Star Wars, Episode II - Attack of the Clones
by R. A. Salvatore
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Book Summary Information
Author: R. A. SalvatoreEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-04-01
ISBN: 034542882X
Number of pages: 368
Publisher: LucasBooks
Book Reviews of Star Wars, Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Book Review: Solid movie novelization
Summary: 3 Stars
I've been a fan of R.A. Salvatore ever since the late 80s publication of his Forgotten Realms novel The Crystal Shard. I've faithfully kept up with the adventures of Drizzt Do'Urden and company. I read Salvatore's first Star Wars novel, Vector Prime, eagerly and was very curious to see what he would bring to the table for the novelization of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
Overall, I was pleased and felt this book gelled better than the novelization of The Phantom Menace. I'm not sure how enamored I am with Salvatore's writing style per se as I am with his imagination and strong characterization and story-telling skills. He excels at writing fight sequences but is restrained in that regard in this particular book.
Like I mentioned in my review for The Phantom Menace, I like for a movie novelization to add something significant to the film, since the story itself is already largely taken care of before the author ever puts pen to paper. Like the Episode I book, the opening chapters of this one are completely incremental to the movie. The first is a really nice touch when you're reading the books in order, as it serves as a flashback occurring immediately before the opening of The Approaching Storm. Added detail on the Lars family on Tatooine is welcome, as are the chapters dealing with Padme and her growing need for something more than political service to fill her days.
Salvatore skillfully adds some touches that serve to deepen the characters shown in the film. Padme's interest in Anakin is fleshed out, as is her inner conflict as her attraction to the gallant but troubled young Jedi wars with her conscience. I was very impressed with how the book concisely explains exactly why Palpatine steers Jar Jar Binks in particular to make the motion giving the Chancellor emergency powers. Also intriguing is the additional material exploring Jango and Boba Fett's life on Kamino. Essentially, by the conclusion of the novel Salvatore manages to add some additional depth to each of the main characters. Anakin's angst makes more sense, Padme's conflicts are clarified, Obi-Wan's life dealing with a troublesome apprentice is illuminated, and several other less important characters also benefit.
One place I would have liked to see more detail is the conclusion. Perhaps Salvatore felt the action-packed climax would be better served on the screen than on paper. The arena feels a bit rushed, and then we almost breathlessly zip through the lightsaber duel and are at the conclusion in just a couple more pages. Granted, the duel in Attack of the Clones is less meaty than most of the others in the films, but still I would have liked to take a little more time in the closing battles. Somewhere before the concluding sequences the book almost seemed to run out of the time to do its own thing and started hewing to the film script very closely indeed.
I'm a big fan of Attack of the Clones, including the love story debated so frequently by fans, and this book serves the story well. While nothing in the book transcended the film, there were many thoughtful touches that will clearly enhance my next viewing.
Summary of Star Wars, Episode II - Attack of the Clones
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.
From the Hardcover edition.
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