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Star Wars: Journals
Star Wars: Journal - Captive to Evil
Princess Leia's journal entries recall the details of her intergalactic capture and rescue, and how she really feels about Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. Original.
91 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 17, 2016
2.5 stars
I liked how there was a whole series of adventures prior to her capture with the Death Star plans. At only 18, a princess and a senator, she had already been recruiting members for the Rebellion, running weapons and smuggling supplies and in general wreaking havoc for the Empire!
"Grief frightened me. It was so big, so total. I knew I had to feel every bit of it eventually. But not until after the battle."
I liked the mentions of Leia's Force sensitivity and connection. They never downplay her grief and sorrow. The story acknowledges that she had to defer her grieving and focus completely on her mission before she could allow herself to mourn and face the enormity of her loss.
I also appreciated that this shows how close Leia and Bail were - a great deal of respect and affection.
I liked Entry 6 when Leia and Vader argue. She sounds 18, defiant, and disdainful. She physically attacks Vader and tried to rip off his helmet.
She escapes her cell briefly in Entry 8.
If that rumor of Obi-Wan being a hermit (possibly with the location of Tatooine attached) was floating around, how was he not being hunted down by Vader and the Empire? Unless that information was passed onto Leia from Bail in the guise of a rumor, it doesn't make much sense. I could see Bail keeping some form of contact with Obi-Wan....
Why is "evil" always "icy"? "An icy wave of evil emanated", "the evil gave off an icy chill", etc.
Were Leia's aunts on her mother's side or father's? Both? Tia, Rouge, and Celly.
Wait. So... suicide basically?
The writing was blunt and juvenile. It doesn't match the maturity and vivacity of Leia's character in the films nor is it consistent with who she is shown to be in the book.
I liked how there was a whole series of adventures prior to her capture with the Death Star plans. At only 18, a princess and a senator, she had already been recruiting members for the Rebellion, running weapons and smuggling supplies and in general wreaking havoc for the Empire!
"Grief frightened me. It was so big, so total. I knew I had to feel every bit of it eventually. But not until after the battle."
I liked the mentions of Leia's Force sensitivity and connection. They never downplay her grief and sorrow. The story acknowledges that she had to defer her grieving and focus completely on her mission before she could allow herself to mourn and face the enormity of her loss.
I also appreciated that this shows how close Leia and Bail were - a great deal of respect and affection.
I liked Entry 6 when Leia and Vader argue. She sounds 18, defiant, and disdainful. She physically attacks Vader and tried to rip off his helmet.
She escapes her cell briefly in Entry 8.
"But finding General Kenobi isn't my biggest problem. Convincing him to join the Rebellion is. He gave everything of himself in the great battles of the Clone Wars. He is an old man now, and if anyone deserves peace, it is Obi-Wan. I will have to ask of him something I have no right to ask. But I will do it."
If that rumor of Obi-Wan being a hermit (possibly with the location of Tatooine attached) was floating around, how was he not being hunted down by Vader and the Empire? Unless that information was passed onto Leia from Bail in the guise of a rumor, it doesn't make much sense. I could see Bail keeping some form of contact with Obi-Wan....
Why is "evil" always "icy"? "An icy wave of evil emanated", "the evil gave off an icy chill", etc.
Were Leia's aunts on her mother's side or father's? Both? Tia, Rouge, and Celly.
But if fighting is impossible, I'll have to will myself to die. I know how to do this. I've been taught this, too. It's said to be the most difficult mind-act there is, especially if you are young and healthy.
Wait. So... suicide basically?
The writing was blunt and juvenile. It doesn't match the maturity and vivacity of Leia's character in the films nor is it consistent with who she is shown to be in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2022
Published in 1998, this Star Wars tie-in is a Scholastic light novel written in Princess Leia Organa's voice. Shorter than I'd imagined at a mere 91 pages, this book recounts the details of A New Hope from Leia's POV (with a brief cameo from Han).
I'd picked it up hoping to learn new insights into Leia's character and her contributions to the rebellion prior to the start of the main trilogy- but alas, I was somewhat disappointed. While her audio journal does recount some of the facts surrounding her backstory and time spent on the Death Star prior to rescue, 70% of the story is simply recounting the film as it transpired.
