Rating: 
Summary: Not quite as fun as a barrelful of kittens, but close.
Review: The third installment in Michael Stackpole's "X-Wing" seriesdetails the aftermath of the taking of Coruscant by therebels. Anyone who's been following this series will want to pick this one up - it's consistent in tone with the earlier novels, and the plot is both fast-moving and believable.
Unlike other authors of new Star Wars material, Stackpole has drawn directly from contemporary issues. Readers will recognize the similarity of physical symptoms of the Krytos virus to Ebola, and takes the opportunity to draw a parallel between human/non-human relations in the Star Wars universe to racial tensions in our own world.
Despite this, the tone of the novel is anything but grim. The primary focus here is entertainment, and in this Stackpole succeeds - my lunch hour extended to two hours from reading this book! It's a real page-turner, something that is necessary for anything bearing the Star Wars name, but which few Star Wars novels have managed to achieve.
The interesting thing is that the character I found myself most interested in is Kirtan Loor, Corran Horn's nemesis. Loor's struggle to extricate himself from Iceheart's clutches, and only managing to ensnare himself further, makes for some of the most compelling reading in the book. In fact, the fate reserved for him is a little disappointing; I was not left with a sense of closure in Loor's case.
The trial of Tycho Celchu is clearly the trial of the century in the Star Wars universe, and provides Stackpole with the opportunity to level a criticism or two at the media. The effect of the trial on the fledgling New Republic government is one influence that is clearly felt throughout the book.
One criticism I do have - I just wasn't as interested in Corran in this book as I was in previous books. It seemed pretty evident from the outset that he would survive with his sanity intact. After reading such novels as C.J. Cherryh's stunning "Cyteen," I may have an unusually high standard for stories dealing with this topic, but these sections of the novel weren't as effective as I felt they could be. It's true what they say - a reader won't believe it if the character has good luck, but we'll believe in bad luck readily enough - and the more of it the better! Corran just doesn't seem touched as deeply as he should be by his experience; this is one aspect of the novel that I really felt could have been better done.
Overall, though, the X-Wing series still outshines most of the other Star Wars books that have been recently released. It's fun, as the original films were fun, and while no novel can come close to matching the films, the same tone and cinematic breadth are absolutely necessary. Stackpole is one of the few who has managed this.
Rating:
Summary: This Series Just Keeps Getting Stronger With Each Book!
Review: When I first heard of the X-wing series of Star Wars books, I wasn't sure I wanted to read it. It was mostly about the pilots from Rogues Squadron, with some cameo appearances by Han, Leia, and Luke. I thought the books might be dull do to the lack of my favorite heroes. Boy, was I ever wrong!! These books are fast-paced and exciting from cover to cover!
In this excitng installment, Corran Horn is believed dead and Tycho Celchu has been arrested for his murder. Celchu faces a treason and murder trial, with all the evidence working against him, despite all of the heroic work he's done for the Republic. The Alliance is struggling to become the New Republic. The dreams of setting up the main government at Coruscant are beginning to collapse as the deadly Krytos virus begins to attack non-human members. Bacta, the only known cure, is scarce and the prices are climbing. To make matters worse, a terrorist group on the planet of Coruscant is threatening to tear the government apart before it even begins. As Rogue Squadron deals with the loss of its top fighters, Corran struggles to stay alive in the horrific Lusankya prison, run by the evil Ysanne Isard.
The best of the series so far, this book is packed with action and suspense. And the dogfights - WHOA! This book has something for every type of Star Wars fan: action, intrigue, suspense, mystery, you name it!
Rating:
Summary: Leanest of the First 4 X-Wing Books, Still an A
Review: The Krytos Trap, is the leanest of the first 4 X-Wing books by Stackpole. It's not a bad book, but some of the action gets tedious. Overall, however, its still a great read, a fun addition to the series and much better than many other Star Wars books. Curuscant has been freed from the Empire, but Intel. Director Isard left behind a devastating plague that only affects non-humans. The Rogue Squadron spy has been caught and is on trial for the murder of Corran Horn, supposedly killed at the end of the second book in the series. Yet information is still getting to the Imperials, even with Tycho Celchu in custody. With Bacta as the only form of medicine to cure the plague in short supply, the Republic has been dealt a hammer blow. But hope could return in the form of some savy smugglers, as well as the captured and imprisoned Corran Horn. While his friends mourned his death, he was being tortured by Isard in her cruelest dungeon Lusankya. Because of the diverse threads of the story, the action can get tedious but overall its a great effort, just not as good as the first 2.
