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A review by gabriel2710
Bloodlines by Karen Traviss
5.0
Traviss makes the bold decision to largely forgo action such as dogfighting, lightsaber combat, and even blaster combat, instead choosing to focus on family drama, espionage, and almost purely dialogue.
Surprisingly, this creates one of the most unique, and incredibly well-written Star Wars novels I have read so far. There is little action, yet each chapter is extremely entertaining as we mainly follow Boba Fett, Jacen Solo, and Ben Skywalker, and the tensions bubbling up between the Solo and Skywalker family, and Corellia and the Galactic Alliance.
Terrorism, military acts often bordering on violence, a complex but well-written conflict that is extremely original and topical is born. Meanwhile, Fett slowly forms a bond with a girl he has no idea is his granddaughter, and learns to deal with the loss of his wife, later his daughter at the hands of Jacen Solo, and long, long ago… his father Jango Fett.
Boba Fett is a standout in this novel. Expertly written, he isn’t just a silent badass anymore, but an ageing, dying old man, secretly desperate for a familial connection, and unable to process decades of grief.
His story is a simple one, and is also one that beyond one assassination, is purely investigation and dialogue. Travelling with Mirta, his granddaughter, they form a unique bond by the end of the book, not realising until much later who she truly is.
You get very attached to these two, and you don’t need to be aware of the other Traviss novels or know too much about Mandalorian culture to be invested in this plotline, as I am not. But it is amazing, and a testament to the quality of Traviss’ writing as you become so in love with these two. It is like a more mature, complex variation on the now trope of an older man taking on a younger person in a fatherly role, popularised by the recent Mandalorian series on Disney+.
This book is what the Book of Boba Fett should’ve been. A deep dive into the intricately complex Boba Fett, not glamorising him in any way, but also not making up for his mistakes. He has been a terrible father, a terrible person for so many years, but the book goes into why, and makes it a goal for him to realise this, and begin to consider how to reconcile in his own way.
The death of Boba’s daughter really hit me, and the fact that Jacen Solo tortured her to death is a really shocking, almost disgusting thing that really got a reaction out of me. I love how it deepens the bond between Boba and Mirta, and really makes Boba confront his failures as a father.
“But he’d failed to live up to him in the most important way of all: by being as good a father as Jango Fett.”
Mirta is a really likeable character. She’s very complex and secretive, like Boba, and the similarities between them are more and more prevalent as the novel goes on. I suspected she was his granddaughter before the reveal, but I still love the detail and how it was revealed, in a very tense scene with Han and Leia present.
Their story is a highlight of the book and I didn’t mind Karen Traviss diverting the reader’s attention to those two and weaving them into the overarching story either, it feels strange that the Mandalorians haven’t been present in most content set after Return of the Jedi!
Jacen Solo is even more compelling in this book. I’ve come to view Lumiya saying Vergere was a Sith as a lie, or that’s my headcanon at least, and I really like how she’s twisting Vergere’s teaching to push her own agenda.
The truth is, Vergere’s teaching (like Kreia’s from KotOR II: TSL) could be misunderstood and share similarities with those of the Sith. Of course, Vergere (and Kreia too) are really neither. But Lumiya uses her knowledge to convince Jacen otherwise, and this preys upon him massively.
Jacen is particularly heartbreaking in this book. Only Mara has any confidence in him anymore, as he comes closer and closer to becoming another Vader for the Galactic Alliance, seemingly being groomed by their government a little too, but also grooming Ben to join him too, something that very much concerns Luke.
“You’re probably about my only friend these days.” - Jacen Solo, to Mara Jade Skywalker.
I love that Luke isn’t buying any of it, and neither is Jaina. They both know what path he is going down, but are conflicted by their family disagreeing, and their minds telling them otherwise, disagreeing with their hearts and senses.
Luke knows Lumiya is back, and she isn’t hiding as well as she said she could, and that’s another detail I love. They underestimate Luke, Jacen is growing a deeper animosity towards his Uncle, and I suspect it may be part of his downfall. He tries to control his ego, but in doing what he is doing, it is steadily growing.
Jacen does more despicable things in this book, such as firing at a retreating ship, giving Jaina a court martial, putting Ben in a position where he’ll have to kill someone (at thirteen), and torturing Boba’s daughter brutally until death. But now, he fears he may have to kill his own wife and daughter… he only knows for sure that he must kill someone he loves, and he has visions of holding a weapon and sobbing at what he has done.
Lumyia has twisted him into thinking that all of this is his destiny, and that he must sacrifice everything, including how those who love him view him, for the greater good.
When Han and Leia confront Jacen, it is a really heartbreaking, emotional moment. They are disgusted by him, and imagining the way that must feel, to see your own father and mother repulsed at your actions, is a horrifying thought.
“I don’t know who you are, but you aren’t my son anymore. My Jacen would never do the kind of stuff you do. Get out. I don’t want to know anymore.” - Han Solo, to Jacen Solo.
Overall, I found this to be a stunning novel. I cannot wait for more entries by Traviss. I know she is controversial to some, but I am not entirely sure why, and I am glad as that has not clouded my opinion of this novel.
I hope for more of Boba, Mirta, and the Mandalorians in later novels, and I am obsessed with the family drama in these books, and the interesting take on war on display here.
The war is finally beginning, and I am eagerly awaiting more ferocious battles and some perhaps larger character moments.
Will Jacen become a Master before a Sith Lord? Will Boba find the clone he is looking for? What will Jaina do next? How will Luke help Ben?
