Bloodline

[Dasquian Belargic]

I know that a few of us recently bought this book, so thought I'd start a thread for us to talk about how we're liking it. The book is set 6 years before The Force Awakens, and focuses on Princess Leia.

Here's the wookieepedia page about it: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Bloodline_(novel)


An entire generation has prospered during an era of peace. The New
Republic, governed by the Galactic Senate, has held power for more
than two decades. The wars that divided the galaxy are fading into
legend.

Yet conflict has begun to take shape within the Senate. In the ab-
sence of MON MOTHMA, former leader of the Rebellion and first
chancellor of the New Republic, two unofficial but powerful factions
have formed—the POPULISTS, who believe individual planets
should retain almost all authority, and the CENTRISTS, who favor a
stronger galactic government and a more powerful military.

Only the greatest heroes of the war are still honored by all. A cer-
emony honoring the memory of BAIL ORGANA has drawn the Sen-
ate together in rare harmony. It is a day of celebration, but even now,
the divisions among the worlds of the galaxy are growing wider....

[Padd]

Is it better than Aftermath? I've been wanting to pick it up, but the past two SW books I've read since Disney took over (Dark Disciple, which was horrible, and Aftermath, which was okay but below par) have turned me off of it.

[Crusader]

If you are looking for a pretty enjoyable Star Wars book look for Lost Stars that is also by Claudia Gray and received pretty good reviews from all of us here:

http://www.theholo.net/forum/showthread.php?56480-Journey-to-Star-Wars-The-Force-Awakens-Lost-Stars-by-Claudia-Gray&highlight=lost+stars

[Dasquian Belargic]

Is it better than Aftermath? I've been wanting to pick it up, but the past two SW books I've read since Disney took over (Dark Disciple, which was horrible, and Aftermath, which was okay but below par) have turned me off of it.

Apologies for the delayed response... but I haven't read Aftermath. I didn't see any decent reviews about it, so I just skipped it ^_^;

[Crusader]

I finally used my little vacation to finish this book. It has a very slow start to be honest. It lacks the lightness of Lost Stars to lure you in.

The book started to really catch me very close to it's middle.

Claudia Gray has created yet again some pretty memorable characters with Casterfo, Greer, Joph and Lady Carise.

Unfortunately Leia is mixed bag for me. I liked her characterization of being torn between both the heritages of her father. I never realize that Leia could never make her peace with Vader like Luke did in ROTJ until now. I disliked how bitter and tired she was at the beginning of the book until she finds a purpose again.

One thing Claudia Gray does very well again is depicting the Empire and the First Order as people with agency and twisted nostalgia instead of cardboard villains.

[Charley]

I enjoyed Bloodline, though not as much as Lost Stars (that's more because Lost Stars is amazing to read). Bloodline does start slow, but you get momentum bit by bit. It's definitely not a book for happy endings though, and honestly that is okay. It's almost noir-ish in the dark tones and the theme of an institution as a villain.

There's a secret in the book that's not really a secret to any of us, but I will avoid saying it here. I liked how it was handled, and how the truth of things didn't come out until much later than we're accustomed in the now-defunct EU.