Rating:
Summary: Not quite as fun as a barrelful of kittens, but close.
Review: The third installment in Michael Stackpole's "X-Wing" series
details the aftermath of the taking of Coruscant by the
rebels. Anyone who's been following this series will want to
pick this one up - it's consistent in tone with the earlier
novels, and the plot is both fast-moving and believable.
Unlike other authors of new Star Wars material, Stackpole
has drawn directly from contemporary issues. Readers will
recognize the similarity of physical symptoms of the Krytos
virus to Ebola, and takes the opportunity to draw a parallel
between human/non-human relations in the Star Wars universe
to racial tensions in our own world.
Despite this, the tone of the novel is anything but grim. The
primary focus here is entertainment, and in this Stackpole
succeeds - my lunch hour extended to two hours from reading
this book! It's a real page-turner, something that is
necessary for anything bearing the Star Wars name, but which
few Star Wars novels have managed to achieve.
The interesting thing is that the character I found myself
most interested in is Kirtan Loor, Corran Horn's nemesis.
Loor's struggle to extricate himself from Iceheart's clutches, and only managing to ensnare himself further, makes for some of the most compelling reading in the book.
In fact, the fate reserved for him is a little disappointing;
I was not left with a sense of closure in Loor's case.
The trial of Tycho Celchu is clearly the trial of the
century in the Star Wars universe, and provides Stackpole
with the opportunity to level a criticism or two at the
media. The effect of the trial on the fledgling New Republic
government is one influence that is clearly felt throughout
the book.
One criticism I do have - I just wasn't as interested in
Corran in this book as I was in previous books. It seemed
pretty evident from the outset that he would survive with
his sanity intact. After reading such novels as C.J.
Cherryh's stunning "Cyteen," I may have an unusually high
standard for stories dealing with this topic, but these
sections of the novel weren't as effective as I felt they
could be. It's true what they say - a reader won't believe
it if the character has good luck, but we'll believe in bad
luck readily enough - and the more of it the better! Corran
just doesn't seem touched as deeply as he should be by his
experience; this is one aspect of the novel that I really
felt could have been better done.
Overall, though, the X-Wing series still outshines most of
the other Star Wars books that have been recently released.
It's fun, as the original films were fun, and while no
novel can come close to matching the films, the same tone
and cinematic breadth are absolutely necessary. Stackpole
is one of the few who has managed this.
Rating: 
Summary: Read this book!
Review: Set after X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble. The virus is loose on Coruscant. Isard (IceHeart) has captured Corran Horn. Tycho Celchu is on trial for spying. It's a mess, but exciting. This is one of the best books ever! All *stuff* breaks loose and it is very riveting. If you want to read a good book, this is it. (assuming you've read the previous two, they might help you grasp some of the basic concepts at hand)
Rating:
Summary: star wars, xwing
Review: This is an interesting book. The story line deals with biological warfare and the empire trying to take back control.
Rating:
Summary: X-Wing #3 is the best yet.
