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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Sixteen-year-old Princess Leia Organa is going to be named heir to the throne of Alderaan and must prove herself in body, mind and heart; she's taking rigorous survival courses, practicing politics, and spearheading relief missions to worlds under Imperial control. On top of all that, Leia notices that her parents, Bail and Breha, are acting strange. Deciding to investigate, she comes across a secret that puts her in the crosshairs of the Empire, and on her path to join a new rebellion.
Leia: Princess of Alderaan (PoA) gets a little lost in the shuffle with her other YA juggernaut and universally loved Lost Stars but it is a key book for any fan of Star Wars and especially for Princess Leia fans. Like Lost Stars, it is also getting a Manga series adaptation and Vol. 1 is out now, which covers the first eight chapters. So if you like beautiful art to accompany great storytelling, and Haruichi's art is a site to behold, then consider picking up the manga. Either way, here are three reasons why Leia Princess of Alderaan is worth your investment (NO SPOILERS):
1. Alderaanian Culture and Alderaan's Importance in Star Wars
Reading through PoA, you begin to understand why Alderaan was targeted by the Empire in Star Wars: A New Hope. Alderaan was the manifestation of hope for billions, born there and who claimed refuge there and that would always present a challenge to the ideals and might of the Empire. This is not only a Princess Leia novel but also an Alderaan novel and highlights what made that planet so special in Star Wars canon.
2. This is the Most Time You are Ever Going to Get with Breha Organa
While we get a good chunk of time with Bail Organa and his political contributions to the Republic and Rebellion through shows and films, we get nothing from Breha Organa. Queen Breha is also a "mention only" in so many canon novels and comics but rarely ever featured. In PoA, you get to see her relationship with Leia but also some more information on her backstory. She is not a passive participant in the Rebellion but an active member who is battling her duties to protect her people and her daughter and her efforts to support a fledgling Rebel Alliance. After reading PoA, you will get a stronger sense of the Princess we meet in A New Hope.
3. To Appreciate the Character of Amilyn Holdo
I bought into the marketing for the lead up to The Last Jedi and read PoA before even getting a ticket to see Episode 8 and one of my favorite new characters in the novel was Amilyn Holdo, whom Leia meetings in the Apprentice Legislature (an Imperial program for young politicians).
So, it was deeply disappointing to see a disconnect in the portrayal of the character in The Last Jedi, and the subsequent reception to the Holdo. As much I would love to think every Star Wars fan reads the novels, the reality is most will never read about this version of Holdo, who is very earnest and an important part of Leia's growth during this time in her life. While not the main reason to read this novel, it will be nice additional context for Leia and Holdo's relationship in The Last Jedi and perhaps even offer a new perspective and appreciation for the character.
There are so many canon novels and some of the best ones are Leia focused so, if you loved the character and want to read about her time before the events of A New Hope (a perspective that we have yet to get from Luke Skywalker) then Leia: Princess of Alderaan, in novel or manga form, is worth your time.
Leia: Princess of Alderaan (PoA) gets a little lost in the shuffle with her other YA juggernaut and universally loved Lost Stars but it is a key book for any fan of Star Wars and especially for Princess Leia fans. Like Lost Stars, it is also getting a Manga series adaptation and Vol. 1 is out now, which covers the first eight chapters. So if you like beautiful art to accompany great storytelling, and Haruichi's art is a site to behold, then consider picking up the manga. Either way, here are three reasons why Leia Princess of Alderaan is worth your investment (NO SPOILERS):
1. Alderaanian Culture and Alderaan's Importance in Star Wars
Reading through PoA, you begin to understand why Alderaan was targeted by the Empire in Star Wars: A New Hope. Alderaan was the manifestation of hope for billions, born there and who claimed refuge there and that would always present a challenge to the ideals and might of the Empire. This is not only a Princess Leia novel but also an Alderaan novel and highlights what made that planet so special in Star Wars canon.
2. This is the Most Time You are Ever Going to Get with Breha Organa
While we get a good chunk of time with Bail Organa and his political contributions to the Republic and Rebellion through shows and films, we get nothing from Breha Organa. Queen Breha is also a "mention only" in so many canon novels and comics but rarely ever featured. In PoA, you get to see her relationship with Leia but also some more information on her backstory. She is not a passive participant in the Rebellion but an active member who is battling her duties to protect her people and her daughter and her efforts to support a fledgling Rebel Alliance. After reading PoA, you will get a stronger sense of the Princess we meet in A New Hope.
3. To Appreciate the Character of Amilyn Holdo
I bought into the marketing for the lead up to The Last Jedi and read PoA before even getting a ticket to see Episode 8 and one of my favorite new characters in the novel was Amilyn Holdo, whom Leia meetings in the Apprentice Legislature (an Imperial program for young politicians).
So, it was deeply disappointing to see a disconnect in the portrayal of the character in The Last Jedi, and the subsequent reception to the Holdo. As much I would love to think every Star Wars fan reads the novels, the reality is most will never read about this version of Holdo, who is very earnest and an important part of Leia's growth during this time in her life. While not the main reason to read this novel, it will be nice additional context for Leia and Holdo's relationship in The Last Jedi and perhaps even offer a new perspective and appreciation for the character.
There are so many canon novels and some of the best ones are Leia focused so, if you loved the character and want to read about her time before the events of A New Hope (a perspective that we have yet to get from Luke Skywalker) then Leia: Princess of Alderaan, in novel or manga form, is worth your time.
If Goodreads did half stars I'd probably give this a 3.5. This is the third Star Wars novel I've read by Claudia Gray and I don't know if it's just her writing style or what but I didn't really love any of them, they didn't really seem true to the characters that have already been established (in this case, Leia) or if you have original main characters that are just annoying (like Gray had in Lost Stars.) This one was the best out of the three I've read though.
I've only read one other non Star Wars book by Claudia Gray and didn't really give it that high of a rating either so it might just be that it's her writing style in general that I don't like and has nothing to do with her Star Wars depictions. Not sure though.
I've only read one other non Star Wars book by Claudia Gray and didn't really give it that high of a rating either so it might just be that it's her writing style in general that I don't like and has nothing to do with her Star Wars depictions. Not sure though.
A fun, fast-paced look at how Leia becomes involved in the Rebellion. I really like how the plot isn't defined by one climactic incident, but instead by the ups and downs in Leia's relationship with her parents, and being involved in the Rebellion is a natural extension of that. More Leia books, please, Claudia Gray!
adventurous
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
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