Take a photo of a barcode or cover
sandraagee 's review for:
Queen's Peril
by E.K. Johnston
Conceptually, I'm very into this concept. Queen Amidala and her handmaidens are an adolescent force to be reckoned with. Who run the world? Girls. I am very interested in the idea of what might happen if you put a bunch of teenagers in a room together and actually gave them true authority to make something happen.
In execution, the book was good, but somewhat lacking. None of the handmaidens, except for maybe Sabé, who I would argue only comes close, are fully realized characters. The handmaidens definitely have their moments (I'm looking at you in particular, Saché), but I really felt like I wanted more from them in terms of development. The handmaidens all have excellent backstories but then don't really go anywhere as more than plot pieces. Their roles came to them easily and most of what they do works out. This is excellent for presenting the handmaidens as a formidable force, but less excellent for character growth.
Then again, you could argue that all of this is reflective of their roles as a cohesive unit designed for them to shed their individuality and blend together.
The entire second half of the book is a retelling of The Phantom Menace. Parts of this are fascinating. I particularly enjoyed Yané and Saché's experience back on Naboo in the prison camp because it's a whole new part of the story, and some of the character insights to certain events from Amidala's perspective were interesting. I would have liked to see more depth in the lead up to these events, however, and less time rehashing plot that we're already familiar with.
In execution, the book was good, but somewhat lacking. None of the handmaidens, except for maybe Sabé, who I would argue only comes close, are fully realized characters. The handmaidens definitely have their moments (I'm looking at you in particular, Saché), but I really felt like I wanted more from them in terms of development. The handmaidens all have excellent backstories but then don't really go anywhere as more than plot pieces. Their roles came to them easily and most of what they do works out. This is excellent for presenting the handmaidens as a formidable force, but less excellent for character growth.
Then again, you could argue that all of this is reflective of their roles as a cohesive unit designed for them to shed their individuality and blend together.
The entire second half of the book is a retelling of The Phantom Menace. Parts of this are fascinating. I particularly enjoyed Yané and Saché's experience back on Naboo in the prison camp because it's a whole new part of the story, and some of the character insights to certain events from Amidala's perspective were interesting. I would have liked to see more depth in the lead up to these events, however, and less time rehashing plot that we're already familiar with.