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A review by graff_fuller
The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I enjoyed this story, but I would've enjoyed it a LOT more...IF I had not been so connected to the Star Wars Disney Canon, in novels, TV and the movies.
I was thrown by the major differences on the planet of Dathomir. In Legends, the planet looks basically like Earth. In the Disney Canon, it is a wasteland planet that is steeped in the Dark Side...looks more like Mars (IF Mars was more RED than orange).
Also, there was no mention of Zabrak on Dathomir...which was another head shaker. What?
That aside...the actual Courtship of Princess Leia was fun. I didn't like the Isodore (kept thinking of The Lord of the Rings) at every mention of his name. His focus on Princess was understandable, but for us longtime lovers of the contentious relationship of her and Han Solo...were having NONE of this upstart.
Also, Han Solo seemed (to me, at least) to be a little thicker in the head. Yes, he was a scoundrel...but it seemed he was an oar short at times, which was frustrating. I know that his plans don't always work, but come on!
The Luke parts were fairly good, but it felt shoehorned in...to me. I can see that he was building the connection through the Force between him and Leia, but it was a little heavy handed at times. We get it.
Also, for Princess Leia to be in any way interested in Isodore...seemed odd. BUT, I love how she was her own person. She spoke for herself and had agency throughout the story...which I appreciated.
All the above may seem overly critical, but I'm hear to say...I enjoyed it. I just wish that I had read it BEFORE I had invested all that I have in the New Canon. It was just a little too much for me.
A valiant effort...for sure, but just wasn't a hit for me.
Hopefully this doesn't make me a Disney shill, for I'm not.
Oh, yes...this was my second book read in the Space Opera September 2023 readathon.
This was a Stage Three challange completed:
By walking in the room, you accidentally insulted the most beautiful alien race in the galaxy (quick distract them by reading a book featuring some romance)
1) 👍🏻Dave Wolverton (Farland) - Star Wars: Legends: The Courtship of Princess Leia (ePub) 402 pgs
This is romantic, but not in the way that I think the makers of this challenge meant it to be. No spicy scenes, but it was still romantic.
I was thrown by the major differences on the planet of Dathomir. In Legends, the planet looks basically like Earth. In the Disney Canon, it is a wasteland planet that is steeped in the Dark Side...looks more like Mars (IF Mars was more RED than orange).
Also, there was no mention of Zabrak on Dathomir...which was another head shaker. What?
That aside...the actual Courtship of Princess Leia was fun. I didn't like the Isodore (kept thinking of The Lord of the Rings) at every mention of his name. His focus on Princess was understandable, but for us longtime lovers of the contentious relationship of her and Han Solo...were having NONE of this upstart.
Also, Han Solo seemed (to me, at least) to be a little thicker in the head. Yes, he was a scoundrel...but it seemed he was an oar short at times, which was frustrating. I know that his plans don't always work, but come on!
The Luke parts were fairly good, but it felt shoehorned in...to me. I can see that he was building the connection through the Force between him and Leia, but it was a little heavy handed at times. We get it.
Also, for Princess Leia to be in any way interested in Isodore...seemed odd. BUT, I love how she was her own person. She spoke for herself and had agency throughout the story...which I appreciated.
All the above may seem overly critical, but I'm hear to say...I enjoyed it. I just wish that I had read it BEFORE I had invested all that I have in the New Canon. It was just a little too much for me.
A valiant effort...for sure, but just wasn't a hit for me.
Hopefully this doesn't make me a Disney shill, for I'm not.
Oh, yes...this was my second book read in the Space Opera September 2023 readathon.
This was a Stage Three challange completed:
By walking in the room, you accidentally insulted the most beautiful alien race in the galaxy (quick distract them by reading a book featuring some romance)
1) 👍🏻Dave Wolverton (Farland) - Star Wars: Legends: The Courtship of Princess Leia (ePub) 402 pgs
This is romantic, but not in the way that I think the makers of this challenge meant it to be. No spicy scenes, but it was still romantic.