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Summary: A future surprise
Review: Coming to this book after having read several of the author's Star Wars novels, I was surprised at his ability of creating a future with no reference to the SW universe at all, either in technique or creatures/races. The book is a solid build-up of tension, with a very unexpected twist in the end. The setting is solid, and clear, you can build up a very nice view of the galaxy at the time of the story. Best thing is, reading it again won't spoil it.
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Summary: a very good sci-fi mystery book.
Review: I would like to start out by saying kudos to Timothy Zahn for somehow managing to tell a first person mystery novel, where the exact idendinty of the narrorator is a large part of the mystery, and making this somehow work out in a belivable manner. The novel is about two smugglers who are trying to transport a mysterous ship back to earth aginst the wishes of the galaxies most powerfull race. Zahn agian shows his talent for writing very entertaining novels within rather thin worlds. He has written some of the only good star wars novels (Sorry but Star Wars is best left on the wide screen), and uses a similar type of universe for this book.
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Summary: Kept Me Up Till Two in the Morning
Review: As a fan of mysteries, science fiction, and Timothy Zahn, I was delighted to find this book. Sure, it was not a deep, thoughtful work, and the ending seemed a bit deja vu, but this book was entertainment at its best. The twists and turns kept me flipping pages all the way through the night. After the slightly cliche, but nevertheless suprising ending, I went and reread the book. It's amazing how Zahn had subtly worked all the clues to the killer's identity and Jordan's job description throughout the entire novel. Definitely worth the time!
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Summary: An Edge-Of-Your-Seat Mystery/Sci-Fi/Comedy
Review: This book is one of the most enjoyable I have ever read. Zahn has outdone himself with this book - it is much more enjoyable than even his previous excellent work in the Star Wars universe and elsewhere.Yes, the characters were rather flat and predictable, and the universe wasn't terribly scientifically accurate, and the book in general wasn't any piece of "great philosophical literature" that pushed your mind to its limits. Because it wasn't trying to be - it's just trying to be an entertaining story set in a universe that, albeit unrealistic, is pretty damn cool. And the main character, McKell - I mean, c'mon, how can you not like him? He's Sherlock Holmes rolled into Han Solo, with a dash of Indiana Jones. He's suave, clever, and seems to be thrust into a bad situation. You can't help but empathize with him. And the plot was most enjoyable. The unending plot twists are well-developed: surprising enough to, well, surprise you, but logical and reasonable enough to maintain the plausability. I was kept guessing up till the very end. And yes, the very end did stretch it a *little* bit, but by the last page, it doesn't matter. You've grown so attached to the characters and universe that you don't care if the solution is a tad cliche, as long as it works. (Which it does.) All in all, this is one of my new favorite books.
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Summary: The Icarus Hunt
Review: I found my husband engrossed in this book while on a plane ride after awhile I leaned over to see what he was reading. I was really impressed. Normally I dislike sci-fi reads, I say, "if it's any good they'll make a movie about it." Well, not for this book! My god, I was hooked. I couldn't put it down, that is, once he did. It was really well written, so much so that I don't think any director alive today could do this book justice in a film version. Even if you are not normally a sci-fi fan like myself, if you want to go on one wild adventure, this is the read for you. It was like a vacation for my mind. I loved it.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed? Yes.
Review: Perhaps just people from Washington did not like this book or......... I have to agree with Mr. Klausner's review of this book. I was very disappointed. I had the murderer pegged in this "mysterious" plot with the introduction of Jordan McKell's partner as the new ship mechanic. I found that the spaceport scenes were used over and over with slight variations. In addition to this there seemed to be a never ending contradiction with the main character....one moment he is sly as a fox and the next he is a bumbling idiot. Last but not least, th ending was pure cheesy "Here comes the cavalry all at once with 2 minutes planning" type of thing which made me want to throw this book across the room. Mr. Zahn - do not get angry. I suggest you run your next mystery through an editor or a couple of friends and take suggestions regarding content or plausability before you publish the next one. Regards,
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: Timothy Zahn has for a long time been one of my favorite Sci-Fi authors. Ever since his Conquerer's series and, of course, the Star Wars books (which, I would like to add, are the best Star Wars novels to date!) But The Icarus Hunt went as far as to exceed the extremely high expectations I had for any Zahn book. It is a unique twist of imaginative Sci-Fi and intriguing Mystery. And Zahn did a wonderful job delivering. I just could not put the book down until it was finished. I highly recommend it!
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Summary: I got swept right along
Review: Smuggler Jordan McKell feels certain his pseudonymous employer hasn't told him everything about the mysterious sealed cargo he's supposed to pilot to Earth. And sure enough, before McKell can even blast off, things heat up. First he's detained by the port authorities as a suspected murderer. Then his employer disappears, leaving him with a note, a cash box full of wages, and a hastily assembled crew of mismatched humans and aliens flying the strangest looking ship McKell has ever seen. Things can only get worse--so naturally they do. After the death of a crew member, McKell realizes that he has a murderer on board, and then he discovers that every government in the quadrant is in pursuit of the Icarus. Before long he begins to suspect that his cargo could change the future of the galaxy--and now it's his responsibility. The opening chapters of ICARUS HUNT promise a strong mystery/suspense novel, and indeed this book does not disappoint. Zahn rockets the reader along, lobbing plot twists at every turn. The characters are stock, yet well drawn and entertaining. I especially enjoyed McKell's partner, Ixil--an alien whose two symbiotic pet 'ferrets' act as his extra eyes and ears. Zahn has written a number of Star Wars novels, and ICARUS HUNT reads as though it was originally outlined for the Star Wars series (with Han Solo and Chewbacca as protagonists?), and then the set dressings were changed slightly to make it more mainstream. But who cares if the technology is WWII with blinking lights, and every spaceport has a Star Wars bar scene? Well, I didn't. I got swept right along. I consider this as a terrific airplane book or a good cure for a rainy day. ...
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Summary: That classic Zahn feeling
Review: (forgive bad spelling) Zahn has done it again. Icarus Hunt is immursive and intriguing. As in all of Zahn's books, he's created an atmosphere so real one feels as if they've lived in the world he's created all their life. Zahn takes this a step further, however, by adding a powerful level of intrigue. From the eerie decks of the Icarus to the busteling streets and cantina's, from the secritive, almost 2001-esque discovery of the Icarus to the very interior of McKell's quick thinking mind, everything feels real to the point where you can, for example, hear the creaking of the Icarus's structure. The book is top notch and leaves you asking for more. Kudos to Zahn for another excellent volume.
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Summary: Lame Space Opera Disappoints
Review: What a disappointing piece of tripe! Zahn provides a vague (and hugely improbable) framework, then tacks on disjointed chapters one after another. Each new chapter pulls rabitts out of the hat that have little or no foundation laid for them. The central mystery can be guessed by a nine year old before you are halfway through the book. When he finally tires of tacking on more unlikely escapades, the denouement is a cross between Agatha Christie style "Let's have everyone sit down to dinner with the murderer" and the US Cavalry riding over the hill in the nick of time. Unless you have absolutely nothing better to do on an airplane flight, give this one a pass.
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