From Publishers Weekly
Wolverton ( Serpent Catch ) attempts to add nuance and intrigue to the smash-bang atmosphere that propelled to the stratosphere the Star War movies and Timothy Zahn's three books set in that universe. Readers of the present installment, whose events occur after the films but before Zahn's works, likely already know who Princess Leia will marry, so Wolverton deserves high marks just for making the journey along the road to the inevitable interesting. He generally avoids comic book-style action and artificial climaxes such as having a major character appear to die only to be redeemed at the last moment, but his concentration on familiar characters is disappointing. Though there is plenty of graphic violence, true depth is lacking. All in all, the novel raises expectations for Wolverton's future works once he moves on to other things. 375,000 first printing; TV advertising. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Still at war with the Empire, the fledgling New Republic receives an offer of alliance with the 63 worlds of the Hapes Consortium, provided that Princess Leia will marry its heir, Prince Isolder. As Gen. Han Solo and Isolder fight a cosmic battle for Leia's heart, the discovery of a conspiracy of dark-force wielders lures Luke, Han, Leia, and Isolder to a rendezvous with danger on the mysterious planet Dathomir. Wolverton ( On My Way to Paradise , LJ 12/89) is a vivid scene builder, capturing the cinematic flavor of the Star Wars universe while expanding on the outer reaches of the galaxy. Regrettably, his characterizations just miss the mark. There will probably be a demand for this title despite its shortcomings. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 1/94.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
The latest in the Star Wars book series finds Han Solo discovering that he has a rival--one Prince Isolder--for Princess Leia's hand and that the New Republic's VIPs and even Leia herself are seriously considering a match with the prince. What happens then involves taking what many will regard as considerable liberties with the characters of Leia and Han, though a good deal of lost ground is recovered once the action, of which there is plenty, shifts to the long-obscure planet of Dathomir. There the happy ending is worked out in a desperate battle with Force-capable witches both good and bad while Threepio contributes comedy as he tries to advance Han's suit without understanding much about human love. Wolverton is not as comfortable with the Star Wars universe as Timothy Zahn, but he manages to offer the mighty host of SW fans good entertainment. Roland Green


From Kirkus Reviews
If you thought Han Solo and Princess Leia were an item--not so fast. Leia has visited the planet Hapes to plead with the Queen Mother for weapons and ships; and now the Queen Mother's son, Prince Isolder, has sent his battle fleet to planet Coruscant, along with a mountain of hugely expensive gifts. Isolder, it seems, desires to marry Leia and join his forces with those of the New Republic in the continuing struggle against the Empire. Then Han wins planet Dathomir in a card game and persuades Leia to accompany him there. Luke suspects that Dathomir also harbors someone strong in the Force and discovers the Nightsisters who fought with Yoda's Jedi long ago. With firmer prose, more realistic dialogue, and more action than the previous Star Wars outing (Kathy Tyers's bestselling The Truce at Bakura--not reviewed), this should sell at least as well. (First printing of 375,000) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Book Description
Seeking rich, powerful allies to bring into the Rebel Alliance and a new home planet for the refugees of her native Alderaan, Princess Leia considers a proposal that could tip the balance of power against the evil Empire. The Hapes Consortium of 63 worlds is ruled by the Queen Mother, who wants Leia to marry her son, the dashing and wealthy Prince Isolder. Han Solo has always dreamed of marrying Leia himself, and now he makes a desperate last gamble to win her back. Soon he, Isolder, Luke Skywalker and Artoo will be at the center of an adventure leading to an awesome treasure, a group of Force-trained "witches," and a showdown with an invincible foe.


The publisher, Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.
"Seeking rich, powerful allies to bring into the Rebel Alliance and a new home planet for the refugees of her native Alderaan, Princess Leia considers a proposal that could tip the balance of power against the evil Empire. The Hapes Consortium of 63 worlds is ruled by the Queen Mother, who wants Leia to marry her son, the dashing and wealthy Prince Isolder. Han Solo has always dreamed of marrying Leia himself, and now he makes a desperate last gamble to win her back. Soon he, Isolder, Luke Skywalker and Artoo will be at the center of an adventure leading to an awesome treasure, a group of Force-trained "witches," and a showdown with an invincible foe.


