TO LFL - Stop abusing Han and Leia's Romance!

I'm intending to read SbS and then write a letter to DR, regardless of how I feel about it. Most of what I've heard so far concerning H/L is good, though I do think asking for more romance is a legitimate idea. And while I don't want to bring L/M into this letter, if I read SbS and they get all these mushy scenes again, I'll not be too happy. As a H/L fan, I would like to see more romance between them, but honestly, if they had some of the scenes L/M have had, I would begin to think they'd been given too much. I can understand writing scenes for L/M, but some of the scenes in BP did compromise their characterizations.

Anyway, on the subject of why L/M have had so much more romance, I do think it's because their fans have always been vocal. While we've been picking it up lately, romance in SbS could seem out of place, so I'm fine with what I've heard about H/L in that book. Besides, I think that Recovery will (hopefully) appease us more by giving us more romance.

 

Hey y?all!


Very minor SBS spoilers:









I?m about 90% done SBS now, and you?ll be happy to know that Han and Leia are together for virtually the entire book. They have a lot of scenes together. Despite Jimmy?s death (or perhaps in part because of it?) this looks to me like it is a good H+L book. There is romance between the two in SBS, although Leia does spend a portion of the book a bit out of sorts.

 

SBS talk but no big spoilers.





I caved and during a late lunch break bought a copy of SBS at a nearby bookstore. I've only heard good things about the H/L scenes and decided I would give the book a chance. Too bad, I'm really busy with both work and homelife right now and I don't know when I'm going to get a chance to read it. I agree that this is probably not the book for romance, maybe somewhere down the line we'll get some sweet moments to cherish.

I have read the first few chapters before heading home after work and I like what I've read so far. The scene where they are in the bar in diquise is priceless. Leia had that sleezy guy coming on to her. Makes it appear that she's still attractive to someone else besides Han. Then this one part was really funny where Han told the sleezy guy that he and Droma had parted company. Then the guy asked Han if Leia was his new captain. Han said "I'm captain, she's the mate." Leia then said "You might say that." Then added while glaring at Han "On a good day."

Looks like this is going to be a good read but I'm still unhappy over the big spoiler. It never hurts to write again and like solosgurl said, prevent this from happening again.

I think that because we had been so quiet for so long that when we started to complain they didn't know if we were just a few vocal nuts or if this complaint was a serious problem that should be addressed. I definately believe that we have their attention now.

 

I believe that Jimmy's death was planned from the start, a major plot point. Letters would not have prevented it, as it was such a major point. I may be wrong, but that's never happened before

 

I finished the book and I have somewhat of a mediocre reaction. I liked some of the H/L scenes, especially towards the beginning, but I was disappointed there was practically no romance or private moments, not to drag the L/M thing up but it was annoying that they got them, I would've liked more of those kinds of scenes between Han and Leia. The characterization of all the mains was well done.

Regarding the big spoiler, I still didn't see the point of why it had to happen, but I think it was handled fairly well. I liked that Han thought he wasn't going to take off again this time, that Leia needed him.

 

A few small quotes...













"Sorry, kid, that seat belongs to Leia."
-Han

"Take us up, flyboy"
-Leia

 

"Sorry, kid, that seat belongs to Leia."
-Han

Could someone please tell me who Han said this to?(my first guess it was Luke, but where does that fit into the story)

 

I've started SbS and so far it's been pretty good. Han and Leia are well written. The banter is there, but no romance. And while I'm disappointed to learn that once again Luke and Mara get the romance and inneundos in this book, I hope this inequity will be corrected in the future books.

The bar scene is great, Ginger. I found it to be very amusing and very much in character for both Han and Leia. But, like you, I'm still very unhappy about the *death*.

 

He said it to Luke. Basically, over the course of the scene he notices that the seat is too big for Leia, then tells Luke that it's Leia's seat, then tells Leia that he's going to get her a smaller seat. So Leia is now officially his copilot.




