Audio Book 143 // Star Wars: The Queen's Peril by E.K. Johnston

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.

Buy now via Amazon (it is an affiliate link, thank you if you use it).

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.

Comic Review 197 // Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 5: Mechanical Mayhem

Need a quick read after Slaine the King last week so grabbed another Star Wars Adventure novel from the library. I know they are designed for kids, but sometimes you learn something.

Title: Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 5: Mechanical Mayhem

Author: John Barber

Art: Chad Thomas

Fluff: These ARE the droids you're looking for! Your favourite dysfunctional droid team, R2-D2 and C-3PO, bumbles through the Star Wars universe in these kid-friendly tales.

First, R2-D2 tries to stop an Imperial spy from revealing a Rebel secret. But will C-3PO help, or just get in the way? Then, in a story set in the time of the Clone Wars, Anakin and Padme are desperate to escape the endless fights, both on the battlefield and on the floor of the Senate. But when their vacation goes haywire, will Artoo and Threepio be able to set things right?

Continuing the family-friendly stories Star Wars Adventures is known for, Volume 5 collects issues #9, 12, and 13.

Review

This had a solid start and faded towards the end. The first short story follows R2D2 and C3PO, with C3PO discovering a droid acting strangely. Leading to the discovery of a spy droid. Though entirely filler, it did showcase C3PO's unique fuss-making skills.

We then dive into the main feature, which stars Anakin and Padme. Still hiding their love, they manage to sneak away on vacation under the guise of a diplomatic retreat. But soon discover an aging actress is more than she seems. A great politics-style story showcases it is not always about the Jedi regarding the dark side.

Then we hit the wall. The Wild Space Tales have been a colossal failure for me, and these continue that trend. It feels like a morals/learn a lesson tale, but I struggled to discover any real meaning with all three. Highlights from these are limited to the cameos seen within the pages, and I recommend skipping these tales altogether.

Overall it's a solid "okay" book. Skip the second half, and you are actually above average. 

As always, I appreciate the viewership. It means a lot. Thank you!

Comic Review 194 // Star Wars Adventures Volume 8 - Defend the Republic!

Back at the Star Wars Comics. I promise I will get back to Slaine, but as these are library loaners, the priority is to finish and bring them back for the next reader to enjoy. Today we dip into the Clone War Era, which I have always wanted more than the OG trilogy.

Title: Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 8: Defend the Republic!

Writing Team: Delilah S. Dawson, Cavan Scott, Nick Brokenshire

Art team: Derek Charm, Mauricet.

Fluff: Join Padmé, Yoda, Jar Jar Binks, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker in these young-reader-friendly tales set during Episodes 1-3!

Padmé Amidala joins Jar Jar Binks on a quest to recover a legendary Gungan artifact, but this one will be very messy! Then, legendary General Obi-Wan Kenobi undertakes a daring operation for the Republic Army during the Clone Wars, guest-starring Captain Rex! And Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Master Yoda embark on an urgent mission, where Anakin's rebellious nature could spell trouble for the Republic.

Collects issues #18-20 of the Star Wars Adventures series.

Buy from Amazon

Paperback, 80 pages

Review

This issue has five stories, all set in the Clone War Era. Like the other books in this set, it is aimed at a younger audience than myself, so I will keep this in mind as I review.

This is an excellent read for a comic aimed at a younger reader, but this is a bit of a miss for me. Stories are slightly too short, lack depth and, at worst pointless and straight-up goofy. We seem to have lost the "adventure" in this adventure series and are now stuck with meh.

Lucky for us, though, Cavan Scott came to the rescue with 'Roger, Roger.' Obi-Wan and Rex are befriending a damaged battle droid who now wishes to side with the Republic! Unlike the other stories, this droid is a very likeable character, and by the end, he is a standout piece of the book (though the bar is not high, sadly). The story is also assisted by the artwork, which was above the other artists' quality.

I am worried the series has turned for me, and maybe I need to give it a rest? Do you ever get burned out on a series? Is that what I face here, or has the series honestly gotten worse as it continues? Let me know if you have read these?

As always, cheers for reading.

Comic Review 191 // Star Wars Adventures Heroes of the Galaxy

Those who check in regularly would have noticed that I am on a roll with the library finds. I am trying to find and read all the Star Wars Adventures series. On my most recent trip to my local library, I discovered Volume 1. The original title that kicked off the series. SO I had to grab it. 

