Star Wars: Queen's Shadow

Considering the 10 year gap between the plot of Star Wars Episode I and Episode II, a novel detailing the time in between them would seem certainly appropriate, considering the alleged 3 years (really?!) between Episode II and III has been jam packed with 7 seasons of animated television, and the events of at least 3 novels. Yet, rather than give us an account of Anakin Skywalker's time spent as Obi Wan's apprentice, or getting a look at the pre-war Jedi order, we were given Padme Amidala's rise as a Galactic Senator from Naboo, and it is...INSPIRED! While subtly laying ground work for the eventual Separatist revolution which would trigger the events of the Clone Wars, author EK Johnston gives readers one of the most compelling character drama's in Star Wars' new canon. The fact that it is an admittedly light read, does not prevent it from being a thoroughy enjoyable one. Offering greater detail than we ever knew we needed about Padme and her constantly present personal retinue, Johnston deftly world-builds an inside look at the culture of the Planet Naboo and the Galactic Senate on Coruscant. Readers are sure to walk away with greater context for the Star Wars Galaxy as a whole at the time of the prequels, not to mention well-earned respect for one of the prequel era's only prominent female characters.

So happy to see Padme represented in books now! <3

Queen’s Shadow by E. K. Johnston is very different from your usual Star Wars story. With minimal action and no antagonist, it’s a story exploring how Padmé made the shift from being a queen to being a senator in the government of the Galactic Republic. It also dives into her relationship with her handmaidens, revealing a bit of who they are, and helps bridge the gap between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. By focusing on Padmé’s life as a senator, there is some exploration of politics as she is exposed to different factions and has to figure out how the system works in order to get anything done. It’s not a fast paced novel, and it’s certainly not action packed, but it’s actually, surprisingly, very interesting because it does indeed explore an area of Star Wars we didn’t know that much about. The book opens with a small passage from the time when the Trade Federation was attacking Naboo and Sabé was impersonating the queen. It’s a nice way to start as there’s a really good line that sets the stage, “Sabé turned to face her enemies as the Queen of Naboo, and Padmé all but disappeared into her shadow.” From there, Padmé and her handmaidens are having some fun relaxing on Naboo. However, the way chapter one kicks off is interesting as it’s mirrored at the end of the book with Padmé’s ultimate fate. It’s serves as the bookends of the story, from happiness in life, to peace in death. The book goes over the election on Naboo for a new queen, them selecting a new senator to represent their planet in the Republic now that Palpatine is Chancellor, and several issues in the government that Padmé ends up dealing with, particular a crisis on an agricultural world. Along side Padmé, we also get a lot of exploration of Sabé. Of all of the handmaidens, she gets the most focus, and the book ends in such a way that we could very well see more of her in the future. Keep in mind Sabé was played by Keira Knightley in the movies, and her character did not die (that was Cordé and Versé who died in the explosion in Attack of the Clones). By focusing on these two characters, the book pulls back the veil on who Padmé is, who the handmaidens are, what their role is, what Amidala is, and how the whole Naboo queen thing works. It answers a lot of questions and adds a lot of depth to the characters. Some of the more interesting areas the book explores is slavery and politics. Padmé feels guilty about leaving Anakin’s mom behind on Tatooine in a life of slavery, and she feels the need to do something about it. While she doesn’t succeed in this book, it’s interesting that that idea is there and it’s one of the things she wanted to accomplish that she was never able to. Through the story, Sabé goes looking for Shmi on Tatooine and tries to do something about the slavery problem there. Her journey there reveals how difficult the issue really is. Once they hit a dead end, the focus turns back to politics as Padmé navigates the life of being a senator. We get to see other senators, like Clovis and Mina Bonterri who showed up in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as well as the big names like Bail Organa and Mon Mothma. We see the first introductions between them and Padmé and how bonds are formed. We also get to see Padmé’s frustration with how helpless the senate seems. The book actually has a couple endings. On one hand it ends with Nute Gunray’s trial and him being let off with no charges and him also placing a bounty on Padme’s head. This will ultimately lead to the attack on Padmé’s life at the beginning of Attack of the Clones. It’s kind of an abrupt ending with Padmé asking her people “What do we do next?” On one hand, we can see this continue through the films and the animated show, but on the other hand, there’s room for another book to continue this story. Yet there is an epilogue which provides another ending for the story. The epilogue jumps to Padmé’s funeral and Sabé trying to figure out what to do now that Padmé is no longer in her life. In this ending, it ends with Bail Organa reaching out to her, and yet another excellent place for another book to pick up. Imagine Sabé getting to meet Leia and telling her what her mom was like? Who knows if we’ll ever get that, but as is, the ending in this book certainly opened up some possibilities. While Queen’s Shadow is a slower paced book of character exploration, it is an interesting read since it explores characters and a time span we knew little about. It adds greatly to the character of Padmé, which in turn adds to the greater story of Star Wars, the animated shows, and the films. The story also delves deeply into the world of the handmaidens, who they are, and what their roles are and how they shifted from supporting Padmé as Queen of Naboo to senator. As such, I give this book a four out of five. It’s definitely worth checking out.

