From Publishers Weekly
While this is easily the best of a bestselling series (the five earlier books all made the New York Times bestseller list), its flaws are still obvious. The problem rises from the Star Wars film tradition in which banter was stronger than logic, an arrangement that suffers in print. Leia, former princess, now Chief of State of the New Republic, attempts to rescue her children, who have been kidnapped by Lord Hethrir, leader of the evil organization, the Empire Reborn. Coincidence piles upon improbability at warp speed as scenes shift from Leia to the children to Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, who have left on vacation with See-Threepio. At Crseih Station, located in a system with a double star, one of which is a black hole, the threesome encounter a mysterious being called Waru and the even more enigmatic Xaverri. McIntyre (Transition) draws her characters with skill, especially Han and Leia's daughter Jaina, but she weaves a plot full of holes, suggesting that the world she writes of may be alien to her in more ways than one. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
The abduction of her children sends Princess Leia across the galaxy in pursuit of the kidnappers, unaware that her search will coincide with Han and Luke's attempts to uncover a rumored enclave of Jedi Knights on the fringes of former imperial territory. This latest addition to the popular Star Wars series adds a new dimension to the lives of its heroes as the children of Leia and Han Solo, who refuse to remain passive victims, embark on an adventure of their own. The author of Dreamsnake (Dell, 1986) and the "Starfarers" series captures the feel of the Star Wars universe in this fast-paced sf adventure. McIntyre's talent and the popularity of the subject make this essential for libraries. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
In The Crystal Star, Leia's three children are kidnapped, and she goes to find them with the help of Chewbacca and R2-D2. Hans and Luke are on a mission to save the planet Creseih. Anthony Heald, the consummate reader, does an excellent rendition of this modern classic. His abilities elevate him above all others. Reproducing the character voices with great effectiveness, his voice, enhanced by sound effects, keeps the listener riveted. This action-filled, well-paced performance is worth listening to over and over. M.E.M. An AUDIOFILE Earphones Award winner (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
With several Star Trek novels to her credit, award-winning sf veteran McIntyre ventures into the ever-popular Star Wars territory, lending a hard-science veneer to familiar themes and characters by introducing a space-bending, crystalline star. While touring the outer worlds of the New Republic, Leia and Han's children are kidnapped and taken to a remote planet by power-mad Empire loyalist Lord Hethrir. Bent on retrieving them and with a badly injured Chewbacca and the always resourceful Artoo-Detoo joining her, Leia follows a winding, hyperspace trail to an outpost of enslaved children. Meanwhile, unaware of the abduction, Han, Luke, and See-Threepio investigate rumors of lost Jedi knights by voyaging to Crseih Station, where a nearby black hole and an orbiting crystal star put them in constant mortal danger. There Leia's and Han's paths intersect in a struggle to rescue their children, uncover the source of the Jedi rumors, and stop Lord Hethrir before he gains enough power to usher in an Empire Reborn. McIntyre neatly weaves together gripping, edge-of-your-seat action with intriguing, original plot developments and characters that notably include an enigmatic, Force-guided creature named Waru. Star Wars fans will certainly enjoy the book, but McIntyre's superlative storytelling gives it much broader appeal. Carl Hays


Midwest Book Review
Vonda McIntyre is an award winning author of science fiction and fantasy. She brings her own unique talents to the Star Wars universe by continuing and expanding the Star Wars tradition with Star Wars: The Crystal Star. As Princess Leia and Chewbacca follow a trail of treachery across space and Luke Skywalker and Han Solo draw closer to the truth behind a sinister cult, the moment nears for an explosive showdown that could determine the fate of the entire universe. Performed by Anthony Heald, Star Wars: The Crystal Star comes complete with the original Star Wars music and splendid sound effects.

ANNOTATION

Leia's children are missing. Han and Luke are looking for a lost enclave of Jedi Knights. So Leia, Chewie, and Artoo-Detoo search for the children themselves. Two parallel quests will lead to a strange crystal star, where a being of astonishing powers is attracting followers in droves--and where a former Imperial officer is planning to resurrect the Empire.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

First Timothy Zahn reopened the door to George Lucas's dazzling universe with his New York Times-bestselling Star Wars trilogy. Then Kathy Tyers's The Truce at Bakura took readers back to the fateful days following the events in Return of the Jedi. And with The Courtship of Princess Leia Dave Wolverton chronicled Han Solo's turbulent campaign for the princess's hand. Now, award-winning author Vonda N. McIntyre continues the tradition as the ultimate space adventure unfolds in The Crystal Star.

