Star Wars: Bloodline by Claudia Gray - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Bloodline
Author: Claudia Gray
Release Date: May 3, 2016

Synopsis: When the Rebellion defeated the Empire in the skies above Endor, Leia Organa believed it was the beginning to a lasting peace. But after decades of vicious infighting and partisan gridlock in the New Republic Senate, that hope seems like a distant memory.

Now a respected senator, Leia must grapple with the dangers that threaten to cripple the fledgling democracy—from both within and without. Underworld kingpins, treacherous politicians, and Imperial loyalists are sowing chaos in the galaxy. Desperate to take action, senators are calling for the election of a First Senator. It is their hope that this influential post will bring strong leadership to a divided galaxy. 

As the daughter of Darth Vader, Leia faces with distrust the prospect of any one person holding such a powerful position—even when supporters suggest Leia herself for the job. But a new enemy may make this path Leia’s only option. For at the edges of the galaxy, a mysterious threat is growing. . . .

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Review: Claudia Gray is so good at writing Star Wars. If you haven't read Lost Stars, her YA novel that covers the whole of the original trilogy, you need to read it now! In this book, Gray tackles the difficult task of showing Leia between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. She did a wonderful job!

Politics are very present in this novel. I enjoyed the politics of the prequels and I liked seeing how the political climate changed after the fall of the second Death Star. There are interesting parallels to our own two-party system in America. 

Gray does a great job of filling some holes and hinting at other events that have taken place in our favorite characters' lives since the Emperor's death. Marriage. Ben. 

I love when there's characters that are just casually lgbt!

Ransolm Casterfo is such a well written character. You may dislike him at first, but when you spend time with him you start to understand his perspective. 

The glimpses we get into Han and Leia's relationship just barely wets the tongue, but it is so satisfying! I want Gray to write all the Star Wars books!

This Star Wars book is about an older woman in a relationship having a friendship with a younger man. That along with the politics and perspectives really make this book a product of its time. So 2016! I can't wait for even more modern Star Wars in 2017! Hopefully written by Claudia Gray!

I give this book a 5/5! It's one of my favorite Star Wars books! So well written. Amazing complex characters. Claudia Gray is queen!




--PAUL

Star Wars: Dark Disciple by Christie Golden - Paul's Review

*I received this book as an eARC from Del Ray via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Star Wars: Dark Disciple
Author: Christie Golden
Recent Release Date: July 7, 2015

My Pre-Reading

Synopsis: Based on unproduced scripts from the blockbuster TV show Star Wars: The Clone Wars!

The only way to bring down the dark side's most dangerous warrior may be for Jedi and Sith to join forces.

In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.

But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force's power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku's side still runs deep, Ventress's hatred for her former master runs deeper. She's more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos's quest.

Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don't compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior's spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.

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Review: This has taken the spot as my favorite of the new Star Wars canon novels. The storytelling is excellent. Reading this book, I could hear the voices of the animated characters. There wasn't a moment when I thought a character's actions didn't allign with their already canonical self. Ventress especially has excellent quips. 

The material that went into creating this was many unproduced episodes of The Clone Wars tv series. There were certain points where it seemed evident that one arc ended and a new one started. I didn't mind though. There was constant action. I never found myself bored. Since these arcs would have made up a large part of the season, a lot of time passes. This isn't a book that takes place over a few days. Relationships really build and change within this book. 

I liked how this book addressed the Dark Side and the way it was handled make me excited for the future of Star Wars. The Dark Side isn't always connected to the Sith. The Force is used in many different ways. The characters in this novel truly embody the idea of grayness. 

I loved watching the relationship between Vos and Ventress evolve. There were a lot of great parallels to Anakin and Padme. It is even addressed within the book. The Anakin in this book is the closest to Revenge of the Sith I've seen before. The Jedi Order is also degrading and the effects of the war are evident. 

This was an excellent Star Wars novel. It was always moving forward. The story actually progressed. Characters changed. Things happened that truly matter to the overall Star Wars universe. I give this novel a 5/5 and I really hope more stories are told form this time period. I'm sure the focus in the next year will be on post-ROTJ, but I want at least a few Clone Wars era stories. 

--PAUL

Star Wars: Dark Disciple by Christie Golden - Paul's Pre-reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Del Ray via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Star Wars: Dark Disciple
Author: Christie Golden
Recent Release Date: July 7, 2015

Synopsis: Based on unproduced scripts from the blockbuster TV show Star Wars: The Clone Wars!

The only way to bring down the dark side's most dangerous warrior may be for Jedi and Sith to join forces.

In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.

But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force's power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku's side still runs deep, Ventress's hatred for her former master runs deeper. She's more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos's quest.

Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don't compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior's spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.

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Why?: Christie Golden wrote some of my favorite Star Trek books, the Voyager: Homecoming duology! She also has quite the resume with Star Wars books, but I have not had the pleasure to read any of them. This book has been created from unproduced episodes of The Clone Wars animated series. It is also part of the new canon of books. The two main characters are Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Voss. The Clone Wars Darkhorse graphic novels are my favorite comic book form of Star Wars and they featured Vos prominently. There is absolutely no reason why I would not read this book.

Expectations: I'm expecting a high action story with two characters that are the very definition of gray. Quinlan Vos doesn't have much canon backstory before this book compared to his vast history in the old Expanded Universe. I'm interested to see how similar he is to his EU origins. 

Judging a book by its cover: Amazing cover. I loved it the first time I saw it. The colors are great. The way the facial tattoos pop is great. The yellow and green lightsabers are great. I need everything about this book! 


