Sci-Fi Mini Reviews: Queen's Peril & Sword and Pen

Padme Naberrie is newly elected as the queen of Naboo. She leaves her family behind and travels to the palace to begin her reign. But she will not be alone--she will live alongside a group of talented young women who will protect, advise, and assist her. When Naboo is invaded by the Trade Federation, the Queen and her handmaidens will have to work together like never before to survive the invasion and restore freedom to their planet.

Many of us watched The Phantom Menace and wished for more time with the brilliant, beautifully dressed, Queen Amidala of Naboo without interference from a certain whiny boy Jedi. E.K. Johnston has given us that chance with her fantastic trilogy (the third book will be out in April 2022). In Queen's Peril, Johnston expands what we saw in that first movie and shows readers that the greatest relationship in Padme's life was the bond between the queen and the handmaidens who would do anything for her. The book has some moments that readers may find difficult--as it turns out, the queen and her court have a fair amount of boring business to take care of and they are also teenage girls with an endless wardrobe at their disposal, so there is a lot of discussion of clothing. But Johnston excels at giving us a fuller understand of who Padme was and just how young she was when she was sent to rule an entire planet and ultimately, play a pivotal role in the future of the galaxy.

Queen's Peril
By E.K. Johnston 
Disney Lucasfilm Press June 2020
288 pages
Read via Netgalley 

Everything has led up to this moment--Jess Brightwell and his friends have defeated the corrupt leaders of the Great Library. But they aren't out of danger yet--other nations and powers are willing to fight for their chance at control, and establishing a new Archivist could be the most perilous battle of all.

It's incredibly difficult to write about the last book in a series without spoiling the other four, so I will stick to discussing the series as a whole. Rachel Caine wrote an excellent YA series with The Great Library. The world she created is fully realized, and the characters are easy to love. Readers will truly see how much each character has grown since we first met them in book 1, and there is a straight line from strangers to wary allies to a found family that each of them would die to protect. It is no small feat to write five books with edge-of-your-seat action and characters who truly grow and evolve throughout the series. The Great Library series is a excellent addition to any YA collection. 

Sword and Pen

The Great Library #5

By Rachel Caine

Berkley September 2019

368 pages

Read via Netgalley 

Wednesdays with David: Star Wars - The Enemy Within

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

The Enemy Within

Script by Jeremy Barlow

Art by Brian Koschak

Dark Horse Books 2012

From the library 

The story: This comic takes place during The Clone Wars. A platoon of Clone troopers are sent on a mission where everything seems to go wrong. They are stranded on the wrong side of battle lines and have no choice but to try to complete their mission. Can they make it out or is a trusted ally working against them?

Mama opines: David is a fan of comic books these days, although I think we had a sort of backwards trajectory. I know that comic books are often used for reluctant readers. But for quite a while, David wanted to read his chapter books and wanted nothing to do with comic books. I forget which book finally changed his mind, but I think it's fun that he is now just as likely to grab a comic book as he is a chapter book. Any suggestions for age appropriate comic books?

Thoughts from David: This story is really good! I've got to say, it is a Clone Wars story about clones. Well, maybe not...it does have a few more things than just clones like these green, kinda creature thingamabobs. And droids!
I've got to say that when you're shot down, you're shot down! Sometimes nothing can happen that you really wanted to happen. Well, clonesy bye! Just kidding.

Happy Reading!

Wednesdays with David: Battle At Teth

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Battle at Teth

Adapted by Kristen Mayer

Grosset and Dunlap 2008

32 pages

From the library 

The story: During the Clone Wars, Clone Captain Rex and Jedi Anakin Skywalker set off on a rescue mission to retrieve a baby Hutt from the droid army. They are greatly outnumbered and reinforcements are far away. Can they complete their mission?

Mama opines: To be honest, I have zero experience with The Clone Wars. I can talk to you all day about Star Wars or the Empire Strikes Back, but I have little interest in the newer stories. This story is directly adapted from the movie, so it will be familiar to any little ones who love the adventures of Anakin Skywalker as a young Jedi.

Thoughts from David: Battle At Teth was...well, the clone troopers were courageous. Their white belts were nice and white. I couldn't believe that there were so many spider droids, super battle droids, and battle droids! I couldn't really believe that there was so much battle fire that even Asajj Ventress was at that castle. Plus...I couldn't believe that there was a dark assistant here. Do you know what Anakin Skywalker, Clone Captain Rex, the other clone troopers, and Ahsoka Tano did? They used everything they had and boom! The battle droids, the super battle droids, and everything else of the bad guys were blown up!

Favorite part: When they destroyed the super battle droids at the top of the tower and the spider droids and battle droids at the bottom of the tower.

Happy Reading!

Wednesdays with David: The Way of the Apprentice

Star Wars Jedi Quest: The Way of the Apprentice

By Jude Watson

Scholastic Paperbacks 2002

176 pages

From the library 

The story: Anakin Skywalker is strong in the ways of the force. He's a good pilot and great with a lightsaber, but he's a bit of a loose cannon. His quick temper worries his teacher Obi-Wan Kenobi. When the pair is on a mission, Anakin and Obi-Wan become separated. Can Anakin and three other apprentices save the Jedi Masters?

Mama opines: It's confession time. I only read a few chapters of this with David. The rest of it was all on his own. But I have to confess that while I'm a bit taken aback by my little boy's love of battle, this Star Wars fan is proud to be adding a new little Jedi to the bunch.

Thoughts from David: Well, another Star Wars book read today. Now let's get on to my favorite characters. #1 - Anakin Skywalker. #2 - Obi-Wan Kenobi. #3 - Soara Antana. That's all. Now, I present my favorite thing from the story. I like that they go on a mission.
Favorite part: When Anakin slices seven droids in a row with one swing!

Happy Reading!