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jtashoff's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hvickers's review
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
rakoerose's review
4.0
An epic conclusion to this Solo series!
“But you’re a live fool,” Han reminded her. “That’s the best kind.”
Following this last leg of Han’s journey was really fun. Because of the amount of characters we were introduced to, we also got to see what Bria and Lando were up to while Han was whiling away elsewhere. Bria’s whole situation was really cool to see and the acknowledgement of the Empire’s male-centric system was an unexpected delight. I’d never seen it addressed so frankly before!
“As you’ve no doubt noticed, the Empire is a male-dominated, human-dominated organization. And human males can be... manipulated... by women, sometimes all too easily. I don’t like it, and it doesn’t make it right, but it’s the results that count.”
Seeing Chewie and Malla connect was so endearingly cute amid all the chaos of battles and fights. It was like gentle reprieve from the action, to let us wind down before more. I had to pause several times to relay what adorable-ness was happening to my sister, who undoubtedly grew annoyed because she’s not as into all this like I am.
Unsurprisingly, I was still really intrigued by Hutt politics and learning even more about how their species works and functions. Jiliac’s maternity was fascinating and Jabba’s clear distate of it was even more fascinating. Quick cw for some very intense duels there. Quite gruesome, as their mode of battle is literally crushing one another. This intense focus on them might not be for everyone, but it was a great experience for me!
”We are Hutts!” another leader shouted. “It is our pride to take from other species! It is our pride to make profit! But we do not seek to destroy our own kind! Compete, yes... destroy, no!”
In the end, the final battle was so satisfying to see all the friendly faces back together, yet heart-wrenching in its reveals. It was really masterfully conducted by Crispin and I wish I could have had visuals for the intense maneuvers they pulled off. What a finale!
I just enjoyed this series overall and liked seeing more of Han, and also more of Chewie, Lando, and Bria as time went on. I always like diving back into this universe and I’m glad Crispin gave me the opportunity to do so!
“But you’re a live fool,” Han reminded her. “That’s the best kind.”
Following this last leg of Han’s journey was really fun. Because of the amount of characters we were introduced to, we also got to see what Bria and Lando were up to while Han was whiling away elsewhere. Bria’s whole situation was really cool to see and the acknowledgement of the Empire’s male-centric system was an unexpected delight. I’d never seen it addressed so frankly before!
“As you’ve no doubt noticed, the Empire is a male-dominated, human-dominated organization. And human males can be... manipulated... by women, sometimes all too easily. I don’t like it, and it doesn’t make it right, but it’s the results that count.”
Seeing Chewie and Malla connect was so endearingly cute amid all the chaos of battles and fights. It was like gentle reprieve from the action, to let us wind down before more. I had to pause several times to relay what adorable-ness was happening to my sister, who undoubtedly grew annoyed because she’s not as into all this like I am.
Unsurprisingly, I was still really intrigued by Hutt politics and learning even more about how their species works and functions. Jiliac’s maternity was fascinating and Jabba’s clear distate of it was even more fascinating. Quick cw for some very intense duels there. Quite gruesome, as their mode of battle is literally crushing one another. This intense focus on them might not be for everyone, but it was a great experience for me!
”We are Hutts!” another leader shouted. “It is our pride to take from other species! It is our pride to make profit! But we do not seek to destroy our own kind! Compete, yes... destroy, no!”
In the end, the final battle was so satisfying to see all the friendly faces back together, yet heart-wrenching in its reveals. It was really masterfully conducted by Crispin and I wish I could have had visuals for the intense maneuvers they pulled off. What a finale!
I just enjoyed this series overall and liked seeing more of Han, and also more of Chewie, Lando, and Bria as time went on. I always like diving back into this universe and I’m glad Crispin gave me the opportunity to do so!
nikshelby's review
4.0
If you like the three original Star Wars movies, and love Han Solo. Then, reading the Han Solo trilogy is a natural novel segue into the Extended Universe. Also, this third book in the series occurs right before "A New Hope". It includes how Han got the Millenium Falcon, what he was doing on Tattooine, why Jabba out a bounty on him, how Leia had the plans for the first Death Star, and some excellent storylines of Chewbacca.
markhartshorn's review
5.0
Loved this book. It, along with the prior two, help to lay the ground work for Who Han Solo is and how his life was shaped.
pointlessape's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
sqeeker's review
5.0
- 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.
