Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Claudia Gray is the queen of Star Wars novels, truly.
I read Bloodline by her last year and I was blown away: she was writing Leia Organa right before The Force Awakens begins, as a strong senator who has lived through so many hardships, and she got her character. In Leia, Princess of Alderaan, Claudia Gray does it again, this time writing Leia as a teenage girl, before A New Hope begins and while she still lives on Alderaan.
Leia, Princess of Alderaan is such an engaging novel and if I could have found even more place in my heart for Leia Organa, I now have and it’s all thanks to Claudia Gray. I really loved learning about Leia’s life on Alderaan, how she could pretend inheriting the crown one day and what her day-to-day life must have been back then, as well as seeing her relationship with her parents, befriending others her own age and even falling for someone for the first time. Of course, the more the story goes on, the more Leia learns of a rebellion starting and eventually gets involved with it, which I really enjoyed reading about.
Like every Star Wars canon novel, this one features characters we know and others we’ve never heard of (and as always, it means that it won’t end well at all). Besides Leia, the other two shining stars here are Amilyn Holdo and Breha Organa. This book was written as part of the Journey to The Last Jedi series and you can definitely tell, from small references you’ll get in the movie to introducing Amilyn Holdo and what an introduction it was. I really liked her character so much in the movie and had been curious to know more about her, so this novel definitely delivered. Teenage Amilyn is all sorts of awesome and I’d love to read even more about her! Amilyn and Leia’s interactions were my favourite part of this book, I so wanted to know how they had met and had become friends. Anyway, now I need to rewatch The Last Jedi for the millionth time.
Moreover, I’ve always felt like Breha Organa, Leia’s adoptive mother, was overlooked, but here she’s a commanding queen, ready to do whatever it takes for the galaxy and I loved that about her. Can we also mention that moment when Leia interacted with a queen of Naboo? I’m not crying, you are.
Overall, Leia, Princess of Alderaan gave me all I wanted, it made my little Star Wars fan heart both very sad and very happy, and I really enjoyed this story. For people who aren’t familiar with the Star Wars canon books, it definitely is a good place to start, as it’s a YA novel and quite easy to follow. In the meantime, I am so excited to read the two of Claudia Gray's Star Wars novels I have left.
I read Bloodline by her last year and I was blown away: she was writing Leia Organa right before The Force Awakens begins, as a strong senator who has lived through so many hardships, and she got her character. In Leia, Princess of Alderaan, Claudia Gray does it again, this time writing Leia as a teenage girl, before A New Hope begins and while she still lives on Alderaan.
Leia, Princess of Alderaan is such an engaging novel and if I could have found even more place in my heart for Leia Organa, I now have and it’s all thanks to Claudia Gray. I really loved learning about Leia’s life on Alderaan, how she could pretend inheriting the crown one day and what her day-to-day life must have been back then, as well as seeing her relationship with her parents, befriending others her own age and even falling for someone for the first time. Of course, the more the story goes on, the more Leia learns of a rebellion starting and eventually gets involved with it, which I really enjoyed reading about.
Like every Star Wars canon novel, this one features characters we know and others we’ve never heard of (and as always, it means that it won’t end well at all). Besides Leia, the other two shining stars here are Amilyn Holdo and Breha Organa. This book was written as part of the Journey to The Last Jedi series and you can definitely tell, from small references you’ll get in the movie to introducing Amilyn Holdo and what an introduction it was. I really liked her character so much in the movie and had been curious to know more about her, so this novel definitely delivered. Teenage Amilyn is all sorts of awesome and I’d love to read even more about her! Amilyn and Leia’s interactions were my favourite part of this book, I so wanted to know how they had met and had become friends. Anyway, now I need to rewatch The Last Jedi for the millionth time.
Moreover, I’ve always felt like Breha Organa, Leia’s adoptive mother, was overlooked, but here she’s a commanding queen, ready to do whatever it takes for the galaxy and I loved that about her. Can we also mention that moment when Leia interacted with a queen of Naboo? I’m not crying, you are.
Overall, Leia, Princess of Alderaan gave me all I wanted, it made my little Star Wars fan heart both very sad and very happy, and I really enjoyed this story. For people who aren’t familiar with the Star Wars canon books, it definitely is a good place to start, as it’s a YA novel and quite easy to follow. In the meantime, I am so excited to read the two of Claudia Gray's Star Wars novels I have left.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Good book but i would have liked it better if it weren't for the unnecessary romance that i really didn't care about.
Sadly had to DNF after 143 pages.
