Carrie Fisher: Life on the Edge by Shelia Weller

Carrie Fisher: Life on the Edge by Shelia Weller, 367 pages

This was one of the best biographies I have read in a long time.  Shelia details every aspect of Carrie's life, year by year, month by month.  What she writes about Carrie is so shocking and very revealing.  Shelia also details Carries brushes with death and her severe mental problems and drug addiction.  This was a great book especially if you are a fan of Carrie Fisher.

Leia, Princess of Alderaan (Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi) by Claudia Gray

Leia, Princess of Alderaan (Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi) by Claudia Gray-409 pages

I read this because little had been written or said about Leia's childhood after her adoption by Bail and Breha Organa. I am glad that I read this because it did not disappoint. Claudia Gray has written other Star Wars novels (I have read both Lost Stars and Bloodline) and I really liked them, so that also factored into my reading this. This story is about Princess Leia becoming the official, vested heir to the throne of Alderaan at age 16. It is also about her time in the Imperial Apprentice Legislature and her finding out about her parents' planning/starting the rebellion. She is eventually allowed to join her parents in the rebellion (obviously). Anyway, I liked this book, though not quite as much as Gray's other Star Wars novels. 

Star Wars, Vol. 1: Skywalker Strikes (Star Wars Disney Canon Graphic Novel #1) by Jason Aaron

Star Wars, Vol. 1: Skywalker Strikes (Star Wars Disney Canon Graphic Novel #1) by Jason Aaron-160 pages

Set in the immediate aftermath of the events of A New Hope (Episode IV), Luke, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2 are on a Rebel Alliance mission together. After this successful (albeit clumsy) mission Luke feels less than a Jedi and seeks out Tatooine and Ben Kenobi's dwelling hoping to find some answers. Meanwhile, Princess Leia and Han go on another mission for the Rebel Alliance. Overall, this was a good read as I enjoy both Star Wars and graphic novels. This graphic novel is well done.

Aftermath: Empire's End (Star Wars: Aftermath, #3) by Chuck Wendig

Aftermath: Empire's End (Star Wars: Aftermath, #3) by Chuck Wendig-423 pages

I liked this the best of the three. It is as good an ending as one could ask/hope for with what came before in the first two books of the trilogy. Overall, I thought the trilogy was okay and it did shed some light on the end of the Empire and beginning of the New Republic and even a hint of the start of the First Order, but it's not as good as Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy (and I am excited for Thrawn, as an aside). I thought that Han, Leia, and many of the other original characters were much more "true to character" in this novel than in the previous one, also. Overall, I enjoyed reading Aftermath: Empire's End, as I do any Star Wars novel I read (at least any I've read thus far). 
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The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher-257 pages

I wanted to read this since Carrie Fisher just passed away and I am a fan of Star Wars. I enjoyed reading this and it was enthralling to read her candid thoughts, both at the time and now, on her affair with Harrison Ford, her becoming a celebrity/star, and being Princess Leia. Overall, I am glad that I read it. It is an easy, flowing read.

Life Debt (Star Wars: Aftermath #2) by Chuck Wendig

Life Debt (Star Wars: Aftermath #2) by Chuck Wendi-430 pages

I like this better than the first in the trilogy as the prose and plot are better, but still not great. The writing is not as choppy, but is still not top notch, by any means. I do enjoy that Han Solo, Leia, and Chewbacca are included in this story with the liberation of Kashyyk, but these characters are not quite what they are in the movies or in other books written about Star Wars. Overall, I enjoyed reading this second book in the series well enough to want to finish the series. The third book's anticipated release is sometime next year, so I look forward to that.

Lost Stars (Star Wars: Journey to the Force Awakens) by Claudia Gray

Lost Stars (Star Wars: Journey to the Force Awakens) by Claudia Gray-551 pages

I read Bloodline, also by Claudia Gray, and enjoyed it quite a bit and I had read many good reviews of this so I wanted to read it. It was very interesting to see the events of the original Star Wars trilogy through the eyes of those who were in the lower positions and worked their way up. I also enjoyed the plot of this novel and Gray's prose is high quality. I enjoyed Lost Stars much more than Aftermath by Chuck Wendig (although I am not as harsh on Aftermath as some) as the plot and prose are so much better and more professional. Overall, I enjoyed reading about a boy and a girl from the same planet who both initially join the Imperial Fleet happily, but eventually take two different paths only to be reunited in the end.

Star Wars: Bloodline (Star Wars Canon) by Claudia Gray

Star Wars: Bloodline (Star Wars Canon) by Claudia Gray-341 pages

I enjoyed reading this more than I enjoyed Aftermath, although I did enjoy Aftermath. Bloodline is set a few years prior to The Force Awakens and follow's Princess Leia's last months as a member of the Galactic Senate of the New Republic. Additionally, it uncovers some of the origins of the First Order and shows how Leia came to be leader of The Resistance. The political climate is eerily similar to that of today in that there are two main parties, Populist and Centrist, that distrust each other and, for the most part, will not work together. However, Leia (a Populist) and another senator named Ransom Casterfo (a Centrist) are able to get past their partisanship and work together for a while. Han is in the book, as well, though in more of a cameo role. Luke and Ben are only mentioned, so as to not reveal the mystery behind the beginnings of Ben's downfall to becoming Kylo Ren and the founding of the Knights of Ren. I am sure we will find out more in Episode VIII, although I can hardly wait. Overall, Claudia Gray makes an intriguing, captivating book with what she was given to work with. I would definitely recommend it to fans of Star Wars, especially those who enjoyed The Force Awakens.