Bloodline by Claudia Gray

Bloodline by Claudia Gray

This novel does an amazing job of bridging the gap between the Aftermath Trilogy and Force

Awakens as it takes place 20 years after the former and 10 years before the later. While it doesn't fill in all the holes, it does just enough to whet the appetite and leave you wanting more - in a good way. Many questions are answered about the politics and geopolitical atmosphere of the time such that Force Awakens makes much more sense from a political perspective - something I thought was sorely lacking in the film. This novel does much to make up for the inadequacies Force Awakens left in its trail.

The Galactic Senate is made up of two parties - the Centrists and the Populists - with the Centrists desiring a more centralized form of government and the Populists considering a more planet's first approach to be the true democratic choice. Tensions mount and plots are uncovered (for the reader at least) as the Centrists propose a First Senator to replace the title of Chancellor.

The biggest reveal is that of Princess Leia being Darth Vader's daughter, something that has apparently slipped through the cracks for everyone but those closest to Organa.

As for new planets, we are introduced to Riosa, Bastatha, Pamarthe, Daxam IV, Harloff Minor, and Sibensko. A lot of new planets for just one book, but they each provide a fascinating glimpse deeper into the galaxy and its workings.

1.Riosa is a backwater Inner Rim planet from which one of the main characters Ransolm Casterfo hails - a Centrist senator I found myself hating at first and then slowly growing to truly care for - Claudia Gray was a master at his development. Riosa was manufactured to death at the hands of the Empire and although Casterfo admires the idea of an Empire and the order and security such a monolith entails, he hates Vader and the Emperor for working his parents to death and leaving him a lone orphan.

2. Bastatha is a mostly lawless world where the criminal Rinnrivin Di makes his hideout. The livable parts are made up of caves connected by cavernous tunnels since the red giant that is its star superheats the surface.

3. Pamarthe is a world of jubilant and courageous pilots who won't be one-upped by anyone. They are known for their drinking but also their bravery. And one of the main characters Greer - one of Leia's senatorial aids and her pilot - calls this planet home. A cool feature of this planet were the lengthy low-tech swinging bridges connecting one island in the vast planetary sea to another.

4. Daxam IV, a cold, desert planet known for its self-reliant attitude despite being Centrist, is where the Amaxine warriors train up their militia. Casterfo gets a taste of the true expanse of this new criminal empire when he visits the planet to acquire an Imperial Guard's helmet.

5. Harloff Minor is a classy world in the Core, much like Coruscant but less expansive. We only get a brief glimpse of this planet where Leia and Rinnrivin Di have a delectable dinner at a restaurant.

6. Finally, Sibensko - what a COOL world! The whole planet is covered in water and every sentient being who lives there inhabits large structures under the water's surface with landing pads that spiral out to the surface to accommodate incoming and outgoing traffic. The underwater cities are protected by reinforced glass that domes around them.

All the revelations and scheming in this novel had me holding bated breath as I eagerly flipped from one page to the next, desperate to find out more about the First Order and its beginnings - and those are definitely there. While there is still no explanation for Ben Solo's turn to the dark side, I was intrigued nonetheless. Hopefully his dark side origins will be revealed in a story that comes out after The Last Jedi.

Until then, Bloodline is a must read for any fan desiring more understanding of Force Awakens' political climate.