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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Though it is a fun exploration and set up to Amidala’s handmaidens and how they grew into the wonderful characters they’re known as in the series timeline— and it also being a YA book— wished there was more time and set up given into conforming their roles and skills before the main conflict of the book appeared. Kinda felt like development was halted in favor in only focusing on the conflict, and when it was picked up again it was quickly wrapped up and back to the issue on hand. Still, for a story getting into the history of Amidala, was a great read!
Genuinely one of the worst books ever written - story is bad, characters are completely superficial, basic lore is messed up. It's actually so sad that a character as nuanced as Padme has a story written so incredibly poorly. Total dud.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
I liked getting a good look on how padme's court came to be. Seeing how the dynamic between her and her handmaiden's came about, but I could have done with out the final retelling of the events of the phantom menace.
E.K. Johnston has never let me down. This book was no exception. Padmé is such a beloved and misunderstood character. To see her and all of these amazing girls come to life was a gift. To see them go through the same things other young girls go through (crushes, periods, the embarrassment that comes after you bleed on your bedsheets lol) cured a part of me. And do t even get me started on the mirroring of the prologue and epilogue… I knew it was coming and I still got emotional!
adventurous
slow-paced
adventurous
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
As an adult, I am not a fan of YA novels and the language that they use. However, as a Star Wars fan I would say that this book really is a must read to understand the role of the handmaidens and the surprisingly sophisticated behind the scenes action. I knew this was the prequel novel to Queen's Shadow, so I actually read this novel before (technically out of release order). Let me tell you, I think it was a great decision and I would recommend doing the same. It makes the other novels flow better.
I absolutely love Padme so I had to read this book. I will say that the tone of this book leans more towards the younger end of YA, maybe even into the middle grade area like Johnston's Ahsoka rather than matching the tone of Queen's Shadow which is set when Padme is older. There's a lot of young teenage girl silliness and giggling that doesn't really jive with the fact that they're supposed to be sort of genius kids who come up with all of this crazy security stuff on their own without any help from adults. And the romance was very I like you do you like me back sort of level. But, to be fair, it's exactly the sort of stuff I would have devoured and loved if it had come out when I was in middle school.
This book really did give me all of the prequel nostalgia feels. The Phantom Menace is my favorite Star Wars movie (If you don't like the prequels, why are you even here?) so I was expecting a fun story that reminded me of my favorite bits of episode i, which is exactly what this book delivers. The cover art and naked book cover are also stunning so I'm probably going to have to pick up a copy for my collection.
Like with some of the other new canon Star Wars books, there were a few things that felt off to me. For example, I could have sworn that I read something from one of the novelizations or spin off novels written for The Phantom Menace release that stated that the ruler before Padme was a middle aged man but that may have been one of the things thrown out of canon or my memory is off. Either way, this one didn't quite hit all the right notes to really wow me.
This book really did give me all of the prequel nostalgia feels. The Phantom Menace is my favorite Star Wars movie (If you don't like the prequels, why are you even here?) so I was expecting a fun story that reminded me of my favorite bits of episode i, which is exactly what this book delivers. The cover art and naked book cover are also stunning so I'm probably going to have to pick up a copy for my collection.
Like with some of the other new canon Star Wars books, there were a few things that felt off to me. For example, I could have sworn that I read something from one of the novelizations or spin off novels written for The Phantom Menace release that stated that the ruler before Padme was a middle aged man but that may have been one of the things thrown out of canon or my memory is off. Either way, this one didn't quite hit all the right notes to really wow me.
relaxing
medium-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