Reviews

The abduction of her children sends Princess Leia across the galaxy in pursuit of the kidnappers, unaware that her search will coincide with Han and Luke's attempts to uncover a rumored enclave of Jedi Knights on the fringes of former imperial territory. This latest addition to the popular Star Wars series adds a new dimension to the lives of its heroes as the children of Leia and Han Solo, who refuse to remain passive victims, embark on an adventure of their own. The author of Dreamsnake (Dell, 1986) and the "Starfarers" series captures the feel of the Star Wars universe in this fast-paced sf adventure. McIntyre's talent and the popularity of the subject make this essential for libraries. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 8/94.]

While this is easily the best of a bestselling series (the five earlier books all made the New York Times bestseller list), its flaws are still obvious. The problem rises from the Star Wars film tradition in which banter was stronger than logic, an arrangement that suffers in print. Leia, former princess, now Chief of State of the New Republic, attempts to rescue her children, who have been kidnapped by Lord Hethrir, leader of the evil organization, the Empire Reborn. Coincidence piles upon improbability at warp speed as scenes shift from Leia to the children to Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, who have left on vacation with See-Threepio. At Crseih Station, located in a system with a double star, one of which is a black hole, the threesome encounter a mysterious being called Waru and the even more enigmatic Xaverri. McIntyre (Transition) draws her characters with skill, especially Han and Leia's daughter Jaina, but she weaves a plot full of holes, suggesting that the world she writes of may be alien to her in more ways than one. (Nov.)