Who is Han Solo from Dark Force Rising and what is their importance?

Han Solo is a bold, brash, and talented ex-smuggler, who is now married to Princess Leia. Solo is Luke Skywalker's best friend. He has resigned his commision with the rebellion, upsetting Admiral Ackbar. Over the course of the novel, we learn about Han Solo's youth, his time at the Imperial Academy, and the reason he was expelled.