“Begun, the Clone War has” might be an ominous way to declare the galaxy at war, but what does that actually look like? This is a question that Queen’s Hope attempts to address. Whether it succeeds in the endeavour, however, will depend entirely on what you expect to get out of the novel.

The story begins in the first few days after the battle on Geonosis (aka the end of Attack of the Clones) with a certain senator and a certain soon-to-be Jedi Knight sneaking off to Naboo for a beautiful sunset wedding ceremony. But with war spreading across the galaxy, Anakin and Padmé don’t get to spend much time on their honeymoon before duty calls them back to the capital and away from each other.

While Anakin is deployed to the front, Padmé is pulled into a political investigation that requires her specific skillset: namely the ability to be in two places at once. Though her handmaidens from her days as queen have all moved on to their own ventures, Padmé calls her onetime decoy Sabé to ask for her help.

I had certain expectations of Queen’s Hope going in. I thought, based on the timing of the story, that it would be an account of the early days of Padmé and Anakin’s marriage. I also thought, after casting so wide a net in Queen’s Peril that the story might narrow down and refocus on Padmé once more. For better or worse, neither of my expectations were met.

In terms of a refocused story, Padmé is out of the book more than she is in it. She is “present” in the sense that she is on the minds of all the other characters, and their feelings for her is what motivates their actions - Sabé in particular. That, I could understand, because of what a large role Sabé played in Queen’s Shadow, but when the focus is pulled from the primary character to focus on another former handmaiden whose mission is tangentially related at best, that is where my frustrations really set in.

That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy the political intrigue as a whole. That plus Sabé’s ongoing mission to free slaves on Tatooine - with the help of an unexpected ally - were the highlights of the book, and showed an interesting, quieter side of the war. But while the events themselves were interesting, three books in I’m not sure I know the characters any better than I did after book one.

Each interaction between Padmé and her former handmaidens has a particular quality to it, where the writing tries to convey a long history between them that works to mixed effect. Oftentimes, tough conversations are simply not had because the women say all they need to say with a look. I understand between old friends, sometimes things do not always need to be spoken, but in holding the reader at arms length like this, it does very little to endear us to these women and to their friendship.

As far as the wedding goes, it’s over fairly quickly. Padmé and Anakin spend most of the book apart, and when they are together they don’t particularly act like madly-in-love newlyweds. I understand the idea is they don’t know each other well, but neither of them seem all that interested in getting to know each other either.

It was hard to know what to expect going into the third and final Padmé novel from E.K. Johnston. On the one hand, I greatly enjoyed Queen’s Shadow for what it did in showing us a post-Phantom Menace Padmé first entering the political sphere. On the other hand, Queen’s Peril did both too much and not enough with its premise and left me feeling a little confused.

Now, at the close of this Padmé-centric trilogy, I think I am forced to admit that as much as I adore this character, these books simply weren’t for me.

Queen’s Hope is available April 5, 2022. Special thanks to Disney Books for the advance copy for review purposes.

Padme Amidala is an interesting character, and the latest book about her adventures shed more light on her. What was even more interesting, though, was how much this particular book focused on Sabe. And, honestly, those were my favorite parts of the book.

I also liked it when Amidala went on a mission. What I wasn’t that thrilled with was the overly sappy vibe between Amidala and Anakin. But I suppose the author wanted to keep it true to the source material, and we all know that Lucas didn’t exactly write the best dialogue for the secret couple.

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

In the grand storytelling tradition of Star Wars--an in-depth look at the life of Padmé Amidala; her thoughts and adventures just before and during her early marriage.

Bonuses during the same time period: Padmé's handmaidens, Anakin Skywalker, Chancellor Palpatine, and other characters surrounding the great former queen; now powerful Senator of Naboo!

A wonderful series of experiences and adventures, laced with the machinations of eee-villl Darth Sidious with (and without) his social mask called Palpatine.

I especially enjoyed insights into the thoughts of the characters. How they believed and what motivated them.

Because this book focuses on Senator Amidala, we don't get much of the Jedi or Clones (excellent story characters though they are) beyond brief visits to war zones. But readers won't be disappointed. There are cameo appearances of some favorites!

An all-round fun book!

5/5 Stars

Special thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the free preview of this ebook; the review is voluntary.

#StarWarsQueensHope #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this look into Padme's life. It's been great following her story in this series. Definitely going to suggest it to others.

This was a quick and easy read that fell short of my expectations after having read the first 2 novels in the trilogy.
Here we have Padme and Anakin newly married and going off on their own separate missions, with side stories from Sabé and the introduction of a new, gender neutral handmaiden which was refreshing to read with correct pronouns.
There was a random scene of a female clone that didn’t seem to serve any purpose other than to make a point of “transcending gender” which from my perspective seemed to be shoehorned in and added no value.
The understory in italics, hinting to Breha Organa’s past was interesting, and held my attention more than the wider story. I would definitely be interested in reading more about this!

EK Johnston does what she does best in this novel- the descriptions of outfits and costumes made them tangible to the point you could see and feel them.
Emotions, PTSD and mental health issues are woven intricately into storylines to give more humanity to the characters.
What was lacking in my opinion was a more technical knowledge in the fight and war scenes. Alexander Freed is for me, overly technical to the point of confusing, and this was the opposite end of the spectrum.

Sabé’s personal journey was for me, the most enjoyable part of this book- watching her grow and change and go through a myriad of emotions before making her heartbreaking decision was a great sub plot.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but it was my least favourite of the trilogy.

It’s not often that I’ll say I wish a book was longer, or that a series wasn’t ending, but legit, I would’ve drank it all up even more if this had be twice the size! (Please E.K Johnston and Disney, can we get another Padme story???)

I loved seeing Padme in this different part of her life, if I’m correct it seems to be between Episode II and the Clone Wars series. I enjoyed also getting updates on the rest of the handmaidens as well as more of a perspective from Anakin.

As a young girl when the Prequel films came out, I latched onto Padme a lot, and I remember reading an old “diary” of hers that came out. But that’s really all there was from her. I’ve loved that we now have three books and this was a wonderful addition, and really does encompass the title and theme of Star Wars: Hope.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this advance listener copy and advance reader copy.

Description from NetGalley:
Padmé is adjusting to being a wartime senator during the Clone Wars. Her secret husband, Anakin Skwyalker, is off fighting the war, and excels at being a wartime Jedi. In contrast, when Padmé gets the opportunity to see the casualties on the war-torn front lines, she is horrified. The stakes have never been higher for the galaxy, or for the newly-married couple.
Meanwhile, with Padmé on a secret mission, her handmaiden Sabé steps into the role of Senator Amidala, something no handmaiden has done for an extended period of time. While in the Senate, Sabé is equally horrified by the machinations that happen there. She comes face to face with a gut-wrenching decision as she realizes that she cannot fight a war this way, not even for Padmé.
And Chancellor Palpatine hovers over it all, manipulating the players to his own ends…
I was able to listen to and read this book, which is a wonderful immersion. I also love Star Wars. I do need to read the previous two books that are before this one; however, it does actually stand pretty well on its own. I was interested in both POVs and have already picked up a previous one to get to know these characters better. This is one of those kind of books that adds to the movies and gives a good idea of what was happening before, after, or during.
This would be a great, quick read for any Star Wars fan.
Overall: 4/5

Queen's Hope was so much better than I expected! I've only read two other Star Wars book, Queen's shadow and Ahsoka, and this was my favorite so far. I'm going to go back and read Queen's Peril too! What I loved most about this book was the LGBT+ representation! First we got a transgender clone trooper, and then we also got a character with neopronouns! I never realized how much politics there were in Star Wars before reading E. K. Johnston's books, or how much of a role Padmé plays. I also really liked getting to learn about her handmaidens while also getting glimpses of Yoda and Anakin, characters I'd already been familiar with. I'd recommend this to people who love Star Wars or even someone who just wants to get started!

Johnston manages to rock my world with this finale in the Queen trilogy. I am constantly impressed with how articulate she is in her endeavors to expand the diversity of the Star Wars universe. Her constant pressure works wonders. People who were nervous about her characterizing Anakin should have no fears, It really worked for me. I enjoyed all the different perspectives between the handmaidens, and also how it all came together in the end.

I don't think anyone could have written this trilogy of Padmé books better than E.K. Johnston.

On the surface, perhaps this trilogy looks like stories about girls using fashion to fight wars. And don't get me wrong, there's so much of that, and I simply can't get enough of it (more please). But Johnston has this way of telling stories that seem more shallow than they are. Not because they're poorly written or too flippant, but instead because that's the kind of storyteller she is. Her characters, narratives, and words are complex. They're clever because they're beautiful. They're important because so many will overlook them.

Everyone overlooks the handmaidens. And that's how they get away with everything.

But that's only the beginning. Think, really think about the fact that we've now gotten THREE books about Padmé Amidala at different stages of her life, and every single one of them deepened her character further than any story ever has before.

