Customer Reviews

Rebel Dawn (Star Wars: The Han Solo Trilogy, Book 3)

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

After the classic Paradise Snare and the excellent but slightly flawed Hutt Gambit, A.C. Crispin ties everything together in the grande finale to the Han Solo Trilogy.

The main complaint about this book seems to be that out of all the seperate plots, it's Han who recieves the short end of the stick, and in a way, this is true. While the Hutts have their power struggle and Bria is busy helping build the Rebel Alliance, Han basically bounces around on different adventures and side quests that have nothing to do with one another. In fact, for a few chapters he even disappears into the corporate sector, and we only get brief snippets about him. However, this doesn't mean the book is boring. Exactly the opposite, we see Han in situations that set up the movies and the rest of the expanded universe, including how he won the Falcon, his meeting with Chewie's family, why he dislikes the Rebel Alliance, dumping the Kessel Run spice, and why Lando hates him so much in Episode V. After reading this novel, it really puts a whole new spin on their confrontation in Cloud City, to the point where the viewer believes Lando is seriously mad at Han. As for the corporate sector interludes, while they do detract from the novel, they blend seamlessly with Brian Daley's classic adventures. Lucas has said that his prequel trilogy needs to be seen as a whole to be fully enjoyed, and the same applies here.

Another chunk of the novel, like mentioned, revolves around Durga, Jilac, Jabba, and the Hutt power struggle. None of this has been mentioned before, so it's continually facinating. The Hutts are more fleshed out and articulate than they appear anywhere else, and the reader gains more respect for them. The relationship between Jabba and Han is expanded on, and thier meeting in the docking bay in the special edition makes more sense now; like a mafia don, Jabba was always friendly with Solo until he didn't pay him back. Also note another cool cameo, Prince Xizor and his droid replicant Guri.

By far the best parts of the novel are the scenes with Bria. This character has truly come full cricle, from an insecure addict to a tough Rebel officer. To clarify complaints from other reviewers, A.C. Crispin does not try and make Bria the founder of the Rebel Alliance, but does make her the agent who persuades all the groups to talk to Mon Mothma and Bel Iblis, who then cement the idea and make the treaty. If I have to make a complaint, it's that Crispin delays the reunion between Bria and Han for too long, especially after the circumstances Han found her in during The Hutt Gambit. But when the characters finally do reunite, after the accusations and anger have been let out, their romance is rich and powerful, reflecting their years of seperation. It's worthy of a John Williams score, the "Luke and Leia" theme from ROTJ being particularly effective. After the novel ends and the reader finds out why Han and Bria are ultimately seperated, one can't help but feel that, before he fell in love with Leia, the reason Han goes back to help Luke in ANH and become a rebel general is because of Bria's influence.

A fantastic, fast-paced read all around, with the major complaint being forgivable when the reader finds Brian Daley's books and realizes that everything in the SW universe is part of a greater whole. Not to be missed.

'Rebel Dawn' is another truly exceptional SW novel that carries the life of Han Solo right up the meeting at Chalumn's Cantina with a certain old man and farmboy. To say that 'Rebel Dawn' is a sort of a hsityor book is in many ways true, as it offers glimpses to the early days of the rebellion. Not that that's bad, at least not for me. I am a huge history buff, after all.

Everything is wrapped up here, essentially. How Han gets Jabba on his case, Han's falling out with Lando, Bria's fate... Very, very nice and well-crafted so that everything fits together as one. Admittedly it's a rather sad book once you get to the end, but it accuarely paints Han's life and sets up his new life beautifully. Like 'Hutt Gambit', this book creates an incredible view into the 'other side' of Star Wars, far from the gallant dogfights above the Death Star and heroism of Leia and Dodonna. Here the Rebels are still struggling, and instead of a romantic space duel we get a ground invasion on the mudhole known as Ylesia. And you also het the tensions between the two Hutt clans at their height. Nothing like wars between crime syndicates, after all. Durga's relationship with Black sun also helped set up 'Darksaber', adding a little bit of background and credibility to Anderson's hopelessly absurd novel. Han's relationship with Bria was also quite interesting to watch, and its ending is certainly riveting. The final scene with Bria, in my opinion, goes down as one of the best all-time Star Wars scenes and fully captures the devotion of the early Rebel troops as they fought against all odds for a seemingly impossible goal. I must admit that I found the interlude where Biran Daley's novels go chronologically somewhat awkward, partially because I've never read Daley's novels and simply pieces bits and pieces of information about them together from various sources. Still, this is just a minor flaw in on overwhelmingly superb book.