I was however impressed by some of the difficult topics that Jude Watson was able to cram into a children's book, which may presumably be part of the reason why it was a little tricky to find. Without a proper content warning, the story discusses direct mention of torture, suicidal thoughts, murder, and mass genocide. Heavy enough to add real weight for fans of the series, though perhaps a bit much for anyone in the intended age range.
I'll reiterate that the only reason I am docking a star on this one is for the length and the redundancy. But overall it is a very gripping and insightful read being what it is. I cannot wait to get my hands on Han's story next (though I am under the distinct impression that it will be more lack luster in comparison).
I'd picked it up hoping to learn new insights into Leia's character and her contributions to the rebellion prior to the start of the main trilogy- but alas, I was somewhat disappointed. While her audio journal does recount some of the facts surrounding her backstory and time spent on the Death Star prior to rescue, 70% of the story is simply recounting the film as it transpired.
I was however impressed by some of the difficult topics that Jude Watson was able to cram into a children's book, which may presumably be part of the reason why it was a little tricky to find. Without a proper content warning, the story discusses direct mention of torture, suicidal thoughts, murder, and mass genocide. Heavy enough to add real weight for fans of the series, though perhaps a bit much for anyone in the intended age range.
I'll reiterate that the only reason I am docking a star on this one is for the length and the redundancy. But overall it is a very gripping and insightful read being what it is. I cannot wait to get my hands on Han's story next (though I am under the distinct impression that it will be more lack luster in comparison).
April 12, 2024
While I like the concept of these Journal style retellings of the films this one was underwhelming. I thought some of the writing for Han and Leia was a little out of character. Much of the story felt too deliberate in its fan service, it feels like it was written by a fan and not the character herself. It felt like at times she had to include passages because they were important for plot details even when they have not much to do with Leia...and then at the same time it feels like too much was glossed over.
Overall it was okay I remember enoying these more as a kid.
Overall it was okay I remember enoying these more as a kid.
May 2, 2024
As a kid, I probably would have adored this book and its sassy voice. As an adult, I didn't find the recording device plausible (especially in the Death Star scenes). This feels like a prototype. And that's how I'll view it from now on - as a trial run for Jude Watson's much better Episode I journals.
January 28, 2023
An enjoyable short read that I think will suit the target audience (significantly younger than myself). It utilises key moments in the original Star Wars film (Episode IV: A New Hope) to anchor Princess Leia's entries in her journal.
January 9, 2021
This gets Leia's character pretty well. It was slightly less fun for me now that the part about how she got the Death Star plans doesn't gel with Rogue One.
October 15, 2011
It was really interesting seeing things from Leia's point of view. I liked her before this, but now I'm a big fan. I loved her time on the Death Star and before that, it was really intense and she has an interesting mind. She's like Padme's political skills combined with Anakin's stubborn attitude.
Like Anakin's, this was more of a "he said and she said" type of book, but unlike Anakin's, it worked. It wasn't just plaing, "He suggested this and this person agreed," but it gave interesting words and ways to describe their talk without actually directly quoting them. The writing was also a lot better.
Like Anakin's, this was more of a "he said and she said" type of book, but unlike Anakin's, it worked. It wasn't just plaing, "He suggested this and this person agreed," but it gave interesting words and ways to describe their talk without actually directly quoting them. The writing was also a lot better.
January 6, 2017
This is honestly one of the best Leia centric books I've ever read and it's partially because she's ready to bite someone's head off the entire book. At one point she literally attacks Vader and tries to pull off his helmet so she could look her torturer in the eyes. She is terrified but so ready to put everything on the line for the Alliance. This was a fun, short read that I'm sure I'll come back to in the future.
October 26, 2014
This is probably the best Jude Watson book I've read. If it isn't it's pretty close. Leia and Han's voices aren't necessarily the most accurate but they're a lot closer than Luke's was in the previous book. The voice is also really over the top and their is new story here. Definitely a fun little read.
May 9, 2015
Great book for a younger audiance.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews