twilliamson's review
2.0
If Ambush at Corellia was a surprise hit, Assault at Selonia may well be a surprise dud. Here, Allen returns to the Corellian sector to continue his adventure trilogy, this time with oddly less action, far less character development, and a whole lot more convoluted plotting.
The problem of the book ultimately collapses around its overly ambitious plotting. We're not given any kind of legitimate antagonist through the novel, even though Thrackan Sal-Solo, Han's estranged cousin, should be the main antagonist; instead, the threat looming over the whole of the trilogy goes completely unnamed and undeveloped as the heroes all stumble around in the dark trying to figure out what's what. It's one huge mess of a book, and actually manages in some ways to undo all that worked really well in the first entry to the trilogy.
That's not to say everything in here is entirely bad; Leia and Mara get some interesting moments together, and Luke's visit with Gaeriel Captison from Bakura is a really fun way to revisit the stories of EU past. Nevertheless, no single strain of the story really works to advance the story any further than the previous novel, and while all of the many characters seem to be doing something, their actions in this middle sequel amount to a bunch of water-treading.
This seems to be a common problem for these Star Wars novels: the impulse to improve sales by releasing a story in a trilogy doesn't really help serve the overall plot of the story, and the result is a novel that is in turns terribly boring and unimportant.
Maybe the final book in the trilogy will help bolster this one's story, but it feels more and more like anything good Allen began in the first book of the trilogy will wither out by the time the trilogy concludes.
The problem of the book ultimately collapses around its overly ambitious plotting. We're not given any kind of legitimate antagonist through the novel, even though Thrackan Sal-Solo, Han's estranged cousin, should be the main antagonist; instead, the threat looming over the whole of the trilogy goes completely unnamed and undeveloped as the heroes all stumble around in the dark trying to figure out what's what. It's one huge mess of a book, and actually manages in some ways to undo all that worked really well in the first entry to the trilogy.
That's not to say everything in here is entirely bad; Leia and Mara get some interesting moments together, and Luke's visit with Gaeriel Captison from Bakura is a really fun way to revisit the stories of EU past. Nevertheless, no single strain of the story really works to advance the story any further than the previous novel, and while all of the many characters seem to be doing something, their actions in this middle sequel amount to a bunch of water-treading.
This seems to be a common problem for these Star Wars novels: the impulse to improve sales by releasing a story in a trilogy doesn't really help serve the overall plot of the story, and the result is a novel that is in turns terribly boring and unimportant.
Maybe the final book in the trilogy will help bolster this one's story, but it feels more and more like anything good Allen began in the first book of the trilogy will wither out by the time the trilogy concludes.
4thcaballero's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
darylreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
kimscapturedlife's review
4.0
Love the escape, and this is by far my favorite post Battle of Endor series. It would make a great movie. Han, Leia and their kids travel to his home world during civil unrest and the adventure begins including all the cast of Star Wars favorites and a planet destroying weapon.
Who is behind the deadly Starbuster plot, Corellia's powerful planetary repulsors? And what is the secret behind the mysterious Centerpoint Station, and ancient, artificial world of unknown origin that has suddenly -- and inexplicably -- come alive?
Spoiler
Imprisoned on the planet Corellia, Han Solo finds himself at the mercy of his evil cousin, Thracken Sal-Solo. Thracken plans to restore the Imperial system and seize total power -- no matter what the cost. Han has one chance to stop him. But to do so he must turn his back on his human cousin and join forces with a female alien. Dracmus was arrested as a ringleader in a plot against the corrupt Human League. Now she and Han will attempt a daring escape to Selonia in time to warn Leia, Luke Skywalker, and Lando of Thracken's plan. But can Han trust the alien to keep her word?Who is behind the deadly Starbuster plot, Corellia's powerful planetary repulsors? And what is the secret behind the mysterious Centerpoint Station, and ancient, artificial world of unknown origin that has suddenly -- and inexplicably -- come alive?
colinmcev's review
2.0
Meh. I'm really just not feeling this trilogy. Assault at Selonia wasn't terrible, and I've certainly read worse Star Wars novels, but it mostly failed to keep my interest, and at times I found it difficult to motivate myself to finish it. I felt the first book, Ambush at Corellia, was largely lacking in action and mostly focused on setting the scenes for future books, which, while not great, is at least understandable given that it's the first book in a trilogy. But i found Assault at Selonia to be more of the same, and, much like the first book, things didn't really pick up until near the end. (In fact, the final chapter might be my favorite.) I suspect if this was a two-book series, rather than a trilogy, it might be tighter and better paced, and therefore more enjoyable. As it stands, I'd say only die-hard Star Wars nerds (like me) and completionists who want to read all the books (again, like me) need to bother with these. But, that being, I'll obviously read the next and final entry, Showdown at Centerpoint, and hope for the best.
wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
5.0
An exciting continuation of this trilogy. This did feel a little bit of being the middle story of three in that, although interesting, not as much happened in this one compared to the first book. A lot of setting up for book three that, while it was good, had little pay-off within this book.
The characters were great, though and everyone felt authentic and had a right to be there.
Another slight issue is simply the age of this story and knowledge of where certain characters end up (not counting that Disney garbage as cannon). There's supposed to be an increased tension surrounding the loyalties of a specific character who, chronologically, is still very much unknown at this point, but knowing now what happens later, there's no doubt as to their motivations so no tension at all.
Bonus points for including a Previously section at the front of the book.
Bring on book three!
The characters were great, though and everyone felt authentic and had a right to be there.
Another slight issue is simply the age of this story and knowledge of where certain characters end up (not counting that Disney garbage as cannon). There's supposed to be an increased tension surrounding the loyalties of a specific character who, chronologically, is still very much unknown at this point, but knowing now what happens later, there's no doubt as to their motivations so no tension at all.
Bonus points for including a Previously section at the front of the book.
Bring on book three!
blacksentai's review
2.0
So, this human supremacy storyline that appears in so many of these star wars books is so plebeian.
garfunkleha345's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
rey's review
3.0
It was...alright? I didn't hate it but I didn't love it THAT much but it was still enjoyable. The curse of second books, this one too had a hard time keeping the hype from the first one and moving it to the next one. Though it was nice, the plot felt flat and I kept waiting "when will the action actually start?". But I'm still excited about the third book since the last books are usually the most fun and action ones. I love the story of the trilogy in general and I hope it won't be a waste. It is going good, it just needs to get more alive.