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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5/5 stars (Goodreads please give us half stars!!!) -
Really good book where you don't get bored for a second while reading. Leia's first steps in the resistance against the Empire. Claudia Gray managed to capture Leia's character perfectly and the story is something fresh and unique and not a retelling of the events that made Leia the person we see in Episode IV in the old Expanded Universe. It's a shame that there's no Winter - but the book manages to do what Tim Zahn did in "Thrawn" - make me like a character I can't stand from a motion picture. In Thrawn that was Prcye and here Amilyn Holdo known from the infamous movie: The Last Jedi! And also what connections to other canon and EU works also was great. The canon can tell very good stories in the books. I wish I could say the same for the shows and movies, because not only do they have bad writing, but they also ignore books like this one, which I find a shame as a reader. Still, I enjoy the novels and have to say that Claudia Gray is a very good - new - writer for Star Wars alongside Cavan Scott and Charles Soule.
Really good book where you don't get bored for a second while reading. Leia's first steps in the resistance against the Empire. Claudia Gray managed to capture Leia's character perfectly and the story is something fresh and unique and not a retelling of the events that made Leia the person we see in Episode IV in the old Expanded Universe. It's a shame that there's no Winter - but the book manages to do what Tim Zahn did in "Thrawn" - make me like a character I can't stand from a motion picture. In Thrawn that was Prcye and here Amilyn Holdo known from the infamous movie: The Last Jedi! And also what connections to other canon and EU works also was great. The canon can tell very good stories in the books. I wish I could say the same for the shows and movies, because not only do they have bad writing, but they also ignore books like this one, which I find a shame as a reader. Still, I enjoy the novels and have to say that Claudia Gray is a very good - new - writer for Star Wars alongside Cavan Scott and Charles Soule.
Full disclosure: I'm a huge Star Wars fan but I've never read any of the books except for a couple several years ago. I usually am just invested in the movies (and TV shows). Until now. Back in November/December I did a re-watch of all the movies in preparation for the last one coming out, and then proceeded to binge The Clone Wars, and the Rebels (and obviously The Mandalorian, Baby Yoda forever). All this to say, I've been in a Star Wars mood with a thirst that cannot be quenched... so I turned to the books.
I don't usually read a lot of tie-ins either so I wasn't sure how to approach this at first. As with any prequels, there's something different about reading a story where you know more of what's gonna happen than the characters do. Usually bad things. There's a sense of doom hanging over everything. Like watching the prequels and knowing who Palpatine really and having to witness everyone missing it until it's too late. In this, every scene--even the happy ones--that included Alderaan, its people, its beauty, just filled me with sadness. It was great, though, for me, to get so much more details on its culture, and on Leia's childhood, her ties to her planet, and especially her parents. We'd seen Bail Organa in the prequels and again in Clone Wars and Rebels, but I loved him here, more in focus. And oh, Leia's mom as well, a character I had never met before (and I'm so glad I did. But again. SADNESS).
My main issue with the book was the romance. I don't dislike romance. I don't even dislike THIS romance, per se. It just felt unnecessary. We know it's not gonna last, that he's going to leave or die or they're going to break up etc. So we're not settling in for an endgame story here, but it still takes a fair chunk of the emotional plot. It got better for me as I shifted my approach from 'love story' to 'Leia's character development'. Then it became an experience she has to go through to become the woman we know. But to be honest, I still think a friendship would have worked fine, especially since we're told she's never had friends her age before. Between Kier and Amilyn Holdo (whose characterization I'm still unsure about--I liked her, but I still have my doubts about her being space Luna Lovegood), there would have been a bigger focus on friendship, alliances, and trust. In a way, I still feel like Leia deserved to be loved in that way but, I don't know. It felt like it was added because for some reason YA books need romance.
