Really, this will be two book reviews combined into one, and neither will be particularly literary. Sorry, NO MLA CITATIONS Y'ALL. This book review is basically about how much I adore Leia Organa and Claudia Gray's portrayal of her. I'm writing at you all informal-like.
NO SPOILERS, I PROMISE!
I found Claudia Gray's books after reading an article at The Nerdist,
The Last Jedi Connections In The New Young Leia Novel. It piqued my interest. Fresh and raw still from Carrie Fisher's passing, I was looking for a way to connect more deeply with Leia, who was finally coming back to me in the rebooted Star Wars. Star Wars was one of the first franchises that I loved, and Leia was one of the first women I saw kicking ass and taking names, sass and class. To lose Carrie Fisher and the now regal, no-nonsense General Organa broke my heart. These books were the salve I didn't even know I needed.
Leia, Princess of Alderaan tenderly describes her strained though loving relationship with Bail and Breha Organa throughout the book and how Leia resolves to aid the rebellion. Gray gives us a young Leia who is resolutely dedicated to her people and to justice, clever and already learning to be politically savvy, who is a sure-fast friend and willing to re-evaluate her estimations of people when they show kindness, she is passionate, and deeply committed to her family. The greatest gift of this novel, and harshest curse, is that we get to see and feel everything Leia loses when the death star obliterates Alderaan. It is a must read for any aspiring Space Generals and spunky rebels.
Notable mention to Amilyn Holdo who is introduced in The Last Jedi and is possibly one of my favorite new Star Wars characters. If you read the book, I hope you enjoy her as much as I did!
Bloodline brings us a middle-aged Leia, now a war-worn Populist senator in the New Republic, who is disillusioned with the new government but still retains hope for the lives around her. Claudia Gray opens up the book with Leia at a dedication for a statue of her adopted father, Bail Organa of Alderaan. She is heartbroken and missing her family and for lack of a better word, bored. She's bored with the inefficient bureaucracy and duplicitous, Imperial-worshiping Centrists; but also, dare I say, the fractured nature of the Populist party.
This Leia has been looking into the eye of the void for most of her adult life and fighting it with every ounce of her being. She is brilliant and strong, but heartily misses Han and the thrill of adventure in the stars. In this book, we get an insight into how Leia has dealt with the loss of her planet and family, and some startling and public revelations. Princess Senator (soon to be General, right WINK WINK) Organa is such a warm embodiment of fierce hope and strength during times of chaos. The book itself is action-packed, fast-paced, and has a special cameo by everybody's favorite bad boy-grown up.
Notable mention to Centrist Senator Ransolm Casterfo, who is an unlikely ally and a deeply intriguing character.
So if you're looking for a clever, plucky youth learning to fight for good or if you're looking for a cunning leader still fighting the good fight, you have found your cinnamon roll. Check out Claudia Gray's books and thank me later.
