Rating: 
Summary: Shabby murder novel masquerading as SF disappoints.
Review: I read Zahn's Star Wars books when I was a teenager and loved them. I've recently been going through Amazon's extensive SF collection, and picking out favorite authors when I re-happened-upon Zahn's continued writing. Intrigued, I picked up this book, hoping for more of what I had seen in the Thrawn books.What I found is that Zahn has simply written another novel in a mostly Star Wars-esque universe without the engaging and interesting characters and with minute, banal details inserted for some semblance of "originality." What worse, I'd estimate that 80% of this book isn't even science fiction at all. It really is quite a stupid murder mystery. The "whodunnit" is so uninteresting that the rest of the book suffers. The book is supposed to be, by all accounts, about a miraculous new device that our unwitting protagonist has stumbled upon. Yet nowhere in the book is this device used, or discussed, nor are its implications even contemplated. As a book by itself, _The Icarus Hunt_ falls flat on its sorry face. I would suggest readers pick up Zahn's Thrawn books, which had George Lucas' inspiration to instill them with character and familiarity. For adult readers (as this is adequate high-school science fiction), I would suggest Carl Sagan or Peter Hamilton's _The Naked God_ trilogy. I was sorely disappointed by this book, and I suspect others will be too.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book!
Review: This book is really awesome. I mean, there are so many secrets, and once you learn one of them, you want to read the whole book again and just say 'Duh!' to yourself, because now that you know that part of the truth, it seems so odvious that that was what it was in the first place. I know that seems complicated, but if you read the book, you'll see what I mean. And the very end REALLY turns the whole story upside down. Any fan of Sci-fi should read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good airplane reading
Review: Entertaining and full of action, with a snazzy ending. If you're looking for a book to help you grow personally, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a few hours of relaxation and fun, this book is for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Not his best, IMHO
Review: What I like best about Zahn's writing is that he gives you the impression that somehow he's served in the merchant marine in outer space. He seems to know all about the military tactics and practical economics a space pilot would need to know. And that kind of writing is found in Icarus Hunt -- but -- having said that, I have to admit that I was disappointed in this book. What story am I describing? Scruffy space smuggler with an alien sidekick goes into a seedy space bar, gets hired by a mysterious old man, gets in trouble with the nasty crime boss he serves for taking the job... It's Star Wars, right? It's the Icarus Hunt, too. Of course, Icarus Hunt is a lot more complex than SW, but the similarity does jump right out at you. A lot of scenes in the book drag and are repeated. Our hero has to report in to an unsympathetic boss not once but twice. He gets accosted at a spaceport not once but twice. The book would have been more exciting if this repetition had been eliminated. I like to know what the characters are thinking, but the hero's narration just goes on and on, in minute detail, especially about some rather unengaging technical matters. I kept wanting to say, "Enough! Give me the bottom line!" It's a good book, but not one of Zahn's best.
Rating:
Summary: ICARUS HUNT
Review: I happen to enjoy mystery/sci-fi books, and this one really hit the spot! I enjoyed it from begining to end. Mr. Zahn continued teasing throughout the entire story--I couldn't put the book down until I had finished it! I have read many Sci-Fi books, and I had immediately nailed why the Patth were zeroing in on the Icarus in this one. In fact, I knew what the bone of contention was before I bought the book. That did not in any way, shape, or form, detract from my enjoyment of this book. I also was WRONG when I thought I had the "secret" all completely figured out. Mr. Zahn added/ subtracted just enough to his recipe to keep me addicted! Mr. Zahn, Please Write many more!
Rating:
Summary: Zahn is the master
Review: Timothy Zahn is the greatest sci-fi writer currently. I always anticipate his books knowing I will have a good read and a hard time putting it down. I was not disappointed. Zahn's character and plot building skills keep a person glued to the story. This book keeps the reader guessing as to what is going to happen next and what is actually happening until the very end.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Novel
Review: I picked this up thinking "I'll try it and see...." and was immedately hooked. Great Polt developedment and characterisation. A must for any lovers of GOOD scf-fi!
Rating:
Summary: Zahn is the man!
Review: Timothy Zahn writes another wonderful book. I especially loved the scene (don't worry, I won't spoil it) where Chris gets really ewmbarrassed. Masterfully done, as always Mr. Zahn.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful Sc-Fi 'Who Done It'
Review: This book is written in a genre not used much. It is basically a Agatha Christie novel done in space, and done very well. I could not put the book down and finished it in 2 days. Very enjoyable. If you liked Simon R. Green's 'Fischer and Hawk' series you will love this. This is a must read. I only hope Zahn writes more novels in this series using the present characters.
Rating:
Summary: The Icarus Hunt
Review: Timothy Zahn can really take you for a ride & drop you intosome impossible situations! As well as writing good science fiction,he does extremely well at mystery too. In a universe of iron-fisted control of all galactic shipping, renegade Jordan McKell survives by dabbling in interstellar smuggling for the last of the free traders. It was good to read a book again that made me feel like a kid again, with characters I really liked doing things I really liked, in a plot that let me forget about the details & just live in the adventure...
| 
