I absolutely love the Star Wars prequels and this book is an amazing addition to the canon universe. Padme's story is often one that's overlooked in favor of Anakin's or Obi-Wan's, but this novel explores a previously glossed over story.

This book was beautifully written and gave a lot of insight on what Padme and her handmaidens were doing during episode I. The presence of strong, healthy female friendships was a nice bonus and greatly enhanced the story.

I will 100% be picking up the next books in this series.

A great sequel to Queen’s Shadow. Provides more background development into Padmae Amidala’s character and other events that took place before and during Phantom Menace. Pacing was good, slightly slow in a couple of places but an fantastic read.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Queen’s Shadow by E.K. Johnston, I eagerly pre-ordered Queen’s Peril, even though I’d been granted an ARC ebook by the publisher.

I own all the new canon Star Wars books in hardcover, so there was no doubt I’d be purchasing this book anyway.

However, upon opening the book, I was thoroughly confused.

This is Book 2 isn’t it? Queen’s Shadow was Book 1. Surely Queen’s Peril would pick up where Queen’s Shadow left off.

If that was your assumption, then you, like me, would be dead wrong.

Queen’s Peril Review

Queen’s Peril takes place some odd years before Queen’s Shadow, back to the very day when Padme becomes queen.

I was disappointed to say the least.

I did not want a book that goes back. Especially not a book that covers already existing space in the canon. I wanted something new. I wanted more off-screen stories.

Instead, we get a book that largely overlaps Episode 1–a movie I’ve watched so many times I used to be able to quote it word for word beginning to end.

The only redeeming spot is that everywhere that is in direct correlation gets glossed over with “and this happened.”

I’m assuming that was a decision made from the higher-ups like Pablo Hidalgo. Nobody unfamiliar with the Star Wars universe would be likely to read this book, so thus they decided to gloss over the details.

But enough semi-ranting, let’s talk about this book’s content.

What it’s got going for it

Queen’s Peril focuses more on the handmaidens than it does Padme, which was a mediocre decision at best. I didn’t like half of the handmaidens, and I bought the book to read about Padme.

Of course, Padme is mostly what the book is about, but it’s really about how the handmaidens were particularly created to keep her safe, and how they accomplished that. It highlights their learning to act like each other and their many failed practices until they got it right.

And what it doesn’t

It’s a fun little bit seeing how this all developed, but unfortunately the stakes in the story are all widely known. You know how the story ends. You know how the villain loses.

It’s all rather stale because there is nothing on the line.

A story in the offscreen time between Episode’s 2 and 3 would have still left us knowing the end, but because it’s an unknown, it could still offer mystery and excitement as we see how the heroes escape their predicaments and survive to the next movie.

Instead we get a rehashed story with a half-interesting angle.

Final Thoughts

I can’t even waste another paragraph talking about Queen’s Peril, though I’m usually more verbose in my reviews. It was a decent book, don’t get be wrong. I finished it and enjoyed it. But it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be, and it wasn’t what I wanted it to be, and that sort of soured my experience.

EK Johnston proves again that she's an invaluable author in the new Star Wars canon. With this book, her third in the Star Wars universe, Johnston gives Star Wars a badass, powerful, and uplifting, feminine tone that the genre often lacks.

There are spoilers, but I designate them before I write about it.

Okay, so I love Star Wars. I have ever since I was a little girl. My dad is a fan, and that was definitely passed down to me. Star Wars has always been a part of my life, and probably always will be.

That being said, it has been a while since I have read a Star Wars novel. I read a lot of the now called “Legends” titles when they were first released years ago, but I haven’t read any in a long while. I had checked out an audiobook for Outcast: The Fate of the Jedi #1 in 2017, but because I hadn’t read any recent books in the Legends series, I was lost. Since then, I have avoided reading any Star Wars book, afraid that I would not know what was going on.

However, I had seen this book on BookTube, and when I saw it was up for request on NetGalley, I jumped on the chance to read it. I figured that I wouldn’t get lost reading this one. I always liked the character of Padmé, and wished that we had more of her story in the movies.

