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jaredkwheeler's review
3.0
Star Wars Legends Project #274
Background: Princess Leia and the Royal Ransom was published in July of 2009, the second in the Star Wars Adventures series of graphic novellas. It was written by [a:Jeremy Barlow|20006|Jeremy Barlow|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1451249560p2/20006.jpg] with art by [a:Carlo Soriano|3002882|Carlo Soriano|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. Barlow wrote a few dozen issues of various comics, including 3 from this series, and was editor for the Clone Wars Adventures graphic novellas that preceded it, as well as the first half of the Knights of the Old Republic run. This is Soriano's only Star Wars credit.
Princess Leia and the Royal Ransom takes place about 2 years after the Battle of Yavin. The main characters are Han Solo and Princess Leia, along with Chewbacca, and has an appearance by the crime lord Raze. The story takes place in various locations (but mostly aboard the Millennium Falcon).
Summary: While hurrying to deliver important information to the Rebellion, Han makes an unscheduled stop-off to pick up some smuggling cargo. But he and his companions are shocked to learn that his new cargo is a kidnapped princess, which puts them all at the center of a much more complicated adventure than they were expecting.
Review: This is a reasonably fun story that's fast-paced and action-packed. It's perfectly serviceable and suits the format and length of the series very well. What I want to know is, why is Leia's story in this series actually about Han? He already had his story, and she wasn't even in it. So why is she stuck playing second-fiddle to him in her own story? This is just an incredibly shoddy way to treat her character. She doesn't make any of the important decisions that drive the plot and she spends the entire narrative following Han around complaining (rightly!) about his incredibly poor choices. I don't understand how this book made it through an entire approval process without anyone raising an objection and suggesting a rewrite . . . It's not like Leia can't carry a story, for crying out loud. So . . . regardless of how entertaining the story is judged by other criteria, I can't forgive it that nonsense.
C
Background: Princess Leia and the Royal Ransom was published in July of 2009, the second in the Star Wars Adventures series of graphic novellas. It was written by [a:Jeremy Barlow|20006|Jeremy Barlow|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1451249560p2/20006.jpg] with art by [a:Carlo Soriano|3002882|Carlo Soriano|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. Barlow wrote a few dozen issues of various comics, including 3 from this series, and was editor for the Clone Wars Adventures graphic novellas that preceded it, as well as the first half of the Knights of the Old Republic run. This is Soriano's only Star Wars credit.
Princess Leia and the Royal Ransom takes place about 2 years after the Battle of Yavin. The main characters are Han Solo and Princess Leia, along with Chewbacca, and has an appearance by the crime lord Raze. The story takes place in various locations (but mostly aboard the Millennium Falcon).
Summary: While hurrying to deliver important information to the Rebellion, Han makes an unscheduled stop-off to pick up some smuggling cargo. But he and his companions are shocked to learn that his new cargo is a kidnapped princess, which puts them all at the center of a much more complicated adventure than they were expecting.
Review: This is a reasonably fun story that's fast-paced and action-packed. It's perfectly serviceable and suits the format and length of the series very well. What I want to know is, why is Leia's story in this series actually about Han? He already had his story, and she wasn't even in it. So why is she stuck playing second-fiddle to him in her own story? This is just an incredibly shoddy way to treat her character. She doesn't make any of the important decisions that drive the plot and she spends the entire narrative following Han around complaining (rightly!) about his incredibly poor choices. I don't understand how this book made it through an entire approval process without anyone raising an objection and suggesting a rewrite . . . It's not like Leia can't carry a story, for crying out loud. So . . . regardless of how entertaining the story is judged by other criteria, I can't forgive it that nonsense.
C
rachelmcg2004's review
2.0
I know, shocking that I’d rate a book starring Princess Leia in it anything less than 5 stars.
But it was just SO SEXIST.
The drawings of all the women were unnecessarily sexualized in every. single. frame. It got to the point where I looked at the creative team who made this book to see if any women were on the team. Nope. Only men were.
Which I think is utterly ridiculous. Princess Leia is a feminist icon. She is the literal definition of kicks butt and takes names. The one time she was dehumanized by an abuser, she strangled him. With the chain he used to enslave her.
#WHATAQUEEN
So, you’re telling me, team of creative writers that somehow does not include any women, that this same woman would take all of Han’s derogatory and sexist comments???
For example: Han does something stupid. Leia calls him out on it. Han makes a comment about Leia not being good enough, or being too uptight, or being too much “like a Princess” or “not being ENOUGH like a Princess.” Then Leia just takes it and the scene moves on.
UHM
NO.
NO FREAKIN WAY WOULD THE REAL LEIA DO THIS!!!!
Yeah, maybe your male-fantasy Leia who exists to cheer you on and be your sexy sidekick lady would.
But that is in no way our Princess and General Leia Organa.
In fact, she would probably come down and strangle you guys for twisting her into that.
