The Courtship of Princess Leia (Star Wars)

Wolverton is a great author. Unlike Zahn's peety little space skirmishes , Wolverton has huge space battles that fit the star wars galaxy better. Zsinj is a true Warlord and has a fleet to back up his claim , unlike Thrawn. Also charecterization is MUCH better than Zahn, [who has created] some very fake, unrealistic charecters. Han Solo , in this book , has a softer side. I espically like the part at the end where liea almost cried because she was so happy. Zsinj is awsome , espically if you read about him in the X-wing series. Gethezerion is scary too. I seriously hope Wolverton wrrites other star wars books. He definetly has a better grip than any other author I know to date.

I can't believe this was actaully written.It doesn't have any of the intense space battles,action,and awesome aliens that star wars is known for.The plot has no point and makes you want to ignore that this story could ever have happened in the star wars universe.It changes george lucas's idea of what Han and Leia's relationship is in the movies.You'll hate the fact it was ever written.I have read a short story by Dave Wolverton that was actaully good but he missed what star wars was all about here and wrote an incredibly bad book.If you want to read a good starwars book try Shadows of the Empire or something by Zahn or Anderson.Trust me on this one.This book sucks!!!

Everyone who ever has seen the original trilogy knew from thebeggining that Han would end up getting the girl. Well, years afterthe epic Battle at Endor, everything is going good for the lovebirds,Han and Leia. At least until a rich prince from Hapes come to seekher hand in marriage. Leia is torn between the two men, becuase ifshe marries the Hapen prince, all 64 worlds of Hapes will join the NewRepublic. Han is devestated by the new problem in his relationship,and goes all out in presuading his love to marry him: he kidnaps herand takes her to the primaive world of Endor, deep within the enemyteritory. As it happens, this prince is not willing to give up.Joined by Luke Skywalker, who is unsure of the dangers his sister isstuck with, the two men venture near Dathimorem ...
This was anexcellent novel, I truely enjoyed it. I recomend it to anyone,whether the hate Star Wars or love it.

The New Alliance is weakened and tries to gain the support of sixty-three worlds that have held off the Empire for years. This is the star system of Hapes. In order for them to join the New Alliance,Princess Leia must marry the Queen's son. But Han Solo does not like this decision and takes Leia to the planet of Dathomir to make her change her mind. Unknown to Han,Dathomir is inhabited by bands of witches that have the power of the force. There is one band if released from the planet can destroy the entire universe.
This book is one of the better star wars books. It is not too long and it does not get dull. I recommed this book to every star wars fan.

This is STILL my favorite Star Wars book, even with all the great novels that have come since. Leia is prominently featured, and it's good (if nail-biting, excruciating, TORMENTING) to know that her relationship with Han has not always been perfect -- this is actually very consistant with the movies -- think of their early acerbic encounters. Not only so we get fun with Leia and Han in this book but Rancors (ever wonder where they come from?), witches and cool the store-like women with lots of power and lizard-skin armor (remniscent of something from Xena). This book is also the funniest of the SW novels -- watch for Leia's comment on Han's pants (and I must say I couldn't agree with her more...)

I will premise this review in saying I could only get through the first 50 pages of this book before I put it down. The characters seem shallow. The love story is boring and unbelievable. After all Leia and Han have been through, the epic love story of the original trilogy, she just will consider leaving him for some strange prince she does not even know? It really quite angered me. I refuse to read a love sory of Han's jealous rash behavior. I wanted to read the books in order after Return of the Jedi so this came shortly after The Truce at Bakura (which was superb). I am not going to finish this book and am going for the Thrawn Trilogy by Tim Zahn instead. I would not recommend this book to someone looking for epic action. It quite frankly seems like a bad romance novel that does not belong in the Star Wars EU. 2 out of 5 only because the author can write well, just a lame storyline.