- 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.
tstreet's review
5.0
I loved this book. I love how we get to see Bria and Han's story and what's going on there. I love how we get to see Han and Chewbacca win the Millenium Falcon from Lando. I love how Han continues to work for the Hutts. I love how we see what's going on between the Hutts. I loved the plot and I love all the little things the author threw in. I definitely love reading about Han's story before everything happened. 5/5 stars.
jaredkwheeler's review
5.0
Star Wars Legends Project #224
Background: Rebel Dawn was written by [a:A.C. Crispin|61277|A.C. Crispin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1300121737p2/61277.jpg] and published in March 1998. It is the third book in Crispin's Han Solo Trilogy.
Rebel Dawn happens during the 2 years before the battle of Yavin, beginning about a year and a half after the end of The Hutt Gambit (my review). The main characters Han Solo and Chewbacca, along with Bria Tharen and Durga the Hutt. There are a whole raft of other characters as well, like Lando Calrissian, Boba Fett, and Jabba the Hutt, ranging from major appearances to minor cameos The story takes place on several planets, including Bespin, Kashyyyk, Ylesia, and Tatooine.
Summary: After winning the ship of his dreams in a game of sabacc, Han Solo really comes into his own as a smuggler, but the galaxy is changing and even the Millennium Falcon isn't fast enough to stay ahead forever. When Han's pre-smuggler past resurfaces and presents him with an opportunity too rich to pass up, he can't realize that the outcome could make or break the galaxy's future as well as his fortunes.
Review: Over a year before The Phantom Menace ever hit theaters in 1999, Crispin completed the real prequel trilogy. This series may be named for Han Solo, but by the time this third volume comes in for a landing, all of the expertly woven subplots have truly blossomed into a much larger story. Crispin pays off so much in this final book that she's been quietly setting up in the background, and she makes it look effortless. Rebel Dawn completes the story of how Han Solo became the man we meet in the first Star Wars movie, yes, but it also fleshes out the shifting balance of powers in the criminal underworld he inhabits and provides a front-row seat for the birth of the Rebellion.
This book's timeline necessitates gaps during which Han is off having Brian Daley's Han Solo Adventures, Han all but disappears for 100 pages right in the middle. There were a lot of bad ways to handle this, but Crispin uses it instead to broaden the scope of her whole trilogy so that, rather than a dull or annoying interlude, it suddenly feels like the story couldn't have existed any other way.
I could gush for several more paragraphs about what I think works so well about this novel and why, but I wouldn't want to rob anyone of the pleasure of discovering its many surprises for themselves. Zahn's Thrawn trilogy is widely regarded as the gold standard of the EU, but in my opinion this trilogy unquestionably belongs in the same league.
A+
Background: Rebel Dawn was written by [a:A.C. Crispin|61277|A.C. Crispin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1300121737p2/61277.jpg] and published in March 1998. It is the third book in Crispin's Han Solo Trilogy.
Rebel Dawn happens during the 2 years before the battle of Yavin, beginning about a year and a half after the end of The Hutt Gambit (my review). The main characters Han Solo and Chewbacca, along with Bria Tharen and Durga the Hutt. There are a whole raft of other characters as well, like Lando Calrissian, Boba Fett, and Jabba the Hutt, ranging from major appearances to minor cameos The story takes place on several planets, including Bespin, Kashyyyk, Ylesia, and Tatooine.
Summary: After winning the ship of his dreams in a game of sabacc, Han Solo really comes into his own as a smuggler, but the galaxy is changing and even the Millennium Falcon isn't fast enough to stay ahead forever. When Han's pre-smuggler past resurfaces and presents him with an opportunity too rich to pass up, he can't realize that the outcome could make or break the galaxy's future as well as his fortunes.
Review: Over a year before The Phantom Menace ever hit theaters in 1999, Crispin completed the real prequel trilogy. This series may be named for Han Solo, but by the time this third volume comes in for a landing, all of the expertly woven subplots have truly blossomed into a much larger story. Crispin pays off so much in this final book that she's been quietly setting up in the background, and she makes it look effortless. Rebel Dawn completes the story of how Han Solo became the man we meet in the first Star Wars movie, yes, but it also fleshes out the shifting balance of powers in the criminal underworld he inhabits and provides a front-row seat for the birth of the Rebellion.
This book's timeline necessitates gaps during which Han is off having Brian Daley's Han Solo Adventures, Han all but disappears for 100 pages right in the middle. There were a lot of bad ways to handle this, but Crispin uses it instead to broaden the scope of her whole trilogy so that, rather than a dull or annoying interlude, it suddenly feels like the story couldn't have existed any other way.
I could gush for several more paragraphs about what I think works so well about this novel and why, but I wouldn't want to rob anyone of the pleasure of discovering its many surprises for themselves. Zahn's Thrawn trilogy is widely regarded as the gold standard of the EU, but in my opinion this trilogy unquestionably belongs in the same league.
A+