Princess, Senator, General: A review of Star Wars: Bloodline

If you read one Star Wars book, make it this one.

Princess Leia Organa has become a household name. With her iconic lines, memorable hairstyle, and surprising prowess with a blaster, millions of fans fell in love with her command and presence back in 1977. When she returned to the Star Wars big screen in 2015 in The Force Awakens, it was with the title of General as she led the fledgling Resistance.

Leia has been widely beloved in both of her roles. But what of the time between? Where was she in this missing stretch of years?

The 2016 novel Bloodline by Claudia Gray fills that gap. Preceding the events of The Force Awakens, Bloodline focuses on a Leia older than the one we see in the original movies, serving on the Senate and enacting justice from a politician’s standpoint, rather than a rebels. But her power is no less impactful and revolutionary than it is in wartime. It is even mentioned how Leia’s legacy has earned her the title of “Huttslayer,” an honor she claims as she moves forward in the political world.

The crowning jewel of Bloodline is Leia’s dynamic with Ransolm Casterfo, a younger Senator who is politically opposed to her. Despite this, the two of them form a surprising friendship—even as Leia’s parentage hovers in the past, a mystery to the galaxy, save for Leia herself. Because, despite her personal victories, she is still Vader’s daughter.

Bloodline has a wide cast of fascinating characters, Ransolm included—Greer, Joph, and Korr, Leia’s personal assistants, are all full of personality and notability, further showing Leia’s role in helping the galaxy, one teenager at a time.

Star Wars audiobooks are some of the best audiobooks there are. With stellar voice acting, music from the movies, and sound effects, there is no better method for reading the books and Bloodline is no exception. Just like Leia herself, it never disappoints. Bloodline is one of the best examples of what the Star Wars universe beyond the movies has to offer.