Oh... yes. Very good points about the four years between her deposing the previous Chancellor and now when she's a new Senator.
I always got the sense the Palpatine manipulated more than we saw, especially when it came to Padmé (we obviously saw the result of his claws in Anakin).

The whole storyline with Shmi makes me sad. The separating children from families is bad enough, but leaving her as a slave was just cruel. I never understood how more people weren't outraged when the prequel movies first came out. On one hand, I'm glad it's being brought up at least, and that Padmé is at least trying to do something - even if it's vicariously through Sabé. I hope it's a setup for something more to happen on Tatooine.

I didn't realize Tonra was a character outside this book (I REALLY have prequel gaps in my SW knowledge). Maybe I'll look him up after we finish. Yes, they're holding hands and she's flirting with the journalist - which makes me hopeful for a bi-character, even if neither relationship goes anywhere.

I am with you and fully onboard for more switcher spy shenanigans!! :)

(not at all! you are so very far from bashing for the sake of bashing - criticism is absolutely part of responding to any book)