Bloodline by Claudia Gray

 

While I have been off work recovering from an operation, I have been able to finally get back to regularly updating this blog. I have been reading a lot over the last year, not all Star Wars. So, will I am recovering I am going to update you with the Star Wars books I have read. 

The book I am going to discuss is one of my favourites of the new canon. Bloodline takes place between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens and puts Senator Leia Organa front and centre. We also get to see the workings of the New Republic, an organisation we only see fleetingly in the sequel trilogy.

The book opens with the dedication of a statue in honour of Leia's adopted father, Bail Organa. Even decades after his death, he is still celebrated for the part he played within the rebel alliance founding and the fight for galactic freedom. Leia is serving as a senator for the New Republic and is a contender in the election to become First Senator. Gray does a great job in capturing Leia's character. While she has matured, the feisty Princess of the Original Trilogy is never too far away. Gray also does a great job with the action based elements of the story, that aren't out of place with the more sedate aspects.
 At this point the New Republic has split into two 'unofficial' factions. There are the Populist, of which Leia is one, who believe the member planets maintain their own autonomy and the Centrists. The Centrist are very much like the Imperials, as they believe in a strong galactic government with a powerful military. The New Republic's military has been greatly reduced since the end of the Galactic Civil War, something which will benefit the First Order in the future.

Leia is the main character, as I have mentioned, but there two other major characters to take note of. First up is Ransolm Casterfo, a Centrist Senator. Casterfo starts the story as opponent to Leia but as the story progresses, he becomes an ally even going as far as to help Leia with an investigation. He is not an unlikable guy. I found myself liking him along with Leia, at least until he betrays her at the story's end. However, it was nice to see Leia forge a friendship with someone new and different to the ones we have seen before.

Secondly, we have Lady Carise Sindian. Another Centrist with royal blood. Straight from the off I disliked her. That's down to the way Gray writes her as she is not meant to be liked. She also goes on to play a major part in Leia's betrayal.

I have mentioned that Leia is betrayed in the novel. It won't come as a major surprise to any of you. Politicians are inclined to stab people in the back. I am not going to go too deep into that element of the story here as it is major plot point.

Bloodline is a great book. It is well written and plotted. The characters are believable and their motives are too. While I have covered some of the main characters, the secondary ones are also great. We have intrigue, criminal syndicates, action and adventure. A certain scruffy looking nerf herder also makes a welcome appearance. This is one of a few new canon books which has a female lead character and is the better for it. Pick it up and enjoy.