Queen's Shadow is a young-adult novel within the canon of the Star Wars universe, penned by E. K. Johnston. Disney–Lucasfilm Press released it to the public on March 5, 2019. Taking place four years following the events depicted in Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, Queen's Shadow primarily follows Padmé Amidala as she transitions from her role as queen into that of a senator.
Her time as monarch concludes, but a new chapter begins....
After stepping down as Queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala anticipates a quieter life, leaving behind her royal title and the constant public eye. However, to her astonishment, the newly appointed queen requests that Padmé remain in service to their people, this time as a representative in the Galactic Senate. Despite her reservations about this new role, Padmé feels obligated to accept, especially knowing that her trusted friend and former decoy, Sabé, can effectively allow her to be in two places simultaneously. Thus, as Padmé delves into the world of politics, Sabé embarks on a mission close to Padmé's heart.
Upon arriving on Coruscant, the gleaming capital planet, Padmé finds herself the subject of curiosity and suspicion among her Senate colleagues, who question her involvement in the removal of the previous chancellor. Meanwhile, Sabé, disguised as a merchant on Tatooine, discovers that her resources are more limited and her options fewer than she initially anticipated.
Together with Padmé's dedicated handmaidens, Padmé and Sabé must navigate the treacherous political landscape, adapt to ever-changing circumstances, and establish new identities beyond the shadow of the queen.
On the day when the election to choose Padmé Amidala's replacement as queen is held, the current queen and her handmaidens, together with their security detail, are secluded at Varykino, as per tradition. The relationship between Padmé and Captain Quarsh Panaka has been tense for a while due to differing opinions on the installation of the ion pulse for planetary defense, and she believes his upcoming departure from the Royal Naboo Security Forces will be beneficial for him. The unexpected arrival of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who has returned to vote in the election, causes the handmaidens to rush to make Padmé presentable using the limited resources available. Following Palpatine's departure, Rabé, who is skilled at reading lips and body language, informs Padmé that he seemed concerned about something, though she couldn't determine what it was. Padmé expresses her desire to liberate the slaves on Tatooine, and Sabé pledges her unwavering support.
When Sergeant Tonra arrives with the election results, it is revealed that Saché's campaign for a position in the legislative assembly has been successful. The new queen is Réillata, a former queen who initially chose to step down after serving one term, before announcing her intention to run again this year. Padmé personally would have preferred that Jamillia had won. The handmaidens discuss their future plans: Rabé will be attending the most prestigious music academy in Theed, Yané wishes to care for children and orphans, and Eirtaé has successfully arranged to study in Otoh Gunga.
The Day of Ascendancy arrives, and Réillata is crowned Queen of Naboo for the second time. At the first government meeting following the coronation, the new Queen surprises Padmé by making an unexpected request: Senator Oshadam plans to resign from the Galactic Senate, and Réillata believes that Padmé would be the ideal replacement. Padmé asks for time to consider the offer, and after discussing it with her handmaidens that evening, she decides to accept. Sabé volunteers to go to Tatooine, fulfilling Padmé's original plan. In a discussion with the newly promoted Captain Mariek Panaka, she offers to protect Padmé along with her nephew, Sergeant Gregar Typho. Tonra, also now a captain, will assist Sabé. It is also determined that Padmé will require new handmaidens. Mariek suggests her niece Versaat, Rabé recommends a girl named Cordyn who could serve as a body double, and Typho suggests a former classmate named Dorra. Padmé's final task of the evening is to call her parents, Ruwee and Jobal, who offer their support and guidance for her new role.
By the time Senator Amidala completes her mandatory six-week Senate orientation, she has had enough. Padmé, known for her quick learning abilities, feels frustrated by the slow pace and cumbersome traditions, which she vents on the Senate-provided protocol droid, NON-3. However, the orientation period has allowed her to become acquainted with her new handmaidens, now Cordé, Dormé, and Versé. When NON-3 attempts to take Padmé on a scheduled private tour of the Senate Building's lower levels, it raises concerns among the Senator and her staff, who decide to use the opportunity to test Cordé's impersonation skills. The droid leads Padmé and the disguised Cordé to a section of the building that, as Alderaanian Senator Bail Organa informs "Amidala" upon his unexpected arrival, is slated for demolition. After returning home, Padmé and her inner circle speculate about who orchestrated the assassination attempt and why Organa was present.
By the next morning, Padmé's incident with NON-3 is covered in several holonews articles, portraying Padmé as inexperienced and incompetent. Versé is conducting a text analysis of the articles to identify a common author but is unsuccessful. As NON-3 has not yet been returned to her, she has to make her own way from her office to the Naboo pod.
