Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

This is the novelisation of 'Episode III: Revenge of the Sith' - and it closely adheres to the story of the film. It's based on the screenplay, and the author succeeds in presenting an effective tie-in novel. Yet rather than simply repeat or rehash the screenplay, the author brings it to life - adding more depth and detail. The effect is to provide readers with additional information and perspective, not offered in the movie itself. There's greater characterisation, especially in terms of Anakin Skywalker. We get to read about his thoughts and feels towards Obi-Wan, Padme, and Chancellor Palpatine. Overall, the increased narrative provides for an engaging experience.It's a competently written book, although not amazing. On occasion I felt the author was a little too descriptive, and having difficulty expressing himself. Nonetheless this is a fascinating read - and I recommend it to Star Wars fans.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing style felt fresh and unique. The plot, while familiar through countless rewatchings of the movie, remained engaging simply through the character's inner monologue throughout. Anakin's descent to the dark side is capture 10x better in this book than it was in the movie in my opinion. Reading this adds extra weight to each scene, look, dream and word in the movie that forms a part of his fall. Do not be put off buying this if you're already very familiar with the Revenge of the Sith; there is plenty more to be learned in these pages.

Hmm, hard one this is. This is a story of flaws. First off, George Lucas's flaw for being unable to bring this masterpiece to the screen in any satisfactory way, which is to be honest , is understandable as there is great depth here, unfortunately more than he could handle. . The next flaw goes to Mr Stove, I’m sorry to say, who found it necessary to beat us over the head time and again with the reason for Anakin’s failure, and this being the eventual cause of his surrender to the dark side within him, buts that’s plot so we’ll leave that be. The next flaws are character flaws that drive the narrative and in turn cause the fall of the republic. Obi wans ‘love’ of his ‘friend’ , both un Jedi like vices that blind him to Anakin’s troubles. The great master Yoda who due to his own arrogance underestimates the power of the dark side and leaves his charges totally unprepared to stand against the darkness that is befalling them. Mace Windoo’s staunch loyalty to the republic and not the living force, and poor little orphan Annie, the hero of the piece, our tragic young man, who has grown up to be a self-centred, egotistical splitter with misplaced loyalties But the biggest flaw or all is that we know the ending, this thriller has no punch, just darkness. But as Mr stove says, time and again, ‘Let it go’, hmm sounds like a song. Is it a good book? For star wars, it succeeds in many places that the film failed. But sometimes you just want to force choke Anakin :/

Matthew Stove has done an amazing job with his book, which--beside expounding on the developments of the film--allows us to have a much clearer insight into the political, seamy side of the story, including the earlier meetings of Mon Mothma and Senator Organa (along with Padmé) that were instrumental in founding the future Rebel Alliance. Anakin's psyche is analysed with precision and minute details, other characters, such as Count Dooku, are not neglected as well (as you may feel they were in the screenplay, Dooku's personality was quite overlooked in both 'Attack of the Clones' and 'Revenge of the Sith'). On the down side, the author dawdles when it comes to Palpatine's rescue which accounts for over a quarter of the book, it could have been interesting to focus on other aspects instead. As for Matthew Stower's style, it is that of an American; precise and pithy, sometimes it may get aggravating as he especially relishes short bits of sentences with no structure whatsoever, which definitely results in a dearth of elegance. Still it is a worthy read on the whole.

If only the movie had drawn more from the novel!Such a gripping story, and though by this time we all know it the pages made the ending so devastating.Would have preferred a less generic hardback cover