Star Wars - Queen’s Shadow
I grew up loving Star Wars. I even saw The Empire Strikes Back in the theater as a child in 1980. I have to admit, though I have been a longtime fan of the franchise, this was the first Star Wars novel I’ve ever read. I’m not sure why I was so late to the party. I have loved the movies, prequels, and spin-offs for as long as I can remember. I am so excited to add reading about the Pantheon to the list.
People who know me are aware that I am a huge Disney fan, as well. On May 4th, otherwise known by Star Wars fans as Star Wars Day, I picked up this book. I love the play on words – May the 4th be with you! Disney+ offered up a free download of Star Wars - Queen’s Shadow by E.K. Johnston to celebrate the day, and I took advantage. I love Padmé, also known as Queen Amidala, and I was excited to learn more about her character’s story.
This book takes place after Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace. I enjoyed finding smatterings here and there about Queen Amidala’s actions against the Galactic Trade Federation as well as her initial meeting with Anakin Skywalker and his mother Shmi. Johnston gives us a better understanding of Padmé’s feelings toward the Jedi and her relationship with Qui-Gon Jinn. I loved experiencing the conversations Senator Amidala had with Queen Breha Organa of Alderaan and catching crumbs of useful information that were scattered in their exchanges. The Star Wars nerd in me got excited any time I could piece together tidbits of this book into my memories of the films. Not to mention, a certain droid plays a role in the book which bonded the old and the new information I had together for me.
With everything going on in the prequel films, Padmé’s backstory was neglected a bit. She was a young girl who ruled a planet and, instead of taking time for her own personal life after her reign, she accepted a position in the Galactic Senate. This book gives readers a chance to see the people in Padmé‘s life who helped shape her as a person as well as witness the strength of belief she had in the Republic. This book also allows readers the chance to meet the handmaidens who pledged their lives to Padmé. We learn their backstories as well as the roles they play in the public eye versus behind the scenes. I absolutely loved the handmaidens and want to go back and watch The Phantom Menace just to see them again and look for things I might have missed now that I have a deeper understanding of their duties.
This book could be summed up with the words “girl power,” and it’s about time we have more female characters getting to take the lead role in the Star Wars novel universe. Padmé isn’t the only capable woman in Queen’s Shadow, either. She is flanked by formidable female characters throughout the book - guards, senators, a Jedi, a skilled pilot, as well as two queens. There is no shortage of strong women. Of course, I have seen Princess Leia featured on past book covers. E.K. Johnston has a new Amidala book that was released in early June 2020 called Star Wars – Queen’s Peril, and she also has a novel devoted to the beloved Ahsoka Tano. This is a wonderful new trend, and I hope we get to experience many more Star Wars books with female leads.
Padmé herself is a force in this novel, showing her strengths in many capacities. We see her as Queen of Naboo, Senator of Naboo, and a leader who is both capable of making decisions and skilled at negotiations. She is kind, compassionate, and unwavering in her values. She inspires fierce loyalty from those around her, even if she struggles with feelings of guilt because of their sacrifice. It is exciting to watch her come into her own after her reign as queen on her home planet of Naboo, especially when the concept of self-seeking behavior is so foreign to her.
One of the themes I enjoyed throughout the story was the ability of the characters to transform their personas to fit the role needed in various situations, no matter the danger. Padmé, as well as her handmaidens, are skilled at taking on a variety of guises to accomplish their goals. The theme of loyalty is evident in the personal name choices of the handmaidens, and the underlying themes of needing to implicitly trust and rely on others are vital in Amidala’s life.
The only negative I have for the book is a lack of action. I would have liked to have seen the characters get into a little more trouble and show more of their strengths. I was also shocked as a new reader of Star Wars novels that there were very few Jedi in the story. All in all, though, I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read, and I’m definitely interested in reading the next Amidala novel Queen’s Peril.
