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vulcanlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It was action packed, but also filled with interesting characters and using the perspectives of Luke, Leia, and Han throughout critical points in the story really helped it along. I liked seeing Leia's perspective on such a complex situation, and was kept guessing until the end about what would happen.
mxsallybend's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, so we all know that stories within the Star Wars expanded universe can be hit or miss. In fact, Timothy Zahn is about the only author I've found to be consistently entertaining, which is why I was excited to see some big name authors stepping in to explore the universe.
First up for the Empire and Rebellion saga is Martha Wells, with her Princess Leia focused novel, Razor's Edge. As a vehicle for exploring Leia's character, it works rather well. We really get to see her as a leader, as a political force to be reckoned with, and as somebody suffering under a lot of pressure. Wells bravely tackles the guilt that comes with the death of Alderaan, and even more bravely wades into the awkward quagmire that is her romance with Han Solo.
Beyond that, though, I didn't feel the book really offered anything new or significant. As nice as it is to revisit old friends, there are only so many stories to be told in the gaps between movies, especially since its hard to generate any real drama when you know everybody makes through the next move alive. There are some great action scenes, and some fun moments, but it felt like Wells tried too hard to maintain the frantic pacing of the movies. It's just one climax on top of another, until you're numb to it all.
This was by no means the worst Star Wars adventure I've ever read - there's a flair to Wells' writing not commonly found in tie-ins, and I am still eager to read more of her work. I can certainly appreciate Leia getting her chance in the spotlight, but if Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman taught us anything, it's that Star Wars needs move beyond the story we already know, and start contributing to a new one.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
First up for the Empire and Rebellion saga is Martha Wells, with her Princess Leia focused novel, Razor's Edge. As a vehicle for exploring Leia's character, it works rather well. We really get to see her as a leader, as a political force to be reckoned with, and as somebody suffering under a lot of pressure. Wells bravely tackles the guilt that comes with the death of Alderaan, and even more bravely wades into the awkward quagmire that is her romance with Han Solo.
Beyond that, though, I didn't feel the book really offered anything new or significant. As nice as it is to revisit old friends, there are only so many stories to be told in the gaps between movies, especially since its hard to generate any real drama when you know everybody makes through the next move alive. There are some great action scenes, and some fun moments, but it felt like Wells tried too hard to maintain the frantic pacing of the movies. It's just one climax on top of another, until you're numb to it all.
This was by no means the worst Star Wars adventure I've ever read - there's a flair to Wells' writing not commonly found in tie-ins, and I am still eager to read more of her work. I can certainly appreciate Leia getting her chance in the spotlight, but if Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman taught us anything, it's that Star Wars needs move beyond the story we already know, and start contributing to a new one.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
bookhoarding's review against another edition
4.0
In this adventure our heroes find themselves fresh off the success of defeating the Empire in A New Hope and in the midst of trying to build a solid Alliance (before Empire Strikes Back). On her way to securing a meeting for the Alliance Leia (and Han, by association) get caught up in an adventure with survivors of the Alderaan catastrophe.
The Star Wars Expanded Universe has come a long way since Timothy Zahn's first foray, and this book follows in his tradition of forging new ground, yet maintaining the tone of the universe we've grow accustomed with. There are major improvements since the first novels, and this book shows that the characters can become dynamic and the plot can be compelling. We get the first whispers of something between Han and Leia, glimpses into Luke's growth away from a home and a good amount of exposure to the rest of the rich universe.
I liked that the focus of the book was not solely based on epic space battles (though there are definitely space skirmishes, so don't worry), but on issues that would sprout from massive warfare, like the refugee experience. Through Leia's eyes we gain exposure to the pain of losing Alderaan and the attempt to find home with those that have survived. I'm assuming that the rest of this series (titled: Empire and Rebellion) will go along the same lines and build on the ships and crews we see here.
Leia and Metara are fantastic foils for each other, but also act to show that there are strong, female, leaders in the Star Wars universe. Both women want to do what is best for those under their protection, but both choose drastically different paths, which really drives the first half of the novel.
I highly recommend this for fans of: Star Wars books, Star Wars, Star Wars films.
The Star Wars Expanded Universe has come a long way since Timothy Zahn's first foray, and this book follows in his tradition of forging new ground, yet maintaining the tone of the universe we've grow accustomed with. There are major improvements since the first novels, and this book shows that the characters can become dynamic and the plot can be compelling. We get the first whispers of something between Han and Leia, glimpses into Luke's growth away from a home and a good amount of exposure to the rest of the rich universe.
I liked that the focus of the book was not solely based on epic space battles (though there are definitely space skirmishes, so don't worry), but on issues that would sprout from massive warfare, like the refugee experience. Through Leia's eyes we gain exposure to the pain of losing Alderaan and the attempt to find home with those that have survived. I'm assuming that the rest of this series (titled: Empire and Rebellion) will go along the same lines and build on the ships and crews we see here.
Leia and Metara are fantastic foils for each other, but also act to show that there are strong, female, leaders in the Star Wars universe. Both women want to do what is best for those under their protection, but both choose drastically different paths, which really drives the first half of the novel.
I highly recommend this for fans of: Star Wars books, Star Wars, Star Wars films.
joestewart's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t like it. In contrast to The Murder Bot Diaries, which I found quite good, this was lame. Story telling, plot, language, none of it was particularly good.
ok_liv's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
kb_208's review against another edition
3.0
A good story, mainly centering on Leia and Han after the events of "A New Hope". Their ship is damaged by Imperials on their way to pick up supplies for Echo Base from a contact in Pirate territory. They then get boarded by a group of pirates from Alderaan. The group teams up and tries getting out of a nasty situation at a pirate trading post asteroid without getting killed, and meeting up with their supplies contact.
