Book 169: Star Wars: Boba Fett 4: Hunted

Star Wars: Boba Fett #4: Hunted, by Elizabeth Hand

“Hunted” is the fourth book in a six book series on the life of young Boba Fett. In “Hunted,” Boba Fett flies to Tatooine to find the crime lord Jabba the Hutt.

Jango Fett, Boba’s father, had left instructions for his son to go to Jabba to learn knowledge. But Boba runs into problem after problem on Tatooine, first losing his father’s Mandalorian helmet to a street gang, to having no credits to buy water – a necessity on the desert planet.

Will a trip to Jabba’s palace teach young Boba the knowledge necessary for a bounty hunter?

As with the other books in this series, I’m not entirely thrilled with the writing. I do understand that they are written for younger readers and I’m over the intended age, but I wish Star Wars had kept up the quality a little better. The passage of time in this series isn’t clear – the first three books seemed to take up only days, but this book is apparently set months after the event of book three, “Maze of Deception.” At least the story in “Hunted” was better than the previous book.

2/5.

Book 168: Star Wars: Boba Fett 3: Maze of Deception

Star Wars: Boba Fett #3: Maze of Deception, by Elizabeth Hand

“Maze of Deception” is the third book in a six book series on the life of young Boba Fett. In this installment, Boba and Aurra Sing journey to Aargau, the banking planet of the galaxy. Similar to Coruscant, Aargau is a layered planet; the lowest levels are the most dangerous, full of the scum of the galaxy.

Aurra Sing, a very dangerous bounty hunter, takes Boba to Aargau to get half of Jango Fett’s fortune. Boba, naturally, isn’t keen on splitting his inheritance with her, and makes a dangerous escape to keep the entire fortune for himself.

But can a young, inexperienced boy really avoid all the pitfalls a planet like Aargau holds?

I found “Maze of Deception” to be an okay book in the Boba Fett series. A week after reading it I’ve already forgotten most of it, so it’s not that memorable. Younger readers will enjoy Boba’s exploits on Aaragu, and his gradual evolution into the great Boba Fett of Star Wars Legend.

2/5.

Book 167: Star Wars: Boba Fett 2: Crossfire

Star Wars: Boba Fett #2: Crossfire, by Terry Bisson

“Crossfire” is the second book in a six book series on the life of young Boba Fett. Boba is now the guest, or prisoner, depending on how you look at it, of Count Dooku. When the starting war comes to Raxus Prime, Boba manages to escape the junkyard planet by pretending to be an orphan.

While en route to a Bespin orphanage, Boba makes the first friend of his life. But when he’s torn between his new friend and his father’s teachings – which will he choose?

“Crossfire” was a bit blah to me, and even though it’s a short book, it felt like it dragged on for too long. I think it could have been tightened up a little.

2/5.

Book 166: Star Wars: Boba Fett 1: The Fight to Survive

Star Wars: Boba Fett #1: The Fight to Survive, by Terry Bisson

This Boba Fett series is aimed at younger readers, but as Boba Fett is one of my favorite Star Wars characters, I read everything I can find on him. This is book one of a six book series.

“The Fight to Survive” covers the events of the film, “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones,” and expands on Jango’s death, Boba’s upbringing, life on Kamino, and what Boba did after his father died.

The writing is at a 9 to 12 year old level, but I don’t think older fans would mind it that much. I’m 24 and enjoying reading a novelization of Boba’s younger days, as I don’t like comics. There’s some touching scenes, and it’s fun to read about Boba’s transformation from an orphaned ten-year-old to the merciless bounty hunter he is in the future. I can’t wait to see what else Jango’s black book has to say to Boba.

3/5.