Rebel Dawn

Goodreads Synopsis:    Here is the explosive conclusion of the blockbuster trilogy that chronicles the never-before-told story of the young Han Solo.

Set before the Star Wars movie adventures (the second trilogy), these books chronicle the coming-of-age of the galaxy's most famous con man, smuggler, and thief.

The Millennium Falcon is "the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy."  So when Han Solo wins it in a game of sabacc, he and Chewbacca become kings of the smugglers—uncatchable, unstoppable.  But with the Empire clamping down, Han knows his luck can't last.  Still, when an old girlfriend who is now the leader of an insurgent Rebel group offers him a shot at an incredible fortune, Han can't resist. The plan seems a sure thing. The resistance will be light and the take enormous. Han and his friends will divide it equally with the Rebels.  

Too bad for Han that the planet of Ylesia is far from a pushover, that the Rebels have an agenda of their own, and that smuggler friends can often turn into enemies...quicker than lightspeed.

My Thoughts:

-    I loved so much about this book! I loved seeing Han's story right up to the point where he meets Luke and Obi-Wan for the first time in Mos Eisley. 

-    However, I do have a couple concerns. I feel like there wasn't enough time between Han's relationship with Bria and him meeting Leia for him to properly get over what happened. I also don't think he would jump right in to help the rebellion again after what happened with Bria. I just wish there had been a little more time lapse in between. 

-    I LOVED the Hutt's insider war with each other and how everything went down. It was so awesome!

-    I loved Han's multiple Kessel runs, and I loved learning why Jabba was upset with Han. 

-    I was sad with how things ended with Lando, but I'm glad that I know they become friends again. 

-    This series does such a great job setting up Han's story for A New Hope. I think the author did this legendary character justice. Not a lot of people could pull off a great Han Solo history, but Crispin did, and I applaud her. I hope the Han Solo movie is just as good.

Previous Books

 

The Hutt Gambit

Goodreads Synopsis:    Here is the second novel in the blockbuster new trilogy that reveals the never-before-told story of the young Han Solo. Set before the Star Wars movie adventures, these books chronicle the coming-of-age of the galaxy's most famous con man, smuggler and thief.

Solo is now a fugitive from the Imperial Navy. But he has made a valuable friend in a former Wookiee slave named Chewbacca, who has sworn Han a life debt. Han will need all the help he can get. For the Ylesian Hutts have dispatched the dreaded bounty hunter Boba Fett to track down the man who already outsmarted them once. But Han and Chewie find themselves in even bigger trouble when they agree to lend their services to the crime lords Jiliac and Jabba the Hutt. Suddenly the two smugglers are thrust into the middle of a battle between the might of the Empire and the treachery of their outlaw allies...a battle where even victory means death!

My Thoughts:

-    There was a lot of diplomacy and politics with the Hutts in this one. The stuff usual bores me, but this time it was very intriguing. I loved Han's role in everything.

-    I LOVED the introduction to characters we all know and love. Han learning to accept Chewy as a partner was great to see. It was SO epic when Boba Fett hunted down Han Solo. Landa and the Falcon were very exciting to see. I can't wait to read about how Han gambles the Falcon away from Lando.

-    I wish Bria's story had been explored a little more, but I'm sure she'll play a larger role later. 

-    I loved the first book better, but this one was epic in it's own way. I can't put these books down! They are SO good! I wish these were still canon.

Previous Book

The Paradise Snare

From Goodreads:    Here is the first book in the blockbuster trilogy that chronicles the never-before-told story of the young Han Solo. Set before the Star Wars movie adventures, these books chronicle the coming-of-age of the galaxy's most famous con man, smuggler, and thief.

The first book in this exciting Han Solo series begins with a recounting of Han's late teen years and shows us how he escaped an unhappy adopted home situation to carve out an adventurous new life for himself as a pilot. Han Solo, the handsome rogue, is every girl's dream man, and every boy's hero. 

My Thoughts:

-    I LOVED this book! The characters and story are awesome! I wish I had read this ages ago.

-    I really enjoyed reading about Han's younger years. I loved his relationship with Dewlanna, it explains why he has a soft spot for Wookies and can understand them.

-    I liked Bria a lot. It was great to see her grow and become and important character. 

-    Muuurgh was awesome! His species makes an appearance in the comics, and I thought it was a new thing, but apparently not. I loved Muuurgh's loyalty, strength, and friendship.

-    The ending is very bitter sweet. I know Bria and Han can't be together, but I am still cheering for them anyway. 

-    Han's terms of endearment for Bria get tiresome. He uses them way too often.

-    I loved seeing Han's home planet, and I liked getting to know the people and everything.

-    I'm very excited for the rest of this series!