Overall it is a pretty good story, but I wouldn't say essential reading from the Star Wars EU.
Overall it is a pretty good story, but I wouldn't say essential reading from the Star Wars EU.
jaredkwheeler's review against another edition
5.0
Star Wars Legends Project #276
Background: Razor's Edge was written by [a:Martha Wells|87305|Martha Wells|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1397566224p2/87305.jpg] and published in September 2013. It was supposed to be the first of a loose trilogy (by three different writers), but the Expanded Universe was rebooted after the publication of the second book (Honor Among Thieves, my review). These two books are instead a loose duology, and the planned third book was instead published as a stand-alone in the new continuity. This was Wells's first Star Wars book, but she has since written a short story as well.
Razor's Edge takes place nearly three years after the Battle of Yavin, shortly before the establishment of Echo Base. The main characters are Princess Leia and Han Solo, along with Luke, Chewbacca. The story takes place in various locations in space.
Summary: On the way to a vital rendezvous with a possible contact for essential supplies needed to complete the Rebel's new secret base on Hoth, Leia narrowly escapes an Imperial ambush. With her ship badly damaged, and no idea who tipped off the enemy, the Rebels scramble in search of a safe port, only to stumble into the middle of a pirate attack . . . by an Alderaanian gunship, crewed by refugees from the destruction of her homeworld. Appalled by their actions, Leia intervenes, and soon finds herself and Han drawn into a deadly game with the pirate lord who is holding their leash. Meanwhile, the Imperials hunting them are tightening the noose . . .
Review: I didn't think there was any way that this book would live up to the bar set when I read Honor Among Thieves, but it totally blew me away. This is a unicorn among Star Wars stories: An actual Princess Leia story where she is the central, driving character for the entire length, that focuses on her actual strengths and qualities and character traits from the films. It doesn't make up any new skills and focus on those (like making her an ace fighter pilot) or shove her arc into some weird, sexist trope (looking at you, old-school Marvel). This is a Leia story starring Leia and it succeeds completely on those merits. She's an incredibly skilled and experienced political operator who will resolve anything that can be resolved by talking . . . but, like her mother, knows when it's time to transition to "aggressive negotiations." And woe betide you if you've gotten her to that point.
It also helps that the premise is brilliant, the plotting is intricate, and the pacing is relentless. Wells knows how to introduce new wrinkles at just the right moments, and she skillfully plants seeds early on that you've nearly forgotten about by the time they suddenly pop into bloom. The dialogue crackles with wit and intelligence. This is just all-around a fun and exciting ride that really feels like Star Wars. I hope to see more from her in the new continuity soon!
A
Background: Razor's Edge was written by [a:Martha Wells|87305|Martha Wells|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1397566224p2/87305.jpg] and published in September 2013. It was supposed to be the first of a loose trilogy (by three different writers), but the Expanded Universe was rebooted after the publication of the second book (Honor Among Thieves, my review). These two books are instead a loose duology, and the planned third book was instead published as a stand-alone in the new continuity. This was Wells's first Star Wars book, but she has since written a short story as well.
Razor's Edge takes place nearly three years after the Battle of Yavin, shortly before the establishment of Echo Base. The main characters are Princess Leia and Han Solo, along with Luke, Chewbacca. The story takes place in various locations in space.
Summary: On the way to a vital rendezvous with a possible contact for essential supplies needed to complete the Rebel's new secret base on Hoth, Leia narrowly escapes an Imperial ambush. With her ship badly damaged, and no idea who tipped off the enemy, the Rebels scramble in search of a safe port, only to stumble into the middle of a pirate attack . . . by an Alderaanian gunship, crewed by refugees from the destruction of her homeworld. Appalled by their actions, Leia intervenes, and soon finds herself and Han drawn into a deadly game with the pirate lord who is holding their leash. Meanwhile, the Imperials hunting them are tightening the noose . . .
Review: I didn't think there was any way that this book would live up to the bar set when I read Honor Among Thieves, but it totally blew me away. This is a unicorn among Star Wars stories: An actual Princess Leia story where she is the central, driving character for the entire length, that focuses on her actual strengths and qualities and character traits from the films. It doesn't make up any new skills and focus on those (like making her an ace fighter pilot) or shove her arc into some weird, sexist trope (looking at you, old-school Marvel). This is a Leia story starring Leia and it succeeds completely on those merits. She's an incredibly skilled and experienced political operator who will resolve anything that can be resolved by talking . . . but, like her mother, knows when it's time to transition to "aggressive negotiations." And woe betide you if you've gotten her to that point.
It also helps that the premise is brilliant, the plotting is intricate, and the pacing is relentless. Wells knows how to introduce new wrinkles at just the right moments, and she skillfully plants seeds early on that you've nearly forgotten about by the time they suddenly pop into bloom. The dialogue crackles with wit and intelligence. This is just all-around a fun and exciting ride that really feels like Star Wars. I hope to see more from her in the new continuity soon!
A
kimscozyreads's review against another edition
4.0
Just like Honor Among Thieves, this was a fun, nerd-tastic read. It's the perfect light reading; constant action, lovable characters, and a good ending. Nice to have a break from the either a) very serious and rather depressing or b) angst filled YA novels that make up most of my reading list.
hidingzeus's review against another edition
3.0
I love Martha Wells' writing. Some secret, silly part of me was wishing that Murderbot could somehow show up and be a part of everything, but this was still a good Star Wars story!