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book_lizard42's review against another edition
Martha Wells captures the voices of Leia and Han.
mistwhisper117's review against another edition
3.0
The bulk of the book is about the side quest instead of the main adventure.
mikehuffman's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
It's fine. Might be a YA novel idk.
rystonlentil43's review against another edition
It's been a little while since I've engaged much with Star Wars and it was fun at first to spend time with Leia and Han, who I think are written well, but overall this book felt unbearably inefficient. It's like every point has to be made at least twice. Also, I assume this was just an error in the formatting of the ebook, but there was no distinction between POV changes, and the belated adjustment every time I realized a paragraph was happening somewhere else certainly didn't help the pacing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery
erincataldi's review against another edition
4.0
I was a MAJOR fan of the special effects and the narrator. They really helped pull the story together. Don't let the cover fool you either; Princess Leia is the star of this show with Han Solo following close behind, Luke Skywalker on the other-hand is a minor footnote in this tale of deceit, cunning, and badassery. When Princess Leia is forced to flee into pirate territory she has no idea how dire her situation has become. She may not be battling imperial ships, but she does have to contend with backstabbing Alderaaneans, untrustworthy pirates, and Han who is forever pushing on her nerves. Fast paced and full of near misses, action, and riveting chase scenes. This book is pure fun!
cyris_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
vulcanlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It was action packed, but also filled with interesting characters and using the perspectives of Luke, Leia, and Han throughout critical points in the story really helped it along. I liked seeing Leia's perspective on such a complex situation, and was kept guessing until the end about what would happen.
mxsallybend's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, so we all know that stories within the Star Wars expanded universe can be hit or miss. In fact, Timothy Zahn is about the only author I've found to be consistently entertaining, which is why I was excited to see some big name authors stepping in to explore the universe.
First up for the Empire and Rebellion saga is Martha Wells, with her Princess Leia focused novel, Razor's Edge. As a vehicle for exploring Leia's character, it works rather well. We really get to see her as a leader, as a political force to be reckoned with, and as somebody suffering under a lot of pressure. Wells bravely tackles the guilt that comes with the death of Alderaan, and even more bravely wades into the awkward quagmire that is her romance with Han Solo.
Beyond that, though, I didn't feel the book really offered anything new or significant. As nice as it is to revisit old friends, there are only so many stories to be told in the gaps between movies, especially since its hard to generate any real drama when you know everybody makes through the next move alive. There are some great action scenes, and some fun moments, but it felt like Wells tried too hard to maintain the frantic pacing of the movies. It's just one climax on top of another, until you're numb to it all.
This was by no means the worst Star Wars adventure I've ever read - there's a flair to Wells' writing not commonly found in tie-ins, and I am still eager to read more of her work. I can certainly appreciate Leia getting her chance in the spotlight, but if Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman taught us anything, it's that Star Wars needs move beyond the story we already know, and start contributing to a new one.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
First up for the Empire and Rebellion saga is Martha Wells, with her Princess Leia focused novel, Razor's Edge. As a vehicle for exploring Leia's character, it works rather well. We really get to see her as a leader, as a political force to be reckoned with, and as somebody suffering under a lot of pressure. Wells bravely tackles the guilt that comes with the death of Alderaan, and even more bravely wades into the awkward quagmire that is her romance with Han Solo.
Beyond that, though, I didn't feel the book really offered anything new or significant. As nice as it is to revisit old friends, there are only so many stories to be told in the gaps between movies, especially since its hard to generate any real drama when you know everybody makes through the next move alive. There are some great action scenes, and some fun moments, but it felt like Wells tried too hard to maintain the frantic pacing of the movies. It's just one climax on top of another, until you're numb to it all.
This was by no means the worst Star Wars adventure I've ever read - there's a flair to Wells' writing not commonly found in tie-ins, and I am still eager to read more of her work. I can certainly appreciate Leia getting her chance in the spotlight, but if Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman taught us anything, it's that Star Wars needs move beyond the story we already know, and start contributing to a new one.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
bookhoarding's review against another edition
4.0
In this adventure our heroes find themselves fresh off the success of defeating the Empire in A New Hope and in the midst of trying to build a solid Alliance (before Empire Strikes Back). On her way to securing a meeting for the Alliance Leia (and Han, by association) get caught up in an adventure with survivors of the Alderaan catastrophe.
The Star Wars Expanded Universe has come a long way since Timothy Zahn's first foray, and this book follows in his tradition of forging new ground, yet maintaining the tone of the universe we've grow accustomed with. There are major improvements since the first novels, and this book shows that the characters can become dynamic and the plot can be compelling. We get the first whispers of something between Han and Leia, glimpses into Luke's growth away from a home and a good amount of exposure to the rest of the rich universe.
I liked that the focus of the book was not solely based on epic space battles (though there are definitely space skirmishes, so don't worry), but on issues that would sprout from massive warfare, like the refugee experience. Through Leia's eyes we gain exposure to the pain of losing Alderaan and the attempt to find home with those that have survived. I'm assuming that the rest of this series (titled: Empire and Rebellion) will go along the same lines and build on the ships and crews we see here.
Leia and Metara are fantastic foils for each other, but also act to show that there are strong, female, leaders in the Star Wars universe. Both women want to do what is best for those under their protection, but both choose drastically different paths, which really drives the first half of the novel.
I highly recommend this for fans of: Star Wars books, Star Wars, Star Wars films.
The Star Wars Expanded Universe has come a long way since Timothy Zahn's first foray, and this book follows in his tradition of forging new ground, yet maintaining the tone of the universe we've grow accustomed with. There are major improvements since the first novels, and this book shows that the characters can become dynamic and the plot can be compelling. We get the first whispers of something between Han and Leia, glimpses into Luke's growth away from a home and a good amount of exposure to the rest of the rich universe.
I liked that the focus of the book was not solely based on epic space battles (though there are definitely space skirmishes, so don't worry), but on issues that would sprout from massive warfare, like the refugee experience. Through Leia's eyes we gain exposure to the pain of losing Alderaan and the attempt to find home with those that have survived. I'm assuming that the rest of this series (titled: Empire and Rebellion) will go along the same lines and build on the ships and crews we see here.
Leia and Metara are fantastic foils for each other, but also act to show that there are strong, female, leaders in the Star Wars universe. Both women want to do what is best for those under their protection, but both choose drastically different paths, which really drives the first half of the novel.
I highly recommend this for fans of: Star Wars books, Star Wars, Star Wars films.