I don’t usually read books in shared franchise series like Star Wars, but I thought I would make an exception for one written by James S. A. Corey. Honor Among Thieves is well-plotted with the action we expect from characters, most of whom have been around for half a century. One exception is Scarlet Hark, an alliance agent who engages in badinage with Han and Chewy. She is an original Corey character. Solid ( )

Originally posted at www.csdaley.com

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. ( )

A fast-paced and well written adventure that nails Han Solo's very particular voice more than most tie-in materials I've encounter. The plot is pretty decent, and though it feels much too big for this kind of a throw-away story, it at least is justified in the internal character conflicts it gets to mine and challenge, especially those of Leia the compassionate general and Han the idealist cynic. ( )

Actually I gave it one and a half stars, but you know GR by now. Anyhow, you can find my full review of this on my blog, The Itinerant Librarian. Click (or copy/paste to your favorite browser) the link below to check it out.

Review link: http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.com/2014/05/booknote-honor-among-thieves-star... ( )

One of the more enjoyable Star Wars books that I have read (and I have read a lot of them). I thing I liked most about it is that it didn't have a subplot or a ton of characters to keep straight. It's just Han Solo and a few supporting characters.

The plot reminded me of a role playing game. Important person sends you on a mission into enemy territory, fight a few bad guys, go to a few interesting locations and eventually save the galaxy from certain doom.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes Star Wars books or anyone who likes sci-fi adventures. ( )