Reading guide: The unofficial Princess Leia trilogy of Star Wars books

For the full Leia experience and insight, read 'Leia: Princess of Alderaan,' 'The Princess and the Scoundrel,' and 'Bloodline."

Not an official trilogy, but these three books follow Princess Leia at pivotal moments in her life — joining the secret Rebellion against the Empire in her teenage years, celebrating the end of the war and marrying Han Solo, and struggling to lead the New Republic while her most devasting secret comes to light.

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Leia: Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray

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On the timeline: 3 BBY; Leia is 16 years old

Type: Young adult; Disney Books

Characters: Princess Leia, Bail and Breha Organa,

What it’s about: Sixteen-year-old Princess Leia Organa performs her Day of Demand ceremony in front of hundreds of guests, including her parents Queen Breha and Viceroy Bail, to mark her intentions to inherit the throne of Alderaan. Part of that ceremony includes naming challenges that will prove her abilities to rule with strength, knowledge, and compassion.

The rest of the book follows Leia as she takes on these challenges: representing her home planet in the Apprentice Legislature, going on diplomatic charity missions to planets in need, and eventually climbing the imposing Appenza Peak.

While Leia grapples with those challenges and the changes of being teenage royalty, she notices her parents having late, secretive meetings and not talking to or paying as much attention to her as they normally would. When she learns of their involvement in the fledgling rebellion against the Empire, Leia decides she’s joining the fight, too — whether they like it or not.