Star Wars: Queen's Shadow

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Padmé is at the end of her reign as Queen Amidala of Naboo and the beginning of her career as a senator. She must adjust to having colleagues instead of ruling those around her and make new political connections for the good of the galaxy.

This book is very politics-heavy, as Padmé is a senator for the majority of the story. I find it hard to believe that many teens would be interested in space politics unless they are already politically inclined. She undertakes noble missions including trying to free slaves from Tatooine (inspired by Anakin's mother). These passages are more engaging than the political meetings and parties that form the majority of the novel.

The audiobook narrative is interspersed with the Star Wars musical score as well as sound effects. The sound effects add to the world-building, but the distraction of ambient noise tracks detracts from the tale. Droids have mechanical voices, not the narrator's imitation of a robot speech.

Catherine Taber, the voice of Padmé in The Clone Wars animated series, narrates the novel. Taber is an adequate narrator but lacks the engagement and vocal talent of great narrators like January LaVoy. The majority of her narrative is flat; more emotion would have better served the audiobook.

I would recommend this novel to teens or adults who are die-hard Star Wars fans and want to know what happens between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Political junkies could also enjoy this story of how a new senator makes connections. Fans who are looking for an action-packed Star Wars novel filled with blaster and lightsaber fights should look elsewhere.

E. K. Johnston is a Canadian author who primarily writes YA fantasy and science fiction.

Series: Queen's Peril, #2 (see note below)

Publisher: Listening Library (audio), Disney Lucasfilm Press (print)

Narrator: Catherine Taber

Running Time: 8 hours, 24 minutes

Release Date: March 5, 2019

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Note: While not an official series, this book follows the events of Johnston's Queen's Peril. It was published before Queen's Peril, but chronologically would be read second.

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