Posted in Book Reviews
Star Wars: Honor Among Thieves by James S.A. Corey
Every year I try to read something set in the Star Wars Universe around May 4th. The last few years have been exclusively comics. This year I decided to give a book a chance. I was a little nervous about this because the Star Wars books have been very hit and miss for me. Mostly miss over the last 5 years. I had all but given up on them. This always made me a little sad because the early books were so fantastic, especially the Timothy Zahn books. I was also hesitant to read any books once I heard that they were essentially relaunching the novel line and saying the old books would no longer be part of the Star Wars Universe.
Luckily, there were a couple of books I really have been itching to read because they were authors I respect and love so much. Since I had just read and reviewed a Tim Lebbon book I decided to go with Honor Among Thieves by James S.A. Corey (Corey is the pen name for writing partners Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck). Anyone who has been reading my reviews for any length of time knows that Corey’s Expanse series is my absolute favorite science fiction being written right now.
The book is essentially a Han and Chewbacca adventure. When the Empire sets out to control an ancient technology that could change the whole outcome of the war with the rebellion Princess Leia decides that there is only one man to send in to rescue the spy who may be able to thwart the Empire’s plan. Unfortunately, that man is not around so she sends Han.
What follows is a fast paced ride through one close call after another. Han Solo’s best plan is always the one he makes up at the last minute (much to the annoyance of Chewbacca). Han finds the spy Scarlet Hark and together they go planet hopping in a dangerous game of who can find the weapon first. I loved the character of Scarlet Hark. She was more than a match for Han Solo’s ego and the book left me wanting to see her again.
Han Solo is not an easy character to write. He is a sarcastic, self aware ego maniac and yet we need to love him. Corey pulls it off magnificently. I loved this book. It was my favorite Star Wars book in years and years. It was laugh out loud funny and an incredible story. It gave me everything I love about the Star Wars Universe and more. I hope somewhere down the line Corey gets another shot at a Star Wars book because I would be all in.
