Star Wars: Han Solo's Revenge by Brian Daley (Book Review)
Welcome my next read of the Star Wars Expanded Universe/Legends:
Cover by Dean Ellis (image courtesy of Wookiepedia)
Han Solo’s Revenge picks up more or less after the events of Han Solo at Star’s End, though it’s implied that there’s been some time between this and the previous book. Han Solo and Chewie on the ocean less planet of Kamar, having abandoned the smuggling trade for the moment and playing travel holovids for the locals when a fellow smuggler Sonniod visits, bringing him a new holofeature to play for the Badlanders. Things go awry when Solo realizes his travelogue holovid of ocean bearing worlds represented a whole new religion for the locals and swapping it out caused the religion to fall into chaos. Fleeing the planet, Solo takes up Sonniod’s gossip on a ‘no questions asked’ smuggling job.
“Not everyone is happy with the rigid restrictions that were imposed after the Clone Wars”
The smuggling job goes sideways, and Han, Chewie and the Falcon are embroiled in a slave trafficking ring much bigger than themselves. He runs afoul of multiple factions for and against the trafficking ring, hopping through multiple star systems. There’s Fiolla, an auditor who’s looking for a name for herself and who’s defining characteristic is her ability to mimic other people’s gesticulations. There’s also Spray, a simple otter-like character who’s simply a debt collector. Bollux and Blue Max are still with Han and Chewie, providing the support roles to another fast-paced novel.
There are a couple pieces of Star Wars lore, including the callback to one beat of dialogue between Luke and Obi-Wan in A New Hope about the Clone Wars. We also see the first use of a vibroblade, the likes of which pervade the Star Wars universe in many forms and variations. They have more utilitarian uses and, unlike lightsabers, can penetrate energy shields. Here, though, it’s a simple hand-to-hand weapon used to impressive effect.
“Deft hands and a pure heart triumph again!”
Compared to the Star’s End, this story is much better crafted and moves well. We get more from Chewbacca’s point of view as well, and Daley takes time to add more color to the principles. There are also fewer contrivances, though there are a couple—Han Solo’s pursuit of payment for a job he specifically canceled himself is one (why would he want to be paid for an incomplete job?) and Chewbacca’s rather ridiculous hang gliding scene. Since this novel is years before Return of the Jedi is even in development, did this kernel become the Ewok glider shot? Well-turned story twists balance the contrivances out, putting this sophomore effort ahead of Daley’s first Star Wars piece. It’s a short and fast-paced, fitting Han Solo’s adventuring lifestyle. My next read will wrap up this trilogy of Daley adventures with Han Solo and the Lost Legacy. Until then,
May the Force be with you.