jenny_librarian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
It’s been a long time since a book made me that excited. That was a freaking masterpiece by Claudia Gray and I absolutely loved all of it!
The twists left me with my jaw on the floor, and all the details that tie to the sequels (and make them make some kind of sense)… It’s genius and it made me rage and cry and want to scream and throw the book.
Has to be my absolute favourite original novel in this universe. The only things we didn’t get that I wish we did were more Han, and a mention of Poe Dameron and Amilyn Holdo. But everything else? *Chief kiss*
The twists left me with my jaw on the floor, and all the details that tie to the sequels (and make them make some kind of sense)…
Spoiler
Luke and Ben being AWOL, the thermal detonatorsHas to be my absolute favourite original novel in this universe. The only things we didn’t get that I wish we did were more Han, and a mention of Poe Dameron and Amilyn Holdo. But everything else? *Chief kiss*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Torture, War, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Genocide
saurahsaurus's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
Man, I really loved this book! Leia is a straight badass, and I really loved that this book centered her character. There’s plenty of action, unexpected friendship, and this book felt more inclusive than a lot of prior canon. TBC
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Death, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Violence, War, Drug use, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent, Trafficking, Slavery, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Gore, Terminal illness, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
ehmannky's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book rules. Gray creates such a wonderful expansion of the Star Wars universe with this political-espionage thriller. I was just delighted the whole time, and I loved seeing how the First Order creeps up, a kind of look at how defeating fascism isn't a one-off thing and requires constant vigilance. It was truly kind of worrying how much the depiction of the Senate reminded me of the current political forces in the US, where one political party is inept, the other is truly evil and full of wannabe fascists, and so much political gridlock simply renders much of it moot.
Highlights of the book include:
-a deep look at the effects of a lifetime of war and service on Leia as well as her dislike of Vader
-Han and Leia being mushy and cute together.
-Greer being so beautiful that Joph feels like he can't even begin to have a crush on her because he's so far out of his league
-C-3PO continuing to be my favorite droid. He genuinely cracks me up.
-All the political intrigue and spy stuff, especially given how it often departs to show that way too many people value power and fascism
Highlights of the book include:
-a deep look at the effects of a lifetime of war and service on Leia as well as her dislike of Vader
-Han and Leia being mushy and cute together.
-Greer being so beautiful that Joph feels like he can't even begin to have a crush on her because he's so far out of his league
-C-3PO continuing to be my favorite droid. He genuinely cracks me up.
-All the political intrigue and spy stuff, especially given how it often departs to show that way too many people value power and fascism
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Gun violence
Minor: Drug use and Slavery
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