If for whatever reason you don't want to read everyting above, I'll simplify it here. 'Rebel Dawn' is an incredible piece of Star Wars history that adds background and depth to both Han Solo's life and the SW galaxy itself. Highly, highly reccomended.

This book is the perfect ending for Han's young life, and a perfect setup for A New Hope. It ties in just right with the events we see in the movies, and answers some of the questions we fans have asked ourselves about the young Han Solo. It has exciting new characters while keeping in sync with the old from the films. The plot is fast-paced and exciting, and if you ever wondered about those spies responsible for beaming the Death Star plans to the Tantive IV, well, that'll be answered as well. A must-read for Star Wars fans.

This was in my opinion the best starwars trilogy since the first three movies, and the best books in the starwars genera.

"Rebel Dawn" is the concluding volume in A.C. Crispin's Han Solo Trilogy. It begins not long after "The Hutt Gambit". This novel spans a period of several years (approximately 5, I believe) and leads right into Han Solo's first appearance in "Star Wars: A New Hope". Unlike the previous two Han Solo novels by Ann Crispin, "Rebel Dawn" spreads its focus between Han Solo, the Hutts, Lando Calrissian, and Han's former love and now rebel leader Bria. While this slows down the pace of the action, it also adds a level of depth and complexity not often found in a Star Wars novel.

There is a lot going on in "Rebel Dawn". Shortly after the novel begins we get to see the famous scene where Han Solo wins the Millenium Falcon from Lando Calrissian in a game of sabacc. From here we move on to Bria Tharen trying to convince the future leaders of the Rebel Alliance that they should all unify and fight the Empire together. At the time of this novel there were small pockets of resistance and many who disagreed with the Empire, but nothing was organized. In "Rebel Dawn" we can see the Alliance begin to take shape. From Bria's efforts we move to intrigue between the Hutts. Jabba and Jiliac are engaged in Hutt clan warfare against Durga the Hutt (and his clan). This section, which takes up a fairly large chunk of novel, is surprisingly interesting. There is much more depth to the Hutts than we get from the movies or even the other novels. Their culture is much deeper than throwaway lines calling Jabba a "gangster". Hutts are that, and more. Besides this, we also visit Kashyyyk, the Wookiee homeworld and see Chewbacca married. For the first time (that I am aware of) we get to experience the domestic life of the Wookiees. Fairly interesting. If all this wasn't enough, the book is about Han Solo after all. Han has much to do here, from traveling with Chewie, gambling, making the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs, reuniting with Bria, becoming involved in the actions of the Rebellion, and much more. "Rebel Dawn. is a very full book.

This is the conclusion to one of the strongest series in the Star Wars universe. The writing is top notch, entertaining, informative (for the Star Wars fan), and simply fun. It is everything that a Star Wars novel should be. This book even leaves room for the Han Solo Adventures which are written by Brian Daley by giving brief glimpses of Han's exploits in the Corporate Sector. This trilogy (and this book in particular) is far superior to Daley's trilogy, and is perhaps the definitive Han Solo story. We get nearly his entire life without getting too bogged down in every single smuggling run and adventure he has been on. Crispin spins a very good story here, and one which is worth reading for the Star Wars fan. This book (and trilogy) gives us everything we need to know about Han Solo and why he is the way he is in Episode Four.

-Joe Sherry

Okay, this pertains to the entire Han Solo Trilogy, not just Rebel Dawn. I've noted a couple of similar complaints in negative reviews, some of which I just had to respond to.

Boba Fett, for one thing. One reviewer claimed that Boba Fett should not have been included in the trilogy because the author didn't do her research and had Boba Fett making up that name for himself when we know he was a clone of Jango. First off, these books came out years before Attack of the Clones and the revelation that Boba Fett was a clone. With that in mind, this reviewer would do well to note that Boba Fett used Jaster Mereel, the name of his father's mentor, as an alias while he was a Journeyman Protector on Concord Dawn. Once he was exiled, he went back to being known as Boba Fett. The book states as much. Talk about not doing your research...

Others complained about Bria Tharen usurping Mon Mothma and co. as the founder of the Rebellion. What the heck? Obviously, some people are so desperate to find something to complain about they have no compunctions about, shall we say, "stretching the truth." Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and Garm Bel Iblis were the three MOST IMPORTANT founders of the Rebellion. They headed the largest resistance cells and therefore contributed the most people and materiel to the conflict. They were the founders of the Rebellion. Bria Tharen was one of thousands of founding MEMBERS. Three people can't very well overthrow an empire by themselves, can they? Geesh.

Another complaint I noticed was that the Han Solo of The Paradise Snare was not the Han Solo of A New Hope. Hmmm, well, taking into consideration the fact that said novel takes place TEN YEARS before the movie in question... Well, I just don't know. Draw your own conclusions. Several people around here seem to be very good at doing that...

I am somewhat cynical when it comes to Star Wars books. I've read most of them and at least half of them are a complete waste of time. NOT THIS ONE. In fact, the entire trilogy rocks. I think it equals the Zahn trilogy. All of the details of Han's life before Episode IV are revealed and surprisingly, none of them let you down. Enthralling...I literally could not put it down. And that's saying a lot for me. I was an English major in college and I've read a lot of good books and this is the height of Star Wars quality.

I thought Rebel Dawn was great! The whole trilogy gives Han a depth you never saw before, but knew was there. You begin to realize what a truly incredible person he is to have survived his childhood. My only question that remains and I hope will be answered some time in the future is - who WERE his parents, and how did they die? Why was he alone on the street at the age of 5? We know he's a Solo, but that's all. Please! Also - to the reviewer from New York who logged in on 6/07/98 - The meeting of Han and Garm Bel Iblis IS referred to and explained in this trilogy. You must have not been paying attention! You need to go back and read a little more carefully! All in all, this book takes us right into the the original trilogy with a much better understanding of both Han and Chewbacca, along with Lando and Jabba. Thanks A. C. Crispin for a great read!