The rest was fantastic though. Loved Leia's characterization and growth, seeing the beginnings of the rebellion through her eyes--the fears, the struggles, the passion and dangers. My heart was in my throat when she went to Naboo and wore one of Padmé's dresses without ever knowing the significance of it. I genuinely felt stressed and fearful when Tarkin showed up on Alderaan or when he called her to his office.
I didn't think it was possible for something to make me love Leia more, but this did it.
Those last lines were cruel, though, Claudia Gray. How very dare you break my heart this way.
I don't usually read a lot of tie-ins either so I wasn't sure how to approach this at first. As with any prequels, there's something different about reading a story where you know more of what's gonna happen than the characters do. Usually bad things. There's a sense of doom hanging over everything. Like watching the prequels and knowing who Palpatine really and having to witness everyone missing it until it's too late. In this, every scene--even the happy ones--that included Alderaan, its people, its beauty, just filled me with sadness. It was great, though, for me, to get so much more details on its culture, and on Leia's childhood, her ties to her planet, and especially her parents. We'd seen Bail Organa in the prequels and again in Clone Wars and Rebels, but I loved him here, more in focus. And oh, Leia's mom as well, a character I had never met before (and I'm so glad I did. But again. SADNESS).
My main issue with the book was the romance. I don't dislike romance. I don't even dislike THIS romance, per se. It just felt unnecessary. We know it's not gonna last, that he's going to leave or die or they're going to break up etc. So we're not settling in for an endgame story here, but it still takes a fair chunk of the emotional plot. It got better for me as I shifted my approach from 'love story' to 'Leia's character development'. Then it became an experience she has to go through to become the woman we know. But to be honest, I still think a friendship would have worked fine, especially since we're told she's never had friends her age before. Between Kier and Amilyn Holdo (whose characterization I'm still unsure about--I liked her, but I still have my doubts about her being space Luna Lovegood), there would have been a bigger focus on friendship, alliances, and trust. In a way, I still feel like Leia deserved to be loved in that way but, I don't know. It felt like it was added because for some reason YA books need romance.
The rest was fantastic though. Loved Leia's characterization and growth, seeing the beginnings of the rebellion through her eyes--the fears, the struggles, the passion and dangers. My heart was in my throat when she went to Naboo and wore one of Padmé's dresses without ever knowing the significance of it. I genuinely felt stressed and fearful when Tarkin showed up on Alderaan or when he called her to his office.
I didn't think it was possible for something to make me love Leia more, but this did it.
Those last lines were cruel, though, Claudia Gray. How very dare you break my heart this way.
Leia, Princess of Alderaan is a book that delves deep into the legendary and beloved Star Wars character Leia Organa, but as a teenager. We see her go through the trials to become crowned heir to the crown of Alderaan, as she tries to complete three challenges that prove her worthy. Challenges of heart, mind and body. She learns valuable life lessons, and for the most part painful ones, as she sees the turn of events that make her realize the world as she knows it will never the same. This book was so well written, Claudia Gray really nails it!! It has details and characters that only real Star Wars fans will be able to pick up on (Panaka or Crait anybody?) backstory to some recent on screen characters and even little clues about force sensitivity. Along with new characters that will make you fall in love with them, one line at a time. All in all, a must read for anyone who is interested in star wars.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
"We may make mistakes when we let our hearts guide us—terrible mistakes—but I think we are never wholly wrong.” — Bail Organa to Leia
My goodness! Where do I even begin? This biographical take on our beloved princess sets up the exact character arc we've come to know her for!
The development of her character, not only as an individual, but as a princess, as a girl, as a daughter of the Organas and as the daughter of Alderaan. This book is an absolute treasure!
Here are a few things I must point out which really stood out:
1. The presentation of Alderaan
I've read many legends materials stretching back to the Old Republic, but Alderaan never really received the introduction we had all been longing for.
But then this book came along! I can hardly explain the ambience I felt imagining the planet while reading! It was the Old Republic Alderaan hummed to life with all its rich lifeforms, sounds and melodies. While simultaneously dropping subtle reminders of the planet's fate.