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." Padme Naberrie Amidala Skywalker is a revered figure in the "Star Wars" Saga. Introduced in "Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace," she was first showcased as the teenage Queen of the idyllic planet Naboo. Throughout the epic story of the so-called "Prequel Trilogy" of films created by George Lucas, this remarkable young woman would be shown to be a true heroine and inspiration to the people of her homeworld, as well as for fans of this grand cosmic mythos. "Star Wars: Queen's Shadow" is a young adult novel by E. K. Johnston that provides a long overdue spotlight on this compassionate and courageous character. Taking place in the time following "Episode I," and before "Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones," this book delves into the mind and aspirations of the precious Padme, and significantly, the intimate relationship she had with her mysterious, alluring attendants, officially called handmaidens. As hinted at in the films, these women were much more than mere servants to the one time Naboo sovereign. They also served as guardians and secret doppelgangers to the Queen. But most importantly, they became Padme's most trusted confidants. This novel explores this very special relationship, as Padme chooses a new path for her life, representing her home planet no longer as Queen, but rather as a senator in the galactic government of the Old Republic. Within the colossal chambers of power on the city-world of Coruscant, the young senator, though wise beyond her years, struggles to find her place even as she deals with an attempt on her life. As the novel explores Padme's exploits in intergalactic politics it also ties its story into the larger, ever evolving canon of the Saga. For example, characters from the theatrical films appear, like Bail Organa, and Mon Mothma. Also, characters first introduced in the animated series, "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," like Rush Clovis, featured in the episode "Senate Spy," and Mina Bonteri, who appeared in the episode "Heroes on Both Sides," return in novel form interacting with the novice senator from Naboo. At the heart of this book is the study of Padme's inner most thoughts and the sister-ship she shares with her handmaidens, in words and deeds but also with things unspoken and actions at their most subtle. Ms. Johnston's prose reveals a secret sisterhood that would have been nearly impossible to convey in cinematic terms. Thus it is not the usual "Star Wars" novel or adventure which center more on what a certain Jedi Knight described as "aggressive negotiations." This book instead shows how a maturing lady diplomat used the intricacies of language and intellect to endeavor against the evils of a complicated galaxy. For this "Star Wars" fan, Padme represented the human personification of the ideals of the Old Republic. She was also perhaps the most tragic character in the "Star Wars" Saga; a woman who lived her life striving to preserve the dreams of the Old Republic even as it faltered and fell, who strove to preserve the good man she secretly loved, Anakin Skywalker, even as he faltered and fell to the Dark Side of the Force. She gave her life, still believing in the good of both, even as she gave the galaxy "a new hope" in the forms of her children, Luke and Leia. "Star Wars: Queen's Shadow" is a different novel of the beloved "galaxy far, far away," distinguishing itself by being foremost a character study of an extraordinary woman. This long awaited book comes with my sincere recommendation. May the Force be with you, always!

Arrived in beautiful condition! Pages are absolutely pristine and the kind note inside was very pleasant! I've been missing this book to my series for so long and now I can finally read the whole thing :D

This story was a rough start for me, but it picked up midway through. The first few chapters were a combination of really teeny tiny details of the handmaidens braiding Padmes hair, right down to the color of the undergarments she wore. While I realize her wardrobe played an important part of her story as a senator and queen, there is just a little too much of it. I mean how interesting could it be to talk about every outfit paragraph after paragraph? Additionally, I felt the first half of the book didn’t explain things well that were happening. I found myself having to go back and reread whole chapters to figure out what was going on. However, there were some good points as well. It’s interesting to learn about how Padme became a senator and how her character grew. There was a good back story for her forming a relationship with Bail Organa and also a chapter in which she meets and spends time with Breha Organa as well. This obviously plays into the eventual adoption of Leia by the Organas. The book doesn’t go that far, but we know the story of course from Revenge of the Sith. Overall, it’s just an OK book for me. I am going to be giving the author another chance with the new “Queens Peril” book. Hoping that one is written a little better.

