Rating: 
Summary: Neither Foster's best, nor Star Wars'
Review: Taking place between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, Luke and Leia are deposited on a hostile alien planet while en route to woo the local planetary system to join the rebellion. Forced to combat both the secret Imperial installation and the native fauna, they become embroiled in a quest. On this planet is an ancient artifact capable of enhancing the bearer's perception of the force. Unwilling to allow such an object to fall into the wrong hands, e.g. Darth Vader, they are diligent in their efforts to obtain the item. It is clear that this novel was early in the development of the Star Wars universe. The writing style is often a bit disjointed, switching from one character's viewpoint to another from paragraph to paragraph. There is never any indication as to the result of the original quest. Also, after obtaining the artifact, there are some people that might have benefitted from it's assistance as did some of the major characters, but the attempt is curiously never made. I was actually pretty disappointed with this book, but being Star Wars it had at least some merit.
Rating: 
Summary: Very interesting...
Review: This book was the first one authorized by Lucasfilm after the release of Star Wars: A New Hope and it is very good. Alan Dean Foster introduced us to a great sidestory with this and he must have helped many people out back in 1978 by tiding them over till the release of The Empire Strikes Back. The story is interesting enough. Luke and Leia go on a search for the Kaiburr crystal, which is said to make someone indestructible with the Force. Obviously, they have to find it first, to keep it out of the Empire's hands, especially those of Darth Vader. The best part of this book happens to be the best reason to buy this book: Luke's confrontation with Vader. All I'll say is that there is some great foreshadowing in this meeting. Read it and see what I mean. Another interesting thing about this book is that it was written in 1978, so Foster only had the first movie to go on. That makes for some interesting interaction between Luke and Leia. Remember, nobody knew they were related yet. I thoroughly enjoy this book. I'm positive that any Star Wars fan out there would too, so do yourself a favor and buy this excellent book!
Rating: 
Summary: All we had in '78
Review: Recently re-read SOTME after reading it on its original release in 78. Although the characterizations and story line seem crazy after all the newer accumulated SW lore, I tried to re-read it with the perspective that this was really the only 'expanded universe' we had in 1978. It seems like lots of people have issues with Vader's personality and talents in this book, but keep in mind what we had seen last. Luke had developed force powers strong enough to allow him to guide a torpedo into an un-hittable exhaust port, while Vader had been almost blown away in a surprise attack by Solo's Falcon. We see it now as beginner's luck by Luke and a fury-inducing lapse by an all-powerful Vader, but I think Foster made a pretty logical extension of what we saw at the end of SW. SW fans who weren't alive back then need to remember that not only didn't we know the whole Skywalker family tree, we'd never heard of Coruscant, Palpatine, or Yoda, didn't know the Emperor was a force-powerful Sith, had never seen an AT-AT or a green lightsaber, etc. If you read this from that perspective and pretend you're enjoying a first glimpse at a SW universe outside of what you saw in Ep. 4, you might enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: better in '78
Review: There was nothing wrong with this book, except it was written in 1978, before The Empire Strikes Back. How could the auther know if Han Solo would stick around? That Leia loves Han? That Leia and Luke are brother and sister? That Vader can deflect blaster bolts off his hands and Leia can't use a lightsaber? And finally how was he to know that Vader was Luke and Leia's father? he couldn't, there is no way. Read the book, but from the standpoint of someone who has only seen the first movie. Because of a few plot holes I give this book 4 stars instead of 5, but it is still a good book and it is intresting, if you love Star Wars you'll like this book, ifyou don't, what are you doing looking at the reveiws for this book?
Rating:
Summary: Fun
Review: This novel, while lacking a little, is still a fun read. I wish that I would have read it years ago before all the other stuff. I am sure it would have been much better then. I am not sure why, but it seems to be just a simple little story that really doesn't excite me as much as some of the others I have read. I honestly think that this is because I read it later than I should have. It is still a good book and a lot of fun for a true fan.
Rating:
Summary: Luke, Leia, and the Kaiburr Crystal.....
Review: Although the current Star Wars Expanded Universe novels first appeared in 1991 with the publication of Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire, the adventures based on characters and situations created by George Lucas hit the bookstores between 1977 and 1980. Marvel Comics followed its six-issue adaptation of Lucas' film with its own "continuing adventures," while novelist Brian Daley followed the exploits of Han Solo and Chewbacca before their fateful involvement with the Rebellion. Alan Dean Foster, the uncredited ghostwriter for Lucas' novelization of Star Wars, followed the further adventures of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in Splinter of the Mind's Eye. Set shortly after the Battle of Yavin and the destruction of the Death Star, the novel is an atmospheric, almost Indiana Jones-like story pitting Luke and Leia (accompanied by R2-D2 and C-3PO) against Imperial forces in a desperate race to find the mystical Kaiburr Crystal, a gem which has the ability to focus and enhance the power of the Force. Although Splinter of the Mind's Eye is more character-driven than action-oriented (space battle fans will be disappointed), the novel is true to its heritage and has its share of cliffhanger situations, a new cast of rogues, outlaws, aliens, and villains (Captain-Supervisor Grammel is one of the vilest servants of the Emperor). There is even a climactic lightsaber duel between the very untrained Luke and the evil Lord Darth Vader. Foster's familiarity with Lucas' characters and situations helps keep this otherwise planetbound story interesting and lively. Although Han and Chewbacca are absent from Splinter (Luke only makes a passing reference to the Corellian when he asks Leia what Governor Tarkin had done to her before her rescue from the Death Star), Luke and Leia's characters get a chance to shine on stage. Luke is still a bit of a farmboy-turned-Alliance pilot with latent Jedi powers here, and the Princess is still as fast with her biting wit as she is with a blaster. Foster also emphasizes Luke's conflicting feelings toward Leia...he loves her, but knows (or suspects) he has to protect her at all costs, even from himself. (If this sounds weird, keep in mind that in 1978 nobody knew that Luke and Leia were twins!) Readers of Laurent Bouzerau's The Annotated Screenplays will recognize that Foster's plot is actually based on a discarded plot for what would become A New Hope. Part of the original story revolved around the quest for "a Kyber Crystal" -- a gem that a Force-user could utilize to enhance his or her powers; Luke was supposed to have used this "Kyber Crystal" to help him make that "one-in-a-million" shot to destroy the Death Star.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Adventure
Review: I've read a lot of the Star Wars books, and the only ones that really were authentic for me were this one, Brian Daley's, and Timothy Zahn's. Great details (I'll always remember that part where Luke uses a blaster's power cell to fuel his lightsaber - who knew they could run out?, and then narrows the beam on it to cut through a doorlock), great characters (love those Yuzzim - like wild Wookies), and a great adventure underground that beats the pants off of "Journey to the Center of the Earth."
