Fifteen months ago, I wrote a review of Queen’s Shadow in which I expressed a hope that we might get both a prequel and sequel to that book. Mission (halfway) accomplished because Queen’s Peril by E.K. Johnston was published today and it is indeed a prequel to the 2019 novel, covering the time in Padmé’s life from when she was first elected queen through dealing with the Trade Federation’s invasion. (If I close my eyes and wish real hard again, will I also be able to will a sequel into existence too? This is the trilogy we deserve, dang it!) It is precisely the book you think it is and that is a very good thing.
As one might expect, Queen’s Peril begins with a surprisingly key event in the Star Wars universe: the election of Queen Amidala. It’s the story of a young woman with a heavy burden on her shoulders and the five young women who serve as her handmaidens and the strength of the bond that forms between all of them. It’s the story of an invasion and a battle none of them thought they’d ever have to fight. It’s also the story of a very tired guard captain who did not realize what he was signing up for. (Although some of it is his own fault. I mean, honestly Panaka! What did you expect?)
It’s hard to be objective about a book when you’re very much the target audience but sometimes, maybe objectivity doesn’t matter. Sometimes, it’s okay for a fandom like Star Wars to cater to you and the countless other woman who grew up with the Prequel Trilogy and who loved Padmé Amidala and her handmaidens with their entire hearts. I feel very catered to and I’m going to be happy about it.
More often than not, teenagers in Star Wars don’t get to be teenagers often because there is either a war going on or because they have massive responsibilities or both. The magical thing about Queen’s Peril is its ability to let these teenage girls have moments where it’s clear that they are still teenagers while still balancing how they are very much not normal teenagers. This all makes Padmé, Sabé, Rabé, Eiraté, Saché, and Yané feel so darn real that it hurts in the best way. Give me more Star Wars books where we get to see them do things like go to concerts or handle crushes or deal with their periods. (Is that last one going to irritate some fans? Absolutely. Do I care? Not even a little.)
The other excellent thing about this book is how damn smart these girls are. I’ve often said that the main lesson of Star Wars is that you should never underestimate a teenager girl and that’s very much in play here. Naboo obviously has a different approach to education and such than our world does but Panaka recruited all five of the handmaidens because of how exceptional they are in their own ways. This is a group of girls who look at a situation and immediately start working out a way to make it better. They figure out a way to turn the royal wardrobe into something both more functional and protective and also into something that can be used as a form of misdirection. Everything they do they do because they care about their planet, about their queen, and about each other and there’s something beautiful about that.
Of course, the book isn’t all sunshine and happiness. There is, after all, a war that breaks out in the middle of all this. You may have heard of it… the Battle of Naboo? For those who have read Queen’s Shadow, the start of the invasion will likely bring a feeling of dread as you realize what event is going to happen and Johnston does not pull her punches there. Expect to quite possibly shed a few tears. (I know that I did.)
If you want a book with more Padmé and more of her handmaidens, I feel fairly confident in saying you’ll dig this book. I know I did. This is a book that was worth waiting 21 years for and it has my whole entire heart. And just remember: don’t mess with teenage girls who are both smarter than you and willing to do just about anything for each other. It never ends well.
Thank you to Disney Lucasfilm press for providing an advance copy of the book for review purposes.
