Book Review: 'Star Wars: Queen's Shadow' by EK Johnston

Cover art by Tara Phillips

'Queen's Shadow' by EK Johnston follows the beginnings of the senatorial career of Padmé Amidala, as she steps down as the Queen of Naboo as her term finishes, and is persuaded by the new Queen to take up a position of senator on Coruscant in the hope of continuing to do some good. She admittedly doesn't quite get off to the best of starts, as she gets used to her new role beyond the queen's shadow. But after meeting Senator Bail Organa, and eventually Senator Mon Mothma, she starts to find her feet within the Galactic Senate. 

Queen's Shadow could also refer to Sabé, one of the handmaidens from her royal term, as played by Keira Knightley in 'The Phantom Menace'. On occasions during Padmé's Royal reign, Sabé became the Queen's shadow, posing as the Queen as a decoy. And over the course of the term, she also became one of Padmé's trusted confidantes as well as a loyal friend, and would do anything for her. The book focuses on the close, almost sisterly, relationship between the pair.

And that is the premise of the book. It's not exactly action packed, but it is full of political drama, as Padmé settles into her new role, trying to win the favour of senators, all the while standing up for what she believes is right for the Republic.

And when the book isn't focused on the political or on Sabé's supporting role, it also explores Padmé's relationship with her handmaidens and retinue of guards. The time spent with her entourage helps to flesh out Padmé's personality a lot more. We haven't had much of that previously really, the best so far has been her supporting role in Timothy Zahn's' 'Thrawn: Alliances', as the movies and other media have mostly seemed to gloss over her character. But here we get to delve into her more as a person, getting to know her ambitions, her hopes and fears, in one of the best character studies of her yet.

I really enjoyed 'Queen's Shadow'. I liked the look behind the curtain into the life of Padmé Amidala, her close relationship with her royal and senatorial retinues, and at the Galactic Senate. It's a very different Star Wars story, although does have similar vibes to Claudia Gray's 'Leia, Princess of Alderaan', and is one that is worth reading.

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