And on top of that, the relationship between Leia and Alderaan! It's like depicting the bonds between Galadriel and Lothlórien/Batman and Gotham!
2. Breha Organa
Fan-tastic! From start to finish! I've rarely seen such rich story of a Star Wars character who has such an important role to play in Star Wars lore but never been shown on-screen. This was one of the best things this book has done!
3. Leia's character development
I don't have any more words to describe! She goes on trying her best, fails, which lead up to terrible consequences, then she repeats them again and again. THIS is how you craft Leia's arc! This is how you make Leia the Princess Leia!
4. Amilyn Holdo
Despite all the controversies surrounding her character in The Last Jedi, Amilyn Holdo's introduction set a great backstory for the movie to follow.
Spoiler
I literally cried twice while reading the part when Leia's witnesses Kier's death alongside Amilyn. Knowing this is the exact way Leia would witness Amilyn's death decades later—made me lose it completely as I started envisioning the moment.
5. Justice for the movies
To be honest, the destruction of Alderaan and Leia's reaction to it never really moved me that much. Partly because that was also the first time knowing about the planet and the fact that Leia's reactions weren't really focused/developed in the film following the destruction. But after finishing this story, it gave me a completely new angle to look through! I would never look at A New Hope or The Last Jedi or even The Rise of Skywalker in the same way again! It forever changed the movies for me!
6. The message
The story gives us the same message that The Last Jedi tries to bring up: "Failure, the greatest teacher is."
Applause and cheers filled the room as Leia rose to her feet and turned to face the crowd. Her parents stood on either side of her, beaming with pride—more pride, even, than many of their guests could know. Through the stained glass windows Leia could catch glimpses of the beautiful planet that she would someday rule.
My parents, Leia thought. My friends. My world.
These are the things the Empire can never take away.
never thought bail organa could make me sob like this
A must for Star Wars fans. Claudia Gray captures Leia's character perfectly in a coming of age story, as a teenage princess takes her first steps into the rebellion against the Empire. Gray nails not only Leia's voice and essence, but also that of Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa (criminally underused in the films). The novel also introduces a new character who will be seen later this year in Episode VIII - The Last Jedi.
To be honest, the reason that I picked this up was to fullfill a reading challenge category for "based on a movie or TV series," but I enjoyed this a surprising amount. I'm a Star Wars fan, but I'm not super crazy knowledgeable like many people, so I'm sure that I missed some winking references, but I enjoyed this exploration of Leia's life be for Star Wars the movie.
Let's be honest; Leia's character was underdeveloped/underutilized in the original trilogy in which the things that people remember most about her are her bikini slave outfit, awkward kiss with her brother, and Han Solo taking her love for granted. When Star Wars: The Force Awakens came out, and Leia is General Leia, many more people finally started to wonder at her character's emotional fortitude, intelligence, and tactical/political shrewdness. Like many others, I was saddened by Carrie Fisher's death, in part because we'll likely never see the powerhouse character that she would've played in Episode IX. This books gives a little bit of a peek into who and what shaped Leia Organa into the leader who she becomes, one who is strong in the Force, but learned skills less flashy, but no less (and maybe more) useful than fighting with light sabers.
Let's be honest; Leia's character was underdeveloped/underutilized in the original trilogy in which the things that people remember most about her are her bikini slave outfit, awkward kiss with her brother, and Han Solo taking her love for granted. When Star Wars: The Force Awakens came out, and Leia is General Leia, many more people finally started to wonder at her character's emotional fortitude, intelligence, and tactical/political shrewdness. Like many others, I was saddened by Carrie Fisher's death, in part because we'll likely never see the powerhouse character that she would've played in Episode IX. This books gives a little bit of a peek into who and what shaped Leia Organa into the leader who she becomes, one who is strong in the Force, but learned skills less flashy, but no less (and maybe more) useful than fighting with light sabers.