Listen up Star Wars fans because this news is fresh off the presses! Sources at Jedi Bibliothek (hat tip to Making Star Wars for the English source) broke the news yesterday evening that the queen-turned-senator of Naboo will be getting her own YA novel. Not much is known about the novel at this point, not even an author has been announced. All we know is that the book will be coming to us from a galaxy far, far away April 24th, 2018.
Without a synopsis, it’s anyone’s guess which time period the novel will be set in. I, for one, am pulling for in between The Phantom Menace and Attack of The Clones. I’m a huge fan of young female characters wielding political power. Plus, I think the transition from Queen to senator would make for interesting drama. There’s a lot that happens between the films, so the ground is ripe for investigation.
Alternately, a story that chronicles her role in founding the Rebellion alongside the Organas and Mon Mothma would be excellent. As many Star Wars fans know, scenes of that nature were notoriously cut from Revenge of the Sith, which is a travesty. She’s a huge part of the Rebellion existing, but that fact isn’t widely known or focused on. It would correct a great injustice for her character to get to see that in action. It would dovetail nicely with Leia: Princess of Alderaan, as well, which explored how Leia joined her parents as they continued the work her mother, Padmé Amidala, helped bring about.
Though she hasn’t gotten as much widespread acclaim as Leia or Rey, Padmé Amidala is an important character in the Star Wars universe and well deserves to have her story told. (Or several stories. I’ll buy them all, please and thank you). Her on-screen character in the prequel trilogy was given more room to shine in The Clone Wars and the recent series of animated YouTube shorts Star Wars: Forces of Destiny. I highly recommend both those series, you should check them out if you’re a fan of Padmé. And Ahsoka.
Speaking of Ahsoka, the release of the upcoming YA novel will put Padmé in the ranks of awesome Star Wars ladies with YA novels. These include Jyn Erso (Rebel Rising), Ahsoka Tano (Ahsoka), Leia (Leia: Princess of Alderaan), and Cienna Ree (Lost Stars). Here’s hoping we also get YA novels for Sabine Wren, Hera Syndula, Sana Starros, Doctor Aphra, Rey, Rose Tico, and all the other awesome Star Wars ladies!
Also, if they make Padmé x Sabé canon, I might die. (Please, make it canon, pleeeaaaaassse. I’m begging you.)
