Customer Reviews

Alien Chronicles: The Golden One (Lucasfilm's Alien Chronicles)

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Overall, I can't find a single thing I didn't like about this book, though I did spend a lot of time wondering when the two storylines would connect....

The author didn't rely on fancy spaceships or technology to further her story; the development of the characters and their changing views of life were the main driving force and it suited the story perfectly. A near perfect blend of fantasy and inner character struggles. Ampris's story was believable and tragic, and sets the stage perfectly for the next novel, which so far is just as good. This does not work as a stand-alone book, but it wasn't meant to and I'd be pretty ticked if it was a stand-alone because I would want more. :)

I've been looking for a good non-Star Wars fantasy book for some time, and I definitely found it in this book. It took me forever to pick it up because I was both absorbed in Star Wars and fearful the series would suck and be a waste of money. I was wrong. I will definitely be disappointed once I finish reading this story, because I'll hate to see it end.

This is one of those creations that comes along every so often and blows you away. The author uses characters as diverse and fascinating as the backgrounds they come from: Ampris is an Aaroun and the heroine of the trilogy, who begins her life as both abiru slave (abiru is the word the Viis use for all other races) as well as pampered pet and best friend too the Viis princess. She is later to play a major part in the overthrowing of the tyrannical Viis empire - Isrei is the spoiled Viis princess to whom Ampris is both pet and cherished friend, and who will later become ruler of the Viis empire - Finally there's Elrabin, a young Kelth who learns about growing up on the streets the hard way, and who will later join Ampris in the fight of her life. Their story is set in a captivating world unlike any other, and the plot that brings their lives together is an inspiring story about a struggle for freedom. If you are the least bit interested in science-fiction, or even if you're not, this book is sure to make a lasting impression.

"The Golden One", the first in the trilogy that Deborah Chester has written is fantastic. I read "The Crimson Claw" (2nd novel) first, because I spotted it in the local grocery store. "The Golden One" is an impressive novel because the intertwining stories of Ampris, Israi and Elrabin helped me get a very clear view of the Viis Empire. Israi's father, the Kaa, is a very interesting character as well, and I enjoy seeing him ignore the fact that his empire is crumbling and indulging the sri-Kaa (Israi). I think the artwork on the back of the book is very good, for I enjoy sci-fi art. I once tried reading Star Wars books, but it was just too much for me. There's too many of them, just like Star Trek books! Anyway, I hope you enjoy "The Golden One" as much as I did.

When I first picked up this novel and read the back, I thought it was just another fantasy series with a slight sci-fi spin. Finding myself a little interested, I began to read it. Within the first ten pages, it had me hooked, and I devoured the trilogy within a week.

The Alien Chronicles: The Golden One tells the story of an Aaroun cub named Ampris, who is taken from her mother at an early age and sold on the black market. Through a twist of fate, she is bought by the Viis sri-Kaa, eventual heir to the Kaa's throne. The reptilian Viis were once a beautiful and proud race, whose empire spanned countless words by way of quantum-based jump gates. In recent centuries, however, mindless spending of the budget and a plague known as the Dancing Death have reduced to Viis to a dying, though not yet obviously so, race and spawned a line of Rejects - Viis chunen (children) deemed too ugly to be gazed upon by the general populace. Ampris is raised in the imperial palace, enjoying a pampered life, while in the city's ghetto, a lone Kelth named Elrabin is barely managing to survive. Their paths, eventually, will cross, and their lives will be changed forever.

Although the novels hold the "LucasFilm" label, they are not at all related to Star Wars except for the fact that the all-alien races are based on rejected SW species sketches. The characters are vibrant and range from sympathetic to ruthless, understandable to straight-up monstrous, with descriptions and personalities that set them light-years from the majority of today's characters. Well-rounded and well-thought-out, you will alternately hate and love them, all at the proper times. The descriptions of the outfits, the settings, and so on are so lush and fleshed out that you will feel the claustrophobia of the pens, the smoky darkness of the dust holes, the richness of the imperial gardens, or the ancient dark of the Archives.

All of this combines to provide an unforgettable experience for any reader that will never quite leave - the experience of visiting this alien world and immersing yourself in it, something that doesn't happen very often or very readily anymore. Events will chill you, thrill you, make you smile, make you cry, make you cringe, make you want to reach in and personally beat down some of the crueler characters.

Personally, I have read these novels three times already, and the experience is new each time. It is a definite recommendation for anyone with a love of fantasy, science fiction, political drama, adventure, or a combination of all of these.

Originally, I read part 2 of this series first. When I first read this book I had to re-read part 2 again. I say in it self that each book can stand alone, that's what part two did for me. This is the humble but aristocratic orgins of who we call the golden one. Ampris born a slave, stolen from her mother & brought up in the ways of the privilige Viis. The King of the Viis or the Kaa, his daughter wanted Ampris as her pet. As Ampris grows up she come across with conflicts with her own identity and her place in society. As the book continues she feels she is just more than a pet & more of a slave. Later, she crosses path with another character of the book Elrabin is also shown as a seperate story. Eventually, when they end up meeting in the end which somehow, in part two, thier friendship is very crucial & neccessary to the series.

I've read the other reviews of how people got confuse with the Lucasfilm logo thinking its a Star Wars book. I always saw the logo and never got any confusion thinking it has something to do with Star Wars. Lucasfilms has done alot more than just Star Wars and this series prove it can go outside the Star Wars Universe. This series is very entertaining and originally in my book. I find it rare that some books like all the books in this series get any type of attention which I believe it should. This is an excellent read. Also, it's excellent find if anyone come across with any of the books in this awesome triology. Deborah Chester is an awesome writer and I'm looking foward to read more books by her.

This book could turn some off by the chincy cover and meoldramatic clichéd back. However, the book is nothing of the sorts. It's a great read, and you'll be able to gobble it up quickly.

Regardles of the LucasFilm's brand, it has nothing to do with Star Wars, and the only resemblence is that it's Science Fantasy. The characters are incredibly well-drawn, and if you react to the book the same way I will, you'll want to keep reading.

The plot moves quickly, and is really two plots, because it follows the lives of two characters who don't meet until the end of the book. One, Elrabin, is a poor, homeless street thief who runs away from home at the age of seven, and Ampris, a member of a race deemed subhuman by the Viis Empire (the badasses of the book) who is bought out of poverty and into royalty to be the pet of the Emperor's daughter. So, a nice ying and yang scenario is set up.

This book is really a medophor I think for the stupidity of biggotry and class distinction in society, but it's still a fun, light read. Buy this book knowing that it's not an importan piece of Science Fiction literature, but knowing you'll have a good time.

these books, The Golden One, The Crimson Claw, and The Crystal Eye are my favorite (though the last depressed me for a week!) I just had to add my thoughts. it's slightly depressing though, that while these books are some of the best i've ever read, i don't know one single person who's read them.

I enjoyed everything about the book,I really liked the idea of no humans, I loved the characters, Elbrin was my favorite, I love sci-fi but these books really got me! The second was terrific I waited months for it and when it came out I ran to the book store and got it. I also have the third and have not yet read it It is lent out to my brother who gave me the first book to read!

The character and story description really kept me on the edge. I felt as if I was Ampris, enduring her life challenges. I couldn't put this book down! Nor will you!

The Golden One by Deborah Chester was an excellent book filled with unexpected subtleties and clever contrasts. The book immediately grasps the reader and does not let go. I found myself at the bookstore buying The Crimson Claw and wondering when the third book in the Trilogy will be available.