In Brief: Set right after Episode IV, Timothy Zahn’s Scoundrels finds Han Solo and Chewbecca looking to score some bank from a heist of a local crime lord. Of course it’s more complicated then that, especially when Lando shows up…
Pros: Zahn’s done his homework on plotting – anything from The Sting to Sneakers to Oceans 11. He also knows the Star Wars universe well enough to add some easter eggs for the hardcore fans and has a good sense of dialogue for the established characters.
Cons: Any good heist story involves a lengthy setup and establishment of the rules of the target. While Zahn does a solid job here, especially with incorporating the tech of the SW universe, this may cause the book to drag for some readers.
Review: Your devoted Star Wars geek knows of Timothy Zahn, long considered one of the best novelization authors out there. His Heir to the Empire series, which takes place soon after Episode VI, was good enough to draw me in to several more of Zahn’s books. With that history, the Scoundrels premise (and cover) grabbed me as soon as I saw it in the store.
Scoundrels has Han and Chewie looking for work in the months after the destruction of the first Death Star. Han has already lost his reward from the Rebel’s victory at Yavin, and Jabba’s bounty hunters are moving on him again. An encounter with a young man called Eanjer opens up an opportunity. Continue reading
Beemsville 