This book shows just how big Padme's influence and impact on the galaxy truly was even in seemingly the smallest ways, and it has changed the way I think about her character. We complain so much as fans that she didn't get the sendoff she deserved in Episode 3, but I'm starting to believe that's because her depiction in that film highlights the tragic way the galaxy lost her. No one was allowed to know what really happened to her, and that's because of the darkness that ended her life.

These books are good. QUEEN'S HOPE being the end is the most tragic part of all.

Read the whole trilogy. SHADOW, PERIL, HOPE. Read them again a second time. They are so much more than what many give them credit for - because theyr'e YA? Because they're female-led, because they prominently feature LGBTQ+ relationships? I don't know. But I challenge you to look deeper, to really pay attention to what these stories are saying, individually and as a unit.

If at the end of your life you feel you've not done all you could, chances are, if you live your life with love as its center, your legacy will live on in those who come after you. You will not be forgotten.

Thank you to Disney, publishers, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this title!

Seeing part of the Star Wars story through Padme’s perspective was humanizing and wonderful. I got to hear her thoughts, sense her wariness, and experience part of the well-known story through her. The characters were true, well-written, and realistic enough that I could hear them right next to me.

What a gift Johnston is to the Star Wars universe. This final Padme book is an homage not only to our beloved Queen/Senator of Naboo, but to every woman in Star Wars who, for much too long, have been neglected. Through Johnston's hands these characters are given a breath of new life, and Star Wars fans are given they've longed for for twenty years.

I want to give EK Johnston a hug. Or maybe it would be more apt to say that this book, this whole trilogy honestly, has felt like a hug to my soul.

Seeing how Padmé’s relationship with her handmaidens has grown and changed over the course of the series was one of the most enjoyable parts for me. But what I think Johnston does best is beautifully thread this story into the Star Wars universe as a whole.

Queen’s Hope truly felt like a love letter to the women of Star Wars. So many small details enriched moments we see on screen. And the author’s love for these characters only deepens my own.

This book takes place between Star Wars episodes 2 and 3, starting with things we aren’t shown around the time of Anakin and Padmé’s wedding. Saché and Sabé also share a large portion of the stage in this story.

Without a doubt, this trilogy will be one I continue to recommend to anyone who wants to read Star Wars books, but especially those who want to empathize and understand Padmé.

I never really bought Anakin and Padme's romance, but I think the author does a nice job of working with it here. The strength of the novel, though, lies with Sabe. I've read all three of Padme's books now, and I find I am most interested in following Sabe and learning about her and her adventures. Her struggles and growth have been so interesting to me, and I love her relationship with Padme. In fact, I wish there was more of that friendship in all three of the books. Queen's Hope was an enjoyable read. It makes me happy Padme is finally getting her due.

(I know this proof was uncorrected, but the characters pinch the bridges of their noses an awful lot.)

First line: Once there was a girl who had nothing, and she was not content.

Summary: In the third book of the Padme trilogy, E. K. Johnston brings to life the time right after the marriage of Senator Amidala and Anakin Skywalker. They have married in secret but that does not mean that their lives and duties have taken a break. Padme continues to go on secret missions for her faction, checking on the progress in the war, making alliances and delivering goods to those in need. While Anakin is in the thick of some of the fighting alongside the other Jedi and their clone army.

My Thoughts: I have enjoyed each and every one of Johnston’s stories about Padme Amidala. Episodes I-III are definitely not my favorite but I did like many of the characters including Padme. I am glad that Disney is fleshing out and giving more of a story to this character. The books are always exciting with lots of politics, espionage and Star Wars easter eggs.

On top of giving more of an insight in Padme we also get to experience the lives of her handmaidens too. They are used as bodyguards, body doubles but also friends. Even though they seem to all be very similar these books have made them more than background players.

FYI: Perfect for young and old Star Wars fans who want to look deeper into the world they know and love so well!

I was so excited to see E.K. Johnston continue Padmé and her handmaidens’ journey in a third book, “Queen’s Hope,” taking place between Attack of the Clones and The Clone Wars. This is a really interesting time period to explore Padmé’s character and I was hoping to get a bit more action (and romance), but, alas, that’s not really Johnston’s style. I’ve loved each of these books and I love how Johnston has expanded the world and the characters, but they have always been deficient in plot and action. So while I enjoyed “Queen’s Hope,” and I’m sure I will read it again and receive even more enjoyment from a second read, I was also disappointed that it wasn’t more. Sabé’s journey was the strongest in the story and I would love to see more of her in the expanded universe and on screen. I will also always read anything that features Padmé and her handmaidens, and I hope this is not the last we see of these characters.

As with the rest of the series, this book will appeal to readers who prefer character driven stories, fans of Padmé, and people who want to see the events at the beginning of the Clone Wars.