A review by preciouslittleingenue
Bloodline by Claudia Gray
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
For what it was, this was really good. I have an overall problem with the TFA/sequel canon particularly regarding how it leaves Han/Leia, so I do not appreciate the constant reminders that Han would rather be judging a stupid race while his wife is suffering indescribably and like, you know, needs him. Because the Han *I* know would think of absolutely nothing BUT how badly she needed him and being there for her.
But other than that, Claudia Gray delivers, as always. She did the bets she could given the way TFA set up Leia and Han for complete and abject failure. The way things went down with Ben not knowing about Vader and then finding out like THAT actually makes all of THAT make a lot more sense. Like...I'd be mad too. And probably develop mommy and daddy issues. But, another novel or at least a SHRED of something canon that shows Leia and Han being the devoted, loving parents they were before he was old enough to be sent away to Luke to be a Jedi would've made me feel better about the fact that she really barely talks about him other than in relation to him finding out about Vader. Pretty sure she even says she doesn't call him enough or something. Don't like it :(
This book also makes it painfully clear to see how easy it was for The First Order to rise. What an absolutely incompetent collection of morons on that senate. They just set themselves up for failure. It was really fascinating to see it all happen. My only "complaint" is that it would have been nice to see that all being part of the films at least a LITTLE bit. Because the vast majority just watch the movies and see our heroes sidelined, having failed to keep everything on the up and up after they won the last Star War. This makes it so abundantly obvious that it isn't their fault. This aspect of things what what was sorely lacking in the sequels.
Anyways, here's my wee list of moments I liked most:
“Did you spend the entire rebellion in the company of smugglers and low lifes?" hehehehehe yes she did and she liked it very much thank u sir
"Maybe this was what it felt like to be in the womb. I wasn't alone there, though. Luke was with me. Where's Luke?" THIS MADE ME SO SOFTTTTTTT UGH MY SPACE TWINS THAT'S ANOTHER THING NOT ENOUGH LUKE/SPACE TWIN FEELS IN THIS ONE!!!! WHY ARE THEY SO DISTANT IT BREAKS MY HEART
But other than that, Claudia Gray delivers, as always. She did the bets she could given the way TFA set up Leia and Han for complete and abject failure. The way things went down with Ben not knowing about Vader and then finding out like THAT actually makes all of THAT make a lot more sense. Like...I'd be mad too. And probably develop mommy and daddy issues. But, another novel or at least a SHRED of something canon that shows Leia and Han being the devoted, loving parents they were before he was old enough to be sent away to Luke to be a Jedi would've made me feel better about the fact that she really barely talks about him other than in relation to him finding out about Vader. Pretty sure she even says she doesn't call him enough or something. Don't like it :(
This book also makes it painfully clear to see how easy it was for The First Order to rise. What an absolutely incompetent collection of morons on that senate. They just set themselves up for failure. It was really fascinating to see it all happen. My only "complaint" is that it would have been nice to see that all being part of the films at least a LITTLE bit. Because the vast majority just watch the movies and see our heroes sidelined, having failed to keep everything on the up and up after they won the last Star War. This makes it so abundantly obvious that it isn't their fault. This aspect of things what what was sorely lacking in the sequels.
Anyways, here's my wee list of moments I liked most:
“Did you spend the entire rebellion in the company of smugglers and low lifes?" hehehehehe yes she did and she liked it very much thank u sir
"Maybe this was what it felt like to be in the womb. I wasn't alone there, though. Luke was with me. Where's Luke?" THIS MADE ME SO SOFTTTTTTT UGH MY SPACE TWINS THAT'S ANOTHER THING NOT ENOUGH LUKE/SPACE TWIN FEELS IN THIS ONE!!!! WHY ARE THEY SO DISTANT IT BREAKS MY HEART