The first SW book I ever read was Claudia Gray's Lost Stars. My expectations were low: Star Wars is such a visually rich setting, after all, and I had doubts as to how well it would translate to the written word. If anything, I only expected a fun romp through the Star Wars universe. I certainly didn't expect it to be an arresting and heart-wrenching piece of fiction. But it turned out to be both. I loved it enough that it was the first book I picked as a favorite read for last year. And I loved Gray's writing enough that I would eagerly pick up whatever she wrote for the expanded universe next. The fact that this happened to be a story that focused on Leia only managed to increase my interest.
Bloodline features and older, wiser, slightly weary Leia, still serving in her function as a Senator for the New Republic. At the beginning of the story, tired of all the ceremony and hypocrisy of politics, she's determined to retire from it all, but not before engaging in one last diplomatic mission which she hopes will do some actual, genuine good for the galaxy -- not to mention serve as one final adventure. That this adventure should prove to uncover a vast and deep conspiracy that threatens not only her personal safety and reputation but the fate of the entire galaxy should really come as no big surprise -- this is a Star Wars story, after all.
Gray's portrayal of Leia is beautifully nuanced, and balances the political and personal aspects of the character with grace and aplomb. This is a Leia that is a brilliant and savvy politician, as well as a bad-ass who knows how to handle a blaster and is ready to throw down at a moment’s notice.
"Leia lifted her blaster, losing her sights on Rinnrivin’s guard — and targeting the central strut of the tunnel support directly overhead. One bolt held the entire thing together. That bolt was no larger than a child’s fist. At this range, in semi-darkness, perhaps one shot in a thousand might be capable of destroying that bolt. But Leia made the shot."
In short, the very same Leia that we all know and love. The same Leia that the late, great Carrie Fisher brought to life. Gray's capable prose does her more than enough justice.
The story is made all the more interesting by the fact that it deals heavily with politics, something that the prequels tried to do with very mixed and muddy results. It’s one of the more fascinating aspects in Bloodline however, and the intrigue and West Wing-like drama of it all carries the story through. That the political landscape of the novel happens to look very much like our own just adds a more surreal and slightly ominous layer to it all.
Gray has gone on record to say that Bloodline wasn’t written as commentary, it's pretty hard, especially after the events of last November, not to view the story as a reflection of our current reality. Part of the reason that Leia wants to retire has to do with the Senate devolving into a two-party system -- parties that are themselves fragmented into conflicting fractions. She laments how "every debate on the Senate floor turns into an endless argument over ‘tone’ or ‘form’ and never about issues of substance." And try to read this bit of dialogue and tell me it doesn't sound like something you’d find on a recent think piece.
“Surely you won’t deny the New Republic is committing mistakes of its own.”
“Not the evils of tyranny and control.”
“No. The evils of absence and neglect.”
And, of course, there’s the now viral quote at the close of the book that has gained new relevance in light of yesterday's marches:
“The sun is setting on the New Republic," Leia said. "It's time for the Resistance to rise.”
Indeed.
Bloodline is both a brilliant character portrait and relevant social commentary. Claudia Gray can write Star Wars like no other and I will read anything she writes in this universe.
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✨ Leia⭐ Politics of Star Wars🌟 Sequel TrilogyHonestly, Bloodlines by Claudia Gray might be one of my new favorite Star Wars books. I originally borrowed the audiobook from the library but loved it so much I needed a copy of my own.You really get to sit in the discomfort of the New Republic. A dysfunctional picture is painted of what follows the fall of the Empire. Clear types of characters show up that felt almost a little too real at moments.Leia is tired of the current state of politics and is ready to step down. She ends up having to work with another senator, Ransolm, who has an odd affinity for the Empire. The two have to find in themselves to work together especially as they investigate a crime cartel learning what really is at stake.Throughout all of this it's public learns about Leia's relations to Darth Vader along with her hatred toward him. It really helps drive up the stakes of relationships around her and how to grapple with all of this though what I enjoyed most was just sitting in the unfolding political disaster of the New Republic.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2017
- Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2016
Top reviews from other countries
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JoffreyReviewed in France on June 15, 2023
Une aventure captivante dans l'univers Star Wars !
- Thomas JacobReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 8, 2021
One of, arguably the definitive, the best SW novels that I have ever had the pleasure of reading
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- Anindita SinghReviewed in India on November 10, 2018
This answers so many questions about TFA
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