A Han Solo Adventure (Star Wars - Journey to Star Wars

The book was extremely short (took me about an hour to read it cover to cover) and had nothing to do with the new movie as it claims (that I'm aware of). During the prologue and epilogue there are scenes with an older Han Solo, but the majority of the book was not entertaining. I imagine that some of the characters may be in the new movie in some obscure way but if you're getting this to gain insight into the movie, I would pass.

Of the four books in this young-adult series, this is the only one that I can't remember a word I read. Was it the story? The writing? I'm not sure, but it didn't have a lot of impact on me. Still, since I don't remember not liking it, as Star Wars books go, I'd rather have it than not.

The thing about Star Wars is that it's ultimately an amazing universe with seemingly infinite amount of stories to be told. The only big question you need to know is, "is this specific story important?". The shortest answer to that for Smugglers Run is a no, but because it starts in the current time where the Force Awakens takes place, it's still ultimately an interesting read. This isn't necessary if you are trying to understand what the current universe is like in the time that the new movie will take place in, but if you are a super fan like me- it does offer some interesting clues.

SUMMARY: The Shrikes, a special Rebel Alliance team that’s tasked with scouting new locations for the rebels to set up bases. The Shrikes have a run in with the Empire! One member is on the run while the rest of the team is gunned down. The Imperial Security Bureau learns of the escapee, and is now searching for the rebel.

Leia asks Han Solo and Chewbacca to retrieve the only surviving member of the team. He holds all the secrets about where the Rebel Alliance’s next destination will be. Han is reluctant to take on the mission, the system he’d be going to is in Hutt territory… and that’s not where Han really wants to be at the moment. He puts aside his personal issues for the greater good of the galaxy and will do what he can.

CHARACTERS: Alecia Beck: She’s one of the few women that holds a high rank within the Empire. She’s a senior commander in the ISB, which is the Imperial Security Bureau. She’s the antagonist, definitely deserving of that title. She is one mean lady with a bad attitude. Beck is cruel and will stop at nothing to bring her subject into custody on the charge of treason. She has a distinctive look, she’s got short blond hair and a cybernetic eye. She lost her real eye in a fight against her former superior… who was trading secrets for credits. Maybe her attitude comes from that confrontation.

Han Solo: Such popular characters like Han, Leia, and Luke are always difficult to write, those are the characters everyone is going to pick apart because we know them too well. Han was written pretty well. He really comes off as a scoundrel, thinking only for himself. His copilot and friend Chewbacca, kind of acts as his conscious.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: This book was actually pretty decent. The dialogue wasn’t too childish. The plot was simple and didn’t stray into weird places. Han was written great, the character was written very well. The book was a quick and easy read. The antagonist was an interesting character, very harsh. I wouldn’t mind reading more stories with her character. The Shrikes are an interesting concept, It’s something that seems legit.

If you’re wanting a short decent canon book. I’d suggest you pick this one up. It takes place between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back.

This young adult novel was a well-written and well-crafted story set between two of the films in the original Star Wars trilogy. All of the battle scenes, whether shoot-outs on ground or ship-to-ship battles in space, were dramatic and clearly written. The plot flowed at a good pace.

Unfortunately, I didn't love it.

A well-written book still needs soul. It was also hard to figure out who this book was about, in the end. Han Solo was the hero, but it was odd that he referred to himself as "Solo" even in his point-of-view scenes. This added unnecessary distance, making me feel like I was watching a film rather than cheering him on during his escapades.

The other point-of-view character was a chilling Imperial officer. This worked, but only to a point. She was the perfect minion of the Empire, but there was nothing sympathetic about her at any point, which also makes her hard to connect to as a narrator. In addition, too much of the important plot points were revealed from her perspective when Han is supposed to be the hero.

In the end, the character who was the most intriguing to me was the female bartender. Many times, I wished I was reading a book about her life, instead.

(As a side note, it irritates me greatly that we don't get to understand Chewbacca when Han obviously does, and we're supposed to be in Han's head. This significantly added to the distance/movie quality to this story that reduced it's overall appeal.)

