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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Teenage Princess Leia is the most interesting Leia. She's got all the makings of the character we know her to become, but here she's still unsure and untested. Claudia Gray really captures her extremely well in this novel.
This story manages to add a lot of context to one of the moments in the original Star Wars that I always felt was under served in the back of my mind: the destruction of Alderaan. In the film it happens and it's shocking and Leia is clearly distressed, but the next time we see her is with the sassy, "Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?" - it kind of becomes forgotten quickly. Here, we really get to know Alderaan as a place and what it means to Leia. We get to know her parents really well (Bail was already a part of the various films, but her mother was glimpsed only for seconds) and the foreshadowing of what we know is going to happen really hits home harder.
I particularly enjoyed the fun this book had with subterfuge. The Rebel Alliance is in a very early stage here and not fully formed, but Leia and her parents are involved. This means they need to keep their activities hidden from an Empire that grows all the more suspicious, and a dinner party scene went to some creative lengths that had me laughing at the skills involved from the characters.
This new run of Star Wars canon books got off to a poor start back in 2014 and I almost decided not to bother with them, but they have improved massively - at least based off the bunch I've read recently.
This story manages to add a lot of context to one of the moments in the original Star Wars that I always felt was under served in the back of my mind: the destruction of Alderaan. In the film it happens and it's shocking and Leia is clearly distressed, but the next time we see her is with the sassy, "Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?" - it kind of becomes forgotten quickly. Here, we really get to know Alderaan as a place and what it means to Leia. We get to know her parents really well (Bail was already a part of the various films, but her mother was glimpsed only for seconds) and the foreshadowing of what we know is going to happen really hits home harder.
I particularly enjoyed the fun this book had with subterfuge. The Rebel Alliance is in a very early stage here and not fully formed, but Leia and her parents are involved. This means they need to keep their activities hidden from an Empire that grows all the more suspicious, and a dinner party scene went to some creative lengths that had me laughing at the skills involved from the characters.
This new run of Star Wars canon books got off to a poor start back in 2014 and I almost decided not to bother with them, but they have improved massively - at least based off the bunch I've read recently.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a good insight into Leia's character and expands/introduces a few characters from The Last Jedi. The audiobook was very well done and I was hooked from the beginning.
I really didn't want this book to end. I dragged it out as long as I could. Now I have all the feels.
Claudia Gray has done it again!
The Summary
In this book we meet Princess Leia as she was before the Star Wars movie timeline. Leia, while undergoing the process of taking over as Alderaan’s new ruler, begins navigating new political waters as she catches wind of a rebellion uprising against the Empire.
The Analysis
When you watch the Star Wars movies, you don’t imagine this as a possible prequel. Leia is so important to the rebellion in A New Hope, or even in Rogue One, that you imagine that it was always this way. She wasn’t always vital, however. And that change in status is the direct result of parental love. To be clear, I adore the Organas. Bail and Breha are some of my most favorite Star Wars characters of all time.
For a lot of the book Leia doesn’t even know her parents are part of a rebellion movement. She thinks they are neglecting her, and burning through all of Alderaan’s money in the process. Watching Leia sneak around, figuring everything out, was more wonderful than I could have dreamed. And really funny, considering her initial assumptions. Leia is incredibly intelligent, and far more observant than most teens her age. The best part of this identity trait is how much it fits movie canon. Leia is a brilliant political mind even when the movies don’t give her due credit.
I love this version of Leia. I love her pre-Rebellion identity. I love watching her make friends with other young up-and-coming politicians. I love watching her fall in love with someone who isn’t Han Solo. (That is not shade towards Han. It’s just really interesting to see how her first love might have affected her choice for lifetime love.)
Best of all, this was a true Star Wars book. My biggest complaint for any SW book is that it isn’t Star Wars-y enough, but Claudia Gray never disappoints.
As a “Journey to the Last Jedi” title, you might expect more big reveals. Alas, this book is only a prequel. That doesn’t mean it lacks a Last Jedi connection, however. In this book we meet a new character, Amilyn Holdo. She happens to be in Last Jedi, played by Laura Dern. This book contains the most new information about this character available thus far. It definitely makes me more excited for the movie!
Another cool aspect? We get a prequel trilogy callback in the form of Captain Panaka, now known as Grand Moff Panaka. As someone who grew up with the prequels, I actually like them. And definitely appreciate whenever they get call-outs.
Even with the SW geekery put aside, this book is still pretty amazing. If you haven’t touched a Star Wars movie, or anything related to Star Wars, there is still much that can be enjoyed about this book.
The Summary
In this book we meet Princess Leia as she was before the Star Wars movie timeline. Leia, while undergoing the process of taking over as Alderaan’s new ruler, begins navigating new political waters as she catches wind of a rebellion uprising against the Empire.
The Analysis
When you watch the Star Wars movies, you don’t imagine this as a possible prequel. Leia is so important to the rebellion in A New Hope, or even in Rogue One, that you imagine that it was always this way. She wasn’t always vital, however. And that change in status is the direct result of parental love. To be clear, I adore the Organas. Bail and Breha are some of my most favorite Star Wars characters of all time.
For a lot of the book Leia doesn’t even know her parents are part of a rebellion movement. She thinks they are neglecting her, and burning through all of Alderaan’s money in the process. Watching Leia sneak around, figuring everything out, was more wonderful than I could have dreamed. And really funny, considering her initial assumptions. Leia is incredibly intelligent, and far more observant than most teens her age. The best part of this identity trait is how much it fits movie canon. Leia is a brilliant political mind even when the movies don’t give her due credit.
I love this version of Leia. I love her pre-Rebellion identity. I love watching her make friends with other young up-and-coming politicians. I love watching her fall in love with someone who isn’t Han Solo. (That is not shade towards Han. It’s just really interesting to see how her first love might have affected her choice for lifetime love.)
Best of all, this was a true Star Wars book. My biggest complaint for any SW book is that it isn’t Star Wars-y enough, but Claudia Gray never disappoints.
As a “Journey to the Last Jedi” title, you might expect more big reveals. Alas, this book is only a prequel. That doesn’t mean it lacks a Last Jedi connection, however. In this book we meet a new character, Amilyn Holdo. She happens to be in Last Jedi, played by Laura Dern. This book contains the most new information about this character available thus far. It definitely makes me more excited for the movie!
Another cool aspect? We get a prequel trilogy callback in the form of Captain Panaka, now known as Grand Moff Panaka. As someone who grew up with the prequels, I actually like them. And definitely appreciate whenever they get call-outs.
Even with the SW geekery put aside, this book is still pretty amazing. If you haven’t touched a Star Wars movie, or anything related to Star Wars, there is still much that can be enjoyed about this book.
I liked this one. I wasn't 100% sold on the way Gray described Holdo, which is really why I was reading the book. I didn't get the impression that Holdo was ever like a version of Luna Lovegood, but that is what I got from this book. Ignoring Holdo, this did feel very much like the way a teenaged Leia would act, including how she would get involved in the Rebellion and learn what that really meant. I also liked the way it gave nuance to different ways one might react to oppression: best for the whole, or best for what you love?
adventurous
emotional
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:
No
This book has an ending that will punch your gut. Leia is one of the greatest characters in SW and this book is all about Leia which is just lovely. It's also great to get more Holdo content, which adds to the impact of watching The Last Jedi, which I just did so I can confirm that fact. The point is, this book is great.
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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:
Complicated
This book was amazing. I cried and laughed so many times. Claudia Gray never disappoints!