'SOLO': THE FEMALE FACTOR!

The definition of a survivor, having endured such prior bad luck and hardship in her early life amongst the slave scavengers of Corellia, the resourceful Qi'Ra, as of the end of Solo: A Star Wars Story, was seen becoming one of the most powerful crime bosses in the galaxy via the Crimson Dawn cartel. And that makes her more dangerous and unpredictable than ever, despite her deep affection for former lover, Han Solo...

Acclaimed author E.K. Johnston, adept at developing popular Star Wars franchise heroines within all-new canon-related adventures, looks set to deliver another acclaimed winner with her take on Qi'ra, as Crimson Climb comes to Disney Books (US hardback) later in the year (October 2023)...

Rise to power, rise to control...

Solo: A Star Wars Story Actor Addresses Qi'ra Cliffhanger

CLASSIC IMAGE: ROYAL PROTECTORS!

Loyal as ever, Captain Panaka (Hugh Quarshie) and his elite, skilled guard force are ready to do their Queen's bidding during the Battle for Naboo, as EPISODE I nears its action-packed conclusion.

Find out more about the original invasion and battle of Naboo this summer, with the eagerly awaited second book in the Padme Amidala/Handmaidens saga by E.K. Johnston: Queen's Peril, published in the UK by Egmont.

Get it here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Queens-Peril-Emily-Johnston/dp/1368057144/ref=sr_1_1?crid=161LMUOLXU7C2&keywords=star+wars+queens+peril&qid=1583333918&sprefix=star+wars+queens+p%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'QUEEN'S SHADOW'

Crafting a new young heroine to follow in the footsteps of Princess Leia Organa, as inimitably brought to life onscreen by Carrie Fisher, was surely not going to be an easy one for the Prequels debuting from 1999 onwards, yet writer/creator/director George Lucas rose to the challenge considerably with his reveal of the enigmatic, loyal and courageous Queen Amidala of Naboo, an even younger regal player and powerful female role model for fans to enjoy as she, alongside her valiant Jedi Knight protectors, valiantly fought to rescue her people from the oppression of the slimy Trade Federation. To this legion of new and impressionable generation of SW female fans, Queen Amidala, as played with sincerity and beauty by Natalie Portman, was their new saga favourite. One of those beguiled and impressed female fans would be fifteen-year old E.K. Johnston, whose love and affection for the Prequel opus and Naboo's finest leader is now effectively showcased in her adult life as an acclaimed novelist, via an all-new adventure launched within the 20th Anniversary of EPISODE I. Queen's Shadow, here next month in UK paperback from Disney/Egmont, is truly a worthy and affectionate tribute in all the best ways.

The young Queen of Naboo, as seen in EPISODE I.

Four years on from the invasion of Naboo, where the inaugural queen proved herself valiantly against the thuggish brutality of the aforementioned Trade Federation, and was not the malleable puppet ruler they'd originally hoped for, the time has now come for Amidala, no longer involved with the Jedi or her young friend in former slave Anakin Skywalker, to pass the torch of power and responsibility on to a new, older Queen. But Padme's dutiful and inspiring work will not be forgotten by her adoring people, some of whom will even try to amend Naboo's constitution in order for her to stay in office. Recognising this popularity and her strengths, it isn't long before her successor offers Padme - herself at a crossroads and pondering the future now that she is separating from many of her loyal handmaidens - the new and soon hard to resist opportunity of being a senator for her people and system, operating between Naboo and the galactic core world of Coruscant- a task that will soon prove to be as considerably challenging as her once position at the centre of her home world. And one that will not be without controversy (targeted and plagued by the kind of 'fake news' smear campaigning we're all seeing in our own modern world) or potential life-threatening danger, engineered by lingering forces possibly out for revenge after the failed Naboo invasion.

Though used to the senate by the time of EPISODE II, Padme's early dealings are on shaky grounding.