Good writing is dependent upon a strong grasp on the most elementary of writing elements just as proper equations are necessarily depended upon the proper use of addition and subtraction. If AC Crispin, in Star Wars: Rebel Dawn (The Han Solo Trilogy vol. 3), has a grasp on grammar and punctuation, her sense of good writing stops there. The plot of this book is jumbled among so many rivaling conspiracies wherein party 1 wants party 2 dead and will pay party 3 to do it, but will then pay party 4 to kill party 3, except that party 4 wants party 2 alive and would just as soon kill party 1 and work for him, and so on. The problem with these intertwining subplots is that they hold no coherence. There are other books wherein more subplots, characters, allies and enemies exist but because of the skill of the writer, these all flow together in harmony. Crispin has far missed the mark of harmony and strikes her mark closer to the point of chaos and dissidence at which point music reverts back to its elemental compounds of noise: the vibration of air. Forgiving for a moment the poor structure and outline of the plot, there remains the problem of character reliability and motivation. Han's character is a great example of this. Originally portrayed as a solid man, hard and stable, a leader whose security rests in himself only then to reduce him to a man of no control, emotionally driven not goal driven, and back again, and back, and again, so many times the reader cares almost nothing for him by the end of the story. For example, in one scene, Han is painted as a man who must stoop to childish antics in order to be able to face the results of an injury which crippled his friend, Mako Spince. Han jabs callously at the accident, the aliens who caused it, even the results of it, only to be dismissed by the man. This childishness occurs again during his--long delayed meeting with Bria (which put an end to the multiple "near misses" which happen time and time again to the frustration of the reader), wherein his attitude is paramount to a child's temper tantrum. He is portrayed as a man who "can't deal with emotion" assuming because it is above him to be able to do so (it is just this sort of male-generalization which taints Crispin's story telling, which serves more to offend than involve male readers into the story). In this scene, Han is the weak one, the one who must "stomp" away, the one who later comes back to her because he was "wrong." Meanwhile, Bria is the rock, the one who is in control--as she has been throughout the story, leaving Han in the last book and avoiding him time and time again where she sees him in this edition--who is able to keep perspective of her "heart" by ranking it beneath her dedication to her cause, freedom of slaves at all cost. I have no problem with strong women, nor with weak men, but to reduce Han the equivalent of a sniveling child at the hands of a woman, who is so beyond emotion and humanity that it is difficult to distinguish between her and the robot guard of Xizor, that there lacks even the beginning of plausibility. In reference to Bria, she is cold and emotionless. She murders slavers, is their judge, jury and executioner (one of the many statements of a relativistic value system). She sacrifices herself, her life, even her supposed love for Han for a purpose which is "stately" more important to her. But is it, or rather does it seem as though it is? Not so much as it seems she is a manipulating individual set on the accomplishment of her set goals, freeing slaves, which seems-in light of her actions-no more noble than the greed-driven smuggling of Han, Lando and their friends. It is this double standard which is prevalent throughout the story and which is, in fact, one of the only recurring themes upon which the reader can depend. In AC Crispin's world, values are relative. Every character has their own. Bria can execute someone because they run slaves, but she can turn on Han, stab him in the back and even hold him hostage as it suits her purposes. This is only one case. Boba Fett, presented the Star Wars Universe over as the most feared bounty hunter, can kill as it suits him, anything for a challenge and profit, but then we are to consider it noble that he does not break his word. He says in fact, "I made someone a promise, and I always keep my word" (385). In another place he states his disagreement with the Empire and its politics, but then works with it to condemn the rebellion which is, in his opinion, the impetus of anarchy. Relativism, it even drives the Hutt plots which are, as has been mentioned already, so confusion one has not vested reason to place emotion or rational support for any side, leaving the reader feeling as though he is witness the unfolding of a congressional debate. This leads us to the lack of emotional involvement of the reader. Good writing involves the reader. It draws him, or her, in, holds him and in a way leads him by those emotional strands, whether he realizes it or not, to the determined destination of the author. The randomness of this story is such that the reader wonders whether the author had any predetermined destination in mind when she started. It lacks emotional involvement. We could try to chose the side of Han, but his tone is so superficially unlike his movie counterpart that we have no vested interest there. As for Bria, her determination that her decisions are justifiable regardless of the reason or cause leads us to have as much a bitter taste in our mouth for her as for him. We are supposed to take interest in her at the end of the story and at her eventual outcome, but for her to even suppose we would believe her thinking about Han at such a case is foolishness, as much as are her repetitive declarations of love. Which leaves us at what? Well, in light of the failed plot, the lack of emotional involvement mostly due to the changing characters' personas and the relativistic nature of the whole book, we are left supposing this to be less a Star Wars novel than AC Crispin's commentary on modern culture. She has her feminist aspect, and has Bria say--complete unrelated to the story, "As you've no doubt noticed, the Empire is a male-dominated, human dominated organization..." (36) She has her religious aspect, or anti-religious as the case may be, wherein she portrays the only religion in the book as that on Ylesia, in which, Bria says, " People are dying every day...good people. People who deserve better than a life of unending toil, malnutrition and cruel deception" (236). Crispin has her statement on morals and has a callous, vicious, heartless murdering bounty hunter declare, "I am a moral person"(207). Throw in a commentary on environmental conditions and Crispin would have covered all the major topics. What is the purpose for discussing this? To break publishers ideas that just because a book bears a title we are familiar with we will waste our time reading it even when the story is bad. To authors we say the same: just because a story is science fiction it does not mean that it can be bad or, worse, just because we are familiar with the title does not mean that the author has free reign to preach their version of culture, or mount a soap box and lambaste us using characters we have come to like, but begin to hate because of their manipulation. If nothing else, I have learned I will not read any more of Crispin's books; and, sadly, if Bantum continues to allow such unprofessionalism in style in their Star Wars books, I will not read them either. We, readers, the one's who spend our money, deserve more than being the blunt of some authors ideas under the deceptive cloak of story telling, whether it is called Star Wars or not.

this book trilogy is amazing i love how the author made this book trilogy and its one awesome trilogy featuring han solo i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!