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rijuchaudhuri 's review for:
Leia, Princess of Alderaan
by Claudia Gray
"We may make mistakes when we let our hearts guide us—terrible mistakes—but I think we are never wholly wrong.” — Bail Organa to Leia
My goodness! Where do I even begin? This biographical take on our beloved princess sets up the exact character arc we've come to know her for!
The development of her character, not only as an individual, but as a princess, as a girl, as a daughter of the Organas and as the daughter of Alderaan. This book is an absolute treasure!
Here are a few things I must point out which really stood out:
1. The presentation of Alderaan
I've read many legends materials stretching back to the Old Republic, but Alderaan never really received the introduction we had all been longing for.
But then this book came along! I can hardly explain the ambience I felt imagining the planet while reading! It was the Old Republic Alderaan hummed to life with all its rich lifeforms, sounds and melodies. While simultaneously dropping subtle reminders of the planet's fate.
And on top of that, the relationship between Leia and Alderaan! It's like depicting the bonds between Galadriel and Lothlórien/Batman and Gotham!
2. Breha Organa
Fan-tastic! From start to finish! I've rarely seen such rich story of a Star Wars character who has such an important role to play in Star Wars lore but never been shown on-screen. This was one of the best things this book has done!
3. Leia's character development
I don't have any more words to describe! She goes on trying her best, fails, which lead up to terrible consequences, then she repeats them again and again. THIS is how you craft Leia's arc! This is how you make Leia the Princess Leia!
4. Amilyn Holdo
Despite all the controversies surrounding her character in The Last Jedi, Amilyn Holdo's introduction set a great backstory for the movie to follow.
Spoiler
I literally cried twice while reading the part when Leia's witnesses Kier's death alongside Amilyn. Knowing this is the exact way Leia would witness Amilyn's death decades later—made me lose it completely as I started envisioning the moment.
5. Justice for the movies
To be honest, the destruction of Alderaan and Leia's reaction to it never really moved me that much. Partly because that was also the first time knowing about the planet and the fact that Leia's reactions weren't really focused/developed in the film following the destruction. But after finishing this story, it gave me a completely new angle to look through! I would never look at A New Hope or The Last Jedi or even The Rise of Skywalker in the same way again! It forever changed the movies for me!
6. The message
The story gives us the same message that The Last Jedi tries to bring up: "Failure, the greatest teacher is."
Applause and cheers filled the room as Leia rose to her feet and turned to face the crowd. Her parents stood on either side of her, beaming with pride—more pride, even, than many of their guests could know. Through the stained glass windows Leia could catch glimpses of the beautiful planet that she would someday rule.
My parents, Leia thought. My friends. My world.
These are the things the Empire can never take away.
