Review: Star Wars- Queen’s Peril
Quick Summary
Pros: The entire book provides a lot of information about Padmé Amidala and the people around her. The character development is written well. The main storyline is exciting and engaging. The work, as a whole, is a solid complement to The Phantom Menace.
Cons: Some portions of the book read a little slow.
Overall: This book is enjoyable on its own while also building up the world and characters of Star Wars. It delivers a great amount of information, contains solid character development, tells an engaging story, and expands upon the Star Wars films. This book is perfect for anyone interested in Padmé Amidala and will also appeal to readers simply interested in learning more about the events of The Phantom Menace.
Story
Star Wars: Queen’s Peril, by E. K. Johnston, is a great book on its own and a meaningful improvement over its predecessor, Queen’s Shadow (Review). Queen’s Shadow was fascinating when it came to providing information about Queen Amidala but disappointed when it came to providing any excitement. This prequel improves upon this formula significantly. It still contains fascinating information and well-executed character development but manages to combine this with a thrilling narrative. Plus, the entire book is a great tie-in to the events of Episode I- The Phantom Menace.
The biggest draw in Queen’s Peril is still the way in which it expands upon our knowledge of Queen Amidala. The story here witnesses her rise to power and then depicts previously unknown elements regarding her role in The Phantom Menace. This explains a lot about both the Queen and the people she surrounds herself with, specifically her handmaidens. In some places, this information delivery is a little slow but, for the most part, it is enjoyable and executed well.
However, Queen’s Peril also simply contains an entertaining story. This book starts with the inherited problems Padmé faces as a new queen, expands into personal problems between the main characters, ramps up tension between Naboo and the Trade Federation, and, ultimately, concludes with the climactic events of The Phantom Menace. It always feels like there is something going on, whether it is low-stakes drama or a planet-wide threat, and either way it is approached in a way that is exciting.
In addition to all of this, Queen’s Peril contains some great tie-ins to The Phantom Menace film. Readers get to actually learn more about the backstory surrounding the Trade Federation’s blockade of Naboo, specifically, Darth Sidious’s role in the affair. Readers also get to learn more about the significant role that the Naboo Royal Court had in everything, since the movies focus primarily on the Jedi.
Continuity
Star Wars: Queen’s Peril takes place before and concurrently with the events of Episode I- The Phantom Menace. However, the book’s epilogue takes place alongside the conclusion of Episode IV- A New Hope.
This is a prequel to Queen’s Shadow (Review) and, thus, the storyline continues in that book.