From the Inside Flap
Seeking rich, powerful allies to bring into the  Rebel Alliance and a new home planet for the  refugees of her native Alderaan, Princess Leia  considers a proposal that could tip the balance of power  against the evil Empire. The Hapes Consortium of  63 worlds is ruled by the Queen Mother, who wants  Leia to marry her son, the dashing and wealthy  Prince Isolder. Han Solo has always dreamed of  marrying Leia himself, and now he makes a desperate  last gamble to win her back. Soon he, Isolder,  Luke Skywalker and Artoo will be at the center of an  adventure leading to an awesome treasure, a group  of Force-trained "witches," and a  showdown with an invincible foe.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Darth Vader and the Emperor are dead, but the Empire lives on. Princess Leia considers a marriage proposal that could tip the balance of power against the evil Empire, but as starcruisers battle for control of space, can Han Solo finally win the heart of Leia?

ANNOTATION

A bold adventure set in the Star Wars universe. As the future hangs in the balance, a politically advantageous royal marriage creates complications for Princess Leia and Han Solo, while a deadly new user of the Force on the planet Dathomir poses an even graver danger to Luke Skywalker.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Darth Vader and the Emperor are dead, but the Empire lives on and the Alliance must continue the struggle with dwindling supplies of cash and resources. Princess Leia, seeking rich, powerful allies to bring into the Alliance and a new planet as a home for the influential refugees of Alderaan, considers a proposal that could tip the balance of power against the evil Empire. The Hapes consortium, a cluster of sixty-three high-tech worlds, is ruled by the Queen Mother, who wants Leia to marry her son, the dashing and wealthy Prince Isolder. When Han Solo hears the news of Leia's impending nuptials, he reacts with shock. Han always dreamed of marrying Leia himself, but in spite of his heroic exploits he feels that she sees him as nothing more than a shiftless rogue and Corellian pirate, unworthy of her hand. Now he makes a desperate last gamble to win her back. Tricking Leia into accompanying him, Han flees with her to the beautiful and untamed planet Dathomir, where he hopes to win her heart. Fearing the imperious queen's reaction to Han's rash move, Luke Skywalker forms an unlikely alliance with Prince Isolder to track down the runaways. Luke has been traveling the far reaches of the galaxy in search of the scattered lore of the Jedi Knights. But when he, Artoo, and Isolder set off to Dathomir, Luke little suspects that it is only the beginning of an adventure that will lead to the discovery of an awesome treasure, a group of Force-trained "witches" ...and a showdown with an invincible foe. The Courtship of Princess Leia relives the swashbuckling epic of the Star Wars film trilogy as starcruisers battle for control of space, knights of a forbidden order rise again, and a pirate sues for the heart of a maiden.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Wolverton ( Serpent Catch ) attempts to add nuance and intrigue to the smash-bang atmosphere that propelled to the stratosphere the Star War movies and Timothy Zahn's three books set in that universe. Readers of the present installment, whose events occur after the films but before Zahn's works, likely already know who Princess Leia will marry, so Wolverton deserves high marks just for making the journey along the road to the inevitable interesting. He generally avoids comic book-style action and artificial climaxes such as having a major character appear to die only to be redeemed at the last moment, but his concentration on familiar characters is disappointing. Though there is plenty of graphic violence, true depth is lacking. All in all, the novel raises expectations for Wolverton's future works once he moves on to other things. 375,000 first printing; TV advertising. (Apr.)

Library Journal

Still at war with the Empire, the fledgling New Republic receives an offer of alliance with the 63 worlds of the Hapes Consortium, provided that Princess Leia will marry its heir, Prince Isolder. As Gen. Han Solo and Isolder fight a cosmic battle for Leia's heart, the discovery of a conspiracy of dark-force wielders lures Luke, Han, Leia, and Isolder to a rendezvous with danger on the mysterious planet Dathomir. Wolverton ( On My Way to Paradise , LJ 12/89) is a vivid scene builder, capturing the cinematic flavor of the Star Wars universe while expanding on the outer reaches of the galaxy. Regrettably, his characterizations just miss the mark. There will probably be a demand for this title despite its shortcomings. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 1/94.

BookList - Roland Green