I must say that while I have seen The Phantom Menace quite a few times, it is the movie I like the least in the Star Wars universe. I am not a fan of this movie. Jar Jar Binks is the worst character in Star Wars history, and I always fall asleep during the podrace scene. I say this because this book takes place both before and during The Phantom Menace. If you have not seen this movie, I suggest you do before reading this book. You will not understand some things that are going on if you haven’t.

This book details about when Padmé is elected Queen of Naboo becomes Amidala. It talks about her handmaidens, and how they were selected. I enjoyed reading this, and how Queen Amidala and her handmaidens became a working unit in front of people, and friends in private. It was nice to see some of Captain Panaka’s private life, as well.

I really appreciated the fact that during the parts of the book that took place during the movie, it didn’t just restate what happened in the movie. You saw what happened behind the scenes from some of the handmaidens’ POV.

(SPOILERS AHEAD)



One thing I thought was a little unrealistic was the fact that during the time the Trade Federation was occupying Naboo, they tortured one of the handmaidens (a 12-year old girl). You don’t see the torture, but you know it was bad (especially for a child). I know the Trade Federation aren’t saints, but torturing a child? I don’t see that. Also, she seems to mentally handle it a lot better than one would expect. It is kinda glossed over. I thought that was unbelievable.

Other than that, I thought the book was fine. I liked this book – not the best, but definitely enjoyable. It has reawakened the interest in Star Wars books for me. I will have to research and see what order to read them in. There are two different types of Star Wars books – Legends and Disney Canon. This book is in the Disney Canon camp.

I would recommend this book to any Star Wars fan, or anyone who is interested in Queen Amidala.

3.5/5

There were aspects of this book that I really enjoyed and aspects that I absolutely hated. Seeing how Padme got her handmaidens, how they trained, and their side of the events during the Phantom Menace was fascinating. While we do follow Padme during the movie at times, we don't see her thought process or the perspective of her handmaidens. It is revealed during this book that they are just as much the Queen as she is, they all portrayed her together and shaped her image as a group. That was my favorite part of the book.

I did not enjoy the constant flipping to other perspectives, outside of the handmaidens and Padme. And I really didn't like that they skipped over vast parts of the story just to keep things moving. I would have been perfectly happy just seeing the events prior to Phantom Menace. Instead, they jumped through huge events in the book making it absolutely necessary that you have seen the movie. Now, that's not a big deal because this is obviously a Star Wars book but I'm not a fan of books that require you to have seen/read other things unless that is clearly stated on the book. This is part of a series but it is supposed to a prequel. It just rubbed me the wrong way that there were whole sections missing from the book. It would be one thing if we were seeing the perspective of the handmaidens stuck on Naboo during all the events but the book kept flashing between all the charcters.

Overall, there was just so much potential in this story, showing the perspectives and the personalities of all the handmaidens (and Captain Panaka). Jumping around to other characters, some of which we only see once, is annoying and takes me out of the story. I was really excited to read this, Padme is my favorite character and I wanted to see more of her thoughts on the events of Phantom Menace. I only partially got that.

I so enjoyed this story! Padme begins her new life as Queen Amidala. Her security is strengthened by selecting and training handmaidens with different talents and skills as bodyguards and decoy doubles. Together, they defend Naboo against the Trade Federation.

This begins before Star Wars Episode I and goes through the movie timespan. It provides interesting backstory on Amidala, her handmaidens, and Naboo as part of a good story. The main characters and relationships are well-developed. Different plot details from the movie are not included, and it may be confusing for readers who haven't seen it, but as the target audience is probably Star Wars fans, that shouldn’t be a problem. I look forward to more.