In "Smuggler's Run: A Han Solo & Chewbacca Adventure", Greg Rucka evokes some of the best classic "Star Wars" stories, such as Brian Daley's Han Solo trilogy or Alan Dean Foster's "Splinter of the Mind's Eye". An experienced science fiction author, Rucka effortlessly weaves a tale that is both true to Han Solo's character and that offers insight into both his and Chewbacca's friendship. The plot of "Smuggler's Run" focuses on Han and Chewie working a mission to extract a high-value Rebel operative before the Empire can capture him, along the way showing why a relative loner like Han takes sides with the Rebellion.
"Smuggler's Run" is part of a trilogy of young reader novels meant to link "The Force Awakens" with the original trilogy. The story itself is told in flashback by Han nearly thirty years after "Return of the Jedi". These bookend scenes reveal that Han has either lost the Millennium Falcon or that various factions are trying to take it from him, perhaps setting up the scene in the teaser for the new film where he says, "Chewie, we're home."
Phil Noto's art carries on the black, white, and red tones that first graced the cover of Christie Golden's "Dark Disciple". Noto's particular style adds a dynamism to the art that sets up each part of the style, complimenting Rucka's writing. The overall effect is a book that, though marketed at younger readers, will appeal to "Star Wars" fans of all ages.

These Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens books may have similar cover art, but he content is vastly different. While I really didn't enjoy the Leia book, this Han book is fantastic. Fast paced, well written in accessible but not dumbed down language, and characters that seem true to themselves.

The story starts just after Episode IV after Han has Jabba's money and is ready to clear his debt. Nothing ever goes to plan, and before you know it there are Imperials and bounty hunters chasing after Han and Chewie.

The only part I didn't like was early in the book where Chewie hangs dice in the cockpit as a joke. This might have worked at the time the book was written, but now the Solo movie shows us that Han had those dice long before he met Chewie. Somebody messed up on fact checking.

The book is short, but if you enjoyed the old Tales from the Cantina, or the new Solo movie, you'll probably get a kick out of reading this.

With the advent of the NEW expanded universe and all Star Wars mythology being redone in lieu of the films, I thought that I would try to stay on top of the new EU with the novels and timeline, hence the reading of the newer short stories for leading into The Force Awakens.

That being said, having seen the film and reading this, they have nothing to do with one another. This comes off as fan fiction written to have some stories of Luke, Han and Liea prior to the new generation taking over in the Force Awakens. Being the chapter selected for Han Solo prior to the film, this was a major let down.

Han had none of the characteristics that make him Solo, other than I am only in it for the money attitude. And that alone does not keep this story afloat. Also, beyond Solo and Chewie, every character is a throw away. What is the point of doing these if nothing will even be relevant later on anyway.

I will read all three shorts for all three heroes, but this is not looking good for the new UE of Star Wars.

For a book featuring a character called “Solo,” Han doesn’t have as big of a role as you may expect.

Set between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo agrees to take on just one more mission for the rebels at the behest of Princess Leia. He’s tasked with rescuing a rebel named Ematt, one that may play a role in The Force Awakens. Of course, it’s not long until Han finds himself at odds with a group of bounty hunters and the Empire itself.

Rucka perfectly captures the essence of Han Solo. Charismatic but not always nice, this Solo hearkens back to the anti-hero of A New Hope. Best of all, Rucka’s Chewbacca is a noble, trustworthy individual that operates as Solo’s conscience throughout the novel, as well as comedic relief. There’s a reason we love this duo, and Rucka understands their dynamic masterfully.

I noted that there simply isn’t enough Solo in this solo adventure, and that’s because the chapters alternate between Han and an Imperial villain named Alecia Beck. She is a commanding officer, merciless, and willing to do virtually anything to reach her objectives. She stars in roughly 50% of the book, which makes me wonder if somewhere down the road she’s going to be a major player. Perhaps one of the spin-off movies? Maybe some future books or graphic novels? Only time will tell.

Because this is a young adult novel, it is incredibly fast-paced and short. However, Rucka writes everything well, from novels to comic books to young adult books. Star Wars fans of any age will appreciate this book and Han Solo fans will love it. It’s definitely worth the brief amount of time it takes to read.

Out of the three classic hero stories that came out, this is my favorite because it's the Han Solo we originally fell in love with way back when and it's a fun ride. The story takes place just after the Battle of Yavin so we're getting the scoundrel Han who isn't quite convinced he should throw in with the Rebellion yet.

Greg Rucka does a great job characterizing "classic" Solo. Despite it not being a full length novel, he also manages to work in a new person from Solo's past, an interesting female Imperial officer, and a shootout with bounty hunters. Not only that, but the story moves quick and there's never a dull moment. In short, it's the kind of Star Wars adventure you want!

One thing I learned a long time ago is not to ignore a book just because the intended audience is young. I never even felt like it was aimed at the 10-14 crowd. A good story is a good story. If you're yearning for "the good ol' days" of Star Wars, absolutely check these three books out.

