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cartwheelapple's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
it was so lovely to see padmé's and sabés story, the story of all the handmaidens, be told. In the movies only the parts padmés story that were of influence to the male characters were told, this trilogy gives such wonderfull and much needed depth to these amazing characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Slavery
jenny_librarian's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I’m not sure how to rate this book. It doesn’t change or give much info on the Clone War in general, and even the Padmé/Sabé relationship is pretty dimmed. We get a little Anidala, and a few nice scenes between some of the handmaidens, but the whole thing felt muted. Even for a character-centric novel, it didn’t exactly hit.
However, I’m happy with where the story left Sabé and the other handmaidens. They’re all their own person now and it’s nice to know they’re working toward a common goal each in their own sphere.
I also appreciate the inclusion of Beru and Shmi in the slave freeing business. It feels very much in character for them.
I didn’t love how the Tepoh and Sister were included as diversity points. Tepoh was fine until the discussion about whether or not they could’ve been a handmaiden under Amidala’s reign, but that whole scene felt clumsy and tacked on like an afterthought. And Sister wasn’t much better. She exists in Brotherhood and The Bad Batch too, but here she really feels like the cardboard cutout trans token character one adds to prove they’re inclusive. If you’re gonna be didactic and clumsy when adding diverse characters, just don’t add them. It’s a shame because other queer characters (Saché and Yané, Sabé) are well described and feel complete.
However, I’m happy with where the story left Sabé and the other handmaidens. They’re all their own person now and it’s nice to know they’re working toward a common goal each in their own sphere.
I also appreciate the inclusion of Beru and Shmi in the slave freeing business. It feels very much in character for them.
I didn’t love how the Tepoh and Sister were included as diversity points. Tepoh was fine until the discussion about whether or not they could’ve been a handmaiden under Amidala’s reign, but that whole scene felt clumsy and tacked on like an afterthought. And Sister wasn’t much better. She exists in Brotherhood and The Bad Batch too, but here she really feels like the cardboard cutout trans token character one adds to prove they’re inclusive. If you’re gonna be didactic and clumsy when adding diverse characters, just don’t add them. It’s a shame because other queer characters (Saché and Yané, Sabé) are well described and feel complete.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Death, Gun violence, Grief, and Slavery
Minor: Murder and War
draven_deathcrush's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this series. I love Padme, and Sabe, and Sache, and the other handmadians. I also loved the representation in this book. Lesbians, neopronouns, and a transgender clone. There's just so many things that I loved about this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Torture and Slavery
camiclarkbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
“Queen’s Hope” by E.K. Johnston was a colossal disappointment. It neither furthered our understanding of Padmé and Anakin’s relationship, nor did it offer any significant insight into what happened before “Revenge of the Sith.”
There was a million different things that this book could have revealed. Instead, “Queen’s Hope” only offered an overwhelming amount of POVs and half-baked plots.
Content Warnings
Minor: Slavery and War
mandkips's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Slavery, Grief, and Torture
Minor: Cursing, Violence, and Drug use
tarria_handmaiden_of_amidala's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I was promised Anidala 😕
Instead I got some boring politics with Saché and a weird Sabéanidala love triangle.
The author had the opportunity to discuss Padmé and what she sees in Anakin. His forthrightness, honesty, loyalty and devotion to those he loves, as well as acknowledge his flaws and red flags. Except she never does. Every character-building scene is brushed over or happens off-screen.
"It had been easy to fall for Anakin Skywalker..." but why? How was it so easy to fall for him? Please elaborate, don't just tell us and move on.
"Once they had decided to have an actual wedding..." Why did this conversation not occur in the book? What made Padmé want to marry him in the first place, especially after knowing him for such a short period of time?
Anakin remarks that Padmé 'squinches' her nose whenever Bail Organa calls her. At this point they still don't know each other well. Actually, this book acts like they've been close for years rather than weeks.
And what was that scene with Anakin and Sabé? Miscommunication is one of the worst tropes ever, and nothing about the set-up made any sense. Padmé would not be so naïve and ignorant.
Dormé compares Anakin's subtlety to that of a drunken gundark. Yet she must've met him a minimum of like three times since he went straight to war after the honeymoon. When did Padmé get the time to tell her about him and why did it not occur on-page?
This book made me hate Sabé. She reads like a fanfic OC; way too omnipotent about certain important events and involved with the MCs to be an actual in-universe character. For example, Anakin tells her that protecting Padmé was what he signed up for. Somehow, just from this Sabé immediately realises they're not having an affair; they actually married. How did she jump to this conclusion so quickly?
Sabé notices all of Anakin's red flags while Padmé hurriedly makes excuses guiltily. Sabé notices something's up with Palpatine. One of the most fascinating and underappreciated characters in the franchise has become an all-knowing Mary Sue.
Also, who is Tonra and why is he still an undeveloped block of wood after three books as a deuteragonist? What even is this guy's first name?
I loved Queen's Shadow. I strongly disliked Queen's Peril.
This was somewhere in between the two I guess. Could be a lot better.
Instead I got some boring politics with Saché and a weird Sabéanidala love triangle.
The author had the opportunity to discuss Padmé and what she sees in Anakin. His forthrightness, honesty, loyalty and devotion to those he loves, as well as acknowledge his flaws and red flags. Except she never does. Every character-building scene is brushed over or happens off-screen.
"It had been easy to fall for Anakin Skywalker..." but why? How was it so easy to fall for him? Please elaborate, don't just tell us and move on.
"Once they had decided to have an actual wedding..." Why did this conversation not occur in the book? What made Padmé want to marry him in the first place, especially after knowing him for such a short period of time?
Anakin remarks that Padmé 'squinches' her nose whenever Bail Organa calls her. At this point they still don't know each other well. Actually, this book acts like they've been close for years rather than weeks.
And what was that scene with Anakin and Sabé? Miscommunication is one of the worst tropes ever, and nothing about the set-up made any sense. Padmé would not be so naïve and ignorant.
Dormé compares Anakin's subtlety to that of a drunken gundark. Yet she must've met him a minimum of like three times since he went straight to war after the honeymoon. When did Padmé get the time to tell her about him and why did it not occur on-page?
This book made me hate Sabé. She reads like a fanfic OC; way too omnipotent about certain important events and involved with the MCs to be an actual in-universe character. For example, Anakin tells her that protecting Padmé was what he signed up for. Somehow, just from this Sabé immediately realises they're not having an affair; they actually married. How did she jump to this conclusion so quickly?
Sabé notices all of Anakin's red flags while Padmé hurriedly makes excuses guiltily. Sabé notices something's up with Palpatine. One of the most fascinating and underappreciated characters in the franchise has become an all-knowing Mary Sue.
Also, who is Tonra and why is he still an undeveloped block of wood after three books as a deuteragonist? What even is this guy's first name?
I loved Queen's Shadow. I strongly disliked Queen's Peril.
This was somewhere in between the two I guess. Could be a lot better.
Content Warnings
Minor: Slavery, Toxic friendship, War, Death of parent, Cursing, and Drug use
grimdark_dad's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Slavery
katsmedialibrary's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Grief, Slavery, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
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