E.K. Johnston does it again. At first, I felt confused with the new book taking place before the events of Queen's Shadow. However, this serves as an opportunity to further flesh out the character of Padme, her Handmaidens and their relationship. Though I feel as some points from the previous book are repeated, the further fleshing out of Padme's character keep it fresh. Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised by how the book also dives deeper into some aspects of the Star Wars lore, by bringing in some familiar faces. E.K. clearly understands the character of Padme, her sense of duty and the political climate that surrounds her during the time leading up to The Phantom Menace. I'm happy to see many of the traits that George Lucas projected into the character further examined. This book is a must read for any Padme fan, prequel fan or a fan of Star Wars, especially young girls who are coming of age. I would gladly take a third book from E.K.

This story was mainly about Padmé and her handmaidens. It provides background on life on Naboo, the election process for Queen, and why Amidala is the way she is. I enjoyed seeing her relationship with her maidens unfold, and the process they went through as they trained as the Queen’s doubles. By the time this advanced copy reached the Battle of Naboo, parts of the story were missing or out of order so it became hard to follow.

If you’re a Queen Amidalia fan and want to know more about her origins, this is a must read. You’ll meet her before she wins the throne and follow her journey all the way through the Battle for Naboo. This book covers why she speaks and walks like she does, along with going into some of the pageantry behind her makeup and outfits. Perhaps even more interesting was the level of backstory and insight into each of Amidalia’s handmaidens.

This novel is definitely geared toward YA readers, especially those who are 12-15. Because it also focuses heavily on feminine topics (including first periods), the book would make an excellent introduction to Star Wars fiction for any girls in this age range.

The author’s strongest work comes with the sections that are brand new, as opposed to the content that’s included from The Phantom Menace. Mercifully, the very short section with Jar Jar Binks doesn’t include him speaking. We do get some new insights into Darth Maul too, which was a nice touch.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

I absolutely loved this book. As a huge Star Wars fan I enjoyed getting to see padme become queen and get background knowledge of her security!

Just like the other Padme book I very much enjoyed this! The pacing of the story was excellent. Overall, highly recommend for those who are huge Padme fans like myself.

Wow! It was so refreshing to read about teens experiencing authentic life in the stars without brushing over the details of their true lifestyles. Crafted carefully, this book isn’t solely about the queen. The backstories that Johnston provides for each shadow of Amidala rounds out the masterpiece of how the Queen became the legend that everyone knows today.

Readers should also be excited as many familiar faces appear throughout the novel. Starts and finishes off strong making it my favorite YA Star Wars novels to date.

Queen's Peril, the prequel to E.K. Johnston's first Padmé-centric novel, is an empowering story made more impactful due to its place in the Star Wars timeline.
When fans first heard the news of a Star Wars book about Padmé Amidala, the wait seemed endless. The wait for the prequel to E.K. Johnston's Queen's Shadow seemed even longer than its predecessor -- but the wait is finally over.
Queen's Peril, set shortly before and during the events of The Phantom Menace, places readers alongside Padmê as she adjusts to her new life as the ruler of Naboo. And that's just the beginning of a narrative about the power of friendship -- and of telling stories backward.
A fourteen-year-old girl may not need much help governing a planet. But she does need protection -- preferably on her own terms, thank you very much.
Padmé's head of security is therefore tasked with tracking down girls similar in age and appearance to Naboo's newly elected queen. Padmé and her handmaidens may look similar, but it turns out they differ in just about every other way.
What happens when you assign a group of ambitious, brilliant, and headstrong teenage girls to guard a monarch?
They befriend her, figure out how to switch places with each other, and sneak out of the royal palace (almost) without setting off any alarms. Obviously.
They have no idea their shenanigans will actually save their lives when the Trade Federation arrives.
E.K. Johnston makes each Queen's Peril character stand out
Johnston has become a unique and inspiring voice in the stories of Star Wars. Her books dive deep into the psyches of their main characters to develop not just their motivations for fighting in their respective wars, but their internal struggles and desires as well.
While Queen's Shadow mostly focused on Padmé and her relationship with her handmaidens at the conclusion of her reign on Naboo, Queen's Peril takes the time to introduce and develop each handmaiden individually as Padmé gets to know them.
In the same way The Clone Wars highlighted the individuality of its respective soldiers, this book emphasizes that while the girls work together as one forceful unit, each has their own strengths and weaknesses. Their own hopes. Their own dreams.
But the element that makes this book truly a masterpiece is its release date -- specifically, the fact that it's a prequel, set before the previous book even though it will be released much later.
Queen's Peril thrives because it's a prequel
Star Wars has always benefited from "backward" storytelling. While the original and prequel trilogies can each stand on their own, for example, the prequel trilogy finds strength in assuming the audience already knows Darth Vader's eventual fate.
Queen's Shadow and Queen's Peril thrive in the same way. Having read Queen's Shadow first -- yes, you should read the original first in this case -- you know the woman Sabé eventually becomes, for example, and eagerly await the events that will begin her journey to that place.
You know, too, the kinds of sacrifices these girls are going to make for their queen; their friend. But you don't know how it happens. Not yet.
Padmé Amidala has always been a fierce and relentless force for change. But she has a lot to learn before she can truly make it count.
Thankfully, she's not alone.
Queen's Peril is just the first of a handful of exciting new Star Wars reads heading our way over the next few months and beyond. Make sure you're following us to stay up-to-date on the books and comics headed your way this summer!

First line: The girl in the white dress had her mother’s brain and her father’s heart, and a spark that was entirely her own.

Summary: Padme, Queen Amidala, has just been elected as the new queen of Naboo. With it comes changes. The captain of her guard is extremely worried about her safety. In order to protect his queen he decides to look for body doubles who could stand in for her in dangerous times. As he gathers her handmaidens the young women form a lasting bond and a devotion to their new queen. It is tested earlier than they thought when the Trade Federation forms a blockade around the peaceful planet leading to the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

My Thoughts: Once again I really enjoyed Johnston’s look into the world of Padme. She is a strong female character who gets overlooked in the movie trilogies. I love seeing more behind the scenes and expansion on the movies. Even though Padme is the leading lady we also get a look into the lives of handmaidens. They each had different backgrounds that helped prepare the queen for the trials ahead.

I remember seeing The Phantom Menace in the theaters (multiple times) As with many fans it is not my favorite but this book gave me a new appreciation for it. This is why the books are so important to the movies. Extra is given to the readers. We get more details, backstory and heart.

I hope that Johnston writes more in this “series” or adds to the Star Wars canon. I have enjoyed each and every one of her stories so far. I love that authors have brought even more of Star Wars universe to us and done it so well.

FYI: If you enjoy this then try Claudia Gray’s Star Wars novels too!

I received a review copy of this ebook from Netgalley, Disney Publishing WorldWide and E.K. Johnston in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed learning more about Padme's history and the process of how she was elected Queen of Naboo. We don't get to see much of Padme's history in the movie The Phantom Menace, but I am glad that Johnston was able to give readers more of an insight in her life. I also enjoyed learning more about the handmaiden process and how Panaka chose each individual woman. This is one ebook that I had to keep reading because I wanted to know more. Johnston did an excellent job with writing Padme's story and I can't wait to read Queen's Shadow. If you are a fan of Star Wars or the prequel movies in general, this is the book for you! It definitely answered questions that I had when I first watched The Phantom Menace.

“The election is over. Your work has begun.”

With eight simple words, Quarsh Panaka forever married the identities of Padmé Naberrie and Queen Amidala, and the newly coronated ruler began her reign as monarch. E.K. Johnston’s Queen’s Peril takes us from the day of Amidala’s election through the harrowing Siege of Naboo and allows us to witness the bravery and evolution of Padmé alongside her cadre of loyal handmaidens.

Following the success of 2019’s Queen’s Shadow, Disney Lucasfilm Press elected to bring Johnston back to further expand Padmé’s history, and wow are we glad that they did. Fans of Queen’s Shadow will be happy to discover the return of all of their favorite handmaidens on an even grander scale. Queen’s Peril endows Sabé, Rabé, Yané, Eirtaé, and Saché with individual purpose, skill, and motivation in a way that simultaneously highlights their unique personalities while also solidifying them as an unstoppable unit.

