Deborah Chester

This is the second book in the "Lucasfilm's Alien Chronicles" trilogy. To tell you the truth, I have no idea what Lucasfilm's involvement in this story was. I assumed they were intended to be made into an animated feature, but on the author's website, it states that "they were never intended to be filmed" (and moreover, that she's never even met George Lucas). So I don't know. They have nothing whatsoever to do with Star Wars, anyway.
I read the first book in this series, "The Golden One" show more shortly after it came out - I think, in 1998. A friend gave it to me, and I basically said, "eh, what is this, some kind of movie tie-in novel?" But she said, "No, it's really really good! You have to read it!"
And, while I can't say it was Great Literature, the story of Ampris, the catlike Aaroun who grows up as a pampered pet in the household of the reptilian Viis princess, somehow stuck with me. (Which is fairly rare: I freely admit that I forget most of what I read for entertainment pretty promptly.) When Ampris is rudely disillusioned upon her sale to a gladitorial training school, she begins to harbor a fierce desire to learn the history of her people and to somehow foment rebellion among all the 'abiru' slave races.
It seems a hopeless task - but the Viis' interstellar empire is decadent and crumbling at its core, attacked by mismanagement, disease, and technological failures.
It took me a while to get this sequel, but all the characters came right back to me. 'The Crimson Claw' sees Ampris become a star gladiator - but she never forgets that she is still a slave, and she still holds out for freedom - not just for herself, but for all... Meanwhile, her former owner, the spoiled and selfish Israi, comes to power at the heart of the Empire - and disaster seems to follow her...
I'm definitely going to wait less than 8 years before getting the last book in this story! While I enjoyed this sequel enormously, it's obvious that much more is coming in the last part! show less

The third and final book in "Lucasfilm's Alien Chronicles," following ‘The Golden One' and ‘The Crimson Claw.'
As it opens, we find Our Hero, Ampris, former pet of the Imperial Ruler, gladiator, slave, and victim of a cruel scientist, living free in the wilderness, with a group of other escaped abiru (slave races). Unfortunately, the wilderness is harsh, and drought has set in. Necessity leads the group toward the Imperial city – but even here, the signs of imminent collapse are show more unavoidable, as the spoiled, selfish Kaa, Israi, is incapable of dealing with the many problems facing her reign. Ampris had set aside her revolutionary aspirations in favor of motherhood (and, while she has many admirable qualities, her mothering skills leave something to be desired – her cubs are insufferable brats, if not downright evil), but in the city, she finds herself again taking on the mantle of subversive leader.
As with the other two books, this is wholly enjoyable, fun space opera – but I was disappointed at the end – there aren't any more books in the series, but the ending is definitely wide open for a sequel, with several unanswered questions, unfinished character arcs, etc... Perhaps someday we'll find out what happens to the next generation? show less

I originally purchased this as an audio book to share with my husband, who doesn't like to read. The audio production was excellent, with a full cast. So why do I have the paperback? Simple, the publisher issued volumes 1 and 2 in audio, but never released volume 3! I have a few colorful words to say about that, but will stick the reviewing the novel. The story was so good I had to buy the paperbacks to get the conclusion. This is a wonderful space opera. All the races/peoples in the trilogy show more are "aliens" - no humans to be found. A repitilian race has enslaved many other species of sentient beings. But, a messiah is coming to lead them in a revolution against their oppressers. And she will be raised as a companion to the princess herself. Friends will become enemies, and an empire hangs in the balance. Highly recommended. show less

Intriguing story focusing less on adventure and thrills and more on the drama of exploring a new world. All the characters are well written, and for once we have a pair of kids who aren't annoying.