The rightful title of this book should be, "Star Wars: How Robert Jordan's Aes Sedai channelled themselves right into the galaxy far far away". For those of you out there who are familiar with Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, you know what I'm talking about. All of a sudden, the Star Wars universe is filled with hard-core feminists who think men are a hindrance to evolution. Gee, doesn't that sound just like every woman in Jordan's books? What is more, has anyone taken a closer look at the photo of Dave Wolverton and then compared it to the photo of Robert Jordan? They look awfully similar to me! Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if they were one and the same person, seeing as how they both have this male-idiot/female-queen-of-the-universe thing.

But I digress. "Courtship of Princess Leia" is a book I cannot in good conscience recommend. The characters in the book that we have come to know so well from the original movies, could be any Tom, Dick or Harry from the street, since they sure do not resemble Han, Luke or Leia. Especially Leia. What is with that woman? Her behaviour is completely irrational, unbelievable, unreasonable, bitchy, etc....proving the fact that Dave Wolverton has no clue when it comes to women, a trait he has in common with a certain Robert Jordan (alright, I won't mention him again). And what about Han? And Luke? Who the heck are these people? Han turned into a dweeb and Luke to some sort of spiritual guru. This book might as well have been titled: "Adventures on the planet Femino". What's that got to do with Star Wars? you may ask. Exactly my point. Nothing!

My only consolation is that Dave Wolverton has not been allowed within ten yards of a Star Wars typewriter since the disaster of "Courtship". Unfortunately it was too late to save a story line that could have been so interesting.

So, to all the Star Wars fans out there, I say, don't read this book, just make-up your own story of how Han and Leia got married. It is bound to be much better than what's been published here. To non-Star Wars fans, my advice is: guys, unless you want a cheezy science fiction soap opera, steer way clear of this one.

Dave Wolverton could have spent more time on the romance between Han and Leia in the beginning of the book; after all that's what makes Han kidnap Leia in the first place knowing that it will interrupt diplomatic relations vital to the survival of the New Republic. However it's a good way to start a show filled with Rancors, Force witches, and an awesome scene where Luke pilots the Millenium Falcon and fires its laser canons with pin-point accuracy. "The Courtship of Princess Leia" is full of the action that characterizes Star Wars.

It's painfully obvious that a man who knows little to nothing about women and/or romance wrote this book. A woman who is in _love_, as Leia is with Han, wouldn't just dump her man two seconds after some hot looking guy with a boatload of money and power came along. A woman not in love might, but that's not what we're talking about here -- it's obvious that the author probably has little experience with woman or perhaps love, and is enacting his own warped view of what women want, or how they would react in such a situation. Maybe he's got a couple of bad relationships under his belt.

Just as bad is how completely out of character the people in the book are...Leia comes off as shrewish and completely unable to make up her mind (as well as unloyal and unloving, since you know, she's supposed to be in love with Han, yet goes around kissing and making up to this other guy). Han comes off as a bit moronic (well, more than usual), and Luke is far too powerful in his Jedi powers.

Then you've got two different societies in which woman have all the power, and basically treat men as slaves. Does Dave Wolverton think that a woman with power can only revert to treating men as slaves? Is he _hoping_ that's what would happen? There's some weird kinky overtones to this, as well as some general resentment and hatred of women that makes the book painful to read. Young men with retarded social abilities or no real sexual or romantic experience might get a kick out of it. I hated it.

Dreadful, dreadful book. If I could give it zero stars, I would.

Great!, this book was what you call a nice surprise! I read 'children of the Jedi' just before I bought this novel and man, what a relief to see that great SW novels are still being written! The story never got dull, and the planets, characters and sofort that have been added are all a worthy addition to the Star Wars universe. I do have so critism though. For instance, I really can't believe that Leia would run of with some other guy so easily. And what are the Imperials actually doing exept getting killed? And why do Luke's powers appear to be greater than they were in novels that took place later? But aside from that, a great book, Zahn, Anderson, move over.

