This book gives us a good unfiltered look at the origins of Han Solo - and I don't mean the character's origins, but the origins of the character. This book was written in 1979 when only the first movie existed and brings back to us the "Solo" part of a man who is primarily concerned with looking out for himself (and, by extension, his ship and his friend). 
I feel it's a good story for Han Solo fans who are seeking more material, he's brash and cocky here in ways that appeal to those that preferred his smuggling and criminal work before the events of RotJ. 
The writing style doesn't appeal to me and I skimmed over the mechanics of space battle in several places.