Most Star Wars books I've read were pretty much the same genre, though; a sort of action/adventure/drama blend. There were a couple of short stories that leaned toward horror, but for the most part Star Wars fiction seems to stick to a formula. Lost Stars is a first for me, though, as it is primarily a Star Wars romance. It takes you through the events of the original Star Wars trilogy, but from the perspective of two students at the Imperial Academy.
The Empire may be evil, but many of the actual Imperials are good people who have been misled about what is best for the universe. These two students are some of the most noble-hearted characters one can imagine, but they are indoctrinated by the Empire's lies. Eventually one of them realizes the truth about the Empire, putting them on opposite sides of the war, but still very much in love. And for the sake of spoilers that's as far as I'll go into the plot.
The characters are fleshed out and believable. Their rationalizations for following the Empire actually make sense. If you've ever wondered how evil organizations (both fictional and real) can gain so many followers when they're "clearly" monsters, this book does a good job of showing their point of view. The Empire tightly controls information, distorts the Rebels' motives, and promises a future where everyone prospers and lives in harmony. Even when the Empire commits atrocities too big to hide, those actions are explained as being for the greater good. It's true that the high ranking Imperials are greedy and power mad, but the underlings generally believe that the Empire is a force of good, and that the Rebels are terrorists. It's so well presented that it makes me worry about my own government.
Being a love story, it's not for everybody. But don't worry, it's not some shallow Twilight angst-fest, or steamy Harlequin romance. It's just a decent sci-fi drama that centers on a forbidden relationship. And it's easily the best Star Wars book I've read.
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