Another quote for you...
[Han] wrapped Leia in his arms and held her- just held her. "I'm here, Princess. I'll always be here."

 

Thanks for the quotes Gandolf

Spoiler













Well I think the book has good and bad parts. Of course my number one complaint is the complete lack of any romance. I thought it was pretty obvious the fans wanted to see some romance between them, and just a couple of scenes of them sharing some private time together would have been great to read about, considering what's going to happen later. I think Keyes handled this better, he at least wrote a couple of kisses for them. Not even one kiss in this book for Han and Leia. It makes me a bit worried of how the e-book will handle this.

I also think the Vong are becoming more and more tiresome per book, although that probably isn't Denning's fault. I like that it sounds like Han and Leia have been pretty much together more or less since reuniting and that it's going to be official Leia is his new co-pilot and I loved Han's reaction to "Jimmy", realizing that this time he couldn't leave, this time Leia is the one who'll need someone. I wasn't crazy about Leia's reaction to the death in how she got annoyed with Han and then wallowed in self-pity, snapping at Han, some of it struck me as being out of character. I would have liked to see more of a make up to the fight they had later.

A part I loved is how Leia thought that she and Han were more attuned to each other now in ways the old Han and her had not been. It shows they've grown closer since their reunion. The references to the estrangement and Han's fear of how close he came to losing her were a nice touch too. I'm glad they didn't just pretend it never happened. I think Han's dialogue at the beginning of the book was very touching, when he looks at Leia and thinks of what she means to him.

Leia's handled well for the most part. She actually does something with the Force, although I'm annoyed at how it says she's not a Jedi, when she WAS a Jedi during Bantam, but anyway...It's about time she finally leaves politics. That's been a long time coming. I also love how Han is written as being overprotective and always thinking of Leia. It's refreshing to read about that after he was a complete jerk for the first half of the NJO. I think Denning writes all the mains well.

 

Spoilers look out!












I'm in luck; my friend has the book so I borrowed it from him. If it's worth it I'll buy it from the bookstore for my own copy.

I'm up to chapter 8 so far. I think I'm about 60% happy with it. Mara being written as being perfect at everything again is grating my nerves, but Leia's been handled pretty well. FINALLY she's leaving politics! I had to laugh at the scene of her and Han in the bar.

Nice to see Han has pretty much gotten over Chewie as much as he's going to and regrets how he acted.

I'm a bit surprised there isn't romance either; I thought it was pretty clear what the fans wanted to see between them and it's surprising they ignored it. Maybe they figured one romantic couple was enough.

Han and Leia's relationship is handled about the same way Luke and Mara's was in VP - they're together and interacting, but no mush. Would be nice if they went the extra step to make them act like a newly reunited couple.

The Vong are boring as usual. I have to force myself through the stuff with them.

Solo kids - again annoying. I don't know if I'll be happy or sad when I get to the death scene.

I like the writing style better than REBIRTH, which was written too simplistically for my likings. I have a feeling this book was written to be lengthy, so all the fanbases grappling for their favorite character's time would be happy.

As for Leia as a redhead, I've seen Carrie with red hair and she looks fabulous, so don't question it.

 

Mara isn't perfect at anything. Luke and Mara are both rather embarressed later in the book where Leia is easily able to do something that neither of them could

 

Sorry Gandolf, I forgot about that part. Thanks for reminding me.

You know, I wonder why Ben can stay with Luke and Mara but the twins and Anakin had to be shipped away when it was Luke's idea to ship them away. Maybe KJA just couldn't write babies.

 

Spoilers





















Ben gets shipped off to Leia while Luke and Mara fly around. It looks like Han and Leia are going to have another chance to raise a kid on their own, while Luke and Mara assume the role of neglectful parents

 

I see your point Gandolf, but it's a bit different to send them to their aunt and uncle temporarily than to some remote planet with a droid-like human.

Ahhh if the kid is raised by Han and Leia, it's going to grow up to be another Solo brat! Just when we got rid of one!

