In what order should I read E.K. Johnston's Padmé Amidala Star Wars novels?

It is recommended to read them in publication order ( Queen's Shadow , then Queen's Peril , and finally Queen's Hope ). Although Queen's Peril is chronologically a prequel, it works best when you already have the familiarity with Padmé's handmaidens established in the first published book.

Is A Thousand Nights a standalone or part of a series?

It is part of a companion series. While A Thousand Nights can be read as a standalone, its companion novel Spindle is set in the same world generations later. The free e-novella The Garden of Three Hundred Flowers acts as a bridge between the two.

Are there more than two books in the Story of Owen series?

No. The Story of Owen and its sequel Prairie Fire form a complete duology . There are no plans for a third novel in the Trondheim universe.

Is Crimson Climb related to the Padmé trilogy?

No, Crimson Climb is a standalone Star Wars young adult novel focusing on Qi'ra (originally played by Emilia Clarke in Solo: A Star Wars Story ). It does not connect directly to the characters or events of the Padmé trilogy.

What is the order of E.K. Johnston's Aether Saga?

The Aether Saga should be read in publication order: start with Aetherbound (2021) and follow it with Sky on Fire (2025).

Is E.K. Johnston a pen name?

Yes, E.K. Johnston is a professional pen name using the author's initials. Her full name is Emily Kate Johnston , which she openly shares on her website and in interviews.

E.K. Johnston Books in Order

The Best Starting Points for E.K. Johnston

Because E.K. Johnston (Emily Kate Johnston) writes across a variety of genres—ranging from high-profile space opera to contemporary realism and historical fantasy retellings—your best starting point depends entirely on what genres you enjoy most:

For Star Wars Fans: Start with Ahsoka. It is a fantastic bridge between the animated series and the novels, introducing Johnston’s trademark focus on character depth. Alternatively, Queen's Shadow is the publishing debut of her acclaimed Padmé Amidala trilogy.
For Fairy Tale & Mythology Enthusiasts: Start with A Thousand Nights. This lush, lyrical retelling of One Thousand and One Nights showcases Johnston's evocative world-building and feminist perspective.
For Fantasy & Quirky Concept Lovers: Start with The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim. This lighthearted yet high-stakes urban fantasy reimagines modern-day Ontario where carbon-emitting industries have invited hungry, carbon-eating dragons.
For Contemporary YA Readers: Start with Exit, Pursued by a Bear. This is a sensitive and powerful modern-day retelling of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, dealing with recovery and resilience after trauma.

Star Wars: The Padmé Trilogy

One of E.K. Johnston's most popular contributions is her trilogy focusing on Padmé Amidala and her loyal handmaidens. While this series functions as a prequel trilogy, the chronological timeline differs from how the books were originally released.

The Publication Order (Recommended)

Johnston and many fans recommend reading this trilogy in publication order. Although the second book takes place earlier chronologically, reading it second preserves the mystery and thematic weight of Padmé's relationship with her handmaidens as established in the first book.

Queen's Shadow (2019)
Queen's Peril (2020)
Queen's Hope (2022)

The Chronological Order

If you prefer to see Padmé's political journey and her transition from young Queen to Galactic Senator unfold in strict timeline order, use this sequence:

Queen's Peril (2020) — Set immediately before and during the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
Queen's Shadow (2019) — Focuses on Padmé's transition from Queen to Senator of Naboo.
Queen's Hope (2022) — Set during the early days of the Clone Wars, focusing on Padmé navigating her secret marriage to Anakin Skywalker.

Other Star Wars Works by Johnston

Ahsoka (2016) — A standalone young adult novel that takes place between the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Rebels, explaining what happened to Ahsoka Tano after she left the Jedi Order.
Crimson Climb (2023) — A standalone young adult novel focusing on Qi'ra's backstory, showing her rise within the ranks of the criminal syndicate Crimson Dawn after being separated from Han Solo.
"By Whatever Sun" (2017) — A short story co-written with Ashley Eckstein for the anthology "From a Certain Point of View". It features Miara Larte, a character Johnston originally created for the Ahsoka novel.

Note on Local Data: Some listing sites group other Star Wars YA novels (like Rebel Rising, Most Wanted, or Force Collector) under the same collection. However, those were written by other authors (Beth Revis, Rae Carson, and Kevin Shinick respectively) and are not part of Johnston's bibliography.

The A Thousand Nights Series

This series reimagines traditional folklore with a strong feminist lens. The books are companion novels set in the same world, and they should be read in order of release to appreciate the continuity of the setting.

A Thousand Nights (2015) — The main novel, offering a lush retelling of One Thousand and One Nights focused on sisterhood and survival.
The Garden of Three Hundred Flowers (2016) — A free bridge novella (often labeled book 1.5) that transitions the reader from the desert setting of the first book to the kingdom of the sequel.
Spindle (2016) — A retelling of Sleeping Beauty set generations later in the same magical universe.

The Story of Owen (Trondheim Duology)

Set in an alternate rural Ontario where dragons exist and are treated as a modern ecological hazard, this duology is highly praised for its humor, friendly tone, and musical elements.

The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim (2014)
Prairie Fire (2015)

Note on Local Data: The local database lists titles like Believe (2013), Returning to Shore (2014), and Wired Man and Other Freaks of Nature (2016) in the same YA category. Please note that these are unrelated novels by authors Victoria Alexander, Corinne Demas, and Sashi Kaufman, and are not connected to Johnston's Owen series.

The Aether Saga

Johnston’s space opera series centers on families living on space stations and a genetic connection to a energy source known as "aether."

Aetherbound (2021) — Introduces Pendleton Station and the struggles of a young woman escaping her abusive family.
Sky on Fire (2025) — Features a new main character, science prodigy Morgan Enni, navigating survival and genetic secrets.

Titan of the Stars Duology

Described as "Titanic meets Aliens," this sci-fi horror duology takes readers on a claustrophobic survival voyage to Mars.

Titan of the Stars (2025)
Demon in the Sand (Scheduled for September 2026)

Dungeons & Dragons and Standalone Novels

Johnston has written several notable standalone novels, along with a high-profile media tie-in:

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Druid's Call (2023) — A prequel novel to the film focusing on the tiefling druid Doric's origins. (Note: Other tie-in books like "The Fallbacks: Bound for Ruin" are written by Jaleigh Johnson.)
Exit, Pursued by a Bear (2016) — A contemporary story following cheerleader Hermione Winters after a sexual assault, focusing heavily on support systems, friendship, and resilience.
That Inevitable Victorian Thing (2017) — An alternate history sci-fi set in a modern, genetically managed British Empire where a royal princess goes undercover.
The Afterward (2019) — A high fantasy novel that begins where most epic fantasy quests end, following a knight and a rogue as they try to pay off their debts and survive the post-victory reality.
Pretty Furious (2024) — A modern-day thriller reimagining of Cinderella focused on friendship and revenge.