Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
by MATTHEW STOVER
List Price:
Our Price: $2.46
You Save: $23.49 (91%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: MATTHEW STOVEREdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-04-02
ISBN: 0345428838
Number of pages: 432
Publisher: LucasBooks
Book Reviews of Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Book Review: After this, I can't WAIT for the movie...
Summary: 5 Stars
I was a bit skeptical at beginning this last of the novels based on the very last film that will be made...If you have read any of the original novelizations based on Episodes IV, V or VI you know why. The first was actually ghost-written by Alan Dean Foster, the second wasn't quite as good, and by the third book it just seemed quite a poor version of what was put visually on the big screen. I believe George Lucas has learned a valuable lesson over the years in requesting novelists who are actually very talented, which translates into a MUCH better reading experience.
That said, I still wasn't sure if I wanted to spoil the film by reading the book first. Of all the films, the only one I read in advance of seeing the movie was The Empire Strikes Back, and my audible *Gasp* at reading the stunning revelation when Darth admits to Luke he is his Father, well lets just say I interrupted my entire Language Arts Class with my genuine surprise. It was for this VERY reason I chose not to read Return of the Jedi and subsequently Episodes I & II until AFTER I had seen the movies. I took a gamble with Episode III and I believe I lucked out and made the right choice.
Let's be honest: There really isn't going to be any MAJOR surprises here, right? We ALL know how it all ends, eventually. However, the series surprised me before, and although a few technical details won't shock me when I see it all on the big screen, I doubt I will enjoy it any less. Let's start at the beginning: George Lucas has written a MUCH better script than we had in Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. This really IS going to be a much darker film by comparison, because like it or not, the loveable little Annie from Tatooine WILL grow up to be the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader. He is partially responsible for the death of the Old Republic and the slaughter of hundreds of Jedi Knights, along with future crimes against the Galaxy in helping to build the Death Star, which would eventually be used to incinerate the peaceful planet of Alderaan. Yes, like it or not Anakin Skywalker is going to become one of the worst people ever seen on the big screen. So, no REAL surprises there, right? I guess the REAL surprise is not necessarily in how things end up, its more or less the journey along the way. The spectacular crash of General Grievous' flagship INTO Coruscant, saving the lives of Obi Wan and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. I suppose a select few will actually be quite surprised at who Darth Sidious is revealed to be (to the hard core Star Wars fans this will NOT be a surprise). I must admit when I read the Phantom Menace I was a bit surprised at the mention of Darth Sidious. I mean this Lord of the Sith had never been mentioned before...I suppose I just assumed the Emperor just decided to become just that, the Emperor, and I never really put much thought into the fact that he was probably a Darth something-or-other before his self-appointment as the Emperor of the Empire. I guess now I know differently. It all becomes rather clear in the end.
Others have noticed one glaring continuity error from this novelization which conflicts with the established chronological history as originally seen (and read) in Episode VI, Return of the Jedi. Just before Luke turns himself over to Vader, he reveals his relationship with Leia by asking her if she ever remembered her Mother...she said she did, only slightly. Well according to Revenge of the Sith this would be quite a miracle since it appears that Amidala, who is Mother to both Luke & Leia dies during childbirth. Yes, an error to be sure, but if the film version even remotely lives up to what I read in the book, we are ALL in for an incredible treat for the senses. The Light Saber duels ought to be the best of ALL the other 5 films COMBINED. For the first time we get to see the Emperor take up a light saber against not just Mace Windu, but Master Yoda as well. For the first time we get to see exactly HOW Anakin went from looking like Hayden Christensen to looking like, well Darth Vader in all his black helmet-wearing glory. We read a tiny bit about it in Return of the Jedi, but trust me, it doesn't even come close to doing justice for how it is in the book and I can only imagine how stunning it ought to be visually.
Only one other thing bugged me about the book, but mind you it is only a minor gripe at that: Every few chapters or so, the author attempts to put us inside the head of certain characters by saying lines like: This is what it is like to be Obi Wan RIGHT NOW. This is what it is like to be Anakin Skywalker, and soforth. I can't exactly say why, but it kind of bugged me a little. Other than that, I am quite pleased with the novel as well as the culmination of how things came to be at the beginning of Episode IV, A New Hope. An achievement which will make us Star Wars fans literally BEG George Lucas to just consider doing Episodes VII, VIII and IX. C'mon, George...can't you just CONSIDER it??? For the FANS????
Summary of Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
The turning point for the entire Star Wars saga is at handAfter years of civil war, the Separatists have battered the already faltering Republic nearly to the point of collapse. On Coruscant, the Senate watches anxiously as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine aggressively 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 Padmé 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 Separatist 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.
Based on the screenplay of the eagerly anticipated final film in George Lucas?s epic saga, bestselling Star Wars author Matthew Stover?s novel crackles with action, captures the iconic characters in all their complexity, and brings a space opera masterpiece full circle in stunning style.
Action & Adventure Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Action & Adventure Books
Polar Shiftby Paul Cussler Clive & Kemprecos
Penguin; Published: 2007; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.30
The Call of the Wild (Children's Classics)by Jack London
Penguin Audio; Published: 1997-08-01; Audio Cassette; Book
Best price: $11.00
Pelican Briefby John Grisham
Trafalgar Square; Published: 1993-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.19
Price in other shops:
Stardustby Neil Gaiman
HarperCollins; Published: 2008-12-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.30
Price in other shops:
Quicksilver (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 1)by Neal Stephenson
William Morrow Paperbacks; Published: 2004-09-21; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.50
Price in other shops:
Sandstormby James Rollins
Harper; Published: 2005-04-26; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.50
Price in other shops:
No Man's Landby G.M. Ford
William Morrow; Published: 2005-06-28; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $0.50
Price in other shops:
Forever Odd - Signed Proofby Dean Koontz
Bantam; Published: 2005; Paperback; Book
Preyby Michael Crichton
Harper Collins Pb; Published: 2003-08-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.95
Sharpe's Waterloo (Richard Sharpe's Adventure Series #20)by Bernard Cornwell
Harpercollins; Published: 1998-01-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.00
Similar Books and other products
Star Wars, Episode II - Attack of the Clonesby R. A. Salvatore
LucasBooks; Published: 2003-04-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.95
Price in other shops:
Yoda: Dark Rendezvous (Star Wars: Clone Wars)by Sean Stewart
Del Ray; Published: 2004-11-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.99
Price in other shops:
The Star Wars Trilogy, Episodes IV, V & VIby George Lucas, Donald F. Glut, James Kahn
LucasBooks; Published: 2002-06-25; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $45.73
The Clone Wars (Star Wars)by Karen Traviss
LucasBooks; Published: 2008-07-26; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.10
Price in other shops:
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (Star Wars)by James Luceno
Del Rey; Published: 2005-11-22; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.58
Price in other shops:
Labyrinth of Evil (Star Wars, Episode III Prequel Novel)by James Luceno
LucasBooks; Published: 2005-01-25; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.50
Price in other shops:
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clonesby R. A. Salvatore
Ballantine; Published: 2002-04-23; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $1.95
Price in other shops:
Labyrinth of Evil (Star Wars, Episode III Prequel Novel)by James Luceno
LucasBooks; Published: 2005-09-27; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.80
Price in other shops:
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (Star Wars)by James Luceno
LucasBooks; Published: 2006-06-27; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.66
Price in other shops: