Search - The Crystal Eye (LucasFilm's Alien Chronicles, Book 3)

A favorite of mine when I was a teenager. Storyline is a little predictable, but who doesn't love a story about a revolution? Ampris grows a lot through the series, becoming a believable hero.

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 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?