ISBN-13: 9780553574173
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, 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:
My nephews have been anxiously waiting for me to read Rebel Dawn so they can borrow it. They also want to know if I will be getting books 1 and 2 in the series. (Sorry guys, I won't - but I'm sure they are available at the library.) Rebel Dawn covers Hans Solo winning the Millennium Falcon from Lando Calrissian in a sabacc tournament to his fateful meeting in the Mos Eisley cantina with Luke and Obi-Wan. I'm not sure if any of this involves spoilers or not because Star Wars fans will most certainly intimately know all the details already. There is much more information on Hutts (like Jabba) in Rebel Dawn. As one Amazon reviewer noted, "everything in the SW universe is part of a greater whole." That's where a casual fan (like me) gets lost. I know some information that ties the various story lines together went right over my head.
My nephews, along with Just Me and Wonder Boy, are quite obviously, the real target audience for this book. They have been having Star Wars marathons since they were able to watch the movies (before the prequels). While I appreciate Star Wars, I saw the original in the theater after I graduated from high school, I don't have the same all encompassing devotion to it as many younger fans do. While we have held the traditional yearly Star Wars marathons I've heard all the trivia discussed in detail. I know kids who have practically memorized Star Wars encyclopedias. Author Ann C. Crispin wrote in the Acknowledgments: "For two years I've 'lived' in the Star Wars universe, watching the films over and over, reading the reference books, the other novels, and talking to Star Wars fans at conventions, in online chat rooms, and at book signings. Star Wars has, quite literally, been my life."
I just can'
t work up that much devotion to the Star Wars universe, but I did enjoy Rebel Dawn.
Quotes:
Han Solo leaned forward in the pilot's seat of the Wayward Girl. "Entering atmosphere, Captain," he said. He watched the system's big, pale sun slip into the great curve of ruddy light at the world's edge and disappear behind the planet's limb. Bespin's huge, dark nightside loomed up to blot out the stars. Han checked his sensors. "They say Bespin's got some big flyin'--or should I say, floatin'--creatures in its atmosphere, so keep those forward shields at maximum strength." opening
Han was staking everything on this big gamble . . . and he'd always been lucky at sabacc. But would luck be enough to let him win? He'd be playing against professional gamblers like Lando. pg 3
Han leaped nimbly across open air from his glidewalk to the one Lando was standing on. He'd barely landed before Calrissian grabbed him in a hug that would have done Chewbacca credit. "Good to see you, Lando!" he gasped, as Calrissian thumped him on the back one final time. pg. 7
Han was very conscious of the fact that he was probably the only "amatuer" player at the table. It was a fair bet that others, like Lando, made their primary living by winning at sabacc. pg. 23
"Han was an important role model for me," she said. "He taught me so much. How to be strong, and brave and independent. You wouldn't believe what a spineless little crybaby I used to be." pg. 236
2 comments:
I have a 12 year old boy -- maybe this would be good for him?
Yes! A 12 yr old boy who knows all the Star Wars universe would enjoy this very much. This is the third book in the Hans Solo series; if that would matter to him, you might want to look for the series of three.
Post a Comment