This book takes all of the pros from its predecessor and sees Johnston expand them tenfold by breathing richer lives into her characters, increasing the volume of storylines through multiple points of view, and filling its reader with an uncontrollable desire to watch The Phantom Menace.

PLOT

Beginning with the moments leading up to Padmé’s discovery of her impending coronation, Queen’s Peril weaves a sense of tension and stakes throughout the story. Given that the book ends with the full story of the cinematically breathtaking Siege of Naboo, it could have been an easy trap for the rest of the novel’s hijinks and escapades to pale in comparison.

Unsurprisingly, E.K. Johnston deftly avoids such a misstep.

Peril weaves continuously through plotlines of political intrigue, galactic war, intimate friendship, and the realities of adolescence. While you never forget the fact that Palpatine is lurking in the shadows as a perpetual puppetmaster thanks to Johnston’s expert analysis of his plans (the best Palpatine writing in the Canon for my money), you can’t help but find yourself just as intrigued about the way Yané will weave the Queen’s new gown or how quickly Sabé is able to make the change.

Because we see the world through the eyes of the characters, and to them, there is no discrepancy between the importance of a trade meeting on grain subsidies and the thrill of sneaking out of the palace to go to a concert. While many books trick their audience into picking unavoidable favorite plotlines and scenes, Queen’s Peril never sacrifices the quality of its storytelling in such a way.

Additionally, the story as a whole reads as a beautifully cohesive tail of the pressures of political office and the demands of growing up as a teenage girl. Never once did I forget about Padmé’s age as I flipped through the pages, but I couldn’t help but wish every modern political system would take some notes as I did so. The aforementioned meetings about grain trading were tense and interesting, because the stakes were real to Padmé, and her dedication bled through the ink on the page.

Finally, the incorporation of multiple character storylines in Queen’s Peril is an absolute stroke of genius. These occasional diversions to check in on other characters like Senator Palpatine, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and the #couplesgoals Panakas were akin to hot fudge atop a delectable Sunday. Too much and you may find yourself overburdened with sweetness, but applied delicately, and they enrich the base beautifully.

And so they did. These added character beats elevated the story of Queen’s Peril beyond that of a simple story of a single protagonist into a tale about the galaxy precariously balancing on the brink of bloodshed.

CHARACTERS

A remarkable amount of Canon material has relied on character-focused narratives, and Queen’s Peril happily adds its name to that list. Despite the praise I heaped upon its plot in the paragraphs above, it can’t be denied that the true strength of Queen’s Peril lies within the characters themselves.

Johnston highlights this focus in the very structure of the book by separating the novel into five major sections. Each section begins with an unnumbered chapter where we see Captain Quarsh Panaka recruiting each handmaiden from her original place of employment, artistry, or education. These interludes allow us to witness these women separate from Padmé in a way that we’ve never been able to before, and the results had me even further solidifying my compassion for each one.

BLOCK QUOTE: “We are powerful, Captain. Even if it’s not the kind of power you are accustomed to.”

Although Queen’s Shadow introduced us to each of the handmaidens in Padmé’s security force, the precursor to this book still found its main conflict and character moments within the experiences of Padmé herself. While Peril is likewise an undeniably Padmé-centric novel, the other handmaidens are given much more time to cement themselves as individuals, and the results will have you actively searching them out during your next rewatch of Episode I.

And that is one of the best parts of the Star Wars Expanded Universe, isn’t it? With every piece of EU material that you consume, you are offered the opportunity to slightly alter your future viewings of the films thanks to the new information you receive, and Queen’s Peril takes that opportunity and runs faster than you could ever imagine.

Do you think the handmaidens all look the same? Now you know the purpose. Do you think their names all sound the same? Now you know the purpose. Do you wonder why Padmé and Sabé had such a low voice when wearing the face of the Queen? Now you know the purpose.

E.K. Johnston uses the pages of her book as editorial tools to affect the scenes of the film from which she gained her inspiration, and what could better exemplify the EU than that?

