The Hutt Gambit" Volume Two of The Han Solo Trilogy

"The Hutt Gambit" is the action packed sequel to "The Paradise Snare" in 'The Han Solo Trilogy'. Once again we're taken back in the Star Wars Universe to explore the exploits of everyones favorite smuggler, Han Solo. And once again, A. C. Crispin delivers an exciting tale worthy of being on every Star Wars fan's reading list.

The story starts off appoximately 4 to 5 years after the events that transpired in "The Paradise Snare". Han has gone through the Academy in his quest to become respectable, but yet again finds himself back in the world he has tried so hard to leave behind. Now, one of the Imperial Academy's brightest students finds himself on the run from the Imperial Navy - due in part to a new friendship that he unwittingly made, in the form of a life debt, with a former Wookiee slave by the name of Chewbacca. However, not only is Han on the run from the Imperial Navy, but also the Ylesian Hutts, who seek revenge on Han for crossing them on Ylesia and have hired the infamous Boba Fett to track him down. To further stir up the the adventures of Han and Chewie, they ally themselves with Jiliac and Jabba the Hutt by way of lending them their services and soon find themselves amidst a power struggle between the Empire and the outlaws they stand by.

OK, so now I've basically refered to you everything that you could've easily read off the back of the cover - would you like to know a little more of what I think of the book? But of course (he-he), and I've got a lot of good things to say. First off all I'd like to say that I personally think that A. C. Crispin is a brilliant author, and she has truly been able to capture the feeling of the Star Wars Universe that so many of us love. Anyways, the book rocks, it reads fast, the characters have depth, and the narrative is descriptive enough without having to be labored (she knows how to set up a scene without getting bogged down in details which tend to spoil the mood). The book is also full of surprises, which is in and of itself a challenge considering the fact that we all know that Han and Chewie will still be alive at the end of it all. In short, it's hard to forsee what will happen next. What I also happen to find neat about this book, and the series in general, is the fact that the connections that are made just seem to further enrich the Star Wars Universe. And I guess that's just what helps add to all the other successful elements in this series, and in this book particularly.

And the verdict is.... oh read this would ya please!!!! You're not doing me any favors, but this is such a great book that I can't possibly imagine any Star Wars fan passing it up (even if you're just casually interested in this all).

Sean's Rating