Leia, Princess of Alderaan

Did I mention how I’m gonna look for and read more genre fiction?

In Leia, Princess of Alderaan, Leia is a teenage princess-elect, about to undertake three quests to prove her worth and fitness to rule. First, she chooses relief missions to impoverished planets, but isn’t satisfied with dropoffs of food or safety equipment. We can see young Leia becoming the thoughtful leader and fierce defender we’ll meet in later movies. She’s first trying out her “diplomatic mission from Alderaan” excuse here, and I loved it.

She also starts a rigorous wilderness survival class, in preparation for climbing a mountain. Here, she meets her first crush, and teenage Amilyn Holdo.  I think in a few cases So Quirky stood in for much character development, but she’s clever, adventurous and loyal, and anyway, this is Leia’s story.

Leia’s crush is the handsome boy from Model UN Club, I mean, the Apprentice Senate. He’s not pro-Empire, but he is 100% law-abiding, so teenage Leia has to consider the value of pacifism and of fighting the Empire.  I know this is a Star Wars YA novel, but there’s a lot to think about accepting the rule of law under a corrupt regime.

There’s an interesting discussion abut Leia’s adoption. She’s comfortable with her identity, believing that she was adopted because her birth parents died and her adopted mother was unable to attempt the health risks of pregnancy, and she clearly loves her parents. Her Organa parents are keeping her ancestry from her, but certain moments make it clear that others may recognize her.

Like any teenager, Leia is beginning to feel distant from her adopted parents, Breha and Bail Organa. She discovers that they’re preoccupied with something much larger than teen angst. The Organas, along with their allies (both familiar names and some new to me), are quietly plotting against the empire, because obvs, and Leia gets her first introduction to political subterfuge.

This was a quick read, and great fun for any fans of Princess Leia.

Check out the other Wyrd and Wonder Star Wars Day posts!