vortexglenn 's review for:

Queen's Shadow by E.K. Johnston

2.0

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If you like a civics lesson on the political system of the Galactic Republic, this is the book for you. If not, skip this one. I feel like I learned only a minimal amount of backstory and character development of Padme. The book spends too much time dealing with the role of her handmaidens only to mostly abandon it a third of the way in. Also, when it comes to the handmaiden system, it feels like heroism by committee. The book also tries to be a story about Sabe as much as Padme but then doesn't go far enough in developing her character as well. The book could have benefitted from more narrow escapes from assassination attempts by the Trade Federation or more action all in the story.