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heritage's review against another edition
2.0
The "official" story of how Han Solo got his start on the path to becoming the smuggler we all know and love in the Star Wars movies.
This is the novelization of the movie, so it can't veer far from the script. And it doesn't. It's also billed as the "Expanded Edition", which is somewhat misleading because it is (ever so slightly) expanded, but also contracted.
It's expanded in the sense that it offers a few extra scenes with a bit more information. Some of these work. For instance, Val's situation and a bit on Qi'ra's background add nicely to rounding out the story and give motivation to their actions. The best one is the added epilogue. The ones with L3-37 didn't work for me, but others may enjoy those. Unfortunately, it's not expanded where the movie needed it most, namely Han and Qi'ra's interactions and relationship.
The novelization is contracted in the sense that the author knew only people who had already seen the movie would be reading it, so there was no need to describe anything very clearly. Just watch the movie again if you want to know what a character, location, or item looked like. This is just sloppy, negligent writing on the writer's behalf, and almost sinful considering the excellent directing and cinematography in the movie. Also, the narrative style is very thin. It is Young Adult at best. Basically, just think of a screenplay with slightly expanded descriptions of things and action.
For those familiar with some of the Star Wars novels, this one is more Kevin J. Anderson than it is Timothy Zahn. There is no real need to read it. Just know that there is a good reason for Val's actions and go to a library to read the epilogue if you have absolutely nothing to do on the weekend.
This is the novelization of the movie, so it can't veer far from the script. And it doesn't. It's also billed as the "Expanded Edition", which is somewhat misleading because it is (ever so slightly) expanded, but also contracted.
It's expanded in the sense that it offers a few extra scenes with a bit more information. Some of these work. For instance, Val's situation and a bit on Qi'ra's background add nicely to rounding out the story and give motivation to their actions. The best one is the added epilogue. The ones with L3-37 didn't work for me, but others may enjoy those. Unfortunately, it's not expanded where the movie needed it most, namely Han and Qi'ra's interactions and relationship.
The novelization is contracted in the sense that the author knew only people who had already seen the movie would be reading it, so there was no need to describe anything very clearly. Just watch the movie again if you want to know what a character, location, or item looked like. This is just sloppy, negligent writing on the writer's behalf, and almost sinful considering the excellent directing and cinematography in the movie. Also, the narrative style is very thin. It is Young Adult at best. Basically, just think of a screenplay with slightly expanded descriptions of things and action.
For those familiar with some of the Star Wars novels, this one is more Kevin J. Anderson than it is Timothy Zahn. There is no real need to read it. Just know that there is a good reason for Val's actions and go to a library to read the epilogue if you have absolutely nothing to do on the weekend.
divyareadssister's review
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
tylerbrown7844's review against another edition
3.0
I think it was written a bit simply, hence the 3/5. I can’t bring myself to talk badly about the plot itself considering the author had to go by the movie.
harvemous_2411's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
braddington's review
5.0
“Qi’ra had said Chewie needed him, and he needed Chewie. That was perhaps the most truthful thing she had said to him.”
jairey's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
miocenemama's review against another edition
5.0
This is a novelization of the movie. I really enjoyed this book. It fleshed out the movie by adding details and perspectives that weren't included in the movie. It developed characters and linked this story to stories that would follow. We saw into the thoughts of L3 and her droid revolution and her final legacy. We got more details about Han's life as a scumrat and how he got there. There were not a lot of surprises, but it was nice to have a more complete version of the story than the movie offered. I will be passing this on to another Star Wars fan. I think he will enjoy it
erichart's review against another edition
3.0
Mur Lafferty manages to add some depth to Han, Qi'ra, Lando and, most of all, droid L3, probably the most interesting character in the movie/novel. The epilogue is almost like a Marvel post-credits sequence, and nicely links Solo to other parts of the saga.
jecamp86's review against another edition
3.0
Better then the movie
This book is fine. I tried to picture Harrison in the lead role since I felt this Solo was a big miscast. My problem still remains that Han Solo is a dumb character who gets by on pure luck. In the OT he showed skill and while bad things happen I never thought he was an idiot the way he's portrayed in this book\movie and it takes away from his character and his charm. If they recast I might want to see more but if this is the direction of the character I'll pass
This book is fine. I tried to picture Harrison in the lead role since I felt this Solo was a big miscast. My problem still remains that Han Solo is a dumb character who gets by on pure luck. In the OT he showed skill and while bad things happen I never thought he was an idiot the way he's portrayed in this book\movie and it takes away from his character and his charm. If they recast I might want to see more but if this is the direction of the character I'll pass