Scan barcode
divyareadssister's review
hopeful
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Arguably the best of the series. Heavily features one of the most underrated bounty hunters in Star Wars, Durge.
jaredkwheeler's review
3.0
Star Wars Legends Project #107
Background: Hunted was written by [author:Elizabeth Hand|40983] and published in October 2003. Hand wrote the 3rd through 6th books in this series (taking over for Terry Bisson). These are her only Star Wars books, though she has written a number of non-Star Wars novels, short stories, comics, and novelizations.
Hunted takes place shortly after [book:Maze of Deception|99049] (my review), 22 years before the battle of Yavin. The young Boba Fett is the main character, with major appearances by Jabba the Hutt, Bib Fortuna, and the Gen'Dai bounty hunter Durge. The story takes place on Tatooine.
Summary: Having reclaimed Slave I from Aurra Sing, Boba Fett still finds himself dangerously low on funds. Hoping for work and maybe even patronage, he seeks out Jabba the Hutt, but the crime lord is difficult to impress, and quick to anger. Jabba's trust could prove extremely profitable . . . if Boba can survive the vagaries of the Hutt's bloodthirsty whims.
Review: This book is a big improvement on the one that preceded it, perhaps thanks to the new perspective it offers on familiar territory. Maze of Deception suffered from shoddy world-building, but this book puts us back on the well-trod world of Tatooine, visiting old stomping grounds like Jabba's palace. I actually got a big kick out of seeing how Boba Fett first came to work for Jabba the Hutt, though your mileage certainly may vary on that. There's also a solid B-plot here woven through the main plot about a gang of orphans forced to work for a mysterious figure with ominous powers. It allows another opportunity for Boba to be a little heroic, even as he pursues totally self-serving ends.
I'm a little more ambivalent about the inclusion of Durge here. I had never encountered the character before, but as I read a bit more about him, it seemed odd that he would be in this story. I'm not sure what the explanation is for his presence, other than as a scary antagonist for Boba. But he's a bit too much of a heavy-hitter, surely. It's not really credible that Boba would defeat him (and I suppose you could certainly argue that he doesn't, but I guess I'll steer clear of how all that goes down, cuz spoilers). In any case, Durge doesn't strike me as a character whose abilities and backstory were thought out very well, and he more properly belongs in the absurdly over-the-top stories that we usually see him in, not here. That's a minor complaint because he's used to reasonably good effect here, I just don't think his portrayal here jibes too well with what we see of him elsewhere.
This is also probably the most self-contained of the books in the series so far, with a pretty satisfying conclusion, which is good because the last two books take place much further down the timeline and it'll be awhile before we catch back up with young Boba Fett.
B-
Background: Hunted was written by [author:Elizabeth Hand|40983] and published in October 2003. Hand wrote the 3rd through 6th books in this series (taking over for Terry Bisson). These are her only Star Wars books, though she has written a number of non-Star Wars novels, short stories, comics, and novelizations.
Hunted takes place shortly after [book:Maze of Deception|99049] (my review), 22 years before the battle of Yavin. The young Boba Fett is the main character, with major appearances by Jabba the Hutt, Bib Fortuna, and the Gen'Dai bounty hunter Durge. The story takes place on Tatooine.
Summary: Having reclaimed Slave I from Aurra Sing, Boba Fett still finds himself dangerously low on funds. Hoping for work and maybe even patronage, he seeks out Jabba the Hutt, but the crime lord is difficult to impress, and quick to anger. Jabba's trust could prove extremely profitable . . . if Boba can survive the vagaries of the Hutt's bloodthirsty whims.
Review: This book is a big improvement on the one that preceded it, perhaps thanks to the new perspective it offers on familiar territory. Maze of Deception suffered from shoddy world-building, but this book puts us back on the well-trod world of Tatooine, visiting old stomping grounds like Jabba's palace. I actually got a big kick out of seeing how Boba Fett first came to work for Jabba the Hutt, though your mileage certainly may vary on that. There's also a solid B-plot here woven through the main plot about a gang of orphans forced to work for a mysterious figure with ominous powers. It allows another opportunity for Boba to be a little heroic, even as he pursues totally self-serving ends.
I'm a little more ambivalent about the inclusion of Durge here. I had never encountered the character before, but as I read a bit more about him, it seemed odd that he would be in this story. I'm not sure what the explanation is for his presence, other than as a scary antagonist for Boba. But he's a bit too much of a heavy-hitter, surely. It's not really credible that Boba would defeat him (and I suppose you could certainly argue that he doesn't, but I guess I'll steer clear of how all that goes down, cuz spoilers). In any case, Durge doesn't strike me as a character whose abilities and backstory were thought out very well, and he more properly belongs in the absurdly over-the-top stories that we usually see him in, not here. That's a minor complaint because he's used to reasonably good effect here, I just don't think his portrayal here jibes too well with what we see of him elsewhere.
This is also probably the most self-contained of the books in the series so far, with a pretty satisfying conclusion, which is good because the last two books take place much further down the timeline and it'll be awhile before we catch back up with young Boba Fett.
B-
hstapp's review
3.0
I really enjoyed this one. It's interesting to see Boba when he was young, and actually cared about things. When he wasn't so hardened. I thought this was a really nice, fun, and occasionally creepy story.
joshgauthier's review
4.0
Exciting but also quietly tragic in a way, Hunted sees Boba Fett--still a boy--begin to seize his future as a bounty hunter as he faces off with other hired guns and makes his introductions to the infamous Jabba the Hutt.
verkisto's review
2.0
On the one hand, it's nice to see books in the Star Wars universe that aren't about the Jedi and the Force and all that. It's not like the Boba Fett books are the only ones with that focus, but they remind me that they're few and far between, what with the Skywalkers pretty much running the galaxy.
On the other hand, these stories aren't that exciting. Hunted is the story of Boba Fett finding Jabba on Tatooine and completing one job in order to secure his employment with the Hutt, and even though Hand populates the story with a variety of characters and action, the end result is pretty disappointing. The story takes him through Mos Espa, where he deals with thieves and other brigands, and ultimately to Jabba's palace, where he contends with the sinister Hutt and his cronies, including other bounty hunters. We know Boba goes on to work for Jabba, so what we're seeing is the beginning of that relationship.
Hand writes Boba sympathetically here, which is odd, since he's supposed to have a reputation for being ruthless. Granted, Boba is still young here, but it's strange seeing him so easily dismiss a friend in one book, only to see him go out of his way to save strangers here. Is he embracing the idea of having allies and opponents, as Jango has taught him, or is he getting unnecessarily caught up in the plights of others and becoming sentimental? I can see him starting out one way and becoming another, but the way she presents him in this book is at odds with how he's been established in the previous books of this same series.
On top of that, the story hinges on coincidence, especially at the very end. Not only does that coincidence strain credibility, but it also reinforces the idea that Boba is not above making friends, even as he's trying to make himself out to be the greatest bounty hunter to ever live. Granted, there are two more books in the series, and it's possible that Hand will have him betray that friendship, but it seems unlikely in the way she sets up the story here. Jude Watson has this same sort of balance to maintain in Jedi Quest, but so far, she handled it better than Hand has done so far with this series.
I would love to be surprised by how Hand concludes this series, but I'm reluctant to expect it. I know it must be hard writing for characters she didn't create (as well as picking up a series someone else started), but it seems like Hand doesn't get the character of Boba Fett at all. Either that, or I don't. Now that I think about it, why does Boba Fett have a reputation for being so ruthless?
On the other hand, these stories aren't that exciting. Hunted is the story of Boba Fett finding Jabba on Tatooine and completing one job in order to secure his employment with the Hutt, and even though Hand populates the story with a variety of characters and action, the end result is pretty disappointing. The story takes him through Mos Espa, where he deals with thieves and other brigands, and ultimately to Jabba's palace, where he contends with the sinister Hutt and his cronies, including other bounty hunters. We know Boba goes on to work for Jabba, so what we're seeing is the beginning of that relationship.
Hand writes Boba sympathetically here, which is odd, since he's supposed to have a reputation for being ruthless. Granted, Boba is still young here, but it's strange seeing him so easily dismiss a friend in one book, only to see him go out of his way to save strangers here. Is he embracing the idea of having allies and opponents, as Jango has taught him, or is he getting unnecessarily caught up in the plights of others and becoming sentimental? I can see him starting out one way and becoming another, but the way she presents him in this book is at odds with how he's been established in the previous books of this same series.
On top of that, the story hinges on coincidence, especially at the very end. Not only does that coincidence strain credibility, but it also reinforces the idea that Boba is not above making friends, even as he's trying to make himself out to be the greatest bounty hunter to ever live. Granted, there are two more books in the series, and it's possible that Hand will have him betray that friendship, but it seems unlikely in the way she sets up the story here. Jude Watson has this same sort of balance to maintain in Jedi Quest, but so far, she handled it better than Hand has done so far with this series.
I would love to be surprised by how Hand concludes this series, but I'm reluctant to expect it. I know it must be hard writing for characters she didn't create (as well as picking up a series someone else started), but it seems like Hand doesn't get the character of Boba Fett at all. Either that, or I don't. Now that I think about it, why does Boba Fett have a reputation for being so ruthless?
echoes01's review
4.0
3.5 stars. This was a fun story but it relies on a lot of happy coincidences and blind luck. I really enjoyed the end battle and Boba getting more of his classic gear though, so extra half star for that. I saw a lot of character growth in this book which also upped my rating a bit. Boba is finally getting rid of his annoying naïveté and turning into the badass bounty hunter we all know and love :)
More...