Book 2 - 'The Hutt Gambit' by A. C. Crispin  

Bantam Press 1997  

Set 5 years before ANH 

 book cover
Story -- because he rescued a Wookiee slave from death at a superior officer's hand, Han got thrown out of the Imperial Academy he fought so hard to join. So now he's trying (unsuccessfully) to get work as a pilot, and has gained an unwelcome huge, hairy sidekick - "Chew-something".

Original characters from the movies -- Hey! Let's introduce the supporting cast! Apart from Han, we meet Chewie, Lando, Jabba ("Han, my boy!") and Boba Fett (excellent portrayal).

New characters -- Bria (hasn't spent 5 years pining after Han), several Hutts (including Durga), Teroenza (still as 'orrible as ever), bounty hunters a-plenty, smugglers and other low lifes (many have been mentioned in earlier Bantam novels). Some nice little cameos from, eg., Vima-da-Boda, Ana Blue, Wynni, Roa, Xaverri - it's no big deal if you haven't read the earlier novels, but if you have, you can have a terrific game of 'spot the character'.
 
Cover art -- Jabba, Fett, and a nice portrayal of a 22-year-old Han Solo (sans scar).

Chicks -- Bria's not in this book quite so much, but she's now turned into one of Star Wars' "strong women"; packing a blaster, and hell-bent on revenge. Salla Zend (another of Han's girlfriends - she was introduced in the 'Dark Empire' comics) kicks ass!!

Any good? -- in my experience, the middle book of a trilogy is often the weak link, sort of wandering along, not quite sure where it's going. Not here. This is the best book of the trilogy (altho' book 3 is right behind it, breathing down its neck!). Has Crispin read every Star Wars book ever printed?? She manages to include so many previous characters without it looking contrived. There's some nice 'piloting' bits, including Han's first Kessel Run, and lots of Hutt politics (not boring at all, and shows why the Hutts are so feared). You can even learn about Hutt procreation - ICK!!! The Imperials are starting to make their presence felt, and there is also an excellent battle scene.

Read it? -- yes, especially if you're a Han fan, or if you want to have a go at 'Spot the Character'.

Rating -- 9 out of 10
 

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