It’s not looking good for you.
And finally: Han Solo. He was such a trashbag in this book. In the movies, he gets away with some teasing that could be considered sexist, except his delivery is always just that: teasing. I know for some women, this is enough to hurt them. And that is COMPLETELY valid. The way I look at it though, the way he conveyed his teasing was all right. Because Leia teases him right back. And she is perfectly capable of not caring a hoot what he thinks. Don’t underestimate our Leia. She’s far stronger than Han Solo and even most of us even think. So don’t let her short stature, personal tragedy, and royal title lead you to put her in a box. Because she’ll break out of any box you try and put her in. With #style.
The way I see it is, MovieHan never means any of his teasing in an offensive way. He’s just trying to find a way to relate to this girl that he is hopelessly in love with - guaranteed, in a very childish and dumb way. And I don’t mean to enable men who try to use meanness to attract women. Because that is evil. But there is a difference in my mind between that and what MovieHan comes across as. I mean, there’s a reason why Han and Leia are one of the greatest love stories in all of Star Wars.
But, in this book, Han does not come across as someone trying (and mostly failing) to be charming. Since we get no inflection behind his words, they come across as sharp and cutting. Coupled with the artwork - which often portrays Han as surly and angry - this paints a picture of someone Han could easily have become in the movies - a poster child for the patriarchy - but someone that he ultimately did not morph into due to the acting talent of Harrison Ford.
To sum up: In this book, Han is cruel to Leia and she just takes it. That’s about as OUT OF CHARACTER as you can get.
2 STARS ONLY FOR LEIA CONTENT (AND THAT ONE TIME SHE SAVED THE OTHER PRINCESS’S LIFE WHICH WAS AWESOME).
But it was just SO SEXIST.
The drawings of all the women were unnecessarily sexualized in every. single. frame. It got to the point where I looked at the creative team who made this book to see if any women were on the team. Nope. Only men were.
Which I think is utterly ridiculous. Princess Leia is a feminist icon. She is the literal definition of kicks butt and takes names. The one time she was dehumanized by an abuser, she strangled him. With the chain he used to enslave her.
#WHATAQUEEN
So, you’re telling me, team of creative writers that somehow does not include any women, that this same woman would take all of Han’s derogatory and sexist comments???
For example: Han does something stupid. Leia calls him out on it. Han makes a comment about Leia not being good enough, or being too uptight, or being too much “like a Princess” or “not being ENOUGH like a Princess.” Then Leia just takes it and the scene moves on.
UHM
NO.
NO FREAKIN WAY WOULD THE REAL LEIA DO THIS!!!!
Yeah, maybe your male-fantasy Leia who exists to cheer you on and be your sexy sidekick lady would.
But that is in no way our Princess and General Leia Organa.
In fact, she would probably come down and strangle you guys for twisting her into that.
It’s not looking good for you.
And finally: Han Solo. He was such a trashbag in this book. In the movies, he gets away with some teasing that could be considered sexist, except his delivery is always just that: teasing. I know for some women, this is enough to hurt them. And that is COMPLETELY valid. The way I look at it though, the way he conveyed his teasing was all right. Because Leia teases him right back. And she is perfectly capable of not caring a hoot what he thinks. Don’t underestimate our Leia. She’s far stronger than Han Solo and even most of us even think. So don’t let her short stature, personal tragedy, and royal title lead you to put her in a box. Because she’ll break out of any box you try and put her in. With #style.
The way I see it is, MovieHan never means any of his teasing in an offensive way. He’s just trying to find a way to relate to this girl that he is hopelessly in love with - guaranteed, in a very childish and dumb way. And I don’t mean to enable men who try to use meanness to attract women. Because that is evil. But there is a difference in my mind between that and what MovieHan comes across as. I mean, there’s a reason why Han and Leia are one of the greatest love stories in all of Star Wars.
But, in this book, Han does not come across as someone trying (and mostly failing) to be charming. Since we get no inflection behind his words, they come across as sharp and cutting. Coupled with the artwork - which often portrays Han as surly and angry - this paints a picture of someone Han could easily have become in the movies - a poster child for the patriarchy - but someone that he ultimately did not morph into due to the acting talent of Harrison Ford.
To sum up: In this book, Han is cruel to Leia and she just takes it. That’s about as OUT OF CHARACTER as you can get.
2 STARS ONLY FOR LEIA CONTENT (AND THAT ONE TIME SHE SAVED THE OTHER PRINCESS’S LIFE WHICH WAS AWESOME).
booknooknoggin's review
2.0
Why does the art look so blurry??? This and the rushed story that wasn't very exciting killed this for me.
knitchick's review
4.0
Cute story featuring Han Solo and Princess Leia working together on a mission for the Rebels. The mission goes a little awry when a detour sets off a chain of events that nearly gets them killed. I can definitely see this being a missing scene or between movies, it's very well written and very much in character.
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