Attack of the Clones

by R.A. Salvatore

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345428811
• ISBN13: 9780345428813
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Lucas Books
• Length: 353 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

BEAUTIFUL quality book!

Haven’t read the book itself yet but it came with a dust jacket and is in just fantastic condition, looks BRAND spanking new lol. Thank you!

No Words.

While I liked aotc (the movie) I can totally understand why some people don’t like it but if even after reading this book u don’t then that’s specifically with the characters not the quality at all. Many of the complaint abt the movie is that Padmé’s and Anakin love story is forced but this book just make it sound so much better and simple. It includes the deleted scenes and also adds much more perspective to Padmé feelings. It also gave Boba and Jango some cool scenes and just made them both very interesting. The prequels are amazing but also really confusing, this books really simplifies a lot of the most confusing stuff.

More Detail and Depth

The novelization gives so much more detail and depth to a story that Star Wars fans know well. It's definitely worth reading.

More insightful than the film.

After reading the novelization for Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones by R. A. Salvatore, I must say I am impressed. Although watching the movie was fun in its own right, the book made more sense. Things I took for granted in the film were explained in the book in such a way that gave them new meaning--particularly the characters' motives. While the romance between Anakin and Padmé seemed forced (no pun intended) in the movie, it actually made sense in the book, as I could feel their struggle. In the Lars' garage, where Anakin tells Padmé that he murdered the Tusken Raiders, I could especially feel for him. Instead of looking like a whiny idiot, his pain was vividly described and I could almost pity him. It was also this way in the lightsaber battles--without the flashy ILM effects, the fights seemed so much more personal, and played out on so many different levels. This added insight is what kept the book fresh. The only scene I found vastly inferior to the movie was the fight between Obi-Wan and Jango Fett on the Slave I's Landing Platform. Somehow having every single punch described in detail didn't add much to the story, because there was no deeper meaning behind it all. The same goes for the speeder chase. Those are the types of scenes that belong on screen.As for Salvatore's writing style, I think it worked a lot better than Terry Brooks's Episode I novelization. Salvatore kept it more intense and insightful. However, numerous times I found he would use a word or phrase, and then, a paragraph later, use the exact same wording again. Whether this was intentional or not, I found it slightly distracting. On the positive side, I thought the pacing was excellent, although there was hardly any reason to signify chapters when so many stories were being told simultaneously in each chapter anyway.In conclusion, if you liked the movie, you should like the book just as much, if not more. If you didn't like the movie, the book should at least give you a better appreciation for and a new perspective on it.

Terrific

I bought this book after seeing the movie twice. I have only recently become a Star Wars fanatic, but despite this condition, my opinion on the quality of the movie and book is totally unbiased. :) The movie was very good, but some parts felt missing--in many parts of Episode II, Attack of the Clones, it felt as if scenes had been truncated, or as if they could have been extended. I also didn't quite grasp the plot completely after the first viewing. But the novel fills in the gaps admirably; it was a terrific read, and I absolutely could not put it down. Salvatore's style is extremely engaging, and he goes far deeper with Shmi Skywalker, Padme Amidala, Anakin, and many of the other characters than the movie could ever hope to. It accomplishes what a cinematic feature never could--a full-length tale complete with twists and turns and intrigue of every sort. The movie also makes more sense--the characters become deeper, more complex, and the manner in which Salvatore presents them is very intimate and warm. With the book, we dive deeper into Padme's conflicting emotions concerning the budding romance between her and Anakin, and we also get a chance to experience some of her family life. We get a closer look at Shmi Skywalker, Anakin's mother, and see how profoundly she loves her son, and how much she misses her once little, but now grown Anakin. We also experience Anakin on a deeper level; Anakin's metamorphisis from boy to young man is clearly shown, as is the massive grief that he experiences because of the separation from his mother; his frustration at Obi-Wan, yet also his deep love for his Jedi Master, are thoughtfully and expertly written as well. We are thrown headlong into his thoughts and his feelings, and get a good look at his dark side--he feels everything so deeply, so profoundly, and it is easy to see how he could become the evil Darth Vader. His temper is quick to rise, yet quick to subside as well, and he is often remorseful. There are ominous hints concerning the dark future of the doomed galaxy. Yet on a lighter note, the romance between Padme and Anakin is beautifully written. Their interactions and dialouge are captivating. Their intense love for one another is heartrending, and Anakin's fierce devotion to Padme and the confession of his deep, unyielding love for her is moving. Padme Amidala, as a senator for the people of Naboo, is afraid to mix romance with affairs of the state. Her conflicting feelings are very real and wonderfully written. It is easy to see how their passionate love for each other could end up destroying them both. (So much for the lighter note.)I feel that anyone who has seen this movie should read this book in order to gain a clearer understanding of the film, and in turn, a better grasp of the epic story that George Lucas has so masterfully woven. If not to become more involved and aware of the fathomless Star Wars universe, read it to enjoy a really great novel. (The cover is beautiful!)--In addition, t

Salvatore adds depth to edited performaces

Don't get me wrong; I really enjoyed the movie. I just thought a lot ended up on the cutting room floor considering George finaced the movie himself. From what I have read in the novel version of AOTC, much of it would have added depth to both the story and the characters. Salvatore's novelization of the film beings before the movie, showing us more of the Star Wars universe and giving us far more insight to the characters.Also, his novel was based on the unedited version of the film (the shooting script) and gives the fans much more of Episode II. It also allows fans to decide whether the edited film was better served by removing the scenes. In particular the scene in the garage on Tatooine between Amidala and Anakin post slaughter for the Tuskens left me questioning George's script writing abilities. In the book the scene makes much more sense as it shows Anakin experiencing remorse for his loss of control. On the other hand there are scenes deletions that I thought did serve the story's pace (but I still would have rather seen them stay).While the book is not a replacement for the movie, it is an enjoyable treat for die-hard fans. Star Wars by nature is a big screen experience and loses its grandeur when translated to other formats. I can't imagine Salvatore doing much better at converting the movie than he did. I would have found the action sequences between Jango and Obi-wan difficult to imagine without having seen the movie, I can't image anyone writing it any better than he has done. The book does a much better job at potraying Jango and Boba. It also helps traverse the murky romance between Anakin and Amidala.If you love the movie you should treat yourself to this book!

