It's strange how your enjoyment can flip-flop all over. Last year was a big Horus Heresy/ Sci-fi Year for me, which then switched to Conan's sword and Sorcery and is now in a Star Wars Space Opera phase. This popped up in my recommendation, and I decided to try it. In classic Me style, I didn't check if it was part of a series. I would later discover it is. But I got lucky that this is a self-contained piece.
Title: Star Wars: The Padmé Trilogy #2 - Queen's Peril
Author: E.K. Johnston
Blurb: 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.
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Review
This listen surprised me; I learnt things I hadn't realized during The Phantom Menace movie or via the Clone Wars Cartoon. Like Padme was only 14/15 in the movie. How can a kid that young fight in a battle for her world? It gave me more respect for the character, which is also a great eye-opener.
As mentioned, this audiobook added depth to a film and characters that I maybe didn't give a chance to when I first saw the film. It gave them more depth and actually engaged me more than it ever had. We learn the names of the handmaidens, and we also learn the roles they play and how they are each unique and talented, brave, strong and flawed.
This is my first E.K. Johnston title, and I was surprised by how character-driven the plot is, with it swapping between the Queen and Maidens and a Young Obi-wan. Though as you listen to it, you can't help but feel you are watching a crash unfold before you as we all know what will become of this era. But it is a warming tale of adventure. I need to get the rest of the series now.
For a Young Adult piece, it is perfect, it introduces the characters well and builds off their movie counterparts, with wonderful narration and sound effects throughout. It is full of hope, fate, and a belief that goodness and love will always win. It is classic Star Wars, and for a surface fan of the lore, it was a pleasure to listen to.
Highly recommend it.
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