Reviews

The Krytos Trap by Michael A. Stackpole

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hawkeyegough's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I'll be up front about this - I love this book series and am a bit of a homer when it comes to Rogue Squadron and the X-Wing series. At this point one of the authors who have skillfully curated this series and its characters would have to make a pretty large error for me to start disliking one of these books. This book was no exception; I loved it.

The X-Wing books loosely follow Commander Wedge Antilles and Lieutenant Corran Horn, both members of the elite starfighter group known as Rogue Squadron. In this installment, we are treated to some truly enjoyable and classically slightly hammy Star Wars entertainment. All of these books are fun, and despite there being a worldwide plague at the galaxy's capital planet of Coruscant, this novel also fits the bill. Wedge Antilles is easy to root for as a hero, and his somehow realistic blend of pragmatism and very human optimism manages to feel more real than cartoonish, as some Star Wars characters tend to come across - sorry Jar-Jar.

These books do a great job of not repeating themselves, and this one was pretty unique in terms of setting and storyline, although I'll admit that a large portion of the previous book also took place on the planet Coruscant. This Coruscant feels as though it's in transition from the iron grip of the Empire to the more benevolent government of the New Republic, and the tone somehow conveys the hope the citizens are feeling that they might one day see an end to the Empire. This hope bleeds into the setting itself, and makes Coruscant seem like a more vibrant and brighter place. The city canyons feel deeper, the skyhooks with their levitating national parks are higher, and the laser bolts are even brighter neon. Oh! And I would be remiss not to mention that there was a whole whodunnit plotline that added an element of mystery to a usually action-filled genre. I found it and its conclusion to add a layer of intrigue onto the already excellent plot.

I loved how this book managed to weave in several different, seemingly unrelated plotlines into a twisty, fast-paced, well thought-out whole that was layered on top of the already excellent Star Wars framework and spiced with some unique ideas by author Michael A. Stackpole. I am already eyeing the next book on my shelf and eagerly looking forward to picking it up soon.

domireads2023's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

gapagrin's review against another edition

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3.0

One of the things I've really liked about this series is how different each book is, while still staying true to the series theme. The first book was like Top Gun, the second an espionage thriller, and now in the third instalment, we've got a courtroom drama à la John Grisham. The Krytos Trap sees Corran Horn, presumed dead at the end of Wedge's Gamble, a prisoner of Ysanne Isard in her infamous Lusankya prison where she turns people into sleeper agents who later betray their allies without knowing what they're doing.

The rest of Rogue Squadron is caught up in the very high-profile criminal trial of Tycho Celchu, long-suspected to be an Imperial spy and presumed murderer of Corran Horn. All of this while the New Republic government is struggling to provide enough bacta to deal with the Krytos virus unleashed on the planet to kill non-humans by Ysanne Isard and Kirtan Loor is running a counter-insurgency programme.

Yeah, things are really looking up for the New Republic after taking Coruscant.

I found this book a bit tougher to get through than the others - I expected that Tycho would eventually be exonerated because the evidence was a bit TOO stacked against him and also that Corran would escape, so a lot of the book was just getting through the slower build-up while waiting for it to eventually get to the really good stuff - Corran's escape (finding out a bit more about the Jedi in the process) and Tycho's trial. The ending was worth the wait, though. And while not quite the cliff-hanger of the previous book, it certainly leaves you with something to look forward to for the next one - it's time to take on Ysanne Isard.

crystalstarrlight's review against another edition

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5.0

"Great risk is necessary to defeat great evil"
Corran is captured in Isard's feared Lusankya. Tycho Celchu is being convicted of Corran's murder and treason. And the Krytos Virus, a deadly virus that affects only non-humans, threatens to destroy the New Republic. Will Corran return? Will Tycho be released of charges? And can the New Republic get enough bacta to reverse the affects of the virus?
NOTE: Based on audiobook and novel.

I Liked:
This has to be my most favorite of the X-Wing novels. It has everything I love in books: torture, trials, insidious villains, smart plots, and daring heroics!
Firstly, I loved the trial of Tycho Celchu. It was an awesome way of bringing Law & Order into Star Wars and to show off Nawara Ven's skills as an attorney. Plus, we don't know...maybe Tycho *is* the bad guy!
Wedge and Iella have a nice little romance blossoming, one that puts to shame the "romance" between Wedge and Qui Xux. I thought it was a very interesting development, how Iella was married and how he returned.
Corran's capture on Lusankya was also very well done. I've read some bad torture sequences or ones that just don't have me buying it, but this one was interesting. We learn more about Corran and see how he really knows nothing of importance (something that made me chuckle: too often, an author tends to make his/her pet character the best at everything, so this is one thing that Corran lacks). I loved Corran's escape, the reintroduction of Jan Dodonna, and how Corran learns about his Jedi Medallion. Stackpole adds to the Jedi lore, and I thought he did a great job. Sure, it "conflicts" with recent materials, but how was Stackpole supposed to know that back in 1996?
Stackpole also makes some really great, memorable villains. Kirtan Loor is a favorite, obviously, and I liked how he gets himself worked into a corner. Moff Flurry Vorru is really getting interesting in my eyes, starting out ingratiating himself to the New Republic, who freed him, but is slowly worming his way into his own agenda. Even Isard is getting a little more backbone and creepiness. Her releasing of the Krytos Virus to bring down the New Republic is very deft and interesting. This novel is a good example of a well-done bio-weapon.

I Didn't Like:
Lord, this is a hard one.
Dogfights continue to be challenging to work through. The mourning ceremony for Corran was a bit cringe-inducing (random pilot #46886 gets a big, fancy ceremony?).

Dialogue/Sexual Situation/Violence:
Same as the previous.
The Bothan pilot (can't remember her name) has a relationship with Gavin Darklighter. Wedge has feelings for Iella. Erisi has the hots for Corran.

Overall:
This novel is pure brilliance. Great characters, great action, great story. The characters grew and developed, the story handled the well-worn bioweapon/superweapon plot well, and we get to learn more about Jedi! 5 brilliant stars.