Being quite the stranger in a very strange land on Coruscant, discovering the unique characters and ways of the 'Lion's Den' Republic's unique political affairs of ego, greed and powerplays - indeed, a place not for the timid, Padme must become inventive and responsive in interactive ways beyond anything straightforward, especially as many senators are wary of the newly inaugurated senator after she prior deposed the beloved Chancellor Valorum and helped replace him with one of her own in the seemingly benign former Naboo senator, Palpatine. In and out of the main diplomatic chambers, this is a book that gives us important first meetings with the key political figures of the Star Wars universe that will shape her life and destiny by the doom-laden turn of events that will be EPISODE III, including Alderaan's influential Bail Organa, the quietly powerful Mon Mothma, and Padme's future lover who'd go on to appear in The Clone Wars animated series- the slippery and ultimately corrupted senator/banker Rush Clovis.

Senator Amidala and her handmaiden/aide Dorme enter the new and complex political arena on Coruscant.

Further filling in important gaps in the timeline of the Prequel movies (one little moment in the book that we would have loved more of - Padme's dealings with the Wookiees: a potentially great solo tale in itself!), critical events build that will see-in approaching Separatist disharmony (egged on by a mysterious figurehead of respected intellect), leading to Padme and her new allies having to use all their ingenuity and skill-sets to fight the counter-productive, overriding greed and corruption of the senate once an humanitarian crisis beckons, amidst the build-up of rampant space piracy in the mid-rim sectors. Cleverly, the book also leaves room for events years down the line, initiating sequel avenues linked to those surviving characters of Naboo from the aftermath period of Padme's ultimately heart-breaking demise.

Queen Amidala hides as 'Padme' amidst her decoy handmaidens, during the events of EPISODE I.

As the book's star, Johnston's vision of Padme Amidala is every inch the character from the movies transferred to the page for this new story, and in my mind's eye I could effectively imagine Natalie Portman playing out certain scenes had they been filmed- certainly, were this story slipped onto the actresses dressing room table, I'm sure she'd read it and be impressed with the thought and care taken with the character. The new senator even gets a detail-descriptive wardrobe that costume designer Trisha Biggar would be proud of! In between heavy diplomatic duties, Padme's return visits to Naboo see her reunited with her cherished family (sadly necessary casualties of the EPISODE II editing process), providing her with welcome stress relief and initiating the vital heart-to-heart decisions needed in shaping both her life and her new status in helping the weak and the vulnerable.

The ever-loyal Sabe, as played in EPISODE I by Kiera Knightley.

Beyond politics and duty, another intriguing aspect to The Phantom Menace linked to Amidala would be the fascinating nature of protective duality she'd share with her elusive, enigmatic and ultra-loyal handmaidens, always in the background and ready to serve. With Queen's Shadow, we're given an equally thorough exploration of those handmaidens personalities and backstories unlike anything attempted before. alongside vivid development of the affection and emotional bonds they share, almost like symbiosis. The most important of them, Sabe, the handmaiden who was Padme's closest confidante and chief bodyguard/decoy (originally played by Kiera Knightley in EPISODE I), notably her own unique sub-plot missions, including a special trip to Tatooine, and undercover work on Coruscant linked to Padme's safety. All of which goes some way to explaining the character's absence by the time of EPISODE II.

The decoy Queen and her Handmaidens on Naboo.

Continuing the post 2015 LUCASFILM initiative to shake up the status quo and bring more female participation into all the saga's realms, Queen's Shadow further introduces Captain Panaka's wife in the role of successive security chief, plus a feisty new pilot replacing Ric Olie. Though, in all honesty, these additions add very little to the overall existing strong collective.

AFICIONADO RATING: More a book of character incidents rather than having an overall story, Queen's Shadow is a worthy read, better than Miss Johnston's previous, Ahsoka. Though specifically aimed at the female Star Wars side of the market (indeed, the UK cover is very much geared for the young 11-15 year old territory that's now so strong in buying power), it's also one that generic Prequel fans will nonetheless greatly appreciate. 3.5 out of 5.