E.K. Johnston’s “Star Wars: Queen’s Shadow” is the first of Disney’s new canon of “Star Wars” novels to take place prior to the Clone Wars. The story focuses on Padmé Amidala’s transition from Queen of Naboo to Galactic Senator. Discussing the change, Johnston writes, “Who was she, after all, when she was not Queen of Naboo? She had entered politics so early and with such zeal that she had no other identity” (pg. 16). The question of identity runs through the novel, with Padmé and her handmaidens adopting different personas, tones of voice, and poses depending on their audience or the situation as well as Padmé’s own identity change from leader of a planet to a single part of a much larger bureaucracy. Building upon the events of “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” Johnston portrays Padmé working to free the enslaved people on Tatooine through Sabé as her agent, in particular trying to find Shmi Skywalker (pg. 115), though, unknown to her, Shmi is already with Cliegg at this time. Other links between the events of “The Phantom Menace” and “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” include Padmé enlisting R2-D2 to help her based on his bravery when she previously fled Naboo (pg. 122), building a coalition with Mon Mothma and Bail Organa (pg. 150), and sending Sabé to gather information at Dex’s Diner (pg. 161). Padmé also begins to experience the strains in her relationships with Rush Clovis and Mina Bonteri that will play a role in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (pgs. 178, 192). Johnston works to link this with other novels in the new canon through a scene in which Padmé visits Alderaan at the behest of Queen Breha, drawing upon material from Claudia Gray’s “Leia: Princess of Alderaan” (pg. 223-226). Much as Padmé Amidala’s comments regarding the death of democracy in “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” appeared prescient against the political backdrop of 2005, Johnston’s scene of Senators Organa and Amidala discussing democracy is equally apt in 2019: “‘Loyalty to the Republic is paramount,’ Organa said. He managed not to make it sound patronizing, which Padmé appreciated. ‘Loyalty to democracy.’ “‘And what if democracy does not return the favor?’ Padmé asked. “‘Then you must work to restore the democratic process,’ Organa said” (pgs. 191-192). The overall effect of “Queen’s Shadow” is one of the strongest character studies in the current “Star Wars” canon of novels. Like Johnston’s previous book and the work of Claudia Gray, these books demonstrate that the young adult novels often have more to offer than the works marketed to adult readers in their detailed examinations of the characters.

On the last day of her rule Queen Amidala stayed ensconced with her handmaidens and trusted guards, relaxing on the one day she could before trying to build a life as Padmé Naberrie. A life she would have to put off building once the new Queen asked her to continue serving Naboo. The planet needed a new representative in the Galactic Senate, who could be a better fit? Who else loves Naboo and its people well enough to fight for them? And so Padmé agrees to take up the mantle of senator, to remain Amidala for as long as she is needed. A senator needs to be a much different person than a queen though, Padmé and her handmaidens will need to figure out what that means if she is going to navigate the Galactic Senate. I confess, I started E. K. Johnson’s Star Wars: Queen’s Shadow because I wanted something science fiction but with little to no narrative consequence. So a book focused on a character who, while I’m certain other aspects of her personal arc have been covered on other books, by definition cannot be allowed to do anything that would have consequences for the greater Star Wars narrative seemed like it would fit the bill pretty well. The blurb suggested that it would be mostly character work, something that sounded really good honestly. It was pretty well exactly what I was looking for. As much as this is a book about Padmé, and her change over from Queen to senator, it’s also very much about her world and the people she surrounds herself with. Early on each of Padmé’s handmaidens get a fair amount of focus all the better to drive home how close they all are and how much they care about Naboo, how idealistic Naboo’s culture is even after the Trade Federation’s attack. It gets the reader attached to everything Padmé is about to leave behind. Gives a taste of her relationships and the rules she’s lived by before leading into a place where those relationships and rules are not nearly as effective as they had been at home, are in fact detrimental in some ways. I adored that. Having the protagonist not only very clearly relying on others, but having that be a core feature of how she is able to accomplish things and adapt is something that I had not really realized that I miss in a fair number of other books. Because Padmé’s handmaidens are more than just her staff, she trusts them with her life and there’s this support structure there. Especially with Sabé, Padmé’s best friend and bodyguard and body double, very nearly the deuteragonist in some places where she acts as an agent outside of the happenings directly in the Galactic Senate. I found myself wanting to see more of the handmaiden characters as the book went on and focused more on Senator Amidala. I find myself wanting to see more of them having finished the book, it left me curious about how they would deal with the Empire but not doubting for a moment that each of them would rebel in her own way be that art or politics, providing space for those displaced or fighting directly. I want to know where they went from the last chapter of Queen’s Shadow and where that took them. That also leads me to one of the only issues I had with Star Wars: Queen’s Shadow. The ending, specifically the epilogue, just completely took me out of it. The final chapter wrapped things up on a low note but left the reader with a sense of hope. Padmé and her team are going to keep fighting for what’s good and right in the galaxy. The Epilogue shattered that in a way that starts off beautifully mirroring the first chapter but that also feels unnecessary and almost mean spirited in how it deals with some of the characters. It took me from knowing that cannon will still happen with everything that implies and hammered it in like a crooked nail in an otherwise fantastically built piece. It killed the sense of hope that the final chapter ended on and that’s what I find myself coming back to over and over like a missing tooth. The death of hope and how very out of place it feels in the context of the rest of the book. That’s my only big issue and, aside from a couple of odd romance-ish moments that felt a little out of place, I think it was my only real issue. If not for the epilogue Star Wars: Queen’s Shadow would be a five out of five for me. It leaves me wanting more from the characters and I am definitely planning on looking for more of E. K. Johnson’s work. So, all told Star Wars: Queen’s Shadow earns a four out of five.