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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Truly fantastic. There's almost no action, hardly any Jedi, and no real blaster fire until the end. Instead, we're treated to plenty of rich character writing, a wide cast of interconnected characters from the universe, and an enjoyable, interwoven, political plotline that I could not get enough of. This book explores two of the most under-explored aspects of Star Wars: the political day-to-day of the Republic Senate, and Padme herself. It does a brilliant job on both fronts. There's plenty of cultural nuance with Naboo itself, as well. Powerful ending. Easily one of my new favorite Star Wars books.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It’s wonderful to get a behind-the-scenes look at Padmè’s first days as a Senator and the struggles she faced. Her familiar compassion and spark was evident from page one, and it was so pleasant to see Padmè brought brilliantly to life again in these pages. Although any good Star Wars fan will know how her story ends, it was like learning everything for the first time. Forever cheering on my girl Padmè!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
padme, sabe, corde, and depa billaba all in one book what more could you ask for?<3
“We are brave your highness.”
These words were one of the things that rang through with all the strength, determination, and resolute decisiveness that encapsulated Padmé Amidala in The Phantom Menace. From one delivery of this simple sentence, we know everything we need to know about Padmé. It’s funny how tiny things like that in a two hour-long action-packed space opera can be the most powerful moment. From the plan she comes up with to retake her planet to the amazing amount of headshots on battle droids she nails, this moment is her most powerful. A simple sentence that I understood back in 1999.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one.
In fact, there were those out there who understood Padmé far better than I ever could. The way E.K. Johnston understands her. She speaks in Amidala’s voice as if she was trained for years. The book itself gives depth and insight into Padmé, Sabé, Dormé, Cordé, and Versé and many other Naboo… ians? Naboo.. uns? Naboo… ites? As Padme leaves her throne and adjusts to her newfound role of senator in her first year of appointment. Life of politics on Coruscant and learning to serve her planet on a galactic scale. The book is heavy on politics, intrigue, and Padmé dealing with the frustrations of trying to accomplish things in a system that makes action and decisiveness impossible. The story itself is not the swashbuckling blaster-slinging adventure most of us think of when we think of Star Wars but it is closer to the political intrigue as seen in The Clone Wars episodes Senate Spy or Heroes on Both Sides. It’s a setting that finally lets us see Padme and her coterie doing what it is that they do. If you enjoyed Bloodline or Leia: Princess of Alderaan this book feels much closer to those stories.
As a fan of pretty much everything Star Wars, I love when they drop in things that connect to other media that I appreciate. In this book, there are some good ones. The ion pulse defensive weapon is being built which will later be used during Operation Cinder. I already mentioned Mina Bonteri and Uncle Ono but fans of The Clone Wars will also recognize Rush Clovis. Trinebulon News is a great way to pop in the constant media spin, even in a galaxy far away. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and how he deals with his planet’s aggressive senator. The lake country retreat. Padmés Japor Snippet and the search for Shmi are strong connections to her early actions as a fledgling queen. Panaka’s Imperial appointment and a bit more understanding of Queen elections and term limits. A familiar diner on Coruscant seems to be everyone’s meeting place. Mina Bonteri’s secret contact. Depa Billaba who Padmé met at the funeral of Qui-Gon Jinn. Padmé's work, some left unfinished is also one of the most heartbreaking pieces of the puzzle. It makes clear how important it was for her to help people. Unfinished proposals to give Clones human rights and a proposal on abolishing slavery it’s clear to see the things that drove her until the very end.
It’s clear Johnston was the right choice for this story. I now believe she has been a SECRET HANDMAIDEN ALL THIS TIME. As a costumer, I love reading descriptions of wonderful new Padmé costumes I hope to see in the future. It’s definitely not full of blaster fire and lightsabers but it builds on Padmés character, the political system of the Republic, and the looming problems that lead to the formation of the Separatists.
– Sal P
These words were one of the things that rang through with all the strength, determination, and resolute decisiveness that encapsulated Padmé Amidala in The Phantom Menace. From one delivery of this simple sentence, we know everything we need to know about Padmé. It’s funny how tiny things like that in a two hour-long action-packed space opera can be the most powerful moment. From the plan she comes up with to retake her planet to the amazing amount of headshots on battle droids she nails, this moment is her most powerful. A simple sentence that I understood back in 1999.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one.
In fact, there were those out there who understood Padmé far better than I ever could. The way E.K. Johnston understands her. She speaks in Amidala’s voice as if she was trained for years. The book itself gives depth and insight into Padmé, Sabé, Dormé, Cordé, and Versé and many other Naboo… ians? Naboo.. uns? Naboo… ites? As Padme leaves her throne and adjusts to her newfound role of senator in her first year of appointment. Life of politics on Coruscant and learning to serve her planet on a galactic scale. The book is heavy on politics, intrigue, and Padmé dealing with the frustrations of trying to accomplish things in a system that makes action and decisiveness impossible. The story itself is not the swashbuckling blaster-slinging adventure most of us think of when we think of Star Wars but it is closer to the political intrigue as seen in The Clone Wars episodes Senate Spy or Heroes on Both Sides. It’s a setting that finally lets us see Padme and her coterie doing what it is that they do. If you enjoyed Bloodline or Leia: Princess of Alderaan this book feels much closer to those stories.
As a fan of pretty much everything Star Wars, I love when they drop in things that connect to other media that I appreciate. In this book, there are some good ones. The ion pulse defensive weapon is being built which will later be used during Operation Cinder. I already mentioned Mina Bonteri and Uncle Ono but fans of The Clone Wars will also recognize Rush Clovis. Trinebulon News is a great way to pop in the constant media spin, even in a galaxy far away. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and how he deals with his planet’s aggressive senator. The lake country retreat. Padmés Japor Snippet and the search for Shmi are strong connections to her early actions as a fledgling queen. Panaka’s Imperial appointment and a bit more understanding of Queen elections and term limits. A familiar diner on Coruscant seems to be everyone’s meeting place. Mina Bonteri’s secret contact. Depa Billaba who Padmé met at the funeral of Qui-Gon Jinn. Padmé's work, some left unfinished is also one of the most heartbreaking pieces of the puzzle. It makes clear how important it was for her to help people. Unfinished proposals to give Clones human rights and a proposal on abolishing slavery it’s clear to see the things that drove her until the very end.
It’s clear Johnston was the right choice for this story. I now believe she has been a SECRET HANDMAIDEN ALL THIS TIME. As a costumer, I love reading descriptions of wonderful new Padmé costumes I hope to see in the future. It’s definitely not full of blaster fire and lightsabers but it builds on Padmés character, the political system of the Republic, and the looming problems that lead to the formation of the Separatists.
– Sal P
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Perfect audiobook for a very specific type of SW fan, aka, me! Mostly covers Padme’s day-to-day in the senate. Little action, lot of fashion detail. 4.5 stars.
4.5 ⭐️
This book was not entirely what I expected but still absolutely wonderful. The epilogue had me crying and hoping for more about Sabé. I’d also love more about Padmé in the early years as a senator, and look forward to Queen’s Peril this year.
This book was not entirely what I expected but still absolutely wonderful. The epilogue had me crying and hoping for more about Sabé. I’d also love more about Padmé in the early years as a senator, and look forward to Queen’s Peril this year.