Set almost immediately after the events in A New Hope, this is a fun, action-packed adventure starring Han Salo and Chewbacca. While there aren't any real hints of the events in The Force Awakens, it's fun to see more of these characters, including how reluctant Han is to be associated with the rebels at this point in the tale.

I also enjoyed learning more about Chewbacca and the Millennium Falcon. Yes, we see them in the movies, but sometimes reading gives more details of the inner workings than you are able to see on screen. Plus, the book takes us into Chewie's thoughts a few times, which is an added bonus!

Well-written, this story really brings the characters and the adventure to life. It feels like it fits in perfectly with the the time and the rest of the Star Wars universe.

*Library Copy*

A fun, quick read. There should be more straight-forward Han Solo adventures like this one. This book doesn't quite have the science-fiction complexity in the plot that the Daley novels had nor does it have the epic nature or fitting character attributes of the Crispin novels but it is a very good Han Solo adventure.

The only downside is the rush to completion. There was a great build up to a conclusion that felt like it was only a few pages long. In some ways it is a fitting ending but it was over too quick for my tastes.

If you like Han Solo you will be right at home here. I was very happy with this read.

This short story is the tale of the first "mission" Han Solo and Chewbacca undertook for the Rebel Alliance after the medal ceremony in episode 4, A New Hope. The pair agree to pick up a member of the Rebels being hunted by the Empire. The action runs fast and furious, as do the one liners. Author Greg Rucka perfectly captures Han's essence and his relationship with Chewie. A great framing story set around this as well. A fun, fast, five star read.

To date one of the stronger new canon novels currently on shelves (for reference BATTLEFRONT: TWILIGHT COMPANY just came out), taking place almost immediately after Episode IV. Greg Rucka lives up to his reputation and pens a fun, fast paced read that captures the tone and swagger you'd expect from a book starring Han and Chewie. In both look and demeanor, the main Imperial antagonist reflects vestiges of the now-Legends character Ysanne Isard, and following Han and Chewie as they poke holes in her once pristine reputation is a blast from start to finish. Rucka leaves enough dangling plot threads to make the reader want more, and even teases elements of the as-yet-not-released Episode VII. A great read for young/old fans alike!

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of my 2 favorite smugglers! It kept my attention from start to finish & made me feel as though I was watching Star Wars. I was grinning like a wide eyed kid as I read the dialogue between Han & Chewie. I had a blast reading this.

Months ago, when I saw that Disney Hyperion was coming out with middle grade novels set in the Star Wars universe and starring the main characters, I knew I had to read them. In this story, Han and Chewie are sent to rescue a spy for the rebellion as the Empire closes in. Preteens to adults will enjoy this exciting adventure, as it’s not really a children’s story. It’s a fun, heist with my two favorite characters, but edgy. The main villain is a new character and was well-developed. I’d love to see her in future stories as well.

I’m guessing the “hints and clues about the upcoming” Force Awakens, is stem from the interludes that are set years in the future, when Han and Chewbacca are older. Even if there aren’t actual clues, these are entertaining enough standalone stories on their own.

Typical Star Wars....good guys face impossible odds and the bad guys don't have enough brains to do what's necessary. That said I enjoy the novels that help give filler to the characters between the movies.

This is a classic SW story. With plenty of action and intrigue, the story is captivating and a pulse pounding, can't put it down page turner. Full of unknowns, the story fleshed out the character of Han Solo and Chewbacca, and put them into a story that would play well as a new movie. An adventure that was a joy to read.

I really enjoyed this novel! It's considered a YA novel, which made me dubious at first, but as I read it I realized that what got it labeled YA is what I like about it: fast-paced, action-oriented, easy reading. There's a skill/gift to taking those parameters and keeping the story interesting for an "adult" reader and Greg Rucka did a spectacular job. For many readers, this will be the kind of book that could be finished in an evening or two, but don't think of that as a slight on my part. I like a quality, quick read now and then as a bit of dessert between other fair.

As for the story, they novel tells a good story about a secret mission Han and Chewie undertook shortly after the battle of Yavin. Han doesn't really want to go, but Chewie has already committed them to what is supposed to be a quick trip of shuttling a high-value asset. Of course, the problem is that the Empire wants that asset, too!

This short story is the tale of the first "mission" Han Solo and Chewbacca undertook for the Rebel Alliance after the medal ceremony in episode 4, A New Hope. The pair agree to pick up a member of the Rebels being hunted by the Empire. The action runs fast and furious, as do the one liners. Author Greg Rucka perfectly captures Han's essence and his relationship with Chewie. A great framing story set around this as well. A fun, fast, five star read.