Additionally, Johnston further extends her exemplary record of character inclusion by incorporating previously established LGBTQ elements into her main squad. Seeing characters like Sabé, Yané, and Saché discover queer romantic proclivities without the stain of prejudice and fear was as refreshing as it was exciting, and hopefully that unquestioned acceptance will resonate just as deeply with all of Peril’s readers.

ORIGINALITY

When writing about a specific story or plotline that is already intrinsically familiar to readers and viewers, it can be difficult to create a thrilling narrative that is filled with original concepts. After all, you don’t want to abandon the preexisting locations and characters that your readers are excited by, but at the same time, you need to infuse your tale with surprises and tension.

So what do you do? That’s right. You expand.

And that’s exactly what Johnston does on every level in Queen’s Peril. We may know about Naboo, but we may not know about the entirety of the Chommell sector. We may know about Padmé’s electoral victory, but we may not know about the ceremonial exchange of power between the queens of Naboo. We may know Sabé’s general arsenal of skills, but we may not know what instrument she played at the conservatory.

In these ways and a multitude of others, E.K. Johnston truly lives up to the promise of the Expanded Universe within each chapter of Queen’s Peril. Familiar technologies are intermingled with unknown political maneuvers, and even Palpatine’s nefarious schemes we know by heart are given further depth by additional scenes that let us explore the sick and twisted layers of his mind and soul.

Furthermore, Johnston continues her mission to highlight the importance of traditional femininity in storytelling by emphasizing the importance of Padmé’s extensive wardrobe and the aesthetic skills provided by each handmaiden in the party. The skills first established by their meetings with Panaka during their interludes come fully into play during moments of intense turmoil and anguish, and the ways in which they overcome adversity is as unique as any story I’ve ever read in the Canon.

I mean...where else in the Star Wars universe can you find an improvisational loom becoming a key element of fascist rebellion?

Johnston effectively marries these ideas of innovation and expansion to create a world that is at once all her own and also an exact mirror of the one created by George Lucas over two decades before.

WRITING

Throughout Ahsoka and Queen’s Shadow before this, E.K. Johnston has shared with us her ability to craft characters that feel much more like old friends than fictional protagonists. The inner monologues of Ahsoka and Padmé revealed characters that were able to ride the line between inspiring strength and touching vulnerability, and through the actions surrounding them, we’ve witnessed growth, maturity, and evolution.

With Queen’s Peril, Johnston has reached a whole new level.

The choice to create an army of protagonists in the early stages of teenage discovery is one ripe with possibility, and Johnston tackles those opportunities with a combination of gusto and respectful restraint. Padmé, Sabé, Rabé, Yané, Eirtaé, and Saché are highly trained security agents, but they’re also marvelously authentic teenage girls.

They’re awkward around their crushes.
They get demoralized when they fall short.
They help each other through their first periods.
They get scared when machines invade their homeworld.
They have arguments and misunderstandings.
And they form bonds like few could ever imagine.

It is within each of these small moments that Johnston shows her exceptional skill as a writer, because she makes us feel as though we are in the room witnessing these intimate moments where true friendships and lifelong relationships are born. Whether you’re a teenage girl now or you’ve never been one in your life, you’ll feel a genuine connection with every one of these girls, and you’ll miss them when you close the cover.

However, Johnston’s thorough character work comes close to being overshadowed by her incredible leap forward in her ability to write action and spectacle. While her previous novels shone brightest in quiet moments of introspection and discovery, Queen’s Peril contains a few scenes that are positively epic.

The entire sequence featuring the Siege of Naboo races by page by page as Padmé storms the throne room while battles rage on every front. Chills roll down your spine as you witness Maul’s preparation for the upcoming battle, and your heart bursts out of your chest when...well...I won’t spoil it for you here.

Johnston’s ability to balance tender discovery with blood-pumping adrenaline is on full display in Queen’s Peril, it’s unlike anything I’ve seen from her before, and it bodes wonderfully for the publishing future ahead of her.

