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LucasFilm's Alien Chronicles #2
The Crimson Claw
Having learned the archival history of the Viis empire, Ampris begins training the gladiatorial arena in the hopes of securing the future of the slave races, while her childhood best friend, the Viis queen, becomes her mortal enemy. Original.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Deborah Chester
51 books147 followersThe internationally published, award-winning author of 41 novels, Deborah Chester has written Regency romances, historical romances, young adult, science fiction, and fantasy. She is a tenured professor of professional writing in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma, where she teaches novel and short story writing.
She holds a B.A. with General Honors and an M.A. in Journalism; both degrees are from the University of Oklahoma, where she studied professional writing from author/teachers Jack M. Bickham, Robert L. Duncan, and Pulitzer-nominee Carolyn Hart. Chester has been writing professionally since 1978, and has used three pseudonyms – Jay D. Blakeney and Sean Dalton and C. Aubrey Hall for some of her science fiction and fantasy works.
In 2004, she was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America.
She holds a B.A. with General Honors and an M.A. in Journalism; both degrees are from the University of Oklahoma, where she studied professional writing from author/teachers Jack M. Bickham, Robert L. Duncan, and Pulitzer-nominee Carolyn Hart. Chester has been writing professionally since 1978, and has used three pseudonyms – Jay D. Blakeney and Sean Dalton and C. Aubrey Hall for some of her science fiction and fantasy works.
In 2004, she was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 3, 2021
The Crimson Claw is the second book in the Alien Chronicles series. It picks up years after the first book ends. This book is way more exciting than the first one and is the best in the trilogy. I love the gladiator arc and all the new characters introduced. It's less predictable than the first book but the dialogue is still meh. There are a good amount of twists and excitement in book two though so I really enjoyed it.
March 27, 2024
The continuing exploits of Ampris, member of a cat-like race called the Aaroun, one of a number of races oppressed by the authoritarian lizard culture called the Viis. I thought this was a big improvement on The Golden One, which was the first book of The Alien Chronicles. Deborah Chester's writing can be really good, and she seemed genuinely inspired for the first 3/4 of this second volume in the saga. Ampris' progress as a star gladiatorial athlete are captivating reading. Combat scenes were especially well-written. Those usually don't grab me, but I found myself riveted every time Ampris entered the arena. Side drama about the decline of the Viis empire and the progress of Ampris' former Viis owner Israi's life were pretty compelling too. The one plot point early on that I had a hard time accepting was the unlikely appearance of a character from the previous book as her handler/assistant on Fariance. The final fourth of the book is rushed and isn't quite as strong as what precedes it. But I finished pretty enthusiastic about getting started with volume 3 after I get some other reading done. I guess it isn't official Star Wars, although it has the Lucasfilm brand. But if getting to know several fresh alien races sounds intriguing to you, it's worth getting through the first book to enjoy this strong follow-up.
July 7, 2022
The first book focused mainly on courtly life in an empire ignoring its collapse and occasionally touching on the struggles of the lower classes. This book shifts much more to the brutal lives of the downtrodden with only glimpses of what the aristocracy is up to. There's a lot more action in this book due to the main character becoming an gladiator, and the science fiction element becomes more relevant, where it felt like more of a skin over a medieval story in the first book. The writing isn't always the strongest (looking at you, dialog and action scene logic), but it's definitely a more exciting read. It still holds up pretty well to when I read it as a kid in the late-90s, and I'm looking forward to jumping right into the final book!
One minor plot hole that's been bugging me:
One minor plot hole that's been bugging me:
August 19, 2019
Liked it, but not in a couldn’t put it down sort of way.
February 25, 2021
Ok read. At many places it was really confusing to follow. I think the scene jumping happened a lot that's why.
September 26, 2013
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" 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!
I read the first book in this series, "The Golden One" 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!
December 2, 2015
Wow, this series is going downhill fast.
I think the problem I have with it is that I just can't get into stories about animals with humanistic traits. (Which is strange because I enjoyed Disney Robin Hood...) Something is just off reading a story about cat people using lamps and all I do is sit there thinking, 'well, if there was no Tesla or Edison, how the fuck did this happen?' Which then makes me think about how this is a Lucasfilm book, so should I question it? BUT THEN: It's not in the same world as Star Wars.
SO WHAT THE HELL.
Anyway. Talk about strange third half of the book. That's when it all fell apart. I had no idea that they sliced her embryos with that of Vys. It just made me so uncomfortable.
Is is strange that I'm enjoying Isis story more than Ampris? Because it's true, political court drama gets me... even if it's political court drama with lizards.
Anyway. I just decided that I'm not gonna continue on with book three. Maybe when I feel like returning to this for a 'funny' read I will, but no. I'm good.
I think the problem I have with it is that I just can't get into stories about animals with humanistic traits. (Which is strange because I enjoyed Disney Robin Hood...) Something is just off reading a story about cat people using lamps and all I do is sit there thinking, 'well, if there was no Tesla or Edison, how the fuck did this happen?' Which then makes me think about how this is a Lucasfilm book, so should I question it? BUT THEN: It's not in the same world as Star Wars.
SO WHAT THE HELL.
Anyway. Talk about strange third half of the book. That's when it all fell apart. I had no idea that they sliced her embryos with that of Vys. It just made me so uncomfortable.
Is is strange that I'm enjoying Isis story more than Ampris? Because it's true, political court drama gets me... even if it's political court drama with lizards.
Anyway. I just decided that I'm not gonna continue on with book three. Maybe when I feel like returning to this for a 'funny' read I will, but no. I'm good.
June 27, 2010
I listened to the audiobook of Book 1. Ampris becomes the leader of the top gladiator team and tries to use her position to build a network dedicated to freedom for the abiru from domination by the Viis.
January 25, 2011
Liked book 1 a lot. Liked this book even more. I am about to read book 3. Looking forward to finding out how exiled leader Ampris and the Viis princess Israi are going to interact. I think the series is exciting and recommend it highly, especially to scifi lovers.
July 9, 2011
The second in the series. Ampris is fighting as a gladiator, joined up with Elrabin. Israi is impatiently waiting to take the throne. I do wish some parts were expanded on, but otherwise a good second novel.
September 10, 2007
Awesome sci-fi story with a very emotional side to it. I love the characters and the creatures are quite unique
January 26, 2009
Keeps as good as the first, if not even a little better.
January 27, 2016
Enjoyed it more than the first book. Looking forward to the third.
September 8, 2014
Part two doesn't disappoint. ^_^ Rare, for a trilogy.
June 26, 2015
Excellent continuation of the first volume, sweeping and gripping, takes the story off in some very unexpected directions.
November 30, 2015
i loved it and i am going to start on the third book
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews