Queen's Peril (Star Wars)

by E. K. Johnston

Overview

A prequel to the New York Times best-selling novel Queen's Shadow, further exploring the life of the iconic Padmé Amidala!


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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781368057141
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	06/02/2020
Series:	Star Wars
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	138,617
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

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.

You can follow Kate on Twitter (@ek_johnston) to learn more about Alderaanian political theory than you really need to know, on Tumblr (ekjohnston) if you’re just here for the pretty pictures, or online at ekjohnston.ca.

Editorial Reviews

"Johnston has become a unique and inspiring voice in the stories of Star Wars. Her books dive deep into the psyches of their main characters to develop not just their motivations for fighting in their respective wars, but their internal struggles, doubts, and desires as well.”—Dork Side of the Force

"Solid and intriguing. . . . this look into Padmé’s ascent both honors its source material and colors in its scope. Johnston builds Padmé into an icon worthy of her reputation while underscoring her strong camaraderie with the handmaidens.”—Kirkus Reviews

PRAISE FOR AHSOKA

"Ahsoka is a character exploration with sides of action, politics, and drama with an emotional center that gives me a greater appreciation for Ahsoka's role in the galaxy."—Nerdist

PRAISE FOR AHSOKA

"A great treat for young—and not so young—Star Wars fans that provides a thrilling backstory for a compelling character."—Kirkus

PRAISE FOR AHSOKA

"Full of action, emotion, and yes, plenty of answers, Ahsoka is a must-read for any Star Wars fan."
—TV Source

PRAISE FOR QUEEN'S SHADOW

"It’s not hyperbole to say that when Queen’s Shadow was announced last year at San Diego Comic-Con, there was not only excessive happiness, but an almost frenzied collective exhale. This novel by E.K. Johnston is long overdue and with the expectations of a whole generation of Star Wars fans weighing on her, she delivers with a deeply moving and thoughtful look at this important character and her loyal Handmaidens."—The Force.net

PRAISE FOR QUEEN'S SHADOW

"[Padmé is] a fascinating character worthy of much more attention—not just to see those details come to life, but watch her courtly arc from defiant yet reserved Queen to shrewd, adventurous politician truly shine. Hopefully, Queen’s Shadow is just the beginning, even if it’s taken us 20 years to get there."—iO9

PRAISE FOR QUEEN'S SHADOW

"Johnston’s observation of Padmé is so pitch-perfect that she could herself have been a handmaiden. Consequently, both Padmé and Sabé emerge from under the Queen’s shadow with real heart, and they wear their fallibility and sense of public duty on their heavily embroidered sleeves."—The Mary Sue

“Throughout Ahsoka and Queen’s Shadow before this, E.K. Johnston has shared with us her ability to craft characters that feel much more like old friends than fictional protagonists. . . . With Queen’s Peril, Johnston has reached a whole new level.”—Youtini

From the Publisher

08/14/2020

Gr 6–10—This prequel to Johnston's Queen's Shadow chronicles Padmé Naberrie's first year as Queen Amidala of Naboo, including the events from Star Wars 1: The Phantom Menace. Padmé is just 14 when she is elected to the highest position in Naboo's government. Quarsh Panaka, the brown-skinned head of her security team, recruits five young handmaidens who are all near doppelgängers of the fair-skinned Queen. They are also prodigies that come with an array of artistic achievements and skills, and they master the art of working as a team to act as the Queen's decoys—an art that comes in handy after the planet is invaded by the ruthless Trade Federation. The story starts out promisingly, with an in-depth exploration of Naboo culture and politics, and a strong focus on the development of Padmé's close relationship with her loyal handmaidens. However, the story quickly spirals into a rushed recap of the film, relying on readers to fill the gaps in the story. Fans of Queen's Shadow will be disappointed that much of the backstory remains undramatized. For instance, Panaka's combat training for the handmaidens is only mentioned in passing. Also, Padmé does not exchange any words with Qui-Gon Jinn, even though the Queen contemplates their interactions during his funeral at the end. However, if readers enjoyed the earlier book, they will most likely be okay with the rushed conclusion of this story. VERDICT A secondary purchase for teen collections where Star Wars books are popular.—Erica Ruscio, Ventress Memorial Lib., Marshfield, MA

School Library Journal

2020-05-02
Fourteen-year-old Padmé Naberrie becomes Naboo’s latest elected monarch, and Capt. Quarsh Panaka of the Royal Security Forces prepares for a peaceful transition of power.

Much work awaits the young leader, who hopes to guide her homeworld beyond the isolationist policy of her predecessor. But first, Padmé and Panaka must assemble the queen's handmaidens, a group of five girls who will act as advisers, guards, and decoys for the queen. Against Panaka’s wishes, Padmé tightens the bonds between herself and her handmaidens, particularly with her dearest Saché, to craft a cunning, bold group loyal to Queen Amidala, Padmé’s regal alter ego. As Queen Amidala navigates Naboo’s political sphere, she organizes a summit with neighboring planets to foster and restore alliances. Meanwhile, the villainous Darth Sidious hastens his plans to acquire more power, inciting a brutal invasion of Naboo by the Trade Federation. A prequel to the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace as well as Johnston’s Queen’s Shadow (2019), this look into Padmé’s ascent both honors its source material and colors in its scope. Johnston builds Padmé into an icon worthy of her reputation while underscoring her strong camaraderie with the handmaidens. Remarkably, readers receive a glimpse of Naboo’s politics as the narrative inevitably unfolds into the events chronicled in the film, though here there are glimpses of the more urgent struggles lurking beneath the latter’s grand heroics. There is diversity in race and sexual orientation.

Solid and intriguing. (Science fiction. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews