2013 was a big year for Leia in the Expanded Universe. First up, we got the Brian Wood written Star Wars comic, which Bria and myself were less than impressed by. Today we got Razor’s Edge by Martha Wells, which we were significantly happier with. Why the difference in reactions? Simply put, it boiled down to how Leia was used and characterized. To see what we mean, head below the cut.
Tag Archives: martha wells
Review: Razor’s Edge
It’s been hard in recent years to find a characterization of Leia Organa that just feels right. It’s also been hard to find a story about our Original Trilogy heroes where the stakes are high (but not ludicrously so) and where the galaxy doesn’t have to be put completely back together again at the story’s end or, in other words, a fun adventure story. Martha Wells delivers on both of these counts in Empire and Rebellion: Razor’s Edge. It’s a book where the story is important enough to warrant several hundred pages but it’s also a book that will make you laugh one page, smile another, and then perhaps duck your head and hide a tear for Alderaan. (Or maybe that last one is just me.)
Go/No-Go: Razor’s Edge by Martha Wells
Welcome back to Go/No-Go, Tosche Station’s regular feature where we offer our spoiler-free opinion as to whether or not you should spend your hard-earned money on a book, film, or other entertainment. Today on the launch pad: Razor’s Edge by Martha Wells. Does the first of the new Empire and Rebellion series stack up? Time to go around the horn at mission control.
Blurb – Empire and Rebellion: Razor’s Edge
The blurb for Empire and Rebellion: Razor’s Edge, written by Martha Wells, has appeared in the Random House catalog.
Times are desperate for the Rebel Alliance. Harassment by the Empire and a shortage of vital supplies are hindering completion of a new secret base on the ice planet Hoth. So when Mid Rim merchants offer much-needed materials for sale, Princess Leia Organa and Han Solo lead an Alliance delegation to negotiate a deal.
But when treachery forces the rebel ship to flee into territory controlled by pirates, Leia makes a shocking discovery: the fierce marauders come from Leia’s homeworld of Alderaan, recently destroyed by the Death Star. These refugees have turned to pillaging and plundering to survive—and they are in debt to a pirate armada, which will gladly ransom the princess to the vengeful Empire . . . if they find out her true identity.
Struggling with intense feelings of guilt, loyalty, and betrayal, Leia is determined to help her wayward kinspeople, even as Imperial forces are closing in on her own crippled ship. Trapped between lethal cutthroats and brutal oppressors, Leia and Han, along with Luke, Chewbacca, and a battle-ready crew, must defy death—or embrace it—to keep the rebellion alive.
Alderaanian pirates? We were all really excited about this book, but now you know staff writer Bria is going to be allll over this book.
The first novel in the Empire and Rebellion series, previously known as Rebels, is scheduled for release in hardcover and ebook formats on September 24.
(via Knights Archive)
Razor’s Edge gets a new release date
Date change: #STARWARS: EMPIRE AND REBELLION: RAZOR’S EDGE by @marthawells1 will no go on sale a week earlier, September 24. #SWEU
— StarWarsBooks (@DelReyStarWars) June 24, 2013
For those of you looking forward to this book (that includes the staff here), great news! You’re going to get it a week earlier.
Empire and Rebellion: Razor’s Edge gets earlier release date
Hit it, Star Wars Books.
DATE CHANGE: #STARWARS EMPIRE AND REBELLION: RAZOR’S EDGE by @marthawells1 will now go on sale October 1. #SWEU randomhouse.com/book/225871/ra…
— StarWarsBooks (@DelReyStarWars) May 10, 2013
Great news all around. I’m personally looking forward to this book. Pair this with Kenobi and the last half of 2013 is shaping up to be a great period for Expanded Universe releases.
Empire and Rebellion: Razor’s Edge gets a cover
I’ve made no secret that Martha Wells’ Leia novel is one of my most anticipated releases of 2013. Today, io9 got a look at the cover for the novel and my anticipation went up even more.
That is fantastic cover art and a great portrayal of Leia in particular. Razor’s Edge is due out October 15th.
The Martha Wells “Leia novel” Gets Official Title
Martha Wells announced on her Live Journal that her new Star Wars novel, the first in the “Rebels” series, now has an official name: Empire and Rebellion: Razor’s Edge. Sounds like we might finally get into the nitty-gritty of Leia’s character in this book, which is awesome.
I’m very excited for this book, and I’m also really excited for potential implications of the new series name, Empire and Rebellion. Does this mean we might get stories from an Imperial point of view, say with fan favorite characters like Baron Fel and Tycho Celchu? Just imagine how awesome a Tycho defecting from the Empire novel would be.
Razor’s Edge is scheduled for release on October 15. Other upcoming novels in the Empire and Rebellion series include a Han-centric novel from James S.A. Corey and a Luke-centric novel from Kevin Hearne.
Del Rey also confirmed the titles on Twitter and Facebook:
Title for the upcoming Leia novel by @marthawells1 is STAR WARS: EMPIRE AND REBELLION: RAZOR’S EDGE. On sale in October. #SWEU #StarWars
— StarWarsBooks (@DelReyStarWars) April 17, 2013
Leia Novel, Kenobi get Release Dates
Star Wars Books just announced that the currently untitled Leia novel in the Rebels series by Martha Wells as well as John Jackson Miller Kenobi novel have been given release dates.
New dates: the as yet untitled Leia REBELS novel by @marthawells1 is moving to 10/29 and #STARWARS KENOBI by @jjmfaraway to 8/27 #SWEU
— StarWarsBooks (@DelReyStarWars) February 22, 2013
And in case you can’t see the above tweet, it’s October 29, 2013 for the Leia novel and August 27, 2013 for Kenobi.
EU Updates – Rebels and Kenobi
The Kenobi concept art by Chris Scalf.
The age of Twitter and blogging is awesome, if only because it allows authors direct contact with their readers. This week, several Expanded Universe authors have given updates on their upcoming novels. To the jump!