Review: For those readers that felt Wedge's Gamble was a tad too heavy on the intrigue and lacking in the action, then The Krytos Trap will be the book you were hoping for, and it's the best of the series to date.Corran Horn is being held captive by Ysanne Isard, who badly wants the hot shot to turn and become a weapon against the growing yet still off balance New Republic. Meanwhile Tycho Celchu is put on trial for Corran's murder. Kirtan Loor is running a terrorist front to destroy the Bacta that Coruscant so desperately needs and...well why spoil it for you when you can read it yourself. All the loose plot threads are pulled tight and the twists and surprises kept coming fast and furious, making me turn the pages so fast I was almost tearing them off of the book's spine! Fans should love this entry, highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Brainwashing Time
Review: I've said it before and I'll say it again. I don't like science fiction, but I love this series because it doesn't really portray itself as such. There is a lot more going on here than just mechanics. This being the third book in the series, it's sort of found itself at a precarious position. It could either have gone back to the dogfight style of the first book or stayed with the more subdued style of the second. Stackpole pulls a nice one by returning with the fighting, only putting it in a courtroom. The last book left off with Tycho Celchu charged with the murder of Corran Horn, something that anyone who read the epilogue in the last book should know isn't true. With this in mind, as the climax builds, we are left with the conclusion that either Tycho is brainwashed, Corran is brainwashed or someone else is brainwashed. That's an awful lot of brainwashing. Anyhow, the trial scenes are enjoyable and several villains get theirs so there is nothing wasted. Wedge is back and unfortunately for him so is the husband of the first woman he's been interested in for a while. Corran is a little more subdued in this one, of course he IS being tortured in a prison camp. Tycho is still his likable this-shouldn't-be-happening-to-me-I-didn't-do-anything-wrong self. Gavin is starting to become a real character that I thoroughly enjoy and Borsk Fey'la just makes me want to beat him up. Finally, complaints. The main villain is even less intimidating in this one because she's in it so little. Word to the wise, just develop one of the politicians as a villain and I'd be impressed, they are more backstabbing than all the villains combined.They're really trying to make Asyr and Mirax developed female characters, but they're failing. Lastly, there wasn't nearly enough Tycho for me. He just passively takes everything that's done to him and never explains why. Aside from that I really enjoyed the Law and Order in space.
Rating:
Summary: A fast paced rollar coaster of a novel...
Review: I've found Stackpole's work to be dull and dragging, charactoristics I found all too apparent in the previous two books of his series. But while Rouge Squadron and Wedge's Gamble may be a bore to the reader, I warn you, don't get frusterated. The Krytos Trap may pose the series's savior. Stackpole weaves a tale of betrayl and treachery, of love and detirmination, and suprises you simply can't put it down. There is very little space battles or battles in general for that matter, but Stackpole keep's you in complete suspense until the very end. His work is far more down-to-earth, complete with lawyers, a very diferent (not bad mind you) turn for Star Wars literature. If I could give Stackpole a single bit of advise, it would be to give up Sci-fi and go to more realistic fiction. This rollar coaster of a novel starts you out on a fast paced straight away that accelerates you into the plotline. No turns or loops simply a well written beginning. But then, without warning, this book sends you into a tunnel of betrayl and questions, questions that blind the reader to the turns twists and turns its about to take. It takes so many twists and turns in fact that it could make the Goliath at Magic Mountain look calm. It end with a final loop that shows you just how wrong you were the whole time, which leads me to a final regret, just as a rollar coaster must come to an end, so must a novel. Luckily we've still got the Bacta War. I can virtually guarentee you this book shall not disappoint, it's a true return to great Star Wars literature, in a time in which it seemed Star Wars was in a downfall.
Rating:
Summary: Another Good Book In The Series
Review: Though it got off to an only so-so start, in my opinion, anyway, the X-Wings series rose to hieghts above the average Star Wars novel with the second entry in the series, Wedge's Gamble. The Krytos Trap picks up right when that one left off, holding the funeral for Corran Horn and begining Tycho's murder trial. In many ways, this seemed to be the most 'different' entry into the X-Wings series. Not too much in the way of space battles here. Mostly, what we have is a combination of escape action (Corran's section), and trail sequences. The book is very enjoyable overall, though lawyers may find themselves pulling their hair out over some of the trail portions. Corran's escape is fun, but it got to seem a little outrageous that Corran could make this escape single-handedly. Like a few others, I get the impression that Corran is as much a testiment to Stackpole's ego as anything else. However, in the plus column, this book isn't nearly as Corran-heavy as the other three books. We get to see more of the other members of the squadron, especially Nawara Ven in the trail sequences. Gavin continues to get some attention as well. Overall, much more balanced than the others in terms of characters. Unfortunatly, the Imperial characters have lost the sense of threat they had in Wedge's Gamble. Ysanne Isard is barely in the book, appearing only in a few early scenes to torture Corran. Kirtan Loor spends as much time plotting against Isard as he does working against the Rebellion. Derricote has, for no immediatly apparent reason, been imprisoned. Moff Vorru comes across threatening, but he's barely in the book. In fact, it seemed to me that the Rebels' most significant losses were inflicted upon them by Warlord Zsinj, who isn't actually even in the book. Despite a few short-comings, The Krytos Trap is an excellent Star Wars read, far above most of what has come out for the series. A little different from the others, but still very good. Reccomended to all Star Wars fans.
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