Claudia Gray

In Bloodline, Claudia Gray shows us Leia a few years before the beginning of the sequel movies, grappling with frustrating and deadlocked galactic politics. She dreams of retiring and going adventuring with Han, but the need to hold the New Republic together make that unlikely to happen—even before she faces down an underworld threat and distrust from among her own.

There are lots of nicely-observed bits here, but equally much of the political manoeuvering felt as if it had to be kept show more fairly surface level because people tend not to read A Star War for the politicking—fair enough—and it was all way too thinly veiled an allegory for American Democrats vs Republicans. Was it not possible to conceive of a Galactic Senate with literally thousands of members that wasn't a two-party body? Hashtag Not All Centrists, I suppose, but Ransolm Casterfo—the Centrist senator with whom Leia at first reluctantly works and then grudgingly comes to respect and even like—just didn't work for me as a character. Is someone who spent his childhood in an Imperial forced labour camp and watched his parents die because of that really going to collect stormtrooper helmets and think, well, of course Palpatine was a bad guy but didn't the Empire make sure the trains ran on time? Weren't their helmets shiny? In the 2020s, I can't find myself at all warming to a character whom I'm being told is just fash for the aesthetics—Casterfo was not complex in the way I think Gray was trying to make him.

A solid movie tie-in, a quick read with a decent grasp on who Leia is as a character which nonetheless shows the limits of writing a novel to spec in an in-progress universe where you can't change much/get too innovative. show less

I don't know why I was surprised this was so good, but it was a damn solid tie in to the star wars universe. And even though it's labelled young adult, I think it reads above that. This book about two nobody kids from an outer rim planet bonding together despite their differences to embrace their love of flying. They decide to join the empire together to bring honor to their families and to fly in the greatest fleet the galaxy has ever seen. As children they easily bought into the empire's show more lies but once they make it through the academy and start serving as officers they see first hand how destructive and manipulative it is. Eventually Thane can't take it anymore and deserts, swearing to never join the rebel alliance, because to him they are just as bad. But as the war churns on, he realizes what the rebels are trying to save. Ciena on the other hand, keeps ranking up in the empire. She's not happy with everything she sees going on but on her planet you never break an oath, so she continues to serve despite her better judgement. These two friends become star crossed lovers serving on opposite sides of the war. Through their eyes you see the construction of the death stars, hear of the heroics of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, see the battle on Hoth, and so much more. It's a lot of fun viewing the original trilogy through two young set of eyes on opposites sides of the war. An AMAZING tie in. show less

Oh the joy for us Janeites out there, (we ardent lovers of Jane Austen novels), continues with this sequel to, "The Murder of Mr. Wickham". This book was such a delight, as a number of characters from at least three of Jane's novels, were found in Barton. The creatively imagined progeny of the Darcys and Tilneys are the wonderful protagonists of this series. Although intentionally not delivered in the voice of Jane Austen, (after all, there is only one Jane Austen), the dialogue was most show more apropos for the time and setting of the story.

Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney had met in the previous book, "The Murder of Mr. Wickham" where they were in secret collusion investigating the murder. They had hoped that they might meet again and sure enough, they do in this second book. Darcy is invited to Willoughby's recently inherited estate, Allenham, for a bit of vacation with Willoughby, Willoughby's wife and other schoolmates. Miss Tilney is spending time with her dearest friend, Marianne Brandon, (Willoughby's former love interest), and Marianne's husband. The Willoughbys and the Brandons reside in Barton. Interestingly, Sir John and Lady Middleton also reside in Barton and hold a soirée welcoming the Willoughbys to Barton. Everything is lovely until the toast and Mrs. Willoughby dies on the spot. Darcy and Miss Tilney are almost more eager to investigate than decorum allows. Yet, with no magistrate yet appointed, their efforts will just just have to suffice. Afterall, they have experience with such things.

