Honor Among Thieves: Star Wars Legends Mass Market Paperback – February 24, 2015

Originally posted at www.csdaley.comEvery 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.

For a first time Star Wars writer ,he'd did a good job of moving the story line along with a few twist and turns it was a good book I still enjoy reading a novel instead of the comic books seems the good books are far and few between I would recommend this to those of us who still prefer to read I still hoping for another Timothy Zahn book to come along I guess we will have to wait until SW VĪĪ comes out

Honor Among Thieves is the second entry in the new Empire and Rebellion series. The first being Razor's Edge, which I reviewed and gave 5 stars to.I would like to say, before we get started, that I am still super-excited that the Star Wars Extended Universe (EU) is doing classic Star Wars again. The storytelling in the EU has been far too dark and depressing for the last few years now. Now that they are telling tales in the classic era, I have high hopes that we can return to the days of high flying space adventure without the blood-dripping drama, and crushing depression of the last few years. I am also hopeful that Disney's announced reorganization of the EU will include some removal of the more regrettable story lines and plot devices from recent history, including the "dark nest" series, the killing off of fan-favorite characters, and the abomination of driving Karen Traviss out of the EU, and retconning her created aspects of the Clone Soldiers and Mandalorian culture. I don't think more than a small minority of fans liked the pacifist version of Mandalore shown in the Clone Wars TV show.Anyway, as for this entry to the Empire and Rebellion series, we are off on another adventure. We join our heroes in the Rebel Alliance as they gather the fleet looking for where to establish their next base after the battle of Yavin, where the Death Star was destroyed. Luke and Wedge are being sent off on a scouting mission, and Han (who hasn't fully joined the Alliance yet, and is still charging for his time) has been asked to go retrieve a high value deep-cover Rebel Spy from her cover on an Imperial planet, deep in the territory of the Empire.What follows is an adventure told at breakneck speed, and with classic Star Wars excitement and humor. Han is as funny and courageous as ever, while still being practical and street-smart. They even manage to sneak in a bit about him saying he will always shoot first, if someone is waving a blaster in his face.I don't want to give the story away, but suffice it to say, that it ranges from sneaky spy stuff, to betrayal and smuggler-to-smuggler conflict, to space-combat, to counter-intelligence, to daring escapes and impossible missions that must succeed.Razor's Edge was really Leia's story, and it was told mostly from her point of view. Honor Among Thieves is told from Han's point of view, and pretty much stays with him throughout the entire story. Luke plays a minor role in the story, just like he did in Razor's Edge. I assume that the third entry in the Empire and Rebellion series will feature Luke, but for all I know it could feature Lando or the droids, who knows?Get this book for some classic Star Wars good times. It is fun and exciting, just like the original movies. It has humor, and adventure, and it stays true to the canon from the original films. I loved it.5 stars!---------------------------------Book Content Guide For Parents:---------------------------------Sex & Nudity: [0/5] There is one scene where Han has to get undressed with a lady in the room, but she turns her back to him while he is doing it, and he keeps his underclothes on.Violence & Gore: [2/5] Standard PG-13 brawling and action movie deaths of unnamed background characters and minor characters happen.Profanity: [1/5] Standard Star Wars rules apply, the occasional "hell" or "damn" slip through, but any other swearing is done in made-up words that on only have meaning in the Star Wars universe.Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: [1/5] I don't remember any scenes with drugs or smoking, there are a couple of scenes (ballroom & meeting type settings) where drinks and hors d'oeuvres are being served, but no attention to drawn to the fact that alcohol is being served.Frightening/Intense Scenes: [1/5] There are a few tense scenes, but since this book is a prequel to established movies where we know certain characters are alive and well, only new characters and minor characters risk the fate of death, and even with them, that kind of danger isn't super common in this book. There are a couple of battle scenes where people die, but it is all PG and PG-13 kinds of stuff.