The Princess and the Scoundrel - Book Review

The matrimony of one of the most iconic Star Wars characters is finally depicted in The Princess and the Scoundrel. Although Legends fans have already experienced this memorable event in the 1994 novel The Courtship of Princess Leia, Beth Revis’ canon version of the two lovers’ wedding and honeymoon is a story not to be missed. The book is a direct continuation of Return of the Jedi, where as the celebration of the victory against the evil Empire takes place at the forest moon of Endor, Han unexpectedly proposes to Leia—leading into an unforgettable Ewok-themed wedding and a honeymoon aboard the luxury starcruiser Halcyon full of intrigue and adventure.

Author Beth Revis wrote a piece of Star Wars storytelling that is instantly memorable. The characterization of both Han and Leia in The Princess and the Scoundrel is at the forefront of the novel, with each chapter switching back and forth between the two characters’ perspectives—providing a great amount of insight into their most intimate selves, especially for Leia. Starting at the forest moon of Endor, Revis covers some of the unanswered questions left by Return of the Jedi: Leia’s family connection with her father, Darth Vader and her twin brother, Luke Skywalker. In this first act, the author does some heavy lifting in terms of explaining Leia’s feelings towards her terrifying parental revelations from the movie and her connection to the Force and Luke. However, the highlight of Endor is obviously the wedding of Han and Leia—every detail of the ceremony makes the readers feel like they are actually witnessing the momentous event.

The second act of The Princess and the Scoundrel takes place aboard the Halcyon, which although it could be taken as yet another advertisement of the 2-Night, immersive adventure from Disney Parks, Galactic Starcruiser, it is far from it. The author does a great job of using the iconic ship as a story device rather than another way to promote the attraction—their stay turning from a relaxing honeymoon into a diplomatic mission.

A diplomatic mission that turns into a full on rescue mission of a moon from the clutches of the Imperial Remnant. Without diving into spoiler territory, the third and final act of The Princess and the Scoundrel truly elevates the intrigue within the tale. The depiction of the moon and its art is fascinating and very much fits within the Star Wars universe, but it’s the threat that lurks underneath the surface of the moon that brings this novel to its peak. Revis has no reservations in terms of reintroducing characters from other books and comics—some mere mentions, others impacting the story in a bold way, all adding to the interconnectedness of Star Wars storytelling.

Are you ready for a romantic and daring adventure? Then The Princess and the Scoundrel is the right book for you. Witness the wedding and honeymoon of Leia Organa and Han Solo, available in physical and digital format (with gorgeous cover by artist Oliver Cuthbertson), as well as an unabridged audiobook, narrated by the all-star duo Saskia Maarleveld and Marc Thompson!