Solo: A Star Wars Story
dir. Ron Howard (2018)
Origin stories are inherently problematic. Star Wars fans already know how Han Solo turns out, while his younger self is unlikely to equal the original (in characterisation or portrayal). Nevertheless, Solo presents a coherent narrative and does about as well as possible.
Star Wars – Fate of the Jedi: Conviction
by Aaron Allston (Random House, 2011)
Allston makes little allowance for the passing of time, allowing (grandparentally) old favourites Han, Leia and Luke to nimble about the Star Wars Expanded Universe, having adventures just like they did back in the day. As non-demanding escapism goes, it’s not bad.
Star Wars – Aftermath: Life Debt
by Chuck Wendig (Del Rey, 2016)
Wendig writes in the present tense (a corollary of his game design work?) and in an oddly chummy manner. His characters have proper Star Wars personality, yet the story — nominally Han Solo’s liberation of Chewbacca’s home world — jinks evasively before making planetfall.
Star Wars: Honor Among Thieves
by James S. A. Corey (Century, 2014)
“Enough Banter,” Scarlet says. “Focus now.” But this admonishment comes three-fifths of the way through and has no discernible effect on the (openly nom de plumed) authors. Their novel-length burst of glib humour succeeds only in rendering Han Solo lightweight and facile.