Princess Leia is dealt a crushing blow when her three children—Anakin and the twins Jaina and Jacen—are kidnapped. Leia's advisers counsel her to wait for a ransom note, but waiting is the hardest thing for a mother to do when her children are in danger—and worse than waiting is her discovery that she cannot sense her children through the Force.

Ultimately, the princess has no choice. She, Chewbacca, and Artoo-Detoo track the kidnappers, following their trail to a disabled refugee ship where the answers provided by Rillao, a mysterious fugitive, only provoke more questions. The refugees' children are also missing—and Rillao thinks she knows who has them: a powerful Imperial officer named Hethrir who has his own twisted plans to restore the Empire to its former glory.

Meanwhile, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker are on a separate mission to the planet Crseih to investigate a report of a lost group of Jedi. Crseih is at the mercy
of strange quantum effects caused by the death of a nearby star that is slowly freezing into a uniquely perfect crystal. This crystal star causes a disruption in the Force,blunting Luke's power and cutting the Millennium Falcon off from Leia and their home base. What Han and Luke find on the planet is even stranger than a crystallizing sun: a charismatic alien named Waru who has attracted a following of fanatic devotees through his miraculous healing powers. Is Waru a being of benevolence? Or do his healing arts conceal a darker purpose? As Leia, Chewbacca, and Rillao follow Hethri trail of treachery across space, Luke and Han draw closer to the truth behind Waru' sinister cult. Ultimately they will face an explosive showdown that could determine not only their own fates and the fate of the New Republic but whether the universe itself will survive.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

While this is easily the best of a bestselling series (the five earlier books all made the New York Times bestseller list), its flaws are still obvious. The problem rises from the Star Wars film tradition in which banter was stronger than logic, an arrangement that suffers in print. Leia, former princess, now Chief of State of the New Republic, attempts to rescue her children, who have been kidnapped by Lord Hethrir, leader of the evil organization, the Empire Reborn. Coincidence piles upon improbability at warp speed as scenes shift from Leia to the children to Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, who have left on vacation with See-Threepio. At Crseih Station, located in a system with a double star, one of which is a black hole, the threesome encounter a mysterious being called Waru and the even more enigmatic Xaverri. McIntyre (Transition) draws her characters with skill, especially Han and Leia's daughter Jaina, but she weaves a plot full of holes, suggesting that the world she writes of may be alien to her in more ways than one. (Nov.)

Library Journal

The abduction of her children sends Princess Leia across the galaxy in pursuit of the kidnappers, unaware that her search will coincide with Han and Luke's attempts to uncover a rumored enclave of Jedi Knights on the fringes of former imperial territory. This latest addition to the popular Star Wars series adds a new dimension to the lives of its heroes as the children of Leia and Han Solo, who refuse to remain passive victims, embark on an adventure of their own. The author of Dreamsnake (Dell, 1986) and the "Starfarers" series captures the feel of the Star Wars universe in this fast-paced sf adventure. McIntyre's talent and the popularity of the subject make this essential for libraries. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 8/94.]

BookList - Carl Hays

With several Star Trek novels to her credit, award-winning sf veteran McIntyre ventures into the ever-popular Star Wars territory, lending a hard-science veneer to familiar themes and characters by introducing a space-bending, crystalline star. While touring the outer worlds of the New Republic, Leia and Han's children are kidnapped and taken to a remote planet by power-mad Empire loyalist Lord Hethrir. Bent on retrieving them and with a badly injured Chewbacca and the always resourceful Artoo-Detoo joining her, Leia follows a winding, hyperspace trail to an outpost of enslaved children. Meanwhile, unaware of the abduction, Han, Luke, and See-Threepio investigate rumors of lost Jedi knights by voyaging to Crseih Station, where a nearby black hole and an orbiting crystal star put them in constant mortal danger. There Leia's and Han's paths intersect in a struggle to rescue their children, uncover the source of the Jedi rumors, and stop Lord Hethrir before he gains enough power to usher in an Empire Reborn. McIntyre neatly weaves together gripping, edge-of-your-seat action with intriguing, original plot developments and characters that notably include an enigmatic, Force-guided creature named Waru. Star Wars fans will certainly enjoy the book, but McIntyre's superlative storytelling gives it much broader appeal.

AudioFile - Maureen E. McConnell