emily_housler's review against another edition
5.0
If you want Anidala content, you have found it. Did you want shenanigans for their wedding? Including a wedding planner protocol droid, you’ve got it. I loved the way that this interweaves the stories of the different “background” women in Star Wars. The storytelling between the different handmaidens continued to tell the many perspectives of the Clone Wars.
I think that Sabe and Padme going their separate ways broke me, it’s fine.
A part of me hopes that we get another book from Johnston that explores Episode 3 Padme and the handmaidens following her death, yes. I do want to hurt me.
I think that Sabe and Padme going their separate ways broke me, it’s fine.
A part of me hopes that we get another book from Johnston that explores Episode 3 Padme and the handmaidens following her death, yes. I do want to hurt me.
jenny_librarian's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I’m not sure how to rate this book. It doesn’t change or give much info on the Clone War in general, and even the Padmé/Sabé relationship is pretty dimmed. We get a little Anidala, and a few nice scenes between some of the handmaidens, but the whole thing felt muted. Even for a character-centric novel, it didn’t exactly hit.
However, I’m happy with where the story left Sabé and the other handmaidens. They’re all their own person now and it’s nice to know they’re working toward a common goal each in their own sphere.
I also appreciate the inclusion of Beru and Shmi in the slave freeing business. It feels very much in character for them.
I didn’t love how the Tepoh and Sister were included as diversity points. Tepoh was fine until the discussion about whether or not they could’ve been a handmaiden under Amidala’s reign, but that whole scene felt clumsy and tacked on like an afterthought. And Sister wasn’t much better. She exists in Brotherhood and The Bad Batch too, but here she really feels like the cardboard cutout trans token character one adds to prove they’re inclusive. If you’re gonna be didactic and clumsy when adding diverse characters, just don’t add them. It’s a shame because other queer characters (Saché and Yané, Sabé) are well described and feel complete.
However, I’m happy with where the story left Sabé and the other handmaidens. They’re all their own person now and it’s nice to know they’re working toward a common goal each in their own sphere.
I also appreciate the inclusion of Beru and Shmi in the slave freeing business. It feels very much in character for them.
I didn’t love how the Tepoh and Sister were included as diversity points. Tepoh was fine until the discussion about whether or not they could’ve been a handmaiden under Amidala’s reign, but that whole scene felt clumsy and tacked on like an afterthought. And Sister wasn’t much better. She exists in Brotherhood and The Bad Batch too, but here she really feels like the cardboard cutout trans token character one adds to prove they’re inclusive. If you’re gonna be didactic and clumsy when adding diverse characters, just don’t add them. It’s a shame because other queer characters (Saché and Yané, Sabé) are well described and feel complete.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Death, Gun violence, Grief, and Slavery
Minor: Murder and War
rebel_fairy's review against another edition
2.0
I won't call this the Padmè trilogy.
This novel didn't give any substantial information or explore any further into Padmè's married life with Anakin Skywalker (these are the most iconic couple in the galaxy). This is just the same repetitive notion of going on a mission and the ex-shadows filling in the gaps and the pages of things happening in their lives.
If you do not know about the Star Wars universe . . . then skip this series - as it has so many time gaps with no growth of the characters. The book mentions how much they love each other, but we have no proof or 'growth' of their relationship due to the author not exploring it in the prequel and not mentioning other instances.
You would have to have watched the movies or read the movie novelizations.
Book one - A Queen's Peril, was a nice intro to the Padamè, the election and how the queen's shadows operate. Lacking in inner thoughts when she first met Anakin - iconic moment, but no . . . we received "A boy thought he saw an angel."
Book two - Queen's Shadow, was so good as we did not know how she had transitioned from Queen to Senator, and once again, there was no mention of her thoughts or feelings towards Anakin in those years . . . just a 'small' token of trying to free his mother.
I felt no depth in their relationship - their interactions were so cringe. (I will still keep this on my bookshelf due to the pretty covers.)
If you had hoped for an intriguing story about the galaxy couple . . . this is not the series you were looking for.
This novel didn't give any substantial information or explore any further into Padmè's married life with Anakin Skywalker (these are the most iconic couple in the galaxy). This is just the same repetitive notion of going on a mission and the ex-shadows filling in the gaps and the pages of things happening in their lives.
If you do not know about the Star Wars universe . . . then skip this series - as it has so many time gaps with no growth of the characters. The book mentions how much they love each other, but we have no proof or 'growth' of their relationship due to the author not exploring it in the prequel and not mentioning other instances.
You would have to have watched the movies or read the movie novelizations.
Book one - A Queen's Peril, was a nice intro to the Padamè, the election and how the queen's shadows operate. Lacking in inner thoughts when she first met Anakin - iconic moment, but no . . . we received "A boy thought he saw an angel."
Book two - Queen's Shadow, was so good as we did not know how she had transitioned from Queen to Senator, and once again, there was no mention of her thoughts or feelings towards Anakin in those years . . . just a 'small' token of trying to free his mother.
I felt no depth in their relationship - their interactions were so cringe. (I will still keep this on my bookshelf due to the pretty covers.)
If you had hoped for an intriguing story about the galaxy couple . . . this is not the series you were looking for.
darthvargas's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kayblecar's review against another edition
3.0
- The Padme Trilogy: now with Anakin!
- I like how the Anakin relationship mirrors in Queen's Peril
Spoiler
Padme finding out about Sabe's relationship with Harli - The relationship-centered storytelling in this trilogy really highlights how little Padme and Anakin know each other
saltymage's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vampirebooklover13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
thepaintedbookishgirl's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
aam923's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5