I tried to pick it up again and again over a span of almost a year and I never felt like reading more than 15 pages at a time. The story didn't really catch my interest/attention and I am not a fan of how the plot always switches between the A storyline and the B storyline at the moment I start getting into them. The writing style is good and I like the way Leia's inner life is portrayed. But as someone who prefers an exciting plot over more detailed descriptions of situations and thoughts/feelings, this book isn't for me. Nevertheless I think that (hardcore) Star Wars fans will love this book and will love the deep dive into Leia's character and personality.
Maybe I will pick it up some time again, but it's a 2020 DNF for me.
I tried to pick it up again and again over a span of almost a year and I never felt like reading more than 15 pages at a time. The story didn't really catch my interest/attention and I am not a fan of how the plot always switches between the A storyline and the B storyline at the moment I start getting into them. The writing style is good and I like the way Leia's inner life is portrayed. But as someone who prefers an exciting plot over more detailed descriptions of situations and thoughts/feelings, this book isn't for me. Nevertheless I think that (hardcore) Star Wars fans will love this book and will love the deep dive into Leia's character and personality.
Maybe I will pick it up some time again, but it's a 2020 DNF for me.
I loved this book, Leia is one of my favourite fictional characters. The book gives so much background to things that are to come in the movies. I especially liked the importance put on her braids and what they symbolize.
The one part of the book that got to me was the very last sentences:
"My parents, Leia thought. My friends. My world. These are things the empire can never take away." That was a blow to my heart that I was not expecting.
*reread*
That last line still hurts to read. And this book is still as amazing as the first time I read it.
The one part of the book that got to me was the very last sentences:
"My parents, Leia thought. My friends. My world. These are things the empire can never take away." That was a blow to my heart that I was not expecting.
*reread*
That last line still hurts to read. And this book is still as amazing as the first time I read it.
This is the first Star Wars book I've ever read, and I couldn't put it down. The characterization of Leia and her thought process was amazing. The plot was interesting and gives a nice insight to things that were happening to set her future in motion. It was a powerful and entertaining novel. I've already bought Bloodlines so I can read more by this author.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Leia, Princess of Alderaan, is Claudia Gray’s third entry into the world of Star Wars novels. It traces Leia’s first steps into the political world, as she moves from being the daughter of Bail and Breha Organa to being the rightful princess of Alderaan. The story is emotionally impactful, and raises difficult questions about morality, loyalty, and family that are both challenging and presented in a way that’s approachable for younger readers. Of particular interest is Gray’s characterization of Leia – the girl we meet here is not the battle hardened leader we see in Episode IV, but we can clearly see it sprouting. Whether you’re interested in the character of Leia, or the broader events of the Star Wars Universe, you’ll find plenty to enjoy.
Perhaps the greatest strength of this book is the portrayal of complex relationships. This is particularly well done in the relationship between Leia, Bail, and Breha. Rather than writing them off as either smotheringly supportive or chronically distant, Gray shows a family that is at once both loving and strained. We see them vacillate between periods of great cohesion and moments of great doubt. Leia’s portrayal as intellectually sure of her relationship but emotionally uncertain is an insightful and important writing of the experience of youth as they move through adolescence, particularly when a history of adoption is involved. Moreover, Gray captures family dynamics well – boundaries, hierarchies, triangulation, and alliances are all well illustrated. We also see anger and disappointment handled in a safe and supportive way in a family system in this book, which is something that I feel is very underrepresented in current YA fiction.
Second to Leia’s family relationships, her interpersonal relationships really shine. We get to see Leia experimenting with how to trust others, what intimacy can look like, and balancing the responsibilities of the crown with her own personal values and need for independence. The result is relationships that feel authentic and messy. Conflict isn’t typecast here; there are no “bad guys” so much as people with whom Leia experiences disagreements and personality conflict. As an extra treat, we get to see Leia experiment with her first real romantic relationship. This is handled with Gray’s expert finesse – Leia is never lost to her romantic feelings, her story is never subsumed by the romantic plot, and the relationship feels caring and developmentally appropriate. Even Leia’s most peripheral relationships, such as the Chal Hudda, are presented with surprising depth ad meaning.
Character work is really the foundation of this novel. Gray brings us a truly diverse group of characters – from interesting new alien species (Sssamm) to characters who reflect viewpoints that aren’t well reflected in existing canon (Amilyn). I could write at length about Amilyn as a new character, and how her inclusion is representative of both progress for the SW universe and challenges many assumptions we have about the attitudes that are required for meaningful action (she’s an interesting foil to Saw in my mind), but instead I want to comment on her as a representation of character maturation. When she’s first introduced in the book, Amilyn is a sort of colorful airhead, who presents with almost a “magical pixie girl” characterization. It’s easy to be dismissive of her early on. As the story progresses, we begin to see that this outward appearance is less a one dimensional trope, and begin to have greater insight into how Amilyn is struggling to find herself when caught between planetary traditions, imperial oppression, and peer conflicts. The result is a character who many readers will connect to deeply.