The overall books isn't bad--but it certainly isn't great. Wolverton has Threepio, for example, speaking *completely* out of character, saying things like "Darnit!" and addressing characters by their first names (did he *EVER* do this in the movies?! NO!). Additionally, Leia's quite cold-hearted, forgetting han instantly, Isolder is a cookie-cutout, and Wolverton seems to be expressing some hidden fantasies about female domination throughout the book. And...Rancors tackling AT-ATs? I think not.

I loved this book. Dave Wolverton really hit it right this time. I haven't been able to put this book down. This book was probably the best(Star Wars)book I have ever read. Not only was it exciting and packed with adventure, but there were no typo's. It held great information about the Star Wars universe. I could really picture this books storyline in my head. From the beggin-ing of this book to the end, I could find nothing wrong with it. I have read about 8 Star Wars novels and this was the best 1 yet.

If you can accept some of the more outlandish places, people, and things that Dave Wolverton created to exist in the Star Wars Universe, this is a good book.
If you have trouble with... 1) an incredibly wealthy, well-armed government that was left alone by the Empire
and
2) a planet with a large number of force-sensitives, including many which could rival the Emperor in their lust for power that were not hunted down...
then you are going to have problems with this book.
I am of the latter mind. Both items seem to be something the Emperor would have attempted to conquer or destroy. The fact that the Witches of Dathomir were able to beat Jedi 400 years earlier is also far-fetched.
And continuing in the far-fetched vein, the actions of Leia are nearly irreconciable with what we have seen in the movies. She is a woman of conviction and passion. If she fell in love with Han, there would be no turning away to another suitor no matter how politically expedient.
Zsinj, as the villain, was nearly a comic opera buffoon as his personality was further developed only with the release of the Wraith Squadron books a few years later.
Despite these misgivings, I see the characters of Isolder and Teneniel Djo having some depth and I think some of Wolverton's descriptions of the light side of the force as the best that have been written.

The main part of this is : should Princess Leia take the rich boy
political marriage, for the good of the Republic, perhaps, or marry the
scruffy Solo, who is far more likely to piss her off, and many times
more capable of rescuing her from hordes of stormtroopers, evil empires
lords, or other assorted bad guys that may be roaming around the
galaxy.

Throw in some odd Force wielding women for no apparent reason.

This was a pleasure to read, especially after reading Anderson & Hambly pap. Wolverton opens up the galaxy even bigger than it was before with the various other empires & planetary systems. And, unlike so many of the newer SW writers, he treats the Force as something with a bit of oooomph behind it. If you loved Zahn, you'll really like Wolverton. If you liked Children of the Jedi, you'll find this story to be a bit.....complex for your taste.

I admit the story line is initially a bit silly. But if you look past the Price Charming stuff and the confused relationships between all the well-known SW characters, there is some great reading. I loved the part where Luke really saw the Force and understood its breadth and depth for the first time. That and his discovery of Nell and what she was able to show him. I have read the book a few times just to experience those thrills again.

Han Solo's life is beginning to take an interesting twist. The Hapes Consortium is giving 63 valuable gifts (star destroyers, guns, plants, flutes etc.) but the last, from the Queen Mother herself is startling. It's her son, Prince Isolder. Leia is faced with a choice, don't marry Isolder and refuse the allegiance of one of the most powerful systems in the galaxy, or marry Isolder and become the new Queen of Hapes and the sole owner of many priceless items, including the allegiance of the incredible Hapes fleet. Han, afraid Leia will choose to marry Isolder, does what he does best. He plays Sabaac (a poker-like game). He wins a planet called Dathomir, and presents it to Leia to show his love for her. Leia and Han get in a little bit of an argument, and Han kidnaps Leia and takes her to Dathomir, where...

