Leia: Princess of Alderaan (Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi) by Claudia Gray - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Leia: Princess of Alderaan (Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi)
Author: Claudia Gray
Recent Release Date: September 1, 2017

Review of LOST STARS by Claudia Gray
Review of BLOODLINE by Claudia Gray

Synopsis: The never-before-told story of how young Leia Organa comes to join the rebellion against the evil Empire, from best-selling author Claudia Gray.

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Review: Claudia Gray is one of the best authors writing Star Wars right now. And that's saying a lot, because there have been some wonderful Star Wars books in the past few years. If you haven't read Lost Stars (the YA forbidden love story that takes place over the original trilogy ending in the Battle of Jakku) or Bloodline (Leia between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens) you need to go read them NOW! It is not necessary for reading this book, but there are some references.

This book shows Leia when she is going through her coming-of-age rituals on Alderaan. I really enjoyed learning about Alderaan's culture. Queen Breha is such an awesome character. This book does so well filling in gaps in the Star Wars universe. Since this is one of the books made leading up to The Last Jedi, there are references to places and people featured in the movie. You get to meet Holdo when she was a junior senator just meeting Leia. I'm hoping for a Holdo book that explains her absence from the original trilogy. 

There is so much heart in this book. The relationship between Leia and her parents is written so well. There are things that make Leia the woman she is in the original trilogy. There's also some great moral dilemmas that arise. Claudia Gray portrays galactic politics so well in her books. 

I obviously give this book a 5/5. If you're a Star Wars fan like me, this is definitely worth picking up. Even if you've never read a Star Wars book before and just want a YA book about Leia, this is it!     


--PAUL

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