Some good things but it still doesn't compare to watching the movie!

Better than the movie? | Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones | R. A. Salvatore

books:


	• Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones R. A. Salvatore Ballantine, 2002 - 353 pages average customer review:based on 222 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Anakin's journey to the Dark Side begins

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Ten years after we left Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi, we meet up with them again. Anakin is fast proving his abilities as a Jedi Apprentice, surpassing Obi Wan even. Now they have a new mission. Senator Padmé Amidala is in danger with attacks on her life. She is crucial to a coming vote to form an Army of the Republic and someone will do anything to prevent her decision.

Anakin discovers upon once again meeting up with Padmé that his feelings for her have not faded, but only grown more intense over the years, putting him in a relationship forbidden to Jedi. The more time they spend together, the more dangerous to the Force his position becomes, causing him to cross the line into the unacceptable range.

Meanwhile, Obi Wan is sent on a mission to a distant planet to investigate rumors of a huge army being formed at the request of the Jedi. As he looks deeper in to the matter, he finds many mysteries that defy explanation. Who commissioned a clone army and why? Who is so desperate to stop Padmé's vote at any cost? What will become of the forbidden love between Anakin and Padmé?

Having watched the movie immediately upon its release, I just this year finally found the time to sit down and read the novelization of the story. Having done so, I found the novel to be quite enjoyable, going in to even greater depth on various plot threads in the movie. Of course nothing can compare to the visualization of the creative genius of George Lucas, but the book adds to the sometimes sketchy elements of the movie's storyline.

In the book, we get a deeper understanding of what exactly drives Padmé. We get to meet her family, characters never even mentioned in the movie. Seeing this side of her personality, she comes even more alive with warmth and compassion. We also get to spend far more time with Shmi Skywalker, Anakin's mother, and what has happened to her in the years since Anakin left her to train as a Jedi. We see her happy and comfortable in her life, to which only glimpses are granted in the movie itself. We also experience her terror and agony at the hands of the Tusken raiders who stole her away, eventually causing her death. This is of grave importance as Anakin's reaction to her kidnapping is the first huge step pushing him on his way to the Dark Side of the Force.

Much of George Lucas' brilliance is lost in a novelization however, since he is known for the stunning visual effects in his movies. For example, Obi Wan's journey to the distant planet where the army is being grown and the events that follow pale significantly in the novel without the scenery. This is to be expected however when movies are put into words in a book. We are however, privy to the wonderful sound effects throughout the story. We get to experience the light saber battles through sound and R2D2 and C3PO would not be given justice without hearing them. Jonathan Davis is an absolutely brilliant performer, perfect for the Attack of the Clones. He does such an incredible job of bringing the characters to life through his voice. The Star Wars saga has a huge cast of characters to keep straight. I don't know how he did it, but Davis's abilities to transform himself through the mouths of all the players. Every single one of them is very distinct. That in itself is a testament to Davis' ability.

Though Attack of the Clones in novel form will not give a full vision into the Star Wars story, between the novel and the movie itself, fans will get a better concept of George Lucas' dreams than should they limit themselves to one or the other, book or movie.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, November 2006. All rights reserved.

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Some good things but it still doesn't compare to watching the movie!

The novel opens with a prelude that features a nightmare of Anakin's on the way to mediate a border dispute with Obi-wan on Ansion. In Chapters 1, 2 and 3, we are introduced to the Lars homestead, so we get to see the interactions of Cliegg, Shmi, Owen, Beru and Threepio. We learn that Cliegg met and freed Shmi five years ago. Now Shmi silently honors Anakin's 20th birthday and it is cool to get inside her head. She misses Anakin and wonders about him, yet she feels comfort in knowing that he is much better adventuring around the galaxy than stuck on a desolate world where he wouldn't be content. Since Shmi's appearance in the movie is so brief, it's great to be able to see her as a fuller character of the story, as well as the whole extended Lars family. (This is exactly the type of thing a movie novelization is supposed to do.) We see mounting tension between the Tusken Raiders and the farming community leading up to the abduction of Shmi, and we see the rescue attempt in which most died and Cliegg lost his leg. He ironically refuses an artificial limb, thus the hover chair.

