This was terrific, although I have to point add that it helps if you're a big Star Wars nerd. For everyone (myself included) who was a bit mystified at the state of the galaxy in Force Awakens, as well as wondering that the hell had happened to all our characters, this book tells that story. It's a pretty gripping political intrigue, very "House of Cards", Star Wars-style, and it charts the troubles in the New Republic between opposing political factions, and how they lead to the Force Awakens' Resistance and First Order. So... if you're after some engrossing chewable background on the state of the current Star Wars universe, this is it. 
 Aside from filling in lots of background info, though, it's also loads of fun... One doesn't often see sci fi action books with middle-aged women as the leads, and Princess Leia makes a great and driven main character, as adept in the Senate as she is in blaster fights and card-sharking. There are new characters as well, and they're equally well done, but it's "Leia alone" who was the big treat for me. In the movies, she's always been the finger-waging nag to Han and Luke, so it was nice to see her solo adventuring, out of her scolding/mothering role. 
 Recommended!