Episode III: Revenge of the Sith by: Matthew Stover

Summary:   After years of civil war, the Seperatists have battered the already faltering Republic nearly to the point of collapse. On Coruscant, the Senate watches anxiously as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine aggresively strips away more and more constitutional liberties in the name of safeguarding the Republic. Yoda, Mace Windu, and their fellow Masters grapple with the Chancellor's disturbing move to assume control of the Jedi Council. And Anakin Skywalker, the prophesied Chosen One destined to bring balance to the Force, is increasingly consumed by his fear that his secret love, Senator Padme' Amidala, will die.   As the combat escalates across the galaxy, the stage is set for an explosive endgame: Obi-Wan undertakes a perilous mission to destroy the dreaded Seperatist military leader, General Grievous; Palpatine, eager to secure even greater control, subtly influences public opinion to turn against the Jedi; and a conflicted Anakin--tormented by unspeakable visions--edges dangerously closer to the brink of a galaxy-shaping decision. It remains only for Darth Sidious, whose shadow looms ever larger, to strike the final staggering blow against the Republic ... and to ordain a fearsome new Sith Lord: Darth Vader. Review:   This novelization seems to deviate a bit from what we see in the movie. First off we focus only on our main characters, which can be expected from Stover who tends to get in the minds of one or two of his characters and tell the story from there. So this keeps us from following Yoda to Kashyyk to see what happens there, we only hear about it from his communications with the Council. But that is okay, since the real story here is about Anakin. We get to see into his head and feel what he is thinking and my thoughts on it are... is Anakin an idiot?! I mean I loved the story but there is a point in the novel when Palpatine manages to convince him that EVERYONE ELSE is lying to him, while Padmé and Obi-Wan are telling him Palpatine is the one Anakin should be wary of, and Anakin believes Palpatine. Why? I guess because he had to, in order to obtain this knowledge to save Padme'. It's sad really. Very dark book. Most of the exciting parts are right at the end when Yoda goes up against Palpatine and the fateful battle between Obi-Wan and Anakin takes place. SPOILERS: The emotion in the final battle is very strong especially after Obi-Wan defeats Anakin and says, "You were the chosen one! ... You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you, but I could not save you." Also learning about Qui-Gon's managing to remain in a spiritual form after death, Yoda comparing how the Sith strive for power so as to live forever, but the Jedi have managed to gain immortality by allowing themselves to let go of life. Becoming one with the Force. Back to the Rise of the Empire Era. Back to Star Wars Eras.