We also see an earlier introduction of Padme into the story, along with her sister Sola, her nieces and R2-D2. Sola scolds Padme for her selfless career of serving the Republic, and we begin to feel a hint of Padme's deeply hidden desire for love and children of her own. And in a nice stroke of continuity, Captain Panaka, still with Naboo security, introduces his nephew Captain Typho, who lost his eye as a teenager in the Battle of Naboo and will now serve as the Senator's security chief.

Chapter 4 features the opening of the movie. In addition to the above events that set-up the movie's story, the rest of the novel has several other elements not seen movie, some of which include and expand upon the deleted scenes. One other interesting thing I think worth mentioning here is when Anakin and Yoda hear Qui-Gon's voice, Yoda is truly puzzled at what seems like the departed Jedi Master's existence beyond death. Did Qui-Gon once discover a Jedi ability that his spirit will later teach or empower Obi-Wan, Yoda and Anakin to possess? Hmm. I felt this was better than the four previous movie novelizations. Read this book if you really loved Episode II and feel a strong desire to know a little more about the story.

After this book, I recommend the following 5-star novel for more of the mystery that began in Episode II:

Labyrinth of Evil (Star Wars, Episode III Prequel Novel)

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Better than the movie?

Better than the movie? Yes! Then again most books are! But if your a big Star wars fan and espically an Anakin fan then this is a must read. This book will take you deeper into the story of the man/machine Anakin providing you a glimpse into the shadows of his soul. Be prepared to feel intense sorrow and sense of victory throughout this novel. So scary what someone can become...well told Salvatore.
*This review has been moved from my old to my new account.

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Excellent movie novelization

Having read R.A. Salvatore's fantasy work, I came to the novelization of the familiar tale (thanks to the epic movie) of Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones with some higher expectations. Mr. Salvatore does an excellent job bringing the story to life and giving it greater emotional depth than the movie, adding cohesiveness even that was not there. We even come to feel for Boba Fett, and regret the ultimate demise he meets in Return of the Jedi. Anakin Skywalker's decent to the dark side is given greater weight in Salvatore's words, and we come to see Anakin for what he truly was, a remarkably gifted warrior, turned to darkness due to fear and anger. Perhaps there's a lesson for us all in that. At any rate, 5 stars for Salvatore's excellent work.

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There is a great disturbance in the Force. . . . From the sleek ships of the glimmering Coruscant skyscape to the lush gardens of pastoral Naboo, dissent is roiling. The Republic is failing, even under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, elected ten years earlier to save the crumbling government. Separatists threaten war, and the Senate is hopelessly divided, unable to determine whether to raise an army for battle or keep the fragile peace. It is a stalemate that once broken, could lead to galactic chaos.

Mischievous and resolved, courageous to the point of recklessness, Anakin Skywalker has come of age in a time of great upheaval. The nineteen-year-old apprentice to Obi-Wan Kenobi is an enigma to the Jedi Council, and a challenge to his Jedi Master. Time has not dulled Anakin?s ambition, nor has his Jedi training tamed his independent streak. When an attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala?s life brings them together for the first time in ten years, it is clear that time also has not dulled Anakin?s intense feelings for the beautiful diplomat.

The attack on Senator Amidala just before a crucial vote thrusts the Republic even closer to the edge of disaster. Masters Yoda and Mace Windu sense enormous unease. The dark side is growing, clouding the Jedi?s perception of the events. Unbeknownst to the Jedi, a slow rumble is building into the roar of thousands of soldiers readying for battle. But even as the Republic falters around them, Anakin and Padmé find a connection so intense that all else begins to fall away. Anakin will lose himself?and his way?in emotions a Jedi, sworn to hold allegiance only to the Order, is forbidden to have.

Based on the story by George Lucas and the screenplay by George Lucas and Jonathan Hales, this intense and revealing novel by bestselling author R. A. Salvatore sheds new light on the legend of Star Wars?and skillfully illuminates one of our most beloved sagas.

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