Padmé's first general senate session commences with the representative from Ithor discussing the distribution of hyperspace lane mapping, followed by the Trade Federation delegate and a human male from the Urce sector, both of whom oppose sharing the maps, each claiming ownership of the rights. After five minutes of arguing, Palpatine calls for a vote. The route through the Lesser Plooriod Cluster was primarily mapped by the Trade Federation, but the Ithorians had done most of the work, and the Urce sector only had a claim to the portion of the trade route within their own space. Combined with the Trade Federation's claim, they could potentially corner the Ithorians, a situation Padmé could relate to.
Padmé has only a few minutes to decide and sides with the Ithorians. However, the motion fails, and they proceed to the next topic with the red-haired human woman from Chandrila beginning to speak. Padmé doesn't have time to dwell on the failed vote as she has to move onto the next one. For what seems like hours several motions were raised and passed to various committees or were voted on and several bills that Padmé thought were sound failed and even more were bounced back to the bargaining table before the chime sounds again and and Palpatine calls an end to deliberations.
After Padmé is approached by Senator Rush Clovis, who Padmé recognises as one of the other eight senators in the orientation group, who tells her about a reception being hosted by Palpatine for the new senators and some guests. The other senators were informed via their NONs.
The two walk togther to Palpatine's office. Padmé talks with Palpatine who introduces her to other senators which makes her feel like she was being shown at the annual midsummer livestock fair in Theed. Padmé is then introduced to Senator Mina Bonteri who reassures her she did well in the senate and tells her that she needs to make allies and that the newsnets were after Padmé because she's an easy story which she can combat by doing her job and by trying not to give them anything to sensationalize. Padmé briefly speaks with Organa and the senator from Targappia.
Upon returning to the senatorial residence Padmé discusses the editorials from TriNebulon News and her new role as senator with her staff.
The novel establishes that the Monarch of Naboo is limited to two terms, each lasting two years. However, the 2016 reference book Star Wars: Complete Locations previously indicated that King Ars Veruna of Naboo ruled for thirteen years.
There is one instance where Gregar Typho's first name is incorrectly spelled as "Gregor." Additionally, when Padmé discusses with Sabé on Alderaan about the life she might have had if she hadn't become a handmaiden, the musical instrument hallikset is misspelled as "halliket."
The novel claims there is a stain glass window in the Theed Palace showing the handmaidens holding a canopy which isn't mentioned in any other materials however there is a painting matching this description shown in Star Wars Battlefront II meaning Johnston may have misidentified the piece of art.
The novel depicts Padmé Amidala's relationships with Senators Rush Clovis and Mina Bonteri in a manner which contradicts the information given by Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where the two characters originated. In particular, the depictions in the novel are far more adversarial than what was mentioned in the show:
Clovis was introduced in "Senate Spy" a close friend of Amidala, with their friendship being public knowledge to the degree that it is the reason the Jedi High Council asks her to spy on him when he is suspected of being a Separatist. In the novel, Amidala does not have a relationship with Clovis, instead completely breaking off their friendship after the events on Bromlarch after he pushes himself onto her and forcefully kisses her.
Bonteri, introduced in "Heroes on Both Sides," was a former mentor of Amidala's, with the two depicted as missing each other greatly and respecting each other's counsel. Although the television series implied that Amidala knew Bonteri prior to becoming a Senator, as she states that Bonteri was her mentor while she was growing up on Naboo, the novel depicts them as first meeting afterwards. Amidala is initially friendly with Bonteri, but the Onderonian Senator becomes frostier to her after Amidala begins to ally herself with Mon Mothma and Bail Organa, who believe more strongly in the Republic than she does. "Heroes on Both Sides" also depicts Bonteri as unwittingly admiring of Separatist leader Count Dooku, to the degree of being apparently totally unaware of his true nature as a Sith Lord and like many members of the Separatist Parliament was directly stated by Amidala to be more than Dooku's pawns. Conversely, in the novel Amidala catches Bonteri speaking with a man who is implied to be Dooku on two occasions, whom she is outright fearful of and acts intimidated by.
Amidala and Clovis' proposal to save Bromlarch's planetary aqueduct system was first mentioned in the Clone Wars episode "The Rise of Clovis."
- ISBN 9781368024259 ; March 5 , 2019 ; Disney–Lucasfilm Press ; US hardcover [1]
- ISBN 9781368025638 ; March 5, 2019; Disney–Lucasfilm Press; US eBook [2]
- ISBN 9781405293389 ; May 2 , 2019; Egmont UK Ltd ; UK paperback [3]