E.K. Johnston

A forensic archaeologist by trade, E.K. Johnston started writing fan fiction in 2002 and published her first book in 2014. She published five young adult novels, earning accolades from the New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, and more, before getting the opportunity to write in the Star Wars universe.

Her first Star Wars novel, 2016’s Ahsoka, tells the tale of Anakin Skywalker’s former padawan between the end of the Clone Wars and her reemergence as a rebel operative. After the chaotic events surrounding her departure from the Jedi Order and the conclusion of The Clone Wars, Johnston follows the popular character across the galaxy as she tries to stay one step ahead of the Empire and find her place in a galaxy turned upside down.

In the 2017 anthology From a Certain Point of View, Johnston revisited one of the characters she created for the novel, Miara Larte. After her experiences with Ahsoka, Larte settled as a refugee on Alderaan. She had become a starfighter pilot and a member of Alderaan’s consular security forces. Along with other Alderaanians, she had a place of honor at the front of the assembled Rebel forces in the old temple on Yavin IV where Luke Skywalker and Han Solo are recognized by Princess Leia for their role in destroying the Death Star. Johnston paints a picture of a rebellion mourning its losses while celebrating its heroes, and so far, the story is one of the strongest links between Anakin’s former padawan and his children.

Johnston makes no secret of her fondness for the prequel films and love of Padmé Amidala. In an interview with The Living Force Podcast, she notes that The Phantom Menace premiered on her fifteenth birthday and that she liked to think George Lucas had personally given her a birthday present.

Johnston’s first novel to feature Padmé, Queen’s Shadow, was published in 2019 and shows the former monarch’s transition from the throne of Naboo to the Galactic Senate. Fans of The Clone Wars series will enjoy seeing the beginnings of her relationships with the likes of Mina Bonteri and Bail Organa. We also get a close look at the friendship between Padmé and her closest friend, bodyguard, and decoy Sabé—and Johnston leaves us wondering if there are more stories to tell about Sabé in the years after the fall of the Republic.

Johnston’s next book, Queen’s Peril, came out in 2020 and serves as prequel to both Queen’s Shadow and the prequel trilogy itself. We see the young woman’s election as Queen of Naboo, and the formation of her group of handmaidens. For a group of individuals designed to blend in and be indistinguishable, Johnston excels at giving each their own personality and strengths—and then goes on to show them putting their talents to work as she deftly interleaves her narrative with the events of The Phantom Menace.

The “Queens Trilogy” concludes in 2022 with Queen’s Hope and brings Johnston’s journey with Padmé to a close…for now. No matter if she returns to Naboo or ventures out past the Outer Rim, E.K. Johnston’s next adventure is sure to warm hearts and break them as only she can.