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Star Wars: Bloodline
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Claudia Gray returns to the Star Wars universe following Lost Stars. Bloodline begins twenty years after the events of Return of the Jedi with Princess Leia struggling against the political stalemate of the New Republic Senate. Leia works with the Populist faction, which seeks to prevent the crimes of the Empire through a weak central government, in an effort to prevent the concentration of power the Centrists desire. When the ambassador from Ryloth delivers news to the Senate of a smuggling operation moving in on the Hutts' territory, Leia teams with Ransolm Casterfo, a member of the Centrist faction, to investigate. Their investigation leads them across the galaxy and into the myriad political workings of the New Republic. Along the way, there are hints of a larger group amassing an armada and Centrist politicians working to resurrect some part of the Empire as the First Order. Most devastatingly, the revelation of Leia's ancestry calls into question everything she had previously accomplished. The political machinations recall House of Cards, though on a galactic scale, while the sense of hopelessness in the face of political intransigence helps explain the need for the Resistance. While there remains a great deal of time to fill in before the events of The Force Awakens, Gray's story goes a long way toward explaining the state of the galaxy at the beginning of the seventh film. Her ability to write compelling, interesting characters has never been stronger and I hope she becomes a frequent contributor to the Star Wars galaxy.
It has been a while since I read any Star Wars books. Back in the 90s I tried keeping up with them. I may never read the hundreds of published works, but I do plan to get back into the Star Wars world. Since the Aftermath trilogy is trickling out, I thought I'd jump back in with Claudia Gray's Bloodline. Bloodline takes place prior to the The Force Awakens. Princess Leia and Han Solo's son, Ben, is off training with Luke Skywalker, although, the two have been unreachable. This book is politics at its best, and a timely release in light of current election shenanigans. The Galactic Senate of the New Republic has become weak. Too much time is spent debating, and not enough time is dedicated to acting, or getting things done. A proposal is made for a First Senator (think President). Princess Leia, a senator for the Populist party, (think Democrats), is an obvious candidate choice. She is a war hero, married to a war hero, and the brother of the most powerful Jedi -also a war hero. Ransolm Casterfo, a Centrist (think Republican), is young, good looking, and charming and quite possibly the perfect person pinned to run against the princess. Nothing is ever that simple. During a Senate meeting, concerns are brought forward about organized crime and potential danger from it on a distant planet. Nearly dismissed as inconsequential, Senator Leia volunteers to investigate. Perhaps out of mistrust, Ransolm volunteers, as well. The visit uncovers Runnrivin Di is the head of an organized crime organization. However, someone else must be behind the ring. Someone bigger, more powerful. They find the underworld more expansive than originally thought. Leia and Ransolm set aside political differences and work together for the greater good. In turn, each senator begins to see the value in the other, while earning each other's respect. As the two eventually form a new friendship, they are unaware sinister plots destined to tear the senate apart. As secrets preferred forgotten are unearthed, efforts to find, expose, and eradicate cartels is hindered. The future of the Galactic Senate, of the New Republic might not just be looking at change . . . it might instead be faced with an unstoppable unraveling! The best I can tell, (having been away from the books for so long), Gray has introduced so many new worlds. The concept of a water planet like Sibensko, and the shadiness of Daxam IV is well defined. While I enjoyed the idea of the Amaxine Militia, the Niktos, and even Rinnrivin Di, I think what I enjoyed even more was the new characters -the force behind Princess Leia. Joph Seastriker is a pilot I want to see more of, as well as learn even more about Greer Sonnel, Leia's assistant, and her story. The chemistry between Leia and Ransolm was intriguing. I will admit feeling a little bit jealous on Han Solo's behalf. Claudia Gray is an amazing writer. There is nothing about Bloodline I didn't like. While I am reading Gray's Lost Stars next, I hope there will be more in the Bloodline saga. It felt good spending some quality time with Leia. Phillip Tomasso Author of Wizard's Rise and Wizard's War
I enjoyed the book and the story line. It kept with the character Senator Organa and fills in some of the blanks between the movies. Wish there were more books written about Princess Leia and her leadership.
I enjoyed this. The title made perfect sense, to me, by the time I finished it. The story starts some twenty years after the Battle Of Endor. (i.e. "The Return Of The Jedi" The New Republic is plagued with the same faults, namely endless debates, and indecision. I found the character of Ransolm Casterfo an extremely interesting one and the changing dynamic between him and Leia added a richness to the story. I was mildly disappointed that there is a significant time gap between the ending of the book and the beginning of the storyline in "The Force Awakens" movie.
I listened to this book on Audible after listening to a few of what are now "Legends" and no longer canon. This was my first of the books leading up to "The Force Awakens" and I thought it was well-written, Claudia Gray did an exceptional job of keeping a balance of political action and good old-fashioned Star Wars fights and flying.
