Queens Peril Review

Queen's Peril is the new book by EK Johnston, focusing on Padme Amidala. It is a prequel to her book Queen's Shadow, which focuses on Padme's first years in the senate. Queen's Peril on the other hand focuses on the beginning of Padme's rule as Queen, up through The Phantom Menace. For this review I'll start off with a broad overview, followed by a spoiler review.

Queen's Peril is very similar to Queen's Shadow in a lot of ways. It focuses way more on nitty gritty politics and procedure then many other Star Wars media. You get a very unique look at Naboo politics and Naboo culture. Furthermore, the relationship between Padme and her handmaidens, which makes up the emotional core of the story, is excellently well done. The handmaidens are each reasonably distinct, and though Padme and Sabe are the main focus, the other get more then enough time to shine.

I will say this story, like its predecessor, may not be for everyone. There is less of a distinct plot in a way you might expect from a Star Wars story. It is more of a slice of life story focusing on Padme and her handmaidens. Furthermore, there are those who may not appreciate the detailed look at politics. Personally I greatly appreciate the details of politics and culture in Star Wars, but this isn't universal so to each their own.

I would say this is worth a read. If you enjoyed Queen's Shadow, enjoy the political elements of the prequels, or love the character of Padme and her Handmaidens, then this book is absolutely for you. If you're more interested in action, require a distinct linear plot, or were less then impressed with Queen's Shadow, then you may not enjoy this book quite as much.

From this point on the review will contain spoilers, and I will discuss the whole book freely. This is your final warning, if you don't want spoilers TURN BACK NOW

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So one of the big things I was not expecting was the fact that the book contains interludes to various characters throughout the Phantom Menace, including Palpatine, Maul, Obi Wan and Qui Gon, and Mace Windu and Yoda. It does a lot to flesh out the immediate surroundings of Phantom Menace, and tie in other pieces of media, with references I believe to Master and Apprentice by Claudia Grey, and to The Clone Wars TV show. The interludes are a great addition, and help break up the intense focus on Padme and the Naboo Court. I had hoped for some reference to Darth Plagueis, but alas none to be had as of yet. 

The book also overlaps with Phantom Menace a little more then I had expected, and while its cool to see what's going on on Naboo during TPM, I'm not sure this is positive. To avoid retreading what we've already seen, the narrative jumps around a good deal, only showing us events which occur just off screen. This sacrifices some of the pacing and narrative linearity. It's still interesting, but it might not satisfy everybody. 

Overall, Queen's Peril is very good at making the universe feel alive, fleshing out background characters, details, and making the world more expansive and interesting. Well worth a read, in my opinion.

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