Title: Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 1: Heroes of the Galaxy

Author/Art: Landry Q. Walker, Cavan Scott, Elsa Charretier, Pierrick Colinet, Derek Charm, Jon Sommariva, Sean Parsons.

Fluff:

Travel to a galaxy far, far away in this collection of Star Wars comic book tales! When the junk boss Unkar Plutt is kidnapped, Rey realizes her future may be better with the devil she knows. Plus more stories with Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO, R2-D2 and the rebels vs. the Empire expand the world of Star Wars into new territory for a new generation of fans.

Get a copy and support me: Amazon.ca

Format: Paperback, 80 pages

Review

Let's get the obvious stuff out the way. Yes, this is made for a younger reader, but I don't care. I have really enjoyed the stories so far, and I get to read them to my kids and absorb them into my hobbies (insert evil mastermind laughter). The part I feel that has impressed me the most with this series is the quick short format. There are no saga adventures, no getting to know the characters as we know them already. Just straight into the story and get out before you get bored.

This is officially volume one in this series. But with the stories not really linked, you can read in any order, which is nice. We kick things off with the main piece, all about Rey. We join her before any involvement in the films on the planet of Jakku. Getting to experience what her life is like. And though having connections is hard for her, it is better to know the devil than see it replaced by a new one. A great kidnapping story and a great way to add more Unkar Plutt into my life. For me, this was the stand-out tale. The rest are very lore-filling pieces. Tied to the mythology already created for SW. For example, we have an Obi-Wan and Dex story showcasing their friendship, which we already knew about, and the Flat Mountain of Yavin was a great way to tie in their other comic series Wild Space, but for me, these were filler and not the main reason to read this.

The art was great and stylish. It made for a joyful read, and most importantly, the kids loved it. Highly recommend it, especially if you have little ones learning to love the setting.

As always cheers for reading and use that link to support the blog.

Comic Review 188 // Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 3: Endangered

Hey! Welcome back for another installment of Library Comic finds. I am having fun digging around my local libraries and finding new and fun comics to read. I continue the Star Wars fun this week with this Star Wars Adventures title.

Title: Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 3: Endangered.

Author: Delilah S. Dawson, Sholly Fisch & Otis Frampton.

Illustrator: Derek Charm & Sean Galloway.

Fluff: From the days when Imperial power was at its peak to the time of the First Order and the Last Jedi, the all-ages adventures continue!

Rose Tico--breakout character from The Last Jedi, and typically a behind-the-scenes operator--takes center stage in the fight against the First Order! Young Anakin Skywalker competes in a podrace unlike any he's seen before! And Ezra Bridger, Hera Syndulla, and the rest of the Ghost crew must retrieve a sacred bird from the Empire's clutches, but space pirate Hondo Ohnaka might get it first!

A rotating crew of characters and creators reveal these and more untold tales from the Star Wars galaxy, in stories appropriate for all ages, from Padawans to Jedi Masters.

Collects Star Wars Adventures issues #6-8.

Want a copy? Amazon link

Format: Paperback, 80 pages

Other: Published June 19th, 2018 by IDW Publishing

Review

Straight up, I am not the target demographic, but this can't stop me from enjoying a fun little read. The prominent two short tales were surprisingly good. Some did just feel like filler pieces. For example, the "Tales from Wild Space" sits in the filler category, with most of the tales having a moral behind them. Especially the story that didn't even match the scenario in question seems a weird thing to do.

The opening tale "Rose Knows" was fascinating as it has Rose meaning Poe for the first time, and she ultimately saves his life. This was a lovely original tale of how being different or seeing things differently is a positive thing and that you should ignore the noise and follow your own path.

Following this up comes "Endangered." This was a great story, mainly due to starting the Rebels cast (a series I really enjoyed). It seems to be set in the tail end of the series and has the team following an Ezra and Hondo plan to save a score of endangered animals. This felt like a Rebel episode and was great fun to read.

Then we hit the Wild Space stories, which in all I could do without. We get an early Anakin story about doing what is best for the community, followed by a Nien Nunb and Shriv tale, where they should have looked before leaping (this was the best of the three) and a Jawa falling in love with a Droid and learning to let go.

Overall an okay read. If it had dropped the Wild Space in favour of a third proper story, this would have been stronger. Have you read any in this series? Let me know in the comments, and thanks for hanging out with me!