reaction to Tatooine Ghost: WOW. This is coming from someone who has abandoned the EU years ago in disappointment and disdain, and who found this book absolutely stunning. It ties the prequels and the original trilogy together seamlessly; presents the best characterization and in depth soul searching by a character (Leia) I've ever read in SW Literature; shows Han and Leia in a commited, loving, and respected marriage - in short all the things I think SW books should strive to be. Denning is a master at all aspects of this book. Characterization is easily the centerpiece of this book, and he pulls in off brilliantly. Han and Leia are the best we've seen them, with multiple layers and vulnerabilities, with a deep and complex relationship. This is very much Leia's book, and because of that I feel extremely fortunate someone like Denning who is one of the very few authors who can write Leia well wrote this book. She is not an ice queen nor is she a damsel in distress as so many write her to be; she is someone who is very competent and skilled, with a sarcastic sense of humor, yet a woman with grace, selflessness, and an undying passion to those she loves, from Han to the citizens of the New Republic. The most important part of Leia, I feel, is that the author shows her as a human, not someone who tries to be perfect and emotionless all the time, someone who is very vulnerably at parts. I felt every emotion along with her while reading this. The humor is provided at intervals in the form of quirky characters such as the Squibs or sarcastic banter with Han and Leia, while not detracting from the overall storyline. Action is fast-paced and appropriate, if not a little overdone at times, especially towards the ending. Romance is easily my favorite part of this book, as Denning shows Han and Leia in a relationship that moves naturally from mutual concern, to breathless passion, to sarcastic banter, and underlying it all, a deep and honest love and commitment. Moreover, this book succeeds in doing what the prequels could not - humanizing Anakin and making prequel characters such as Shmi, Watto, Cliegg, and Owen multi-dimensional and sympathetic. Excellent job to Mr. Denning and Del Rey. I will most definitely recommend this novel to every one of my SW friends who no longer reads the books, or reads them sporadically. I only hope there are more SW books in the futurethat are of such high quality and as character-driven as Tatooine Ghost is (preferrably, focusing on Han and Leia!)
Rating: 
Summary: Nice Change of Pace
Review: Tatooine Ghost is a nice change from the New Jedi Order series, which has turned into a roller coaster ride of promising cliffhangers resolved by disappointing follow-up novels ... not to mention the agonizing prequel-era books. Denning has a good sense for the characters and seems to capture the spirit of the movies as well as Zahn and Stackpole. His New Jedi Order contribution Star by Star is one of the best of the series, and if Denning had been around during the publication of the New Republic-ere novels there would have been at least one less disappointment there. As for Tatooine Ghost, it's refreshing to explore this familiar planet from the movies again. The book reveals the Skywalker past to Leia in several creative ways, and the only issue I had was the quick conclusion to the story. I was left with the question of whether Leia shares her information with Luke and if we now have to assume that they both knew about the Tatooine events of Episodes I and II during the past 20-plus years of the expanded universe. Hopefully, we'll learn more about that and get a chance to see Luke discover something about Padme. Even though the events of Tatooine Ghost aren't pivotal or tremendously important, it was still a fun read. It was good to have Chewbacca back, and your favorite grand admiral makes his debut appearance.
Rating:
Summary: Best Ever Star Wars Book
Review: this is easily the best Star Wars book I've ever read, and I've read about 110-120 of them, everything but some of the Jedi apprentice series. troy Denning really should write every star wars book. this book has everything i want, except for maybe a huge battle (it had plenty of smaller ones though) and not enough Luke for me. Still, this wouldn't drop the rating at all. There is no snap-hiss of a light saber anywhere in the book, and the only time it is mentioned is when they pass Obi-Wan's house., but the story is done so it doesn't matter. the connections to the past were eerie, and so very well thought out i was amazed. when they talked of a great Boonta Podrace in which a human boy won, it took me a minute to make the connection. likewise, the use of Kitster, Wald, and Shmi was incredible. one thing that made this book awesome was the indirect use of Gavin Darklighter, my favorite character. his family was a featured part of the book, as was the remains of the Lars clan. The introduction of grand admiral Thrawn was awesomely done. In fact, it is done so well it takes a long time to figure out it was him. Of, troy can't ever say his name, and he can't, because they don't know about Thrawn until after a half year later in the original Zahn trilogy. The thing that most struck me was the place that the Tuskens avoided calling it ghost town. that puzzled me because it sounded familiar. then it was revealed that a clan of sand people was found hacked to pieces, all dead, about 30 years ago. make the connection yet? the book was great, and the first in the time directly after the original trilogy. it showed me how much i missed them. This is the book for Han and Leia fans, and this book goes on my top ten all time star wars books right there with star by star. (conveniently by troy Denning.) buy this book p.s. if I'm still stumping you with the sand people tribe hacked to pieces, that would be Anakin's ill-fated attempt to save his mother and then releasing his anger for the first time
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Book, but not Great
Review: Tatooine Ghost is about Leia coming to terms with understanding her real father's past. Led by the force, she is drawn into Anakin's past, watching as the events of his childhood unfold in a mysterious way. Unfortunately, the depth of the story is presented as a chase after a painting that contains information that could destroy the Wraith Squadron. The purpose of chasing after the painting is an obvious ploy to get the reader to experience Leia's coming to understand herself and her anger toward Anakin Skywalker. The storyline of chasing after the painting is what hurts the story. The whole premise of that story makes the story seem a bit forced (and also a bit slow paced), because as the story unravels, the characters seems to just be drawn like tourists through an unknown land and learning little things along the way. Still, the real reason why the book was written helps to keep the story alive: to link the prequel films with the current Star Wars universe. The book even answers some unanswered questions that lingered between Courtship of Princess Leia and Heir to the Empire. Still, the characters are the best quality of the book. From Leia to the Squibs, it is clear that Troy Denning has a knack for characterization. From his realistic dialog that rivals the dialog in the films to the decisions that the characters make, Troy Denning paints the characters as real people. Leia, especially, is quite a dynamic character. After all her experiences in the novel, Leia's mindset changes almost completely concerning several pressing issues that she had been faced with since the destruction of the second death star. Overall, the book is for anyone who wishes only to fill in the gaps between the Courtship of Princess Leia and Heir to the Empire. Troy Denning, a very good writer, has written a good novel, but he has written better.
