The Princess and the Scoundrel Part 4

[colls]

Welcome to our fourth of four check-in and discussion posts for our Book of the Month.

This month’s book is The Princess and the Scoundrel by Beth Revis
Chapters 46-61

The Princess and the Scoundrel

1. Do you think the outcome bodes well for Madur's ability to remain independent?

2. Leia has been flirting with the Force a bit in this book - what are your thoughts of her relationship with the Force either in this book or overall in other books/movies/etc.?

3. Will either Han or Leia learn to use the new kitchen on board the Falcon, or will Chewbacca be the sole cook in the family?

4. Anything else?



FYI - There's no need to answer all (or any) of the questions above - they're just talking points to get us started. Informal chatter is more than welcome! In-person book clubs often veer off topic, it's okay if we do as well. :)

Comments

[colls]

1. I think Madur will have difficulty remaining independent. Knowing the New Republic doesn't manage to build anything new and that it suffers some of the same issues the Old Republic did (undercurrents spawning the First Order instead of the Empire) makes me worry for any worlds that are jumping in with both feet. Obviously joining the Republic is preferable to being a subject of the Empire, but the sense that it's an either-or ultimatum is depressing.

2. I like books/stories/whatever that depict Leia exploring the Force. I know the sequel movies had planned for that arc in the 3rd film and it adds to the sadness of losing Carrie Fisher. I like the idea that she is more subtle with it and that her connection is more in sensing things vs. being able to influence things - like in the manner Chirrut Imwe has a connection but isn't a Jedi.

3. I found the way this scene was written to be amusing and loved how it poked fun at stereotypes without being angry about them. I know it's implied that Chewie's the only one that knows how to cook, but I secretly hope Han finds that he has a knack for it and takes it up as a hobby.

4. This book had the right mix of romance and action for me. This means there's an implied romance and some time for feeling feelings, but it's practical and quickly gets on with the action bits.

[brokenmnemonic]

I did like how effectively Han and Leia work together in the field when there's an active danger to face, although I'm still amused at just how determined someone was to get rings into this book. How would you feel about this book if the most recent trilogy didn't exist, so the future was open-ended?

[colls]

Without the events of the sequels, I think I would've been more hopeful for a lasting happily-ever-after instead of being practical (cynical?) and considering where they end up that it's clear they really didn't think this marriage thing through very well.
Which kind of ties to what you mention below about how seeing the thread from here to TFA makes you a bit melancholy. Same here. :/

[brokenmnemonic]

1. I think Madur's best hope is that none of the Empire remnants think it's worth passing through to either punish the population or extract whatever's left of the fancy metal. I was a bit surprised that someone managed to come up with a way of holding the moon's core together, although that may be because I've been watching Andor recently...

2. I liked Han's quote about Leia finding her own relationship with the Force. The way Leia was starting to really think about the Force and what she wants to do with the future make me sad that we didn't get the movie that was centered on Leia and the Force. I like that her instinctive talents are different to Luke's, and I wish we'd gotten an ending to the Star Wars trilogy that involved Rey and Leia reinventing a Force-using order from the first Jedi principles.

3. I'm honestly amazed that there wasn't a kitchen on the Falcon already. I mean, Lando owned the Falcon. You can't tell me that a man with his sense of taste and style isn't also an excellent and experimental cook. I can only guess that Han took the kitchen out to make a smuggling nook or something.

4. I do feel that this is one of those Star Wars books where I should've gone for the ebook rather than the audiobook. Curse you, relatively-new-book-pricing. I think that the book did a good job of showing how much things were in flux immediately after the Emperor's death, and how many different groups are all basically waiting to see what happens, and are unwilling to commit one way or another.

One of the things that this book really brought home to me is how quickly events have moved for Leia - and even moreso for Han. Maybe I'm old and cynical, but it felt like they rushed headlong into a marriage without working out first how to get along together with each other. I like the fact that they're starting to communicate in this book, but the book also felt like it was showing some of the seeds of where Han and Leia ended up at the start of the Force Awakens. That makes me a bit melancholy.

[colls]

(OMG - ANDOR! <333)
1. I agree the best hope for Madur is if the Imperial remnants can't be bothered.

2. So much this! I would've loved to see more Leia and Rey and their particular take on Jedi principles.

3. I hadn't considered it before, but can totally see Lando with an understated, yet impeccable gourmet kitchen. :)