Book Review

TITLE: Queen’s Peril

AUTHOR: E.K. Johnston

PUBLISHER: Disney Lucasfilm Press

RELEASE DATE: June 2, 2020

GENRE: Science Fiction; Young Adult

BUY LINKS: Amazon | B&N

When fourteen-year-old Padmé Naberrie wins the election for Queen of Naboo, she adopts the name Amidala and leaves her family to the rule from the royal palace. To keep her safe and secure, she’ll need a group of skilled handmaidens who can be her assistants, confidantes, defenders, and decoys. Each girl is selected for her particular talents, but it will be up to Padmé to unite them as a group. When Naboo is invaded by forces of the Trade Federation, Queen Amidala and her handmaidens will face the greatest test—of themselves, and of each other. (Description from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS

(***Please note that this review may contain spoilers***)

Queen’s Peril takes place when Padme Amidala becomes Queen of Naboo and how (and why) she built her team of handmaids we see in the movie Phantom Menace. Towards the end of the book it actually overlaps with the events that took place during the movie.

The book delve into the process Naboo takes in voting for and getting a new Queen up to speed and Amidala was determined to make a difference for her people. She was only 14 years old. She was also coming into power during an uncertain time which is why the head of her security team suggested handmaids who looked very similar to her. The idea grew from there and she had a team of handmaids, each with their own skills. Each one taught Amidala and the rest of the handmaids their skills. It got to the point where several of the girls could fill in for Amidala if needed.

The climactic point in the book was when it overlaps with Phantom Menace and Naboo is being occupied by Vicroy.

What I wanted to know more about is why Naboo elected Queens when they are teenagers. I got the sense that it was a long standing tradition on their planet, but I did want to know why teenagers were elected into such high profile roles and for such short time frames (2 year terms).

I highly recommend Queen’s Peril if you’re a Star Wars fan and want to know more about Padme when she got elected as Queen of Naboo and the beginning of her reign.

OVERALL RATING

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | TWITTER

E.K. Johnston had several jobs and one vocation before she became a published writer. If she’s learned anything, it’s that things turn out weird sometimes, and there’s not a lot you can do about it. Well, that and how to muscle through awkward fanfic because it’s about a pairing she likes. (Bio from Goodreads)

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