Ms. Gray has done a fabulous job of renewing and continuing our affection for these Austen characters. She writes exquisitely and in perfect form for the period represented. The character development is steady throughout and we slowly learn of each character's thoughts, concerns and motivations. The tension increases gradually throughout the story drawing to a peak and then relaxes to a satisfying conclusion. The friendship between Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney is sweet and chaste and perhaps someday, a little bit more than that. This reader is ever hopeful that yet another sequel is forthcoming where their relationship can be even further developed. If a Jane Austen style mystery is your jam then this may well be the perfect book for you.

I am grateful to author Claudia Gray and her publisher, Vintage Books, for having provided a complimentary uncorrected proof of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publication Date: May 16, 2023
Pages: 400
Publisher: Vintage Books
ISBN: 978-0593313831 show less

Fateful. It is fate that I found this book. Seriously, it rescued me from fallen angel hades and took me back in time. To something I have always been fascinated with. The Titanic. I was in fifth grade when the movie came out. It was the first actual adult movie I was ever interested in, I was never interested in TV much as a kid. My grandmother took me to see it, I cried like a baby. I can't even tell you the kinda feels that movie gave me. Even now at 28 I still die a little inside show more everytime I watch it. Reading this book, gave me those same kinda feels..except, thank God, *spoiler alert* this book had a happy ending.

This book takes you on the incredible journey of the Titanics's voyage and sinking. But by the time the actual sinking occurs you will be so engrossed by the unfolding story, that you will be taken by surprise. Also did I mention that this book has werewolves? Because it does. And it is magnificent.

This is the story of 18yr old Tess. A ladies maid to a wealthy family. Tess doesn't plan to be a maid forever. As the family she works for is sailing to America on the Titanic's maiden voyage. She plans to ditch the family as soon as the ship docks and rebuild her life in America. What her plans don't include: falling in love.

Alec is a first class passenger. Born into wealth, his life seems to be that of any other young heir. That he will marry well and take over the family business. However, normal is not in the cards for Alec. He harbors a dark secret, one that will deter the course if his life forever.

If you haven't figured it out yet...he's a werewolf! Yay!

On the run from a brotherhood of werewolves that seek him out, to join their pack. Alec wishes to remove himself from his family's name and live a life in solitude. However strange circumstances throw Tess and Alec together and over the course of a few days they fall in love. But the road to happily ever after for these two will not be met without obstacles.

A fight for freedom against a crazed brotherhood, the improbability of two different classes of people mixing, during a time when wealth and titles were everything and tragedy that will shake the world or its very core. Two young lovers stand to lose everything they've hoped and dreamed for. Even their lives.

This was a good one y'all! I liked this even better than The Siren. And that happens to be my favorite book, so I guess I have a new fave!

Nothing melts my heart more than a historical romance. I know I've said that before and I will most likely say it again. But it's something that will always ring true for me. The romance portrayed in this book was literally heart pounding. Tess and Alec may have fallen in love over the course of a few days, but this was no insta love I assure you. Annnd my favorite part... unlike most ya books, neither of them hated each other to begin with. Alec wasn't a jerk to her, he didn't try to make her stay away from him bc of what he was. In fact quite the opposite. They knew how they felt about each other and they were happy to show it to the other. Thier romance established beautifully. And the inevitable doom that lie ahead of them made it that much sweeter. My heart twisted in hope and heartbreak everytime they were together.

This story had plenty of twists and unforseen circumstances to keep you on your toes, wondering what would happen next. The actual sinking and Titanic storyline was tastefully done. I like how the author mixed enough reality and fictional aspects together to tie the two stories together. While the story of the Titanic is fascinating on its own, this was very fun and unique twist.

Action is this book was on point. There was never a dull moment. And can I take a few to talk about the characters in this book? Tess. Is my all time favorite character, she had actual thoughts. He mind didn't dwell on Alec 24/7. While she does love and miss him and want to be with him, she's a practical girl and knows that the chances they have of being together are slim to none. Alec was a great character as well. This story is told from Tess's pov, so while we don't see what happens to him while Tess isn't around we see enough to know the kind of man he is and that he's genuinely a good person that truly loves Tess and would do anything to be with her and protect her.

The secondary characters were very well done also. I basically just loved this book and everything in it.

The historical aspect of this book is what drew me in, but the fantasy part kept me reeling. Absolutely a worthy read! show less