The Paradise Snare: Volume One of The Han Solo Trilogy

"The Paradise Snare" is yet another book that every Star Wars fan should put on their reading list (that is if they haven’t read it already). It’s a fast paced and action packed book, telling of the early life of one of the principle heroes of the Star Wars Universe, Han Solo.

It takes place approximately 10 years (actually it probably more like 15 to 18 years before ANH) before the events that unfold in the classic trilogy. Driven by dreams of a respectable future, Han manages to escape from a sadistic crime boss known as Garris Shrike – who had enlisted Han as a part of his gang of criminals, when Han was an abandoned orphan wandering the streets of Corellia. Once free, Han seeks to become an Imperial Navy pilot, but in order to get the needed experience of flying various spacecraft, he takes a job on the planet of Ylesia – where he finds himself in the center of something far more complicated than he thought he bargained for.

As I’ve said, this book was action packed, and it read remarkably fast. A. C. Crispin proves that she knows a thing or two about Star Wars and conveys that through her descriptive writing – this book feels like it belongs with the Star Wars Universe, right down to the dialogue. One of the things that I’d have to say that I really liked about this book, was how the author chose to portray Han Solo as a youth. Rather than the cynical adult that he eventually becomes, Han is an idealistic youth, who lives for the future rather than just the moment.

I loved this book, and I would almost certainly bet that any of you, who haven’t yet read it, will too. I recommend this book to all Star Wars fans regardless of what their opinion of the Expanded Universe is.

Sean's Rating