Available from May 2nd, 2019. Get the book here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Queens-K-Johnston/dp/1405293381/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=QUEEN%27S+SHADOW&qid=1556186718&s=gateway&sr=8-2

BEYOND NABOO! COMING SOON TO THE UK: 'QUEEN'S SHADOW'

With Disney finally acknowledging its truly devoted world fan base, and the all-important profit potential Force-fully with them, now has never been a better time to be a devotee of George Lucas's epic Prequel saga of 1999-2005. Not only does the visually exciting and innovative The Phantom Menace, the launcher for so much more for fans to enjoy with the Star Wars universe, celebrate its milestone 20th Anniversary, there's also the return of the much beloved The Clone Wars animated series for its final loose ends wrap-up, and a plethora of new books and comic series celebrating that intense and fascinating time of the Old Republic, with its great heroes and even greater villainy. All that unleashed in 2019, with an early focus on the Prequel saga's key heroes.

Female heroes inspire female writers, so who better than E.K. Johnston - fresh from her success with the saga in prior charting the early destiny of Jedi Ahsoka Tano after the shocks of Order 66 - to bring the dedicated and determined Queen of Naboo turned Senator, Amidala, to satisfying life for a whole new adventure cleverly spanning the timeline of the three prequels. Queen's Shadow is available in paperback May 2nd, published by EGMONT UK.

Here's the book details:

The #1 New York Times best-selling author of Ahsoka takes on another iconic Star Wars hero!

When Padmé Naberrie, “Queen Amidala” of Naboo, steps down from her royal position, she is asked by the newly-elected queen to become Naboo’s next representative in the Galactic Senate. Padmé is unsure about taking on the new role, but ultimately cannot refuse the opportunity to serve her people.

Together with her loyal handmaidens, Padmé leaves her idyllic home for the glistening capital world of Coruscant, where she must learn to navigate the treacherous waters of politics and forge a new identity beyond the queen’s shadow…

Get the book here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Queens-K-Johnston/dp/1405293381/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=queen%27s+shadow&qid=1553519026&s=gateway&sr=8-1

THE CLONE WARS: AHSOKA'S JUST CAUSE...

Art by Dave Filoni.

Always leading from the front, former Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano is reunited with her ever loyal Captain Rex and his troopers, plus loyalist Bo-Katan, as the battle begins to retake war-torn Mandalore from the returned evil of Darth Maul - a surely epic confrontation, set just prior and leading into the events of EPISODE III, that we sadly never got to witness with the cancellation of THE CLONE WARS after five seasons, though it has often been tantalizingly talked about by animation director/producer Dave Filoni, most notably at the UK's 2016 STAR WARS CELEBRATION event honouring the legacy of Ahsoka, where he also revealed the above piece of personal conceptual art.

And there are still lots of important stories left to be told about Ahsoka too, especially between the events of her leaving the Jedi Order and becoming a later key member of the Rebel Alliance against the Galactic Empire. Some of these, including hints about Ahsoka's pre-EPISODE III Mandalore confrontation, are revealed in E.K. Johnston's acclaimed young adult novel: AHSOKA, now fully available in UK large paperback from EGMONT, as of March 9th, 2017.

Check out our original book review here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'STAR WARS: AHSOKA'

Get it here: Star Wars: Ahsoka: Amazon.co.uk: E K Johnston: 9781405287906: Books

Star Wars: Ahsoka Audiobook Excerpt Read By Ashley Eckstein | Rebels Report

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'STAR WARS: AHSOKA'

A new life and new dangers for Ahsoka Tano in STAR WARS: AHSOKA.

Back in July 2016, I don't think there was anyone attending the Dave Filoni and Pablo Hidalgo hosted Ahsoka Tano panel who wasn't excited about hearing of what happened next in the life of their favourite former Jedi Padawan and female role model from the time she deliberately chose to leave the Jedi Order and the singular adventures she'd be caught up in leading to EPISODE III and beyond. So when the subsequent announcement was made that she'd be the singular star of a special book during this incredible historical period of the Prequel era, STAR WARS: AHSOKA was surely going to be one of the year's must-have titles for any fan of THE CLONE WARS wanting to immerse themselves in witnessing those potentially great storylines so wonderfully and enthusiastically described- finally come to life on the printed page. Sadly, despite the fine pedigree and talents of Lucasfilm/ Disney Books chosen writer in E. K. Johnston, AHSOKA ultimately, rarely, features any of that epic material beyond some mild referencing, instead choosing to tell a whole new story, within a more intimate and less epic background acting primarily as a lead-in to her ultimate reappearance from STAR WARS REBELS onwards.

