David's Review of Book One of The Corellian Trilogy: Ambush at Corellia

3/5 Rancors - Ambush at Corellia is the first book in The Corellian Trilogy. In this initial story, Han and his entire family plus Chewie go back to his home world of Corellia for a trade summit and a vacation. Han also plans to show his kids the world where he grew up many years ago. The level of excitement in the family is high. However, as usual, things are not as simple as they seem to be.

Shortly before the trip, Han is visited by an operative from New Republic Intelligence who informs him that many things are going wrong in Corellia and that he needs to be careful on the trip. The warning is couched in mysterious terms. Han decides to go ahead with the trip against his best judgment. On the approach to Corellia he realizes that things are in fact going wrong, and the problems escalate from there. The five inhabited worlds of the Corellian Sector are on the brink of civil war and the once peaceful co-existence of the three leading races - human. Selonan, and Drallan - has come to an end. By the end of the book Han and Leia find themselves trapped on a world about to explode in violence unless they can meet a fanatical Rebel leader's impossible demands.

All of this sounds good, but I kept feeling that nothing much was actually happening. Possibly the next two books in the trilogy will pick up. I also had significant problems with a venture that Lando and Luke are involved in, i.e., finding Lando a rich wife. None of this rang true at all to me. I cannot imagine Lando being a part of such an effort, and I don't know as yet why we should care.

Time to move on to the second book, Assault at Selonia.

David: Rancor Spotting #12

The Art of Return of the Jedi, pages 35-38

This outstanding book includes sketches, storyboards, matte paintings, blueprints, production paintings, and costume designs as well as the complete script of the film. Shown below are the pages illustrating the famous rancor scenes in the pit below Jabba's throne room.

David's Bonus Review of Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Visual Guide - Ultimate Battles

5/5 Rancors - The Visual Guide – Ultimate Battles offers the Clone Wars fan a great look at images of the significant battles in Seasons I and II. This book is a follow-up to The Clone Wars: The Visual Guide. As is true with Mr. Fry’s previous book, Ultimate Battles is loaded with shots from the series and explanations of the action. All of the main battles are shown, and significant sections of the book cover weapons, troops, and key characters.

As you would expect, the book is heavily visual, and the illustrations are outstanding. You can ponder at length many of the scenes that you have watched on the TV show. The presentation of the material in the book is excellent, and the quality is first-rate.

If you like Clone Wars, you are certain to enjoy this book.

Where's the Beef?

I admit, I have been not giving Rancors full attention lately and will confess to being unfaithful. Recently other fiction, such as the latest Weis/Hickman Dragonlance book and, presently, David Copperfield have been claiming my affections. There have been sporadic flings with graphic novels and even RPG rulebooks mixed in as well. I did finish The New Rebellion but haven't gotten around to a write-up yet.

Lately when I spend time on Star Wars it centers around either my collection or the new TV show, both the current episodes and the excellent Blu-Ray box set of Season One. I have no doubt my interest in the chronological reading of the EU will resume soon. I believe the Bantam era has bogged me down, despite some shiny highlights scattered through it. I look forward to the Zahn duology's putting a neat little bow on the Bantam era, although the tonal shift taken with the New Jedi Order and beyond will present its own set of challenges.

Some musings for anyone wondering where Andrew's Star Wars reviews have gone as of late. :-)