I've been on a bit of a Star Wars kick, so basically that involves me reading all the semi new Star Wars books I stumble across at work. This makes the 3rd one in a month and it may be my favorite!Bloodline follows Princess Lei two decades after "Return of the Jedi." She is still heavily involved in politics and serving as senator. Even though the Empire is long gone there is still trouble in the Senate. The Populists and the Centrists are always at each others throats and nothing constructive ever seems to get accomplished. Leia is seriously considering retiring but when an opportunity to invest a potential new threat to the galaxy comes up she springs on the chance to have a little adventure. A young power thirst Populist decides to accompany her on her mission and the two of them have no idea what is in store for them or the galaxy. Lots of fun and has new characters as well as old (Han! c3PO! Chewie! Luke!). I loved this, it fit seamlessly into the Star Wars universe and takes place about a decade before "The Force Awakens." I loved it!
All right, I enjoyed this. I enjoyed that it was almost all from Leia's perspective (and her sidekick in the adventure). I enjoyed that Han & Leia's relationship remained unconventional. That she had a male friend without sexual tension. I liked that many of the major actors were women. But. As much as I enjoy the Star Wars universe -- and I spent many hours obsessing over it as a kid, and again as an adult since "The Force Awakens" -- I can't help but think of Joanna Russ' " SF and Technology as Mystification", in which Russ really just takes apart Star Wars as junk food. For instance -- Claudia Gray is a competent writer, and "Bloodline" kept my attention and didn't irritate me. But I wonder what a Star Wars story would be like with a truly amazing writer, someone who got deep into characters, plot, beautifully crafted prose ... I find myself thinking, maybe there's something out that that's *that* good. But then I find myself wondering whether characters and the storylines in Star Wars could actually even bear that level of deeper examination and realism. Maybe they can only be a story for our adolescence? For escapism? That doesn't really make sense. After all, the archetypes often a really deep playing field for artists. But then what is it? Why don't we get more out of Star Wars? Why is it never as satisfying as I want it to be? Anyway -- if you're a Star Wars fan who likes to read, you'll likely enjoy this addition to the new (semi-rebooted) universe. It has a lot to recommend it. And if, like me, you crave the richer, deeper Star Wars stories, that may or may not exist, please drop me a line on my talk page with any recommendations or thoughts you may have.
Star Wars: Bloodline by Claudia Gray was basically an excuse to read another book from the world that created Jedi Knights, the Force, and Darth Vader. I watched and didn't especially like Star Wars: The Force Awakens and when I heard that there was a prequel to the film out there I felt compelled to read it. (It makes sense to me, okay?) The main protagonist is Senator Leia Organa and the majority of the story takes place in the Senate. This may have been why this book felt quite slow at times because it is very political and less action packed (exactly zero lightsabers made an appearance) than I had expected. Of course, this book could be viewed as a setup for the action that takes places in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THIS FILM. However, there are still unanswered questions that this book did not address such as what was the final straw that broke up Han and Leia. In this book they are still happily married albeit their dedication to their jobs is already putting a strain on their relationship. Han is still a wanderer at heart and Leia is a slave to her senatorial duty. There's a division in the New Republic which spells trouble for the government that the Rebels fought so hard to obtain. I did get a bit choked up at one point because THE INJUSTICE. (If you read the book you'll understand why that had to be capitalized.) The most frustrating part of this book were the cast of characters which were introduced and didn't materialize in the movie which logically should have been the continuation of this story. I'm wondering if there is something else in between these two and that's why I felt that something was missing. All in all, it was an entertaining although not entirely satisfactory book taking place in the universe (haha space joke) of Star Wars. 7/10
This is neither the story I expected nor was hoping for, based on the title and the cover. I wanted a more introspective, personal story about Leia grappling with the complexities of a failing political system, and the legacy of her family. Although Leia is faced with both of these things, I don't think she really grapples, not with great depth or emotional intensity. Because Bloodline is also about an investigation into a criminal organisation, involving adventure and espionage and escaping from the bad guys, and the story focuses on Leia's relationships with her younger colleagues who are part of that investigation. I enjoyed it - I particularly liked that Leia develops a respectful working relationship with someone from a different political party. Nevertheless I found it an easy book to read in dribs and drabs. Perhaps I was expecting too much from a Star Wars novel, but I wanted something more like Bujold's Paladin of Souls... "Princess Leia, we can't just leave you here!" "You can and you will." She squared her shoulders and took a moment to reckon her surroundings anew. The path she'd intended to take [...] had been cut off, but another lift would get her there if she made it in time. "Once I've checked this out, I'll steal a ship if I can - and trust me, I probably can."