He promptly crashes his ship after getting shot by the hiding Warlord Zsinj, the biggest threat to the New Republic with his Super Star Destroyer Iron Fist. Luke and Isolder team up to find Leia, and while on Dathomir searching, get captured by Tenenial Djo, a female force witch of Dathomir, and ancestor of the exiled Jedi Allya who was the building block for the female dominant society on Dathomir and who tamed the rancors through the force. Tenenial takes Luke and Isolder as her slaves back to the Singing Mountain Clan, where Luke and Isolder are reunited with Han, Leia, and Chewbacca. Now they must figure out how to defeat evil force witches and Zsinj with little resources.

This book was incredible. I loved it! This book is one of my favorite Star Wars books ever, despite the title. The force battle is insane, and the action was astounding. Dave Wolverton definitely knew what he was doing when he wrote this book!

"The courtship of princess Leia" is a quite good book with some interesting persons and ideas. The Hapan consortium was a positive surprise, with their great power and prince Isolder is a good new addition to the already wide gallery of characters in the Star Wars universe. I found Han Solo's desperation to be genuine, regarding Leia's soon-to-be engagement to Isolder and the sabacc-game was actually quite exciting. However, I did not like the idea of the witches which seemed a bit too medieval to my taste. On the other hand the wicth-idea works, and Gethzerion is an OK villain. Personally I prefer Zsinj who, despite his relative absence in the book, represents the empire with an "Iron Fist". "The courtship of princess Leia" is a good book which is recommendable, and I liked reading it.

Short of the Zahn books which were incredible and the Stackpole books I haven't read (but heard were also very good), I have to dub Wolverton one of the best authors in the Star Wars universe. The characters were portrayed acurately and embodied real personality (conjuring images of Harrison Ford and Mark Hammil in the text itself). The story was well-formed, and each of the plot elements were explained and summed up by the end. Several interesting ideas were presented, most notably the planet of Rancors and Prince Isolder, and the tension created was reminiscent of Lucas' orignal concepts. Overall, this is one of the best novels in the Star Wars timeline.

Compact, tightly woven story of how Han and Leia come to terms with their relationship. Han Solo is at heart a rouge and a "scoundrel", but also a man with a great devotion to duty and respnsibility (as well as Leia). His actions in this novel do not betray these personality traits as others have commented. Luke becomes more powerful on Dathomir than even he expeted he could. This was one I finished in 2 days.

This book tells us more of that mysterious essence called the Force. In every book, SOMETHING new is told to us, but this one, I feel, tells us more than most. There is no easy victory, and nothing is as it seems. While the book is not a romance, it carries the whole love story of Han and Leia vey well. All in all, this is probably my favorite Star Wars book I have ever read. (that does no include the original Triligy

Wolverton is the first novelist who took Lucas' mythology seriously. Beyond a version of the Force for fighting, he takes us on a journey with Luke to discover what's really at stake, what's really possible, with this energy that binds the galaxy together. All that and he shows us a touching romance as Han Solo confronts just how much he values Leia Organa. Plus rancors. I highly recommend this bit of the expanded Star Wars universe, and just about everything else David Wolverton / Farland has penned.

After destroying two Death Stars together... after spending months searching for Han's carbonite corpse... after risking life and limb to rescue him from Jabba the Hutt... after confessing their love under GUNFIRE on Endor...
Princess Leia turns around and jumps into the arms of the first interplanetary prince to come along, just because he has a fleet that might be usefull to the Rebellion? Puh-LEEZE!
Not only was the premise not plausible, it wasn't even well written. The characterization was nothing short of inaccurate (Han Solo gambles away the Falcon to win a planet for Leia... right!) and the storyline was fragmentary and elusive.
And the worst part was the ending. I'll leave it to you to discover, but don't expect a thrill or even logic. I'm not into corny in my Star Wars books. Stick with Timothy Zahn.

