The galaxy far, far away is about to get its first canon adult romance novel, and readers are going into hyperdrive. Beth Revis’ The Princess and the Scoundrel, available for pre-order and out August 16, details the courtship, wedding, and honeymoon of the OG Star Wars couple, Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa.
Romance is a largely unexplored direction for Star Wars and one that many fans are thrilled to see the franchise explore. There was a life-size cutout of the cover at SDCC, rapturous reviews covering each released excerpt, and even a twitter account detailing how many days until the book is released (22, in case you were wondering).
But how is a reader to fill those long, hot summer days until the sure-to-be-smash-hit is in their hot little hands? There’s only so much staring at the cover and wistful sighing one can do in a day.
Sigh no more, my friends! I have the answer. How about a journey back to a Legends-era classic, Dave Wolverton’s The Courtship of Princess Leia?
This 1994 New York Times best seller has everything! The cover alone is a treasure. Leia, front and center, decked out in her 1990s wedding finest–complete with bouffant, puffy sleeves, and a large floral headband.
Han broodingly stares off into the distance behind her. R2-D2, stormtroopers, and a mysterious handsome stranger all share the space as well. (There’s another cover which also features Leia, minus poofy dress but plus a giant rancor. Both equally magical in their own way.)
But there’s more to this book than its cover! It features the dashing Prince Isolder, the third point in a Han-Leia-Isolder love triangle. There’s also the Hapes Consortium, a matriarchal system ruled by a Queen Mother who wants an alliance with the New Republic (and Leia as a daughter-in-law).
Throw in a high-stakes game of sabacc in which Han wins a planet, a kidnapping plot, and the Witches of Dathomir–a clan of rancor-riding, Force-sensitive women–and you’ve got all the ingredients for a zany, action-packed romance that will leave you swooning. And did I mention the rancors?
Since this book is a Legend, it’s no longer officially “canon” (hence the existence of The Princess and the Scoundrel). But don’t let that bother you! In this era of multiverse mania, surely there’s room for more than one romance for one of the galaxy’s most famous couples?
Han and Leia DESERVE a happy ending or two. Besides, all the wistful sighing is starting to get a little annoying. So give this book a try–I bet a rancor ride you will be glad you did. Happy reading!
Follow Dork Side of the Force for all your Star Wars news, reviews, and more!