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Queen's Shadow by E.K. Johnston
4.0

This is a book in which almost nothing happens, by the standards of YA sci-fi novels.

Padme steps down as queen. She takes up her post as a senator, and adjusts to the new role over the course of several months. That's pretty much it. She travels a few places, and makes some friends, and does one (1) legislative thing. Most of what happens day-to-day is layer upon layer of calculation, planning, and maneuver; this is not altogether unexpected for a Padme book, but I personally was expecting a few more blazing guns.

That said: I completely enjoyed this book and did not find it the least bit boring.

Getting to know the handmaidens, both new and legacy ones, was very valuable, as was the look at how things operate on Naboo. Padme's character, for me, has always been hard to put a finger on. She's so smart, driven, and idealistic, and then rationalizing that with her later relationship with Anakin is a somewhat awkward process. Seeing her interact with friends, family, and colleagues and seeing her grapple with different roles was really helpful for me with that dissociation -- I really felt it during her funeral in the epilogue, in a way I haven't felt the sadness of her death yet. I feel like I know her a lot better after reading this book.

My favorite part of this book overall was the politics, which is good because that's what Queen's Shadow spends the most time on. Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, Onaconda Farr, Rush Clovis, and Mina Bonteri all make appearances and I LOVED this behind-the-scenes window into their daily lives and jobs, when they're not interacting with Jedi. Bail Organa is my MAN and I adored his every appearance. The one man in this corrupt republic that I truly respect! Getting to see Padme come into the Senate as a wild card outsider and earn her way into what would eventually become the Delegation of 2000 in-group was thoroughly awesome.

The only negative point I would bother to raise about this book is this: I felt a little Tatooine-baited.

The summary, as well as the blurb on the back cover, HEAVILY implies that this is a parallel story: Padme on Coruscant learning to be a senator, and Sabe on Tatooine working toward the abolition of slavery. I was so hype to delve into the Tatooine part of the story. Padme working toward ideals in the Senate, while simultaneously accomplishing real results on the ground through her loyal bodyguard? Sign me UP. I was wild to see how Padme and Sabe would truly go about tackling such a massive problem as the Hutt slave economy.

Turns out, this was a very, very minor part of the book. Sabe touches down on Tatooine, does some stuff, and then realizes abolition isn't realistic. Padme asks her to come back to Coruscant. The end. It does drive home just how hampered Padme was by the impotence of the Republic and Palpatine's manipulations. All her ideals and drive and fiery moral outrage couldn't win against mass apathy and corruption. This is in keeping with what eventually happened, so I'm fine with it -- but the book summary was misleading.

I wish I hadn't been set up to expect something that the book never meant to deliver. Killing the Tatooine B-plot before it could flourish also seemed to render all the Sabe POV chapters pointless. She kept coming up and having chapters written through her eyes, but she wasn't doing anything. She was just cooling her heels, doing busywork, and nurturing a budding romance. Again, fine, but does that really deserve entire chapters of perspective-shifts? Not in my opinion.

Other fun things:
• R2-D2. He shows up quite a bit, and it's great! (When he's entertaining Padme's baby niece with "displays of lightning"? Classic Artoo.)
• I really like the Panakas and how their whole family is apparently on Padme's staff.
• Confirmation that QUI-GON KNEW PADME'S REAL IDENTITY THE WHOLE TIME. He was never fooled during TPM! I have known this for many years, but having it finally confirmed is a sweet, sweet victory.
• Dooku's cameo. Poor Mina Bonteri.
• Seeing Padme desperately try to track down Shmi Skywalker breaks my heart. Where's the AU?
• BAIL ORGANA
• Sabe's relationship with Tonra does give insight into Padme's eventual relationship with Anakin.
• THE VISIT TO ALDERAAN. Bail invites Padme's entire retinue on a weeklong holiday to Alderaan. It was pretty pointless plot-wise, but I LOVED it. I love Breha and I love Bail and I love that they got to hang out with Padme for a week.
• DEPA BILLABA. Her appearance is practically a cameo, but I love that she got this recognition!