Courageous to the point of recklessness, and possessing a wild independent streak, twenty-year-old Anakin Skywalker, apprentice to Obi-Wan Kenobi, is coming of age in a time of great upheaval. The attempted assassination of Senator Padme Amidala before a crucial vote thrusts the Republic enven closer to the edge of disaster.

Era: Republic, 22 years Before the Battle of Yavin/0 After the Battle of Geonosis
Author: R. A. Salvatore
ISBN: 0-345-42882-X (Del Rey)
Finished: 14 March 2006

Though I’m not a big fan of Salvatore’s writing style, I enjoyed his adaptation of AOTC. He handled Anakin and Padme better than George did when he directed the actors for the movie. There was more insight into Padme’s personal life and thoughts, how she truly tried to put her duty above her feelings for Anakin. Anakin fared well, too. The author did his best to supply character development and depth, to make the reader see Anakin as a decent person dealing with grief, confusion, and guilt. The extra scenes from the Lars homestead were a pleasure, as far as adding to the story. They were sad, however, because they depicted what Shmee had gained and lost, before Anakin returned to Tatooine.

I first approached this book with dread, knowing the writing style of the author and the fact that I was not happy with the movie. I’m glad to say that I enjoyed the book much more than I thought I would, and to me it is much better than the movie. The battle scenes were blessedly short, but it did have the annoyingly long speeder chase.

Favorite Quotes:
“Things aren’t very strict around here, usually. Just find a place to park it, then hope no one steals it while you go about your business.”
“As lovely as I remember it.”
— Anakin, Padme regarding Mos Espa and Tatioone

Enjoyed it!