I am excited to find all of this out, and more. This one has me hooked.
9/10
Surprisingly, this creates one of the most unique, and incredibly well-written Star Wars novels I have read so far. There is little action, yet each chapter is extremely entertaining as we mainly follow Boba Fett, Jacen Solo, and Ben Skywalker, and the tensions bubbling up between the Solo and Skywalker family, and Corellia and the Galactic Alliance.
Terrorism, military acts often bordering on violence, a complex but well-written conflict that is extremely original and topical is born. Meanwhile, Fett slowly forms a bond with a girl he has no idea is his granddaughter, and learns to deal with the loss of his wife, later his daughter at the hands of Jacen Solo, and long, long ago… his father Jango Fett.
Boba Fett is a standout in this novel. Expertly written, he isn’t just a silent badass anymore, but an ageing, dying old man, secretly desperate for a familial connection, and unable to process decades of grief.
His story is a simple one, and is also one that beyond one assassination, is purely investigation and dialogue. Travelling with Mirta, his granddaughter, they form a unique bond by the end of the book, not realising until much later who she truly is.
You get very attached to these two, and you don’t need to be aware of the other Traviss novels or know too much about Mandalorian culture to be invested in this plotline, as I am not. But it is amazing, and a testament to the quality of Traviss’ writing as you become so in love with these two. It is like a more mature, complex variation on the now trope of an older man taking on a younger person in a fatherly role, popularised by the recent Mandalorian series on Disney+.
This book is what the Book of Boba Fett should’ve been. A deep dive into the intricately complex Boba Fett, not glamorising him in any way, but also not making up for his mistakes. He has been a terrible father, a terrible person for so many years, but the book goes into why, and makes it a goal for him to realise this, and begin to consider how to reconcile in his own way.
The death of Boba’s daughter really hit me, and the fact that Jacen Solo tortured her to death is a really shocking, almost disgusting thing that really got a reaction out of me. I love how it deepens the bond between Boba and Mirta, and really makes Boba confront his failures as a father.
“But he’d failed to live up to him in the most important way of all: by being as good a father as Jango Fett.”
Mirta is a really likeable character. She’s very complex and secretive, like Boba, and the similarities between them are more and more prevalent as the novel goes on. I suspected she was his granddaughter before the reveal, but I still love the detail and how it was revealed, in a very tense scene with Han and Leia present.
Their story is a highlight of the book and I didn’t mind Karen Traviss diverting the reader’s attention to those two and weaving them into the overarching story either, it feels strange that the Mandalorians haven’t been present in most content set after Return of the Jedi!
Jacen Solo is even more compelling in this book. I’ve come to view Lumiya saying Vergere was a Sith as a lie, or that’s my headcanon at least, and I really like how she’s twisting Vergere’s teaching to push her own agenda.
The truth is, Vergere’s teaching (like Kreia’s from KotOR II: TSL) could be misunderstood and share similarities with those of the Sith. Of course, Vergere (and Kreia too) are really neither. But Lumiya uses her knowledge to convince Jacen otherwise, and this preys upon him massively.
Jacen is particularly heartbreaking in this book. Only Mara has any confidence in him anymore, as he comes closer and closer to becoming another Vader for the Galactic Alliance, seemingly being groomed by their government a little too, but also grooming Ben to join him too, something that very much concerns Luke.
“You’re probably about my only friend these days.” - Jacen Solo, to Mara Jade Skywalker.
I love that Luke isn’t buying any of it, and neither is Jaina. They both know what path he is going down, but are conflicted by their family disagreeing, and their minds telling them otherwise, disagreeing with their hearts and senses.
Luke knows Lumiya is back, and she isn’t hiding as well as she said she could, and that’s another detail I love. They underestimate Luke, Jacen is growing a deeper animosity towards his Uncle, and I suspect it may be part of his downfall. He tries to control his ego, but in doing what he is doing, it is steadily growing.
Jacen does more despicable things in this book, such as firing at a retreating ship, giving Jaina a court martial, putting Ben in a position where he’ll have to kill someone (at thirteen), and torturing Boba’s daughter brutally until death. But now, he fears he may have to kill his own wife and daughter… he only knows for sure that he must kill someone he loves, and he has visions of holding a weapon and sobbing at what he has done.
Lumyia has twisted him into thinking that all of this is his destiny, and that he must sacrifice everything, including how those who love him view him, for the greater good.
When Han and Leia confront Jacen, it is a really heartbreaking, emotional moment. They are disgusted by him, and imagining the way that must feel, to see your own father and mother repulsed at your actions, is a horrifying thought.
“I don’t know who you are, but you aren’t my son anymore. My Jacen would never do the kind of stuff you do. Get out. I don’t want to know anymore.” - Han Solo, to Jacen Solo.
Overall, I found this to be a stunning novel. I cannot wait for more entries by Traviss. I know she is controversial to some, but I am not entirely sure why, and I am glad as that has not clouded my opinion of this novel.
I hope for more of Boba, Mirta, and the Mandalorians in later novels, and I am obsessed with the family drama in these books, and the interesting take on war on display here.
The war is finally beginning, and I am eagerly awaiting more ferocious battles and some perhaps larger character moments.
Will Jacen become a Master before a Sith Lord? Will Boba find the clone he is looking for? What will Jaina do next? How will Luke help Ben?
I am excited to find all of this out, and more. This one has me hooked.
9/10