Rating: 
Summary: A Further Adventure of Luke Skywalker
Review: There is good Star Wars fiction and there is horrendous Star Wars fiction. I would categorise this with the latter I am afraid, would there not be that certain light in which the novel should be held. What this novel in essence pertains, is carefree adventure. What it does wrong in being carefree adventure, is giving the impression to be more. The story is told in the swaying, intelligent voice of high science fiction; and whilst making the book a more supple and pleasant read, this same voice inavertedly places extra focus on the membrane storyline and shallow character depictions. Characters land in illogical and - to the reader - almost offensive situations to preserve the plot. (Luke and Leia loosing themselves in a mud fight, so that there is an opportunity to introduce Captain-Supervisor Grammel, is the chief example. Another is finding sites on the Mimban surface against all odds, all too easily assigned to fortune and Luke's Jedi instincts.) However, Foster had his restrictions laid upon him by the Star Wars Corporation. He could not go and make this adventure far-reaching and implicating. As Lucas says in the foreword, Splinter Of The Mind's Eye was presented in 1978 as a "further adventure" of Luke Skywalker. Foster has overdone this, I'm afraid. As it is, the only aspect this novel really adds to the whole of the Star Wars galaxy is the shock of Vader's mortality. The heroes do not simply beat him to the chase, escaping just in time leaving Vader with a raised black fist shouting: "I'll get you, damned rebels! One day, I'll get you!" - the heroes actually gain total victory, leave almost leisurely, and only lack of possibility prevents Vader from being killed in the confrontation. What is good about Splinter Of The Mind's Eye is the unending chain of exciting events. The Adventure never stops. Would it have stopped, and put even a trifle more effort into unveiling the splinters of the characters' minds, it would have been a much better book. Seen in this light, Splinter Of The Mind's Eye is not horrendous, but it certainly is not good. Horrendous fiction get no stars or one star; but as it is, this gets two stars. I am giving. Bram Janssen,
The Netherlands
Rating:
Summary: Original and one of the best Star Wars novels
Review: Conidering that Foster new nothing of current expanded universe continuity, nor did he know where Lucas was going with the Star Wars movies as this book was written before Star Wars came out and was released the next year, Splinter of the Mind's Eye is an entertaining, filled with complex character development an exciting climax and perhaps one of the most brutal Darth Vader scenes ever written. Luke and Leia are off on a diplomatic mission which explains the absence of Han Solo, not known to be a returning character by the author, and they are forced to crash land on a swampy planet that ironically resembles Dagobah. Here they stumble across a hidden Imperial installation, are captured, escape and have to go after a mysterious Force enhancing crystal. On the way they fight locals, Imperials and Darth Vader as well as monsters and their environs. The relationship between Luke and Leia seems to be heading in a more romantic direction than a brother/sister relationship should really go, but then again, in Empire, Leia tries to suck off Luke's face so really it just enhances the sibling surprise. The confrontation with Darth Vader is one of the highlights of the book. Especially the part when Luke is trapped and Leia faces off against the Dark Lord with a lightsaber. Here Vader is at his most evil playing with his prey before pouncing. He tortures Leia with his lightsaber conveying a brutality not seen in him before. The fight between Luke and Vader is also very good and if it differs from Star Wars canon a little how cares! It's still a well written scene. Splinter of the Mind's Eye is among the best of the Star Wars books written and it is indeed Foster's best Star Wars novel. I highly recommend it to the thinking Star Wars reader.
Rating:
Summary: The Granddaddy of the Star Wars Novels
Review: Alan Dean Foster's 'Splinter of the Mind's Eye' is the very first Star Wars sci-fi novels to come out after Lucas' Star Wars: A New Hope in 1978. How come I know is that I got it when it first come out that year. It an entertaining read with Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia and the aid of the droids, C3PO and R2D2 while on a mission to enlist Rebel recruits become marooned on an uncharted swamp planet. They must go to search for the Kaiburr crystal on the hostile planet Mimban. The crystal is said to have power to anyone who possesses it make them invincible with the Force. Will they find it secret hiding place before it's in the hands of the evil Empire and Darth Vader?
The confrontation of the two heros with Darth Vader gives one an idea of future story lines in the upcoming movie, 'The Empire Strikes Back.' At the time it was to earlier to tell if this was a mediocre tale compared to future SW novels. But since this was the first it was a great start as Lucas would put it a further adventure. One thing about this novel it doesn't include Han Solo or Chewbacca. So Luke and Leia seem to do pretty well on their own in this vintage adventure tale in the Star Wars galaxy. Since this was the novel that started deserves it's place in the SW novel hall-of-fame. Who knows if it weren't for Foster penning the first one would there still be the SW novels today?
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