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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
fast-paced
As someone who loved [b:Queen's Shadow|40886114|Queen's Shadow (Star Wars)|E.K. Johnston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532125038l/40886114._SY75_.jpg|63718901], I was thrilled to see another book starring Padmé Amidala and the Handmaidens be released. Here E.K. Johnston fleshes out Padmé’s rise to power on Naboo before the events of The Phantom Menace, as well as how the Royal Handmaidens came to be in her service, and she does so brilliantly! And as an additional treat, I listened to this book in Audible Audio format and thus was gifted with hearing Catherine Taber (the actor who voiced Padmé in the Clone Wars animated series) read the book to me. Needless to say, I was tickled by this book in every way.
I loved seeing the beginnings of Padmé’s life in politics, how she chooses to handle the situation she was left with by the previous administration, the challenges she has to face, and also just making the job hers in general. And getting to know each and every one of the handmaidens was a delight, particularly seeing how Captain Panaka recruited each one of them.
I also loved how smoothly Johnston lay out the girls’ differing sexualities, particularly Sabé’s flirtation with another girl who is visiting for a summit that Padmé put together, as well as Saché and Yané’s evolving relationship. It did not feel forced at all, but instead unfolded as natural as can be. It wasn’t treated as unusual or surprising, and I love how normal everything felt.
One last thing in particular – the last few pages, where the story slips ahead to the other “girl in the white dress” (or the original girl, depending on your point of view). At first, I was a bit confused when the text started talking about this girl and her life and surroundings, because I didn’t realize that it had switched to a different character. I went back about 30 seconds and listened to it again, unable to believe what I was hearing. But I listened, and realized that yes, Johnston had gifted us with a little epilogue tying Padmé to her daughter, Leia. I started crying and didn’t stop until it was finished.
Another slam dunk for E.K. Johnston! For any Padmé fan!
I loved seeing the beginnings of Padmé’s life in politics, how she chooses to handle the situation she was left with by the previous administration, the challenges she has to face, and also just making the job hers in general. And getting to know each and every one of the handmaidens was a delight, particularly seeing how Captain Panaka recruited each one of them.
I also loved how smoothly Johnston lay out the girls’ differing sexualities, particularly Sabé’s flirtation with another girl who is visiting for a summit that Padmé put together, as well as Saché and Yané’s evolving relationship. It did not feel forced at all, but instead unfolded as natural as can be. It wasn’t treated as unusual or surprising, and I love how normal everything felt.
One last thing in particular – the last few pages, where the story slips ahead to the other “girl in the white dress” (or the original girl, depending on your point of view). At first, I was a bit confused when the text started talking about this girl and her life and surroundings, because I didn’t realize that it had switched to a different character. I went back about 30 seconds and listened to it again, unable to believe what I was hearing. But I listened, and realized that yes, Johnston had gifted us with a little epilogue tying Padmé to her daughter, Leia. I started crying and didn’t stop until it was finished.
Another slam dunk for E.K. Johnston! For any Padmé fan!
The premise is fantastic and the story it is based around is one of my favorites. This book didn't quite do it justice. Because it is taking place at the same time as the Phantom Menace, but from the point of view of other characters, none of the action as seen in the movie is included. At best, it is alluded to or mentioned in asides ranging from clever to distracting. This means that a lot of the best material for the story of these characters is not included because it is assumed the reader has already seen it. I have, but that doesn't mean the story wouldn't have benefited from it's inclusion. Without these scenes, the story feels choppy and the climax is a little anticlimactic.
I loved the idea of the handmaidens. It was genuinely so cool. And the further background on the culture of Naboo was really good as well. Other than the issue of the missing scenes, some of the characters felt underdeveloped or unclear in their motivations.
As additional information about the Phantom Menace, it works great! As a story that holds up on its own, it's missing too much in terms of action and character development.
I loved the idea of the handmaidens. It was genuinely so cool. And the further background on the culture of Naboo was really good as well. Other than the issue of the missing scenes, some of the characters felt underdeveloped or unclear in their motivations.
As additional information about the Phantom Menace, it works great! As a story that holds up on its own, it's missing too much in terms of action and character development.
I did NOT expect to have a young adult Padmé novel list incredibly high on my list of Star Wars books and books of 2023 so far, but here we are.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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:
N/A
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If I’m being honest, this relied way too much on what happened in Phantom Menace. This was not a story that could stand on its own in any way. It skipped around way too much and required you to know what happened and when in the movie to even remotely follow along.