Reviews

Bloodline, by Claudia Gray

snowbenton's review

2.0

This just lacked the magic that I expect from Star Wars.

Spoiler

I hated that Ransolm betrayed Leia, but I also hate that he died for a crime he didn't commit after one goodbye where Leia realizes she can't help him. The only thing I really liked were the scenes with Han Solo, but those were too short.

darthvargas's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

akswhy's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

How dare Claudia Gray make me care about a reformed neo-nazi with a name like Ransolm! This book serves as a fantastic bridge between the original trilogy and the sequels. 

juliwi's review against another edition

4.0

I have just spent a whole three days at Star Wars Celebration Europe in London, immersing myself in all the Star Wars I could possibly desire but on the train there and back and in the queues I was reading Bloodline. From the moment it was announced this novel has intrigued me, since the political themes of the Prequel-trilogy are what keeps me fascinated. Thanks to Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and for being absolutely lovely at SWCE.

Writing a tie-in can be quite difficult. A character as well-known and beloved as Leia, who has a recognisable voice, is a challenge to any author. Thankfully Claudia Gray is not only a great writer, but she also has experience writing Star Wars. Her Lost Stars from last year proved her capability to write within this universe, and with Bloodline she cements her status as one of the best of the current tie-in writers. Moving fluidly between description and dialogue, fighting and discussion, reflection and action, Gray never loses the plot. Gray nails characters like Leia and Han, which the reader knows, and introduces fascinating new characters which I'd love to see again. Moving between different narrators, with most of the focus lying on Leia, Gray doesn't let her readers off easily, placing the blame solidly on one side. Rather, Gray shows the ambiguous morality of a world which seems on the brink.

I really loved Bloodline. It not only captures the Leia we know very well, it also introduces us to aspects of her we didn't yet know. Gray makes this story her own and fills in crucial gaps in the Star Wars canon. Whether you're a dedicated Star Wars fan or only loosely interested in Sci-Fi, I'd recommend Bloodline as an example of the perfect tie-in novel.

For full review: http://universeinwords.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/review-bloodline-by-claudia-gray.html

miocenemama's review

5.0

This book helps fill in some of the parts missing from the movies. We see how the first order is beginning to form. We see new pilots being recruited. We see the set up that could have led to Ben becoming Kylo Ren. We see where Han and Leia were before all that. But mostly, this is Leia's story. We see the trauma she felt being tortured by her own father, by seeing her planet and all of her loved ones destroyed, and the world-weariness she feels as she sees the apathy and contention present in the Senate. We see her dealing with loss and betrayal, and we see the woman who is strong enough to rise above it all and answer duty's call in spite of it. This book tells the story through the lens of Leia's experiences. I loved that this book fleshed out an already beloved character and gave us true insight into her mind and heart. Before reading this book, I had not realized how much Leia and other women had been dismissed in the first movies. The movies had been Luke's story. This book is Leia's.

bheath03's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

fantasticmrethan's review against another edition

3.0

Somehow managed to both entertain me and bore me at the same time. A really intriguing plot with some great moments but overall could have been trimmed down by 100 pages or so. The characterisations and writing style cannot be faulted though.

avenclov's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

kennaf's review

emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

meadowpicnic's review

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25