Rating:
Summary: It's About Time!
Review: Star Wars fans that hate the horrible New Jedi Order series---REJOICE! Nowhere in this book will your find Mary Jane(Mara Jade) or the whiney Solo twins. Chewie fans will be happy because he's back. This book deals with Han and Leia's relationship, and does a wonderful job. We also see Leia is forced to see her father through new eyes even though she doesn't want to. Tatooine Ghost is a must have for Han and Leia fans. The dialog is great, the characters are perfect. Hands down this is my favorite Star Wars book. I must warn Luke fans, if you are expecting him to save the day, you will be disappointed. He makes a cameo, but that's it. Mr. Denning has outdone himself. He kept me riveted, and my only problem with this book is that it was too short! I had a hard time putting it down, and I finished it in two days. We need more books that deal with Han and Leia in this manner. I demand more books like Tatooine Ghost!!
Rating:
Summary: FINALLY an excellent book for the SW galaxy
Review: What a wonderful book this was! I read my library's copy, and loved it so much I went out & bought a copy for myself, not even waiting for paperback! This is a Star Wars adventure the way it was meant to be written, before the NJO came along and messed everything up so badly. Denning writes the characters so true to their movie personalities that you feel this book is simply a continuation after Return of the Jedi ended. He has done a masterful job of tying together the prequels and the Expanded Universe after the Original Trilogy. At the same time, he has managed to spackle-and-paste omissions of logic made by others: Qui-Gon's apparent lack of compassion for Anakin's mother in Ep. 1, Leia's completely out-of-character behavior in the dreadful "Courtship of Princess Leia", and even how a boy named Luke Skywalker could remain hidden in plain sight on his father's homeworld, and not have someone, somewhere, alert Darth Vader to the presence of another Skywalker. Denning has made Leia the strong, competent woman and Han the dashing smuggler of the movies; he creates fascinating new characters; and he paints haunting portraits of secondary characters such as Kitster and Shmi. He gives nods to other favorites by mentioning Wedge Antilles, the Wraiths, and Thrawn. My only quibbles with this book: The Tusken Raiders tell a story-dance of a warrior who slaughtered an entire camp with a buzzing sword; if Anakin killed every single Tusken, how would the other tribes possibly know their manner of death? A single line saying that one escaped would have cleared this up. And the visit to Obi-Wan's hut, while providing a heart-wrenching glimpse into his guilt and sorrow, seemed nothing more than a plug for Timothy Zahn's upcoming novel on the Outbound Project. Minor quibbles only. This book is an excellent read, highly recommended for any Star Wars fan, but especially for those who are fed up with the abysmal NJO. Denning writes as if he truly loves the Star Wars galaxy and the familiar characters we love, not as if writing a book with Star Wars on the cover is just a gambit to get name recognition with fans. I can only wish that we would see more books like this. Del-Rey editors, this means you: are you paying attention?
Rating:
Summary: A Great Story
Review: Finally! Thank you Troy Denning for writing the book that Han and Leia fans have been wanting for a long time. This is a wonderful story, true to the characters, and fun to read. Han and Leia are portrayed as adults who love each other. And the chase through the desert for a painting is fun and exciting. Buy this book now.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT STORY
Review: Finally, the Official Star Wars people have gotten a Han and Leia story right! This is a story that sticks to their characters, keeps them acting like adults, and shows that they love each other. Thank you Troy Denning. Han and Leia Fans: Buy this book NOW!
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