I know this is one of the beloved new stories of the new canon, but I just didn't care for it. The writing wasn't horrible; though it wasn't very Star-Warsy (references to Chicken, to thing "of the world" when maters were affecting the entire universe, small things like that - etc) and the characterization for Leia was pretty spot on, even Han seemed right for the bits he was in. My main issues were the plot itself and its placement (no fixed timeline placement, but soon before TFA but before Ben turns Kylo Ren but with no fixed date to it) and the whole of the chronology for the new canon. Not a fan of the chronology and storytelling of the new canon. I find it hard to believe that at this point, which is roughly 20~ish years after Endor, nobody knows that Luke and Leia are the progeny of Anakin/Vader. Yet they all know that they were Padme Amidala's children. They reference that people know Luke and Leia are sister/brother but not that they know who was their father or that Vader=Anakin. I find that unlikely considering it seemed pretty apparent that Vader knew Luke was his son shortly after ANH and that would mean most of the Empire would know it since he was using the Imperial resources to find Luke specifically because of the genealogical purposes. So its not a fair leap to see that if Vader is Luke's father and Luke and Leia are sister and brother and that it was well documented that Bail adopted Leia, that ergo Vader is Leia's father. So that really ruined a HUGE aspect of this novel for me. As much as I love a good political novel, especially in Star Wars, I find the politics in this horribly done. The parallel to Democrat/Republican of our time is too apparent, and then to basically bake the Republican group into evil at the end .... just ugh. Can't we get a political novel where both sides have valid points for their beliefs and one doesn't have to be a puppet for a evil government or society or just evil itself? Lady Carise's character is so bad and stupid in this that it just hurts the head. I'm not even pro-Republican in real life but it was obvious the Centrists=Republicans or at least Conservatives and that the Populists=Democrats or Liberals. And then about 250 pages in we get the "swerve" that the Centrists are really plotting to bring about the First Order. Just bad. Just REALLY bad. The plot device to tie up Lady Carise and to bring the Vader thing is really bad too. "Oh the elder houses" which is all made up and never really brought up anywhere else, and "oh Bail kept a keepsake for Leia on Birren, not on Alderaan for after his death" seems so beyond contrived that it's ridiculously stupid. We're also talking about people's technology that is about 2000 years ahead of Earth's... yet in an unlocked and unguarded old pirate's treasure chest is what could be the biggest bombshell ever that Luke/Leia are Vader's kids, and that they all know Obi-Wan and where he lives on Tatooine and that Vader=Anakin and all of this other garbage, all straight from Bail Organa's mouth. So stupid. The Senate stuff is also a grave annoyance. You literally, in the span of the few months of this book have: 1) A Senate BOMBING (imagine the US Senate being bombed and the reactions to that - and then compare it to how the reactions were in this novel) 2) An assassination of First Senator candidate (think about a Presidential Candidate like Bobby Kennedy being assassinated) 3) The revelation that Leia is Vader's daughter (someone announcing that the Senator from Kentucky is Hitler's kid) 4) Ransolm Casterfo is accused/convicted of Treason with a paramilitary group and arrested All of these things happen in the span of 1~5 months. We are given no reactions or knowledge of how the universe at large sees any of this. We get extremely glossed over viewpoints of these HUGE events happening from selected members of the senate and their surrounding groups (literally 7 senators or less are even mentioned by name in this novel; Leia, Tai-Lin, Varish, Casterfo, Lady Carise, Yendor, and one or two senators are kind of off-handed mentioned with no talking time). No real impact also seems to happen from these events other than to establish that a) the senate is completely and utterly pointless, b) to create the Resistance which we need for TFA. The paramilitary/Amaxines entire gameplan is stupid. What is even the point of bombing the senate? To cause chaos? To start laying the found work for the First Order to come in? Those are the basic reasons given in the novel.... yet none of that truly makes sense. So if that is the case, why warn the people of the bomb? Wouldn't the actual loss of life be much more important? The Centrists/Populists will still bicker afterwards, with just new names rather than the same names. Why not kill Leia at the end anyway; especially if Arliz is committing suicide, the strategy of leaving Leia alive makes zero sense. Even if she has zero political power, her death would still ensure that she NEVER GET POLITICAL POWER back; which she could (and basically does as TFA shows.) The ending wrap-up also is kind of lame. A well timed destroyed ship in a small combat fight with Han/Leia and it blows up the entire underground Amaxine's army/starfleet. Ugh, yawn. Oh and don't worry Han is a racer out in the great space, so his timing was perfect, but we don't get him with Chewie or even in the Falcon for the fun of it. Eghhh...... ugh.... I really wanted to like this novel, and I know A LOT of people did, but just so much of this bothered me. I think most of it stemming from TFA's plot and how I don't like the plot of the new chronology. So much of the new timeline doesn't seem to make any sense. (Not like the old one did at times either, but it seemed a bit more logical than this new one with how the Empire ends after ROTJ and turns into the First Order). The sad thing is, this is supposed to be one of the "jewels" of the new canon, and everyone has been praising Claudia Grey, but I personally just didn't like it for the reasons above. I really do not like the timeline of the new canon, post-ROTJ. I don't care for how the Empire fades into First Order. I also don't like the underplaying of Han/Chewie's relationship, and just how Luke/Leia/Han are underplayed as a whole by the new books.