Star Wars has become known for its underrated characters. The mother of Luke and Leia, Padmé Amidala was one of them. She appeared in three live-action films as a major player before she was reverted to reoccurring during The Clone Wars and associated media. Now, she’s receiving the recognition she deserves with a novel about her life after her time as Queen.
It’s a good year to read or listen to Star Wars novels. 2019 brings about two books that will expand on the back stories of Padmé, Obi-Wan, and Qui-Gon. However, it’s the mother of Luke and Leia we’re talking about today.
You might not know her name or her face, but you might recognize her voice. Catherine Taber provided the voice of Padmé during the duration of The Clone Wars. She’s returning to Star Wars as the narrator of E.K. Johnston’s new novel, Queen’s Shadow. The story will revolve the former queen as she navigates life outside of her queenship.
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For anyone who hasn’t caught up with the latest Star Wars book news, here’s a quick recap. It was announced in mid-2018 at San Diego Comic-Con that the author of Ahsoka, E.K. Johnston would pen a novel to flesh out Padmé’s life after The Phantom Menace, but before Attack of the Clones.
Suggestions for other characters in the novel that may appear include her entire family. The relatives are unrelated to Padmé in canon, but they share her last name. If this novel re-canonizes them, we could get a few scenes were they disapprove their beloved daughter, sister, and aunt’s career change. They probably thought being Queen was a walk in the park.
The summary on the Penguin Random House website reads:
"Written by the #1 New York Times best-selling author of Star Wars Ahsoka!When Padmé Naberrie, “Queen Amidala” of Naboo, steps down from her position, she is asked by the newly-elected queen to become Naboo’s representative in the Galactic Senate. Padmé is unsure about taking on the new role, but cannot turn down the request to serve her people. Together with her most loyal handmaidens, Padmé must figure out how to navigate the treacherous waters of politics and forge a new identity beyond the queen’s shadow."
This is going to be a great book and we cannot wait to get our hands on the audiobook, eBook, and the hardcover edition when it launches March 5, 2019. We also cannot wait to hear Cat’s voice bring Padmé to live once again.
What do you think about this news? Be sure to tell us below!