ENTERTAINMENT

This book is ridiculously fun.

From the time I finished the opening prologue to the moment that I read the final sentence, I had a smile on my face and continuously found every opportunity that I could find to keep reading. The writing style gripped me, the story content enthralled me, and at the end of the day, I just wanted to keep hanging out with these characters.

In addition to all of the fantastic story points laid out in the earlier sections, this book also features a number of lighthearted moments where it emphasizes just how much fun it can be to rule a planet with your best friends. The best example of this lies in a sequence where the girls effectively pull off a heist to sneak out to a late night concert, and you can practically feel the teenage adrenaline as they execute their plan to near perfection.

And this book features a number of moments just like that. Moments where you want to cheer, laugh, and even cry just like you would if you were in the theater, and that’s what makes the entertainment value of Star Wars books so unique.

Because you can visualize the palace they’re walking through. You’ve seen it before. You can picture the dress Amidala dons as the Trade Federation descends. You’ve seen it before. And Queen’s Peril takes that nostalgic love we have for The Phantom Menace and sprinkles it liberally throughout the book to give you that sense of joy and excitement you had the first time you saw Padmé take the planet back.

This is a story of war. This is a story of conflict. But this is also a story of joy.

CONCLUSION

Queen’s Peril takes the literary baton from Queen’s Shadow before it and enhances Shadow’s strengths in every conceivable way. The plot is exciting and varied, the characters are magnetic and three-dimensional, and The Phantom Menace itself is transformed into an entirely new narrative before your very eyes.

Perhaps no character has been expanded more in recent Star Wars media that Padmé Amidala, and after reading Queen’s Peril, I still hope that her story is just beginning.

For more Queen’s Peril news, check out my recent interview with author E.K. Johnston where we talked about her favorite characters to write, her legacy as a Star Wars writer, and the undeniable joy of podracing.

I loved Queen's Shadow and I love Padme so I was very excited for this book. I was not a fan of all the POVs, though. I liked hearing from the different handmaidens and even Panaka, but all the others were a little much for me. I was expecting a story about Padme and her handmaidens and all the outside perspective just wasn't my favorite.

That aside, I loved seeing how the handmaidens were recruited and all the ins and how outs of their process worked as well as how their relationships formed and changed. I did like that we got more of a look into the events of Phantom Menace.

Overall, I liked this, but I would have liked it even more if we'd gotten more from the handmaidens and Padme instead of all the other POVs.

Queen’s Peril by E. K. Johnston, pages. Disney Lucasfilm Press (Disney Book Group), 2020. $18. LGBTQIA
Language: PG (4 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The planet Naboo is electing their new queen, but the unsettling feeling that something is going to happen stretches farther than their galaxy. A candidate is selected, adversaries conspire, and allies are recruited.
We get to read the other side of what happened in Star Wars Episode I (The Phantom Menace), focusing on Queen Amidala and her planet of Naboo. Queen Amidala has always been my favorite Star Wars character, so I was thrilled to read more about her background and motives. This written version of Star Wars keeps the excitement and suspense that draws fans into the movies, but I am disappointed that the book skips over important scenes covered by episode one, assuming that readers have already acquired that knowledge and understand what was going on. Whether or not readers know what is happening, I would have appreciated Johnston giving us a new perspective on the events shown in the movie.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Very character driven, which I enjoyed. Panaka, Sabe, and Padme are very thoroughly described and their characters are expanded through this book. Some of the other characters, like Rabe, Sache, and Eirtae were not as well described and almost felt interchangeable to me. As an adult reader, I don't like that, but I believe if I were reading this at the target age, it wouldn't bother me as much.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that this expanded the world of Naboo beyond what we see in the prequel Star Wars films. I think now that I'd like to watch the first one again and see how this story fits within the larger scope of the films.

The ending of this book felt very rushed to me and the occasional other short POV moments were not transitioned to smoothly. But, this book is a fun read and its sins are not enough to detract from the enjoyment. Any Star Wars fan will enjoy this.