The overall plot is solid, with lots of extra nods to both past SW media and the upcoming films. We learn more about the cultures of the galaxy, the birth of the political side of the rebellion, and get our first glimpse of worlds that we’ll be spending time on in the future. The plot is relentlessly engaging, and readers will not be disappointed. I did find Leia’s visit to Naboo somewhat odd; while there are always nods to the reader and Easter eggs in the story, this visit felt like it was more for the reader than for Leia’s own development. This isn’t a bad thing – in fact, I felt it was a touching homage to the heroes of the prequels. It’s just very different. The exploration of the galaxy reminds me a lot of the writing in A New Dawn and Ahsoka; the evil we see here is not the Dark Lord of the Sith but worker exploitation, artificial resource restriction, and casual abuse of power for personal gain. This more banal evil, which embodies the weight of imperial oppression, is explored from a more systemic lens than in other books, which makes sense given Leia’s political aspirations.
Ultimately, Leia: Princess of Alderaan does great justice to a character who is beloved around the world. It shows us new sides of a character we know personally, and takes us on an adventure that bridges into new territory for SW media while respecting existing canon. The novel is a great addition to the SW canon, and a story that’s worth sharing.
Perhaps the greatest strength of this book is the portrayal of complex relationships. This is particularly well done in the relationship between Leia, Bail, and Breha. Rather than writing them off as either smotheringly supportive or chronically distant, Gray shows a family that is at once both loving and strained. We see them vacillate between periods of great cohesion and moments of great doubt. Leia’s portrayal as intellectually sure of her relationship but emotionally uncertain is an insightful and important writing of the experience of youth as they move through adolescence, particularly when a history of adoption is involved. Moreover, Gray captures family dynamics well – boundaries, hierarchies, triangulation, and alliances are all well illustrated. We also see anger and disappointment handled in a safe and supportive way in a family system in this book, which is something that I feel is very underrepresented in current YA fiction.
Second to Leia’s family relationships, her interpersonal relationships really shine. We get to see Leia experimenting with how to trust others, what intimacy can look like, and balancing the responsibilities of the crown with her own personal values and need for independence. The result is relationships that feel authentic and messy. Conflict isn’t typecast here; there are no “bad guys” so much as people with whom Leia experiences disagreements and personality conflict. As an extra treat, we get to see Leia experiment with her first real romantic relationship. This is handled with Gray’s expert finesse – Leia is never lost to her romantic feelings, her story is never subsumed by the romantic plot, and the relationship feels caring and developmentally appropriate. Even Leia’s most peripheral relationships, such as the Chal Hudda, are presented with surprising depth ad meaning.
Character work is really the foundation of this novel. Gray brings us a truly diverse group of characters – from interesting new alien species (Sssamm) to characters who reflect viewpoints that aren’t well reflected in existing canon (Amilyn). I could write at length about Amilyn as a new character, and how her inclusion is representative of both progress for the SW universe and challenges many assumptions we have about the attitudes that are required for meaningful action (she’s an interesting foil to Saw in my mind), but instead I want to comment on her as a representation of character maturation. When she’s first introduced in the book, Amilyn is a sort of colorful airhead, who presents with almost a “magical pixie girl” characterization. It’s easy to be dismissive of her early on. As the story progresses, we begin to see that this outward appearance is less a one dimensional trope, and begin to have greater insight into how Amilyn is struggling to find herself when caught between planetary traditions, imperial oppression, and peer conflicts. The result is a character who many readers will connect to deeply.
The overall plot is solid, with lots of extra nods to both past SW media and the upcoming films. We learn more about the cultures of the galaxy, the birth of the political side of the rebellion, and get our first glimpse of worlds that we’ll be spending time on in the future. The plot is relentlessly engaging, and readers will not be disappointed. I did find Leia’s visit to Naboo somewhat odd; while there are always nods to the reader and Easter eggs in the story, this visit felt like it was more for the reader than for Leia’s own development. This isn’t a bad thing – in fact, I felt it was a touching homage to the heroes of the prequels. It’s just very different. The exploration of the galaxy reminds me a lot of the writing in A New Dawn and Ahsoka; the evil we see here is not the Dark Lord of the Sith but worker exploitation, artificial resource restriction, and casual abuse of power for personal gain. This more banal evil, which embodies the weight of imperial oppression, is explored from a more systemic lens than in other books, which makes sense given Leia’s political aspirations.
Ultimately, Leia: Princess of Alderaan does great justice to a character who is beloved around the world. It shows us new sides of a character we know personally, and takes us on an adventure that bridges into new territory for SW media while respecting existing canon. The novel is a great addition to the SW canon, and a story that’s worth sharing.
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes