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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
This book is a direct prequel to the events and events during episode 1 the phantom menace from the queen Amidala and her hand Maidens. It’s cool to see how the hand maidens were chosen and their unique skills. Very slow book. But it was good to get some context before the events of the phantom menace.
Star Wars: Queen's Peril is a prequel to E.K. Johnston's other novel about Padme Amidala, Queen's Shadow. However, I think this novel works better because it's an origin story for Padme's handmaidens. Where Queen's Shadow seemed to assume we were already invested in the handmaidens, Queen's Peril shows how and why they came to serve the queen - and therefore make me feel more invested.
I appreciate how Johnston gives each handmaiden a distinct personality and, for the most part, a distinct character arc throughout the book. Some of my favorite scenes contain no action, no political intrigue - just the handmaidens talking with each other and Padme. I was surprised at how well a glorified girls' slumber party worked in a Star Wars novel.
Queen's Peril also provides some in-depth world-building. We learn more about the Naboo government and other planets in the Chommell Sector. The book devotes quite a bit of attention to the intricacies of Naboo court etiquette and role of the queen. It's clear Johnston had spent quite a bit of time to developing the world and I could easily read a whole book just about Naboo history.
Unfortunately, like a lot of books in the Star Wars canon, Queen's Peril struggles with plotting and fulfilling character arcs. The the last quarter of the book seems tacked on to a story about Padme and the handmaidens. The book starts to overlap with the events of The Phantom Menace, which gives us a chance to see what the handmaidens were doing during the events of the film. But it also meant that their character arcs became subordinated to retelling scenes from a movie that came out two decades ago.
Ultimately, I enjoyed seeing the handmaidens operate as a team and getting to know them as individuals. This book isn't for everyone, but if you're dying to learn more about Naboo and the queen's handmaidens then Queen's Peril will provide.
I appreciate how Johnston gives each handmaiden a distinct personality and, for the most part, a distinct character arc throughout the book. Some of my favorite scenes contain no action, no political intrigue - just the handmaidens talking with each other and Padme. I was surprised at how well a glorified girls' slumber party worked in a Star Wars novel.
Queen's Peril also provides some in-depth world-building. We learn more about the Naboo government and other planets in the Chommell Sector. The book devotes quite a bit of attention to the intricacies of Naboo court etiquette and role of the queen. It's clear Johnston had spent quite a bit of time to developing the world and I could easily read a whole book just about Naboo history.
Unfortunately, like a lot of books in the Star Wars canon, Queen's Peril struggles with plotting and fulfilling character arcs. The the last quarter of the book seems tacked on to a story about Padme and the handmaidens. The book starts to overlap with the events of The Phantom Menace, which gives us a chance to see what the handmaidens were doing during the events of the film. But it also meant that their character arcs became subordinated to retelling scenes from a movie that came out two decades ago.
Ultimately, I enjoyed seeing the handmaidens operate as a team and getting to know them as individuals. This book isn't for everyone, but if you're dying to learn more about Naboo and the queen's handmaidens then Queen's Peril will provide.
This was a delight to read! I'm so glad we are getting more backstory on Padme and her handmaidens. I hope there is more to come from E. K. Johnston!
Great story! Provides some MUCH needed context for Episode 1. I really liked Amidala much more, and appreciated her handmaidens and her security captain much more after reading this book than just watching the movie. Highly recommend for any Star Wars fan!
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So, I have mixed feelings.
Queen's Peril is a prequel to Queen's Shadow and takes place right before/during Episode I: The Phantom Menace. It delves into how Padmé found her handmaidens and decoys and lightly talks about her early days as Queen of Naboo...
My question is was this necessary? I already knew how close Padmé was to her handmaids, we already saw how she handled the events of TPM, why does this book need to exist?
The first half of this book is all new information and detailed splendidly, but the latter half is chopped up pieces of narrative from TPM that doesn't really ADD anything to that story. I would have much rather had a sequel to Queen's Shadow instead of a prequel. The final novel in the trilogy is supposed to be during or right before Episode III and I wish that had come first, and a third novel was about Sabé after Padmé's death in Episode III.
However, E.K. Johnston is a fabulous writer and made me laugh and tear up throughout the book. So I guess I'm not mad at reading the book, just slightly disappointed.
Queen's Peril is a prequel to Queen's Shadow and takes place right before/during Episode I: The Phantom Menace. It delves into how Padmé found her handmaidens and decoys and lightly talks about her early days as Queen of Naboo...
My question is was this necessary? I already knew how close Padmé was to her handmaids, we already saw how she handled the events of TPM, why does this book need to exist?
The first half of this book is all new information and detailed splendidly, but the latter half is chopped up pieces of narrative from TPM that doesn't really ADD anything to that story. I would have much rather had a sequel to Queen's Shadow instead of a prequel. The final novel in the trilogy is supposed to be during or right before Episode III and I wish that had come first, and a third novel was about Sabé after Padmé's death in Episode III.
However, E.K. Johnston is a fabulous writer and made me laugh and tear up throughout the book. So I guess I'm not mad at reading the book, just slightly disappointed.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m disappointed because I love Padmé Amidala and enjoy E.K. Johnston’s writing, but I didn’t like this book. It feels like it wanted to be like Rogue One but for Episode I, but missed the mark. Nothing really happens in this book, and it gets weird towards the end where there are gaps in the story where you should be watching The Phantom Menace simultaneously. I did enjoy the dynamic between the handmaidens, but it also reminded you that, although prodigies, they are all just teenage girls ruling the planet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Slavery
A short, simple, and slightly fun story. It doesn’t really do much besides back track to explain some pieces of why something happened that way in The Phantom Menace. It doesn’t make Queen’s Shadow any better. Not essential but a quick read if you are looking for some fun female Star Wars story.