Amazon.com: The Crimson Claw (Lucasfilm's Alien Chronicles) (9780606159371): Deborah Chester: Books

More About the Author

Since beginning my professional career as a novelist in 1978, I've had over 35 books published, including Regency romances, young adult, science fiction, and fantasy. Some of my early science fiction was published under two pseudonyms -- Sean Dalton and Jay D. Blakeney. Currently I hold the John Crain Presidential Professorship at the University of Oklahoma, where I teach novel and short story writing in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Customer Reviews

27 Reviews

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Average Customer Review

4.9 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow again!, March 7, 2000

By

Cara (Kootenays, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crimson Claw (LucasFilm's Alien Chronicles, Book 2) (Paperback)

"The Crimson Claw" is impressive and I enjoyed it a lot. Israi, Ampris and Elrabin embark on new adventures and lives as they painfully grow up to the realities of a crumbling Viis Empire. Well, maybe Elrabin and Ampris are rejoicing that fact, but Israi as the new Kaa or Imperial Mother is in danger. I can't wait to read "The Crystal Eye" and I hope it comes soon to my small area!

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars READ THIS BOOK!, February 13, 2000

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Elbarin (Vir) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crimson Claw (LucasFilm's Alien Chronicles, Book 2) (Paperback)

This book is very good.I can't wait to read the next book,sadly I can't find it anywhere.:-(I'll find it though.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story, I Want More, February 27, 1999

By

D. A. Lewis (Palmdale, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Crimson Claw (LucasFilm's Alien Chronicles, Book 2) (Paperback)

Deborah Chester's "Crimson Claw" is a sci-fi novel with a definite historical feel to it. While the story was about the conflict between the slave races and the master race,set on a different planet in a different time, I always got the feeling I was reading about the Gladiators of the Roman Empire. This is not a negative criticism, just that the story had a very real flavor to it.

Additionally just about all her characters seem very real and that is disturbing. I found it very difficult to hate most of her bad/evil character because she gave them so much dept. And it made a lot of their motivations very understandable. Chester has a knack for getting into all her characters heads and while the story is about Ampris, it could have also been about Elrabin, Israi, or the Kaa.

Surprisingly however, two minor characters who play a big part in the book get the short shrift. Halehl, her trainer we really know nothing about. And an early antagonist Sheri, her early bunk

mate, who I kept expecting to see in the ring.

One thing that bothered me was that Ampris's team "The Blues" were supposed to be the reigning arena champions, but they cheated big time in a number of ways. Chester gave little attention to the possibility that they could or would ever get caught. At one point in the book Halehl threatens to sell Ampris, but the thought that Ampris might reveal their cheating techniques never comes up.

Another thing that is not clear is why is the Viis empire crumbling. Sure they are not fixing things, the economy is collapsing and they are a ruthless race. But why? Their motivations for allowing all this to happen boggles my mind. Perhaps it will be more explained in the last book.

Minor quibbles' thou. The book is a very quick read and completely engrossing. And after you are finished you will want more. A book kinda sorta similar to this book is McCaffrey's "Freedom Landing" trilogy. However while that book purports to be about runaway earth slaves from a master alien race, it is really a book about colonization.

lewis@qnet.com

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as the first, but still worth the read.
There are some places that had me going "Wow!" but overall it was not as good as the first book.

Published 17 months ago by Lauraness

5.0 out of 5 stars The best in the trilogy
The Crimson Claw picks up near where The Golden One left off, with Ampris now fighting in the gladiatorial circuit, from Viisymel to Mynchepop to Shrazak Ohr. Read more

Published 21 months ago by humanbeldot

5.0 out of 5 stars It better than I expected......
I have a bad habit of reading books out of order. The reason being my local library doesn't contain certain volumes. Read more

Published on February 10, 2004 by Jimi Dracutt

5.0 out of 5 stars More Than Just Science-Fiction!!
The Alien Chronicles by Deborah Chester are among the finest books I have ever read. The journey that the characters undergo is so epic and far-reaching that once you experience... Read more

Published on October 16, 2002 by Karen Anne Devlin

5.0 out of 5 stars the Crimson Claw
I you like books that get you hooked this is one of them. You enter a new world with strange creatures. But it is writen well enough that you can almost see the creatures. Read more

Published on July 11, 2001 by david

5.0 out of 5 stars the Crimson Claw
I you like books that get you hooked this is one of them. You enter a new world with strange creatures. But it is writen well enough that you can almost see the creatures. Read more

Published on July 11, 2001 by david

5.0 out of 5 stars Lives up to the name.
This lives up to the first book and usally you don't think the second will be as good as the first, only on a rare occasion, and this is one. Read more

Published on June 5, 2000 by Weasel

5.0 out of 5 stars THis is a must read!
This book is great! The places, the people(aliens),terrific! People you feel for! The fight scenes, are great. You can see, and smell the arenas! Read more

Published on December 9, 1999 by Weasel

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book
I felt that this a very good book and very sa

Published on September 16, 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a must have.
I especially liked this book because of the action. Who ever would have thought that Ampris turned into a gladiator, and killed lots of other aribu? Read more

Published on August 7, 1999

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Inside This Book (learn more)
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First Sentence:
The smell of blood, sweat, and aggression filled the arena-a hot, primitive smell that made the fur bristle around Ampris's neck beneath her battle collar. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Imperial Father, Imperial Daughter, Bizsi Mo'ad, Master Halehl, Eye of Clarity, Lord Galard, Shrazhak Ohr, Commander General, Imperial Mother, Crimson Claw, Vess Vaas, Lord Belz, Lord Huthaldraril, Dancing Death, Galard Stables, Governor Unstuleid, Imperial Palace, Sahmrahd Kaa, Chancellor Temondahl, Bureau of Security, Lord Brax, Lord Oviel, Palace Guards, Triad Sweeps, Lord Malvnhad

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