jarichan's review against another edition
3.0
Nachdem ich bezüglich der Star Wars-Bücher in letzter Zeit wirklich sehr verwöhnt worden bin, war es klar, dass es irgendwann auch mal wieder etwas lauer werden würde.
Das war bei diesem Titel hier der Fall. Zwar gefällt mir die zugrundeliegende Handlung und auch die Figuren sind eigentlich interessant, aber die Ausführung war für mich einfach qualitativ nicht zufriedenstellend.
Auch wenn Johnston versucht, Tiefe in Plot und Charaktere zu bringen, so funktioniert dies nur teilweise. Meistens geht es eher darum, wer was wieso anzieht. In diesem Falle teilweise berechtigt, aber für mich einfach nicht auf der Höhe, die ich unterdessen gewohnt bin.
Dennoch fügt das Buch dem Star Wars-Universum ein paar weitere Puzzleteilchen hinzu und es ist auch immer wieder spannend, einen Blick hinter die Kulissen einer der Filmen verschlossenen Welt werfen zu dürfen.
Somit keine riesige Enttäuschung, aber definitiv kein Highlight.
Das war bei diesem Titel hier der Fall. Zwar gefällt mir die zugrundeliegende Handlung und auch die Figuren sind eigentlich interessant, aber die Ausführung war für mich einfach qualitativ nicht zufriedenstellend.
Auch wenn Johnston versucht, Tiefe in Plot und Charaktere zu bringen, so funktioniert dies nur teilweise. Meistens geht es eher darum, wer was wieso anzieht. In diesem Falle teilweise berechtigt, aber für mich einfach nicht auf der Höhe, die ich unterdessen gewohnt bin.
Dennoch fügt das Buch dem Star Wars-Universum ein paar weitere Puzzleteilchen hinzu und es ist auch immer wieder spannend, einen Blick hinter die Kulissen einer der Filmen verschlossenen Welt werfen zu dürfen.
Somit keine riesige Enttäuschung, aber definitiv kein Highlight.
annarose8's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was an excellent end to a great series. Padme deserved so much better, but so did Sabe😭😭😭
jdalton's review against another edition
5.0
A big thanks to Disney Lucasfilm Press and Netgalley for a review copy of this book.
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.
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.
lekhoury's review against another edition
2.0
As a huge fan of Queen's Shadow and Queen's Peril, I was THRILLED to have the chance to read an ARC of Queen's Hope. E.K. Johnston did an incredible job fleshing out Naboo culture and tradition and breathing life into the Queen's handmaidens in the first two books. I was so excited to see how the full decoy switch would work in the Senate.
Unfortunately, where the first two books had the advantage of peaking behind the scenes into large moments of Padme's life that weren't already depicted, Queen's Hope struggles to bring find space between the events of Episode II and The Clone Wars series where we see Padme take on countless risky solo missions on behalf of the Senate. At the end of the day, Queen's Hope seemed to struggle to bring anything new to Padme's story. The storyline with Sabe was definitely interesting, but I had hoped to see something new in Padme's life.
To fill the space between Padme and Sabe's narratives, Johnston makes the risky move of jumping into the minds of various key characters from the greater Star Wars universe. Imagine a Star Wars greatest hits playlist that jumps from Anakin Skywalker, to Bail Organa, to Yoda, to Darth Sidious himself still playing the role of Chancellor Palpetine. This for me, was a risky move, as these are beloved familiar characters with their own unique complex motives and background that include distinct speech and thought patterns. In the earlier books, Johnston seemed to take immense care in distinguishing between the narratives of Padme and each of her handmaidens, so I had hoped other characters would receive the same treatment. Unfortunately though, these moments from outside perspectives really disappointed and fell flat for me. One example, Yoda and Jar Jar have incredibly iconic and distinct speech patterns but seem to tire of them mid-way through the page and begin speaking as the other characters do. *Note: I did read an ARC, and do not know to what extent dialogue may have been changed before final publication.*
I acknowledge that this novel is geared towards a young adult audience, but the characters are adults, and part of a beloved science fiction pantheon. They should speak like adults. Some of the phrasing and dialogue seemed incredibly juvenile and immature for the key players in an intergalactic war. Maybe its just me and I should read Star Wars books aimed at older audiences, but this doesn't seem to be a problem in the other YA Star Wars books coming out.
All in all, I will read every Padme Amidala adventure that Disney cares to create, but Queen's Hope seemed rushed and careless. I DNF'ed it pretty close to the end. Queen's Shadow remains my favorite of the series and I will probably never tire of re-reading it.
Thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide and E.K.Johnston for the Netgalley e-ARC.
Unfortunately, where the first two books had the advantage of peaking behind the scenes into large moments of Padme's life that weren't already depicted, Queen's Hope struggles to bring find space between the events of Episode II and The Clone Wars series where we see Padme take on countless risky solo missions on behalf of the Senate. At the end of the day, Queen's Hope seemed to struggle to bring anything new to Padme's story. The storyline with Sabe was definitely interesting, but I had hoped to see something new in Padme's life.
To fill the space between Padme and Sabe's narratives, Johnston makes the risky move of jumping into the minds of various key characters from the greater Star Wars universe. Imagine a Star Wars greatest hits playlist that jumps from Anakin Skywalker, to Bail Organa, to Yoda, to Darth Sidious himself still playing the role of Chancellor Palpetine. This for me, was a risky move, as these are beloved familiar characters with their own unique complex motives and background that include distinct speech and thought patterns. In the earlier books, Johnston seemed to take immense care in distinguishing between the narratives of Padme and each of her handmaidens, so I had hoped other characters would receive the same treatment. Unfortunately though, these moments from outside perspectives really disappointed and fell flat for me. One example, Yoda and Jar Jar have incredibly iconic and distinct speech patterns but seem to tire of them mid-way through the page and begin speaking as the other characters do. *Note: I did read an ARC, and do not know to what extent dialogue may have been changed before final publication.*
I acknowledge that this novel is geared towards a young adult audience, but the characters are adults, and part of a beloved science fiction pantheon. They should speak like adults. Some of the phrasing and dialogue seemed incredibly juvenile and immature for the key players in an intergalactic war. Maybe its just me and I should read Star Wars books aimed at older audiences, but this doesn't seem to be a problem in the other YA Star Wars books coming out.
All in all, I will read every Padme Amidala adventure that Disney cares to create, but Queen's Hope seemed rushed and careless. I DNF'ed it pretty close to the end. Queen's Shadow remains my favorite of the series and I will probably never tire of re-reading it.
Thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide and E.K.Johnston for the Netgalley e-ARC.
marissareuther's review against another edition
4.0
Can never go wrong with another Padmé adventure, but I do with we had more chapters from her perspective or just a longer story in general.
3.75
3.75
maivalentine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
planetbeth91's review against another edition
4.0
I love this book. I love this whole series. Johnston has managed to give Padmé an agency and a voice that was so horribly lacking in the films. This book starts with the very end of Clones and deals with the wedding and the impact of the relationship on her life and work and naturally her relationship with her former handmaidens but it's not the driving force of the story which remains Padmé's compassion, determination and dedication to a better galaxy.
I'm going to miss this series.
I'm going to miss this series.
slaylerchibimoon's review against another edition
2.0
I will always wish to learn more about Naboo and the Handmaidens. There was very little of that in here this book and not much filling in of info we didnt already know otherwise.
Good LGBTQIA+ rep compared to other Star Wars media.
Good LGBTQIA+ rep compared to other Star Wars media.
reneddy's review against another edition
3.0
this trilogy brought so much nuance to Padmé's character and I really appreciate them.