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times".

Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones - Book ReviewThe best way to sum it up is "Romeo & Juliet" meets "MacBeth" in a weird "King Lear" sort of way (if that makes any sense).Like all Star Wars Episodes, this one opens up with exiting goings on, then there comes the inevitable long lull only punctuated once or twice by any sort of action. This particular "lull" lasts until about half way into the story, but then things really start to happen fast and furious.There is of course action, but also pathos. Not to mention a couple of truly satisfying plot twists. And to top it all off we get some good old fashion "droid comedy subplot" action involving C-3PO and R2D2, reminiscent of their shticks from the original trilogy.You are witnessing the unfolding of events that bring about the status quo that is seen in the original three movies. The ending especially leaves one happy but profoundly sad at the same time. Bittersweet as it were.In addition, there are some scenes that portray events some fans have always wanted to see. Most notably a bounty hunter with the surname of Fett in extended action, and Yoda wielding a lightsaber.Amongst all of these plot goodies there's even a little un-accentuated bit concerning a particular story point that is the entire basis of Episodes IV & VI. There is definite foreshadowing of what is to come. You come away from this book knowing the baloney is going to hit the fan in a *major* way in Episode III.All in all it is a great thrill ride. The Force is definitely with this installment. Where "Phantom Menace" was akin to "The Hobbit", "Attack of the Clones" is "Fellowship of the Ring".Now to address everyone's quibbles.The romance. While I feel it was handled pretty good from halfway through the book onward, it just seemed to come about too quickly. Both Padme's realization of Anakin's feelings towards her and her acceptance/development of hers for him. But I suppose upon looking back through the book and counting pages it wasn't actually rushed, but it still somehow *feels* like it was at least. Then again, maybe that's just me. I personally prefer more agonizing/worrying over an issue like this on part of the participants. ;-)But it is heartbreaking to watch since everyone knows how it has to end. It is one of the great "star crossed lovers" stories. Makes you want to cry.The dialogue.I suppose a case could be made that this is a "flaw" that is evident in all the Episodes: at times the dialogue feels "clunky" for lack of a better term. But more often than not it's Obi-Wan who is saddled with this affliction this time out. I guess he is no Yoda when it comes to words. ;-)Overall, the story does a nice job of bridging the gap between characters introduced in the original films and the last one. We see characters from "The Phantom Menace" to ones that pop up in "A New Hope" and again in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi". That part was very well done and handled differently

One of the best Star Wars books ever

When I first decided to buy this book, I was expecting for it to be another boring book, like some of the other Episode 2 books I flipped through in the bookstore. However, I was greatly impressed by R.A. Salvatore's narration of the newest Star Wars movie. He added a new dimension to the characters, and interpreted their thoughts and feelings very well. I can't wait to see the movie after reading this book. But beware, since it is technically a movie storybook, people who don't want any spoilers revealed should not read this book until they see the movie.I am going to summarize the plot, so spoiler free people, DON'T READ BEYOND THIS POINT! The book/movie starts off on Tatooine, where you learn that Shmi Skywalker, Anakin's mother, has been free for the past five years and is married to Cliegg Lars, a moisture farmer. They have a son, Owen, who is engaged to Beru Whitesun. You see how happy Shmi is with her new life, and also how much she misses Anakin. On Naboo, you learn about Padme's family and her new life as a senator. An assassin attempts to kill her en route to Coruscant, and the Jedi give Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi the assignment to guard her while the Jedi investigate the situation. Obi-Wan tells Anakin to escort Padme back to Naboo, and Anakin quickly falls in love with Padme, at first she resists, but gradually she too begins to fall in love. The problem is, Anakin is a Jedi Padawan and he is forbidden to love anyone. There are a few kisses envolved, and Padme's family enjoys Anakin's company. Meanwhile, Shmi is captured by Tusken Raiders, and Cliegg loses his leg going out to rescue her. Shmi is tortured to the point in which Anakin feels her pain and decides to go to Tatooine to find her. He finds her barely alive, and Anakin's mom dies in his arms. He then goes on a killing rampage, slaughtering all of the Raiders and then going back home. He throws a little temper tantarum in front of Padme, then breaks down sobbing. Obi-Wan, in the meantime, has gone to the planet of Kamino to visit Jango Fett to investigate the attempts on Padme's life. He meets up with Taun We and Lama Su, Kaminoans, who assist Obi-Wan and then help capture him. Anakin and Padme travel to Kamino to try and rescue him, but they too are captured. They are about to be executed, but Mace Windu and Yoda lead an army of Jedi against the clones that Count Dooku (a.k.a. Darth Tyranus) and Nute Gunray (The Nemoidian Chancellor that you see in Episode 1) have been developing. You learn that Boba Fett, who thinks that he is Jango Fett's son, is really a clone. In the end of the book, there is a big lightsaber duel between Count Dooku, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Yoda. Obi-Wan is knocked out early, so Anakin takes up the fight using both his and Obi-Wan's lightsabers. He does a pretty good job until the Count cuts off his arm from the elbow down. This is where Yoda takes over. He weakens the Count until Dooku is finally forced to run away to his ship, where he flies back