As combat escalates across the galaxy, the stage is set for an explosive endgame: Obi-Wan undertakes a perilous mission to destroy the dreaded Separatist military leader, General Grievous. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine continues to strip away constitutional liberties in the name of security while influencing public opinion to turn against the Jedi. And a conflicted Anakin fears that his secret love, Senator Padmé Amidala, will die. Tormented by unspeakable visions, Anakin edges closer to the brink of a galaxy-shaping decision.
Author: Matthew Stover
ISBN: 0-345-42884-6 (Del Rey)
Finished: 2 August 2007
When: 19 years before the Battle of Yavin
Like its predecessors, Sith is more novel than novelization, as if the book was written as part of the Expanded Universe and not an adaptation of a screenplay. Compare Revenge of the Sith and Return of the Jedi novels: Sith is just over 450 pages; Jedi is 181 pages. There is more detail and Stover delves into the thoughts and feelings of the characters, things that don’t always translate on to the big screen. We see what motivates them and get a better understanding of them. This is why I like the prequel movie novels more than the movies themselves.
One of Stover’s touches is his choice of Point of View character, especially if Anakin is present. Anakin isn’t always his first choice. For instances, in the battle between Anakin and Dooku, the fight is seen from Dooku’s point of view: Dooku, arrogant snob, treats the whole thing as a farce — until he realizes that Sidious always intended for Anakin to kill him. The fight between Mace and Sidious, it is Mace’s thoughts and perceptions that we see. And it the climatic battle between Anakin and Obi-Wan, it’s Obi-Wan’s view we’re privy to.
Again, like its predecessors, there are parts that never made it into the movie: we see more of Padmé’s involvement with here fellow senators; Yoda’s arrival on Dagobah. An interesting book omission: the battle on Kashyyyk. Yes, Yoda goes to Kashyyyk, but the battle is never depicted and we never see Chewbacca.
Favorite Quotes
“Are. . . all your rescues so. . . entertaining?”
“Actually, now that you mention it, yes.”
— Palpatine, Obi-Wan Kenobi
The dark is generous, and it is patient, and it always wins — but in the heart of its strength lies weakness: one lone candle is enough to hold it back.
Love is more than a candle.
Love can ignite the stars.
— coda at the end of the book
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On the planet Neimoida, Jed Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker set out to capture a treacherous ally of the Sith. Though they come up empty, their daring efforts yield an unexpected prize: intelligence capable of leading the Republic forces to their ultimate quarry, the ever-elusive Darth Sidious, whom they suspect has been manipulating every aspect of the Separatist rebellion. In the escalating galaxy-wide chess game of sabotage and retaliation, Sidious stays one move ahead. Then the trail takes a shocking turn. For Sidious and his minions have set in motion a ruthlessly orchestrated campaign to divide and overwhelm the Jedi forces — and bring the Republic to its knees.
As the Clone Wars rage, Jedi Master Yoda must once again face one of his greatest adversaries — Count Dooku. The Clone Wars have forced the Republic to the edge of collapse. During the height of battle, one Jedi Knight escapes the carnage to deliver a message to Yoda on Coruscant. It appears that Dooku wants peace and demands a rendezvous. Chances are slim that the treacherous Count is sincere, but with a million lives a stake, Yoda has no choice. The meeting will take place on Vjun, a planet steeped in evil. The challenge could not be more difficult. Can Yoda win back his once promising pupil from the dark side, or will Count Dooku unleash his sinister forces against his former mentor?