 

spoiler space...















Hey, did anyone else think it was hilarious when Mara's like "Oh, if anyone knows about their kids being abducted it's Han and Leia?" Poking fun at Bantam

I think Ben was shipped to Han and Leia for that time so someone "incompetent" could lose him so he could be napped.

 

I haven't gotten very far in the book so I can't yet comment on everything that you all have addressed.

Something that I noticed is that even though Han and Leia were not together very much in the Bantam books, when they were together there was more kissing, hugging and love making than there has been in the DR books. I guess we can't have everything. I never thought of them as being a "hands-off" type of couple with all that passion and sparks that was flying in the movies. Even casual SW movie fans comment on the intensity between Han and Leia. Believe me, I would hate it if they got mushy like Luke and Mara, but I certainly think that they would have a very sexual relationship. Something on the lines of the making love to Leia on the white fur rug comment in POT.

On page 21 there was a really nice passage where Han is watching Leia talking to General Munn. He notices that her face is glowing with the same stunning brown-eyed intensity that had caught his eye so long ago. It goes on to say that he doesn't understand how she had kept the fevor burning through 30 years of service for the galaxy but it's become a constant for him. 'Now, when occassionally her legs-healed from her near-fetal ordeal on Duro but still sometimes weak-tired and stumbled, the pain of almost losing her made his heart stop, and he swore he would never, ever shut her out again.'

That was sweet. One of our biggest complaints was the lack of concern that Han showed over Leia ordeal. This was nice to get his POV on those events.

 

I agree with you Ginger. I've never seen Han and Leia as a "hands-off" couple either. We're talking about two people who in the movies could barely contain their passion for one another. A kind of passion I never saw in the Luke and Mara relationship. And I don't for one minute believe they have as chaste a relationship as what DR has written for them. Now I don't expect them to be all mushy like Luke and Mara either and I wouldn't want them to be that disgusting. But to think they don't have a sexual relationship or even share a kiss on a regular basis is ludicrous. Unfortunately, it appears that DR doesn't agree with us on this matter.

The scene you mentioned was very nice. It's a bit ironic, though, don't you think. Here Han is thinking how Leia still has that same "stunning brown-eyed intensity that caught his eye so long ago", and how he'll never shut her out again, obviously remembering and still feeling the passion that stirred within him then, yet we don't see him act on those feelings. Not even a kiss. That makes no sense at all.

 

Yeah the better parts of the H/L aspect in this book was with the thoughts, not actions. It was mostly business like in their interaction, which was fairly disappointing. I'd probably be okay with it though, if the estrangement plotline hadn't been put in. They really should give them more romance considering they're newly reunited.

And it is weird that Harrison and Carrie got so many compliments and notices of their on-screen chemistry, yet the EU doesn't tap into this at all by giving them a sterile relationship.

I like that scene you mentioned Ginger It was nice because it was the first one we saw of Han from his point of view.

I hope the e-book will handle the H/L aspect better than it was in this book.

Aside from H/L, I did think this book was one of the best written EU books in a while. I didn't like all the darkness and gore, I feel there's been way too much of it, but I think Denning did the best he could under the circumstances.

 

I've read comments from the people who made the movies that Han and Leia's relationship was based on the work done by the Hepburn/Tracy team. I think that the authors should watch a couple of their films to get a feel for Han and Leia. Hepburn/Tracy not only banter and argue but they also flirted, kissed, and hugged frequently. I think that a lot of the sexual innuendo in their films were pretty racy for that time period.

There was an article recently in a Sci-fi/fantasy magazine about sex in space. Guess who's names came up. Luke and Mara's? No. Han and Leia's? Yes. They called Han and Leia's bantering foreplay. Well, according to the NJO the bantering is a substitution instead of the pre-game activity.

 

Well, I finished the death scene. Even though I've never been a fan of Anakin, it was written well that I was thoroughly depressed by the end.