This is probably up there with my favorite SW books. It's funny too. At first I thought Dave Wolverton was really insane, but now I realize the guy's a genious!!!!! I thought Luke was portrayed very, very well. He is probably my favorite character and some writers make him too stiff or serious. I mean he needs to have some fun too. The scene where he is talking with Isolder and his mother is a very funny one as well. Dathomir is awsome and the witches are way cool.
One thing I didn't like so much was how Leia totally dropped Han Another problem I had with this book was that Han was so desperate. He has always been so cool and collected but going and kidnaping Leia and draging her off seems a little extereme.
The last thing I have to say is thai book filled in something the movies and the Zahn books left open. That is when were Leia and Han married? Well read on!!!!!!(oh yeah, Recomended for everyone)
MTFBWY'all

I really enjoyed reading this book. Since Episode 1 was so hyped up everyone forgot about Luke and the characters from the first trilogy. I reccomend this book for anyone who wants to follow up on the story right after The Return of The Jedi. This book really abides by the Star Wars theme. It has a very cinematic quality to it. And the evil witches who are Luke's enemies are pretty scary.

First off, what the author was trying to do while writing this book is unknown to me, but he managed to break time lines and protray the characters so horribly I'm suprised Lucas Film let him get away with it. 'King' Solo? 'Cuse me, in the Han Solo Trilogy it clearly mentions Han did made a through search for his ancestery and could find nothing except a possible great aunt, the change in his last name the auothor mentions is impossible, Han did know his own last name until the Wookie who cared for him on the Trader's Luck told him in was 'Solo'. Leia, in all her princess ways, would never have been so 'difficult'. 8 years with Han wouldn't be thrown aside after 2 minutes by Isolder. I wont even go into how appauled about how the author chose to protray Luke, cause it might just never end but let me just say this one thing. Atleast he could play Artoo right! (that was sarcasm if you missed it)
I'll give the book one star, cause I liked the cover art. Thank you =)

Okay, I've read the reveiws, and the biggest complaint I see is that Leia leaves Han. Ya' know this stuff does happen, it was a fling Isolder said what she wanted to hear, what I don't belive is she fell for that line "I fell in love with her from a distance." Yeah, right. The second biggest complaint is how Han reacted, how would you handle it if the one peson you loved more than you loved your self suddenly didn't love you back? Would you be calm and rational? or would you freak out and do what ever was necessary to get them back? I think what Han did was romantic, and that Leia could have been nicer about it. also in this book(or maybe it was one of the others? I can't remember)it says "Every time Han put his life on the line it was for her, Leia couldn't, no wouldn't belive some one could love her that much..." I rest my case, the defense rests, bring in the prosecution

The Courtship of Princess Leia is an interesting tale setting up many different plot points of future novels, and introducing key characters. This is an important read to understand Dathomir, the relationship of the Republic with Hapan and a little more back story for Han Solo. It flushes out characters but is kinda hurt because we already know that Han and Leia end up together. The journey the novel takes is a fun and is an very important read to understand Hapan Society and the future events in Hapan Territories.

Excellent , well written and charecterized star wars book by Wolverton , much better than Zahn and the others. The only thing that confused me was the star destroyer they fought at the end called the Iron Fist. was it the Super Star Destroyer (hich is suposed to have been destroyed) or was it Zsinj's origanal Victory Star Destroyer? otherwise the best star wars book.

For starters this book is not that great. I read the books out of series because that is how I acquired them and started with the Thrawn Trilogy. I was enthralled in that series and read the whole trilogy in less than 2 weeks. Then I found a copy of this book at the Goodwill and bought it with high hopes. Once I read the first chapter, I knew I was in for a long read. This books reads almost like a fantasy novel with the force witches being the main foe on Dathomir. The author makes Leia out to be a whiny little princess snob, C3PO as an annoying droid who all of a sudden has the ability to play music, and not to mention Luke as a know it all Jedi knight bent on the "light side" of the force. I found the book so boring it took me 6 days to read it. I say avoid this one at all costs.