Getting past the necessary bare basics needed of how Ahsoka survived the Order 66 purge along with her friend in clone Captain Rex, after an intense battle on Mandalore against the returned Darth Maul and the after initiation of Palpatine's murderous actions, our hero is now on the run, going from planet to planet towards the Outer Rim and living on her wits and skillsets via a stolen ship, working under her new name of Ashla (the originally conceived name for her given by George Lucas back in 2005).

Using her talents in a variety of jobs, but never trying to get too friendly with the people she has an everyday albeit meagre existence with, Ahsoka is sadly never able to escape the shadow of the Empire, spreading its disruption out further with the the dominance of Palpatine's desires. Eventually, across two planets (the agricultural world of Raada and the commercial Thabeska), and featuring two sets of characters whom she has come to like, Ahsoka, becoming a one woman Robin Hood-type across the space lanes, knows she'll have to make a stand soon enough, especially when Thabeska   reveals a young Force sensitive girl soon under threat from one of the Empire's sinister new Inquisitor baddies, and subsequently back to Raada, where a bold resistance force of farmers soon faces extinction from a newly arrived enemy presence without her guidance and powers.

The book reveals how Ahsoka gets her unique new lightsabers. Image: DISNEY/LUCASFILM.

It's all nicely written, and well paced, easy to read, with the enthused Johnston fully psyched up on Ahsoka, her history and her emotional yet adaptive state, but there's actually nothing new at all about the story she's telling- it all feels bog standard and done before- another variation on the space western. Parts of it even feel similar to the John Jackson Miller book Kenobi, which dealt with Obi-Wan's unique isolation on the far-off world of Tatooine, trying not to get involved in local affairs but ultimately knowing he has to when his presence attracts attention. The new characters Johnston weaves around Ahsoka also fail to make an impact- a teen heroine on Raada with a clear crush on her new friend and ally proves irritating at times, though its best to remember that this is a book primarily geared to grabbing the attentions of the younger reader market- she's their connection to Ahsoka. Thankfully, there's enough old school referencing and some nice cameos from the likes of Artoo and Bail Organa, plus some subtle referencing to ROGUE ONE and possibly even EPISODE VIII, to keep it chugging along.

Personally, I'd have instead preferred a book more along the lines of Christie Golden's memorable Dark Disciple, at the time a welcome starring vehicle for villainess Asajj Ventress, whose plot comprised the scripts of never finished episodes from THE CLONE WARS lost seasons. Clearly slanted towards DISNEY's first animated STAR WARS incarnation than the previous Lucas era, if AHSOKA sells well enough, perhaps a second book will provide an opportunity to be more ambitious with celebrating and showcasing the past (her unseen battle with Darth Sidious is crying out for adaptation!). It's clear that there is still lots more to be discovered and enjoyed of this popular and relatable Togrutan...

AFICIONADO RATING: Die-hard Ahsoka fans will find much to savour, but general STAR WARS fans may be less impressed with a novel that lacks originality. 3 out of 5

Get AHSOKA here: Star Wars: Ahsoka: Amazon.co.uk: E.K. Johnston: 9781484705667: Books

With thanks to DISNEY UK.

'STAR WARS: AHSOKA' - OUT NOW IN THE UK!

Padawan no more! Ahsoka Tano's post- Jedi life begins in STAR WARS: AHSOKA, out now.

Ahsoka Lives!