--PAUL

Star Wars: Lords of the Sith - Paul's Review

*I received this book as an eARC from Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Lords of the Sith
Author: Paul S. Kemp

Release Date: April 28, 2015

Synopsis: On Ryloth, a planet crucial to the growing Empire as a source of slave labor and the narcotic known as “spice,” an aggressive resistance movement has arisen, led by Cham Syndulla, an idealistic freedom fighter, and Isval, a vengeful former slave. But Emperor Palpatine means to control the embattled world and its precious resources—by political power or firepower—and he will be neither intimidated nor denied. Accompanied by his merciless disciple, Darth Vader, he sets out on a rare personal mission to ensure his will is done.

For Syndulla and Isval, it’s the opportunity to strike at the very heart of the ruthless dictatorship sweeping the galaxy. And for the Emperor and Darth Vader, Ryloth becomes more than just a matter of putting down an insurrection: When an ambush sends them crashing to the planet’s surface, where inhospitable terrain and an army of resistance fighters await them, they will find their relationship tested as never before. With only their lightsabers, the dark side of the Force, and each other to depend on, the two Sith must decide if the brutal bond they share will make them victorious allies or lethal adversaries. 

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Review:I have really enjoyed these new canon Star Wars books. All of them have made effort to connect the two trilogies and the tv series, Lords of the Sith especially. There was a reference to a former padawan that made me squeal. 

When it comes to Darth Vader, he needs to be an ominous force. There has to be that mystery remaining, even though we know so much about his past. This book did an excellent job at not getting too much inside of Vader's head. There were many parts of the book when I was hearing Anakin's voice in my head instead of Vader's deep voice. Although the focus of this book may be on Vader and the Emperor, they don't get as much "screen time" as other characters. 

Cham Syndulla is the real core of this story. Not only that, but he is the connection to the Star Wars tv shows. He was featured on The Clone Wars and has a direct connection to a character on Rebels. 

This book can be seen as a sequel to Revenge of the Sith and The Clone Wars, but also a prequel to Rebels and A New Hope. All of the connections are there. 

Pretty much every character in this book has a grayness to them. The "freedom fighters" are very close to terrorists, but they're attacking the "bad guys" so it's okay, right? The uber bad guys are on the run, but they have all the power and will to destroy anyone in their way. The government and military leaders either do a horrible job at their job or are attempting to play the system to get more power. 

Moff Delian Mors is introduced in this book and she has received a lot of hype, being the first LGBT character in the new Star Wars canon. I am very excited to see the positive outpour over an LGBT character and hope to see more in everything Star Wars, but Mors's sexual orientation is just a small aspect of her character. Overall, she is a lazy Imperial officer. She had some redeeming qualities, but she is only a side character. I'd love to see her in more things Star Wars, but even more I'd love to see more characters to represent other aspects of the LGBT community. 

Like all of the new canon Star Wars books, reading little details gets me even more excited knowing they are legit. When one of the royal guards took off his helmet, my mouth dropped. Vader's meditation chamber has been featured a lot in these books recently. It makes me wonder if there is something more to it than we know. 

I really enjoyed this book. The whole first half is pretty much just set-up, but it's enjoyable getting to know these new characters and Ryloth as a planet. I actually found the set-up more interesting than the running, chasing, and hunting of the second half. I give this book a 4/5. I believe that makes this my second favorite of the new Star Wars canon books so far, just behind Heir to the Jedi. Although once Dark Disciple and Aftermath come out, I'm almost positive that will change. 


--PAUL

Star Wars: Lords of the Sith - Paul's Pre Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Lords of the Sith
Author: Paul S. Kemp

Upcoming Release Date: April 28, 2015

Synopsis: On Ryloth, a planet crucial to the growing Empire as a source of slave labor and the narcotic known as “spice,” an aggressive resistance movement has arisen, led by Cham Syndulla, an idealistic freedom fighter, and Isval, a vengeful former slave. But Emperor Palpatine means to control the embattled world and its precious resources—by political power or firepower—and he will be neither intimidated nor denied. Accompanied by his merciless disciple, Darth Vader, he sets out on a rare personal mission to ensure his will is done.

For Syndulla and Isval, it’s the opportunity to strike at the very heart of the ruthless dictatorship sweeping the galaxy. And for the Emperor and Darth Vader, Ryloth becomes more than just a matter of putting down an insurrection: When an ambush sends them crashing to the planet’s surface, where inhospitable terrain and an army of resistance fighters await them, they will find their relationship tested as never before. With only their lightsabers, the dark side of the Force, and each other to depend on, the two Sith must decide if the brutal bond they share will make them victorious allies or lethal adversaries. 

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Why?: I've enjoyed every book in the new canon so far. I like how each little detail adds to the new canon universe, showing what of the old canon has been kept and what has been left aside. It is also nice how it is manageable. I have watched or read everything within the new canon. 

This book focuses on two of the greatest villains of Star Wars: Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. I'm interested to see their viewpoint and I hope they both still seem mysterious. Cham Syndulla is also featured. He was in The Clone Wars as well as being Hera, from Rebels, 's father.   

This is also the first appearance of an LGBT character in the new Star Wars canon. I'm interested to see how this new moff character plays out. 

Expectations:  I'm excited to see how this book blends the feel of the original trilogy, The Clone Wars, and Rebels. I'm expected a glimpse into out favorite Sith lords, while also bridging the gap between Episode III and IV. It'll be interested to see how much Darth Vader knows about his own past, and those around him as well. 

Judging a book by its cover: This cover is pretty hardcore. How much more badass can you get than Darth Vader's red lightsaber and force lightening? 


--PAUL