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jenny_librarian's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Listen, I love Padmé. She’s one of my favourite Star Wars characters. A book about her should be my jam… this wasn’t. It wasn’t all bad, but it did not hold what I thought it would.
The story itself is a little boring. I read Queen’s Peril first, since it comes before in chronological order, and it had a lot more action going on. Even as a queen, there was stuff happening. I don’t mind a political book, but even the political stuff in this was swept under the rug to make room for paragraphs of outfit and hairdo details. Where is the characterization and budding friendship Padmé struck with senators Organa and Mon Mothma? How did Mina Bonterri go from friendly to downright cold to a Separatist whom Padmé was still in good terms with? Who wants to kill Padmé? It had so much potential, and it doesn’t answer any question about Star Wars as a whole.
The characterization of Padmé is fine, but she doesn’t sound like the woman who fell in love with Anakin. I don’t care if the author isn’t an Anidala fan. Padmé Amidala Naberrie was in love with Anakin Skywalker, and their respective characters need to reflect what we know of them in canon. There are multiple instances in this book where Padmé’s characterization is directly in conflict with what we see afterward in the movies and in Clone Wars, including the fact that she not once even mention his name. Qui-Gon is named multiple time, but neither Obi-Wan nor Anakin even appear in her thoughts when she thinks of the Naboo invasion. It just doesn’t make sense, and it makes me believe the author tried to retcon Padmé to fill this headcanon QPR with Sabé at the risk of contradicting the actual canon.
Talking about Sabé, she’s the only handmaiden with a “voice”. All the others chirp in here and there (and those who appear in Queen’s Peril are better developed then), but none is as fully realized as Sabé. And I firmly believe this is because the author wants a damn romance between her and Padmé so much. Saché and Yané live together and seem to be in some kind of romantic relationship, but we hear nothing of them except for a brief mention at the beginning and midway through. Sabé, though, has entire chapters dedicated to her when… nothing really happens?! Like she helps slaves escape Tatooine in the beginning and… that’s it? The rest is just this kind of weird love triangle developing with Tonra. And while it could have been interesting, it didn’t pull me in at all.
I am quite disappointed in the lack of contribution to the greater Star Wars canon this book provides. I hate that I’m still going to read the last book because I’m starved for Anidala stuff and would read anything that explores the little time they had together, even if it leaves me wanting.
The story itself is a little boring. I read Queen’s Peril first, since it comes before in chronological order, and it had a lot more action going on. Even as a queen, there was stuff happening. I don’t mind a political book, but even the political stuff in this was swept under the rug to make room for paragraphs of outfit and hairdo details. Where is the characterization and budding friendship Padmé struck with senators Organa and Mon Mothma? How did Mina Bonterri go from friendly to downright cold to a Separatist whom Padmé was still in good terms with? Who wants to kill Padmé? It had so much potential, and it doesn’t answer any question about Star Wars as a whole.
The characterization of Padmé is fine, but she doesn’t sound like the woman who fell in love with Anakin. I don’t care if the author isn’t an Anidala fan. Padmé Amidala Naberrie was in love with Anakin Skywalker, and their respective characters need to reflect what we know of them in canon. There are multiple instances in this book where Padmé’s characterization is directly in conflict with what we see afterward in the movies and in Clone Wars, including the fact that she not once even mention his name. Qui-Gon is named multiple time, but neither Obi-Wan nor Anakin even appear in her thoughts when she thinks of the Naboo invasion. It just doesn’t make sense, and it makes me believe the author tried to retcon Padmé to fill this headcanon QPR with Sabé at the risk of contradicting the actual canon.
Talking about Sabé, she’s the only handmaiden with a “voice”. All the others chirp in here and there (and those who appear in Queen’s Peril are better developed then), but none is as fully realized as Sabé. And I firmly believe this is because the author wants a damn romance between her and Padmé so much. Saché and Yané live together and seem to be in some kind of romantic relationship, but we hear nothing of them except for a brief mention at the beginning and midway through. Sabé, though, has entire chapters dedicated to her when… nothing really happens?! Like she helps slaves escape Tatooine in the beginning and… that’s it? The rest is just this kind of weird love triangle developing with Tonra. And while it could have been interesting, it didn’t pull me in at all.
I am quite disappointed in the lack of contribution to the greater Star Wars canon this book provides. I hate that I’m still going to read the last book because I’m starved for Anidala stuff and would read anything that explores the little time they had together, even if it leaves me wanting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Classism
Minor: Slavery, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and War
purplesaturday's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Gun violence, Slavery, Sexual harassment, and War
Minor: Torture and Death of parent
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
I enjoy the Star Wars novels but I have to be in the right headspace for them. This one follows Padme Amadala during her tenure as a Senator. It was quick and engaging, but a little YA-ish for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Slavery and Sexual harassment
Minor: Torture, Death of parent, and Murder
saurahsaurus's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Hands down, one of my favorite Star Wars books thus far. I liked Queen’s Peril alright, but this was so far above. I live to see Padmé in her element, doing what she excels at: using her eloquence, diplomacy, charm, and intellect to be an effective Senator and to help those who need it. Seeing her relationships with her handmaidens and the rest of her inner circle was a wonderful insight that we didn’t really get in the Prequels. And I loved that all of it occurs without Anakin lol. It really shows just how much Padmé did not need that boy, even if she did love him.
Not really a plot point, but I loved all the details about her wardrobe and how much detail went into her appearance and voice, as part of her public persona.
Not really a plot point, but I loved all the details about her wardrobe and how much detail went into her appearance and voice, as part of her public persona.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Death of parent
Minor and major spoiler ahead. Overall, the tagged content warnings are very brief in the book and not a major or even moderate plot point. Please be aware that the tagged content warnings are discussed in the spoiler tag ahead. Proceed with caution.