Review: “Bloodline: Star Wars” by Claudia Gray

Star Wars: Bloodline is a direct prequel to The Force Awakens, focused primarily on Leia Organa.

The novel presents a good mix of action and political intrigue that the prequel movies didn’t quite grasp. The New Republic has fractured into two main parties: The Centrists, dedicated to a strong central Republic Government, and the Populists, devoted to autonomy for individual star systems. The Senate is deadlocked, mired in posturing from both sides.

Leia is frustrated by the inability to get anything done, and finds herself longing for the days of the Rebellion, where action was the order of the day. Her wish comes true when a world not directly allied with the Republic comes asking for aid against gangsters who have filled the power vacuum left by the vanquished Hutts. Leia finds herself working alongside Random Castairfo, a political opponent. Along the way she learns that friendship can be forged with her unlikely ally – and destroyed by a dark secret.

The characters are well-written and deep; Leia is portrayed as heroic but flawed in ways that are true to the character. Castairfo starts as a collector of Imperial memorabilia – which enrages Leia – and yet, he is more than simply a caricature to be knocked over by the Princess. He shows a strength in his convictions that makes him an honorable foil for Leia, and yet this leads to unexpected trouble.

Gray also captures the voices of characters we are deeply familiar with, not only Leia, but Han Solo and C-3PO. The story balances character studies with swashbuckling Star Wars adventure, complete with X-Wing battles, speeder chases, and blaster fire. The story draws on events from the original films and examines them from a different perspective.

The only mark against the story itself is that it is overlong by the last few chapters and points too directly to setting up The Force Awakens. It works well as a standalone adventure.

January LaVoy’s reading captures the tone of the novel, and she does an excellent job of differentiating the characters in dialog without resorting to cartoony voices. She captures Han’s lazy drawl quite well. The audio production adds in background sound effects to help establish environments and locations – the hubbub of voices in the Senate, the rumble of engines aboard Leia’s starship. The use of John Williams’ iconic music underscores the drama without overwhelming the reading.

The story gets three stars; the reading and production gets four stars.

When the Rebellion defeated the Empire in the skies above Endor, Leia Organa believed it was the beginning to a lasting peace. But after decades of vicious infighting and partisan gridlock in the New Republic Senate, that hope seems like a distant memory.

Now a respected senator, Leia must grapple with the dangers that threaten to cripple the fledgling democracy—from both within and without. Underworld kingpins, treacherous politicians, and Imperial loyalists are sowing chaos in the galaxy. Desperate to take action, senators are calling for the election of a First Senator. It is their hope that this influential post will bring strong leadership to a divided galaxy.

As the daughter of Darth Vader, Leia faces with distrust the prospect of any one person holding such a powerful position—even when supporters suggest Leia herself for the job. But a new enemy may make this path Leia’s only option. For at the edges of the galaxy, a mysterious threat is growing. . . .

Bloodline (Star Wars) by Claudia Gray
Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 12 hours and 14 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Random House Audio
Audible.com Release Date: May 3, 2016
Whispersync for Voice: Ready
Language: English
ASIN: B01CRJW86K

Series: Star Wars
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Del Rey (May 3, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345511360
ISBN-13: 978-0345511362