After reading five star wars books in less than two weeks (had surgery and was laid up), I get to the this book and wish that my surgery had gone wrong only to save me from reading this fifth book. The book has dumbed down and juvenile plot lines, oversimplified themes, and watered down versions of the familiar characters which have become so iconic to the star wars sagas. It is like taking your favorite movie and turning into a sitcom with poor writing, making the characters betray their true selves, and personified by high school actors. If I thought it would go over I would start a petition to ban Dave Wolverton from ever writing another star wars book, or any other book, for ever!!! or better yet have him take creative writing classes from Timothy Zahn. I sakd good day sir!

Very good book. So much more than just the romance. Very unique, and lots of action and plot twists. Loved the ending, and how so many things were tied up, such as Luke finding the info from the Jedi school.

Book started out great but then it becomes just silly. Han and Leia are written somewhat out of character and it's a series of one ridiculous even after another which reads like fan faction. The only redeeming aspect of this book is the Witches of Dathomir. Many parts of this book are just painful to read. Stick to Zahn if you want the best quality in your Star Wars novels.

Some sparse adventure mixed with scifi politics and diplomacy. Further develops Han and Leia's relationship while giving Luke something to do. While not always terribly interesting, the ideas and premise edge this one out as a fun read, if not a must-read.

This is definately a book for those Star Wars fans that want to explore the universe after the movies. This book follows Han Solo's desperate attempts to "woo" Princess Leia with his charm. When a suitor from an outer rim planet proposes marriage to Leia, along with offering her the multitude of wealth and wonders of his planet, Han gets desperate and kidnaps Leia. As one can imagine she doesn't take this lightly, and as they say, "Wakiness ensues". I highly reccomment this book to true Star Wars fans, or really to anyone that wants a good read.

I had high hopes for this book in the beginning. Leia finds her self under pressure to mary this prince. However, the second she supposedly does not love Han anymore, I get angry. I have to agree with many of the other reviews. They are more generous than I by considering the rest of the story and they are right. The witches, the battle with Zinj are good. But the main story line the book is named for and that is supposed to glue the rest of it together is rediculous. Leia's love for Han and his love for her in the movies is epic. She searches for him for years after he is frozen and is described in other books as having been misserable the whole time. Now Han goes away for 6 months and she suddenly loses interest when some prince comes along. It would have made sense if it came from a sense of obligation, but she nearly tells Isolder "I love you." In the rest of the series, their love is enviable, this weakens it. Ignore this book. All you need to know is, Leia and Han get married, Isolder meets someone else, and Zinj is dead. If you read it, you will only end up hating Leia.

Thank Jesus Christ I read the book BEFORE reading the bad reviews that some pepople wrote for this book!

I received the book as a present from a friend! It is a very good read. Wolverton does understand female (and male) phsychology, trust me! Of course, the phsychology of attraction is not "logic", so some people may find the outcome of the story strange. But I don't think it's strange. This is the first (and only so far) book I read (besides seeing the movies - both the old ones and the new ones), but THIS BOOK MADE ME WANT TO READ ALL THE OTHER STAR WARS BOOK! A GOOD AND FUN READ, FULL OF MYSTERY, BEAUTY AND ADVENTURE!

In The Courtship of Princess Leia there were many more Force sensitive "witches" that try to destroy Luke Skywalker and his friends. Then they meet the other group of force strong people that want to help destroy the "withches". Leia is in a deep struggle of what to do with her life. I very handsome prince from a ring of planets has asked to marry her. If she does the system will join the Rebel Allience, if she doesn't they won't.
The Courtshipp of Princess Leia is a great book for all audiences.

This is an excellent book that captures the feel of the Star Wars Movies. Dathomir is a wonderful setting, and the witches there are perfect allies, and enemies. Far better than anything Stackpole writes, with the possible exceptions of Dark Tide.

This is a great book, but suffers from bad writing...
If you put that aside this is a fun adventure that will keep you asking for more. If you're new to Star Wars books, and you're working towards the New Jedi Order Series, this book is not necessary. The main point obviously, is that Han Solo and Leia Organa get married. That is really the only main thing that will be remembered in future books.
If you want to catch all the Star Wars books, then this one is definetely worth your time. I really enjoyed it.