Never have two words been more emotionally important, nor more crowd-rousing, to dedicated fans of THE CLONE WARS animated series than with their acknowledged and moved event witnessing of young Padawan Ahsoka Tano, female role model for all ages, departing her once beloved Jedi Order, in front of her shocked master and friend in Anakin Skywalker, which concluded the show's complete fifth season and its official run. What happened to Ahsoka between the time she descended those fateful Jedi Temple steps and eventually boarded the blockade running Ghost freighter nearly twenty years later, revealing herself as a Rebel operative in the fight against the fearsome Empire, can now finally be revealed in the critically acclaimed, STAR WARS history-making, revelation-packed storytelling that is New York Times bestseller hit AHSOKA, by E.K. Johnston, now finally reaching the UK shores via DISNEY BOOKS.

On her own and seeking a new existence on Coruscant. Art images: Dave Filoni, via STARWARS.COM

Everything previously hinted at in three sadly never-completed animated story arcs, online conversations, behind the scenes featurettes, and events described by her co-creator in THE CLONE WARS Supervising Director Dave Filoni to voice actress Ashley Eckstein at the lively Ahsoka's Untold Tales panel from London's CELEBRATION 2016, is finally unified and given substantive form by Johnston, detailing the former Jedi's life-changing, extraordinary evolution in adapting to new challenges with the fallout of the Galactic War, the initiation of the blood-soaked ORDER 66 that would kill so many of her friends, coming to terms with the building darkness around her and garnering a new life whilst hiding in plain sight of her enemies, leading to her ultimate heroine rebirth as part of the Rebel Alliance in Season Two of THE CLONE WARS animated successor, STAR WARS REBELS. All this, and much more (watch out for some subtle ROGUE ONE linkage!), will entertain and illuminate STAR WARS fans and Ahsoka Tano fans everywhere with this officially approved and canon young reader's novel - a must-have for Christmas and beyond, part of a franchise publication cycle that has been in ever-popular ascendance this year, and which will also help to satiate the fans' new wait for Ahsoka's eventual destiny beyond her extraordinary lightsaber confrontation with Darth Vader, on the Sith world of Malachor. Now more than ever to her fan family, Ahsoka still lives!

Leading the charge to take back Mandalore from Darth Maul- the massive event to have taken place before EPISODE III.

Ahsoka’s Untold Tales Panel | Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016 - YouTube

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: CELEBRATION 2016: AHSOKA LIVES!

SWCE 2016: Ahsoka's Untold Tales Panel Liveblog | StarWars.com

I Am No Jedi: Talking Ahsoka with E.K. Johnston | StarWars.com

All the Star Wars Secrets Hidden in the New Novel Ahsoka

Get STAR WARS: AHSOKA here: Star Wars: Ahsoka: Amazon.co.uk: E.K. Johnston: 9781484705667: Books

CELEBRATION 2016: AHSOKA LIVES!

With the shocking discovery of an ancient Sith Temple deep underneath the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, Ahsoka Tano is caught in a lethal lightsaber battle against a wall separated Darth Sidious, in this great Dave Filoni image for a THE CLONE WARS episode storyline (probably around Season 8) that never got past the story idea stage. The Ahsoka's Untold Stories panel at CELEBRATION 2016 was an informative and quote emotional event for fans, and especially Ashley Eckstein who was surprised, delighted and moved to tears by what an enthused Dave Filoni revealed about what happened to her character between the timelines of the two animated series, including a life within the underworld of 1313 (and getting a new rogue boyfriend), and, paired with Bo Katan, reunited with Anakin and Obi-Wan to take on the returned threat of Darth Maul, now back on Mandalore for trouble, in an epic story that would lead-in to EPISODE III. With Anakin and Obi-Wan gone to help the Supreme Chancellor, Ahsoka would lead Captain Rex's squad (bearing a nifty new orange patterning in tribute to their new leader) into battle as Order 66 begins...

Ahsoka’s Untold Tales Panel | Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016 - YouTube
SWCE 2016: Ahsoka's Untold Tales Panel Liveblog | StarWars.com
Ashley Eckstein and Dave Filoni Interview | Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016 - YouTube
Dave Filoni Interview | Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016 - YouTube

Coming soon from DISNEY BOOKS: STAR WARS: Ahsoka.

Ahsoka Tano secrets, book cover revealed at Star Wars Celebration