Han's character was spot-on in how he reacted violently, and his thoughts about how he couldn't take off this time were perfect. Could picture it all in my head. Great part where Han's about to leave and Leia pleads him not to, even though she was annoyed at his constant presence before.

Didn't like the fight they had later, because there was basically no resolution to it, and I didn't see a point to it.

I felt there should have been one scene where Han and Leia talked about the death and comforted each other.

Denning does good characterization all around, and it was great to finally see the whole group together, Luke, Mara, Han, Leia, and Lando, which hasn't happened since VP.

Better continuity than most, with references to old characters in the NJO, finally tying up where Droma was, references to Han's drinking, and Leia's injuries, their estrangement.

This book is still plagued with a lot of the problems in the NJO (Vong being uninteresting villians, too dark and gory) but it's one of the better ones. However, I don't think this death was necessary to bring into an already dark and dismal series just when things were looking up in REBIRTH.

 

That's a good point Ginger, in the kind of classic movie romances Han and Leia's have been compared too, Gone with the Wind being one of them, the couple had more to their relationship than just banter, there was kissing and melting looks going on.

The official site updated with EU bios. Jaina's talks about how Leia rarely had any time for her family, and how Jaina began to resent this distance. I wish some people would give her more credit, or not put her down because some authors wrote her badly.

 

I got a little more of SbS read last night. My initial thoughts are below.


Spoilers:


























I honestly don't know how I feel about this book. While I think Han and Leia are very well written and very much in character, I'm disappointed that, according to what others have said as I've yet to finish the book myself, they do not even share a kiss in this book. I don't understand why DR insists on writing them with such a sterile relationship. Don't they think they ever make love or even have a physical relationship?

Okay, that being said, I really love how we're getting Han's POV about past events and how he vows he'll never shut Leia out again. I love how he's become overprotective of Leia and his kids, very much what I'd expect him to do and I love how Leia put him in his place for smothering her and the kids with that overprotectiveness. While there is a lack of physical affection between them, their thoughts about each other make it very clear how much they love one another. I'm not even halfway through this book yet and I'm already getting depressed. I got to the chapter where they were planning the commando attack on Myrkr and the tears started to flow knowing that this would be the last conversation Han and Leia would have with their doomed child. I don't know how I'll get through the death scene. That's about as far as I got last night, but I'm sure I'll have more thoughts later as I continue to read.

 

Del Rey, how loud to we have to scream in order for you to hear us? It's not like we're asking for explicit love scenes. Do you think Han and Leia never make love or have any kind of a physical relationship? All we're asking for is an occasional kiss between them and an innuendo of love making, much as you've done for Luke and Mara. Sure, Han and Leia are different and they express their love in a different way. But the teasing banter between them is their equivalent of the whispering sweet nothings foreplay of Luke and Mara. The end result is the same, even if the means of getting there is not and that usually involves kisses. Now the lack of romance wouldn't bother me so much if there were a total lack of romance on the parts of both couples. But when one couple gets all the affectionate, romantic moments and the other gets none, then that gets a bit annoying. Yes, I admit I'm jealous and while I don't expect a lot of romance in an action-based book, it's still important to the characters and their fans. After all, they've recently reconciled. Doesn't it make sense for them to rekindle that old flame? Rebirth had a nice mix of banter and affectionate moments, and I had hoped this trend would continue in SbS. Please, hear our plea and continue to write affectionate moments for our favorites in the remaining books. We're running out of time here. I think we've all been quite clear that this is what we want, and not just those of us who post in this thread. I can't imagine any Han and Leia fan not wanting to read of a little romance between them.

Up to this point I have been pretty confident that Recovery would give us what we want. Now I worry that once again Han and Leia will be portrayed in this book as having a sterile, non-physical marriage. I know the time frame and circumstances of this book don't allow for a lot of physical activity, but I hope they at least "kiss and make up".

 

Well said, Sologal!!!