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rebelspykatie 's review for:
Queen's Shadow
by E.K. Johnston
This has got to be one of the most boring books I’ve ever encountered, which makes me so incredibly sad because I’m happy this story was even thought of, let alone made into a book. Padme is one of the very underrated characters from the prequels that got the true short end of the stick. We learn next to nothing about her during the movies, so it was wonderful to learn about her culture, the customs of Naboo versus the Senate, her handmaidens, and her elaborate fashion.
I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about how her fashion choices mean different things in different atmospheres and how a lot of what she’s wearing is for protection and stealth. Her handmaidens loyalty was refreshing and gave a whole new light to the switching around we saw in Phantom Menace. I will say that I found it very difficult to keep track of who was who, except for Sabe, as she took a more important position later in the book. They all had very similar names and very few distinguishing characteristics. I loved the splash of lgbt rep, even though it was brief and on the down low. I could see this being read as queer baiting, but I know EK is better than that.
Now the problem I had with this story lies in the pacing and the lack of plot. Absolutely nothing happens in this book. Basically, this is about the time frame in between Padme being a child queen of Naboo and her first year~ish of being a senator. This shows how she becomes connected to the Organas and how she became intertwined in the politics of the Republic. All of this is very dull and drags on. We sit through countless senate meetings and have to listen to Padme’s turmoil about voting for pages on end. There’s a bit of excitement with a situation that arises at the end of the book where Padme has to draft a resolution that gets everyone to cooperate and it works. But it feels the same way the prequels feel, which is fine, except the problem everyone has with those movies are the lack of plot and excitement. No one wants to hear about senate meetings!!!
There are several plot points that just kind of spring up and then never get resolved. I’m not sure if maybe I dozed off or something, but did they ever clarify who was trying to kill Padme when that faulty droid lead her to a dark tunnel and she happened to run into Bail Organa?? Are we supposed to infer it was Palpatine or the flighty other senator I can’t even remember the name of that was taking shady calls and changing the subject when Padme showed up?? Unclear!!! There’s a weird gangly and over enthusiastic senator that just keeps popping up and serves very little purpose to the plot, who later kisses Padme without consent and just disappears?? Am I to believe that we never hear or really see her speak of her handmaidens with fondness like they’re her best friends, as they are here, in the movies ever again? (Forgive if they do mention them it’s been awhile since I’ve seen episodes 2-3).
Overall, I think I’m just disappointed this didn’t really go anywhere. I wanted so much from this and had my expectations set too high with EK being the author. I’ve heard the Ashoka book is wonderful, so here’s to hoping.
I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about how her fashion choices mean different things in different atmospheres and how a lot of what she’s wearing is for protection and stealth. Her handmaidens loyalty was refreshing and gave a whole new light to the switching around we saw in Phantom Menace. I will say that I found it very difficult to keep track of who was who, except for Sabe, as she took a more important position later in the book. They all had very similar names and very few distinguishing characteristics. I loved the splash of lgbt rep, even though it was brief and on the down low. I could see this being read as queer baiting, but I know EK is better than that.
Now the problem I had with this story lies in the pacing and the lack of plot. Absolutely nothing happens in this book. Basically, this is about the time frame in between Padme being a child queen of Naboo and her first year~ish of being a senator. This shows how she becomes connected to the Organas and how she became intertwined in the politics of the Republic. All of this is very dull and drags on. We sit through countless senate meetings and have to listen to Padme’s turmoil about voting for pages on end. There’s a bit of excitement with a situation that arises at the end of the book where Padme has to draft a resolution that gets everyone to cooperate and it works. But it feels the same way the prequels feel, which is fine, except the problem everyone has with those movies are the lack of plot and excitement. No one wants to hear about senate meetings!!!
There are several plot points that just kind of spring up and then never get resolved. I’m not sure if maybe I dozed off or something, but did they ever clarify who was trying to kill Padme when that faulty droid lead her to a dark tunnel and she happened to run into Bail Organa?? Are we supposed to infer it was Palpatine or the flighty other senator I can’t even remember the name of that was taking shady calls and changing the subject when Padme showed up?? Unclear!!! There’s a weird gangly and over enthusiastic senator that just keeps popping up and serves very little purpose to the plot, who later kisses Padme without consent and just disappears?? Am I to believe that we never hear or really see her speak of her handmaidens with fondness like they’re her best friends, as they are here, in the movies ever again? (Forgive if they do mention them it’s been awhile since I’ve seen episodes 2-3).
Overall, I think I’m just disappointed this didn’t really go anywhere. I wanted so much from this and had my expectations set too high with EK being the author. I’ve heard the Ashoka book is wonderful, so here’s to hoping.