The turning point for the entire Star Wars saga is at hand
After years of civil war, the Separatists have battered the already falter... read full description
After years of civil war, the Separatists have battered the already falter... read full description
reviews
Nov 06, 2011
Alex
rated it: 
Matthew Stover is a greater talent than Charles Dickens, Henry James and Proust all rolled into one. Ok, perhaps not. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith may not be *quite* as good as A Tale of Two Cities but it surely takes some kind of genius to take a Lucas prequel screenplay and turn it into a 5-star worthy novel; Lucas' movie, Revenge of the Sith is, afterall a laughable mockery of what originally made Star Wars so great. It's easy to write-off a terrible movie as badly written when one see
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Oct 18, 2011
Stefan
rated it:
This has to be the best movie adaptation ever written. Stylistically, it's brilliant; I love the writing as much as the story. Honestly, it's better than the movie it was based on, which is truly impressive. A lot better. Which is kind of sad, really. If it's a choice between reading this or seeing the movie, definitely read his. Of all the Star Wars books I have read, I felt this one deserved special mention. It's so visceral, and some of the scenes are so beautifully written that it feels more
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Mar 04, 2009
Ron
rated it: 
A Greek tragedy, that's what it is...or is supposed to be.
Stover managed to expand the cinematic story of Episode Three into something richer and deeper than the movie. With only minor plot expansions, he takes us into the thoughts, motives and emotions of the players.
We despair as we witness doom's inexorable approach. But, like Pandora's Box, after all the evils escaped into the world--galaxy, the last spirit out was hope.
So be it.
(fade to theme
Stover managed to expand the cinematic story of Episode Three into something richer and deeper than the movie. With only minor plot expansions, he takes us into the thoughts, motives and emotions of the players.
We despair as we witness doom's inexorable approach. But, like Pandora's Box, after all the evils escaped into the world--galaxy, the last spirit out was hope.
So be it.
(fade to theme
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Jul 30, 2011
Richard
rated it:
Having enjoyed Traitor and Shatterpoint I was pleased to hear that Matthew Stover had been commissioned to write the novelisation of the third prequel because I thought that he could handle the dark subject matter with some finesse. I was not displeased. He has managed to capture the grandeur and scale of the movie perfectly, evident from the opening action sequence which I thought was long in the film, in the book it runs at over a hundred pages. But also he manages with some delicacy to allow
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Apr 12, 2011
Ian
rated it:
I got this book within a day of when it came out. I had been following all the talk about the Thrid movie coming out and was excited, so I decided to see what I might be in for. I'd have to say it's a really tought choice on whether I like Stover's take on it or Lucas's original script.
The book is well written, easy to get through, and compelling for both a die-hard Star Wars fan, like me, and the average reader who is just picking it up because of the amazing cover art. I'd have to More...
The book is well written, easy to get through, and compelling for both a die-hard Star Wars fan, like me, and the average reader who is just picking it up because of the amazing cover art. I'd have to More...
Jul 15, 2010
Crystal Starr Light
rated it:
"Even stars die"
Palpatine has been abducted from Coruscant in a daring attack from General Grievous of the Separatists. Anakin and Obi-Wan head off to rescue the Chancellor. Thus begins the end of the Republic...and the rise of the Empire.
I Liked:
THIS is what the prequels should have been. THIS is what the movie should have been. This is the pinnacle of Star Wars novelizations, the best showcase of characters, of story, of background, of setting, of action, of dialo More...
Palpatine has been abducted from Coruscant in a daring attack from General Grievous of the Separatists. Anakin and Obi-Wan head off to rescue the Chancellor. Thus begins the end of the Republic...and the rise of the Empire.
I Liked:
THIS is what the prequels should have been. THIS is what the movie should have been. This is the pinnacle of Star Wars novelizations, the best showcase of characters, of story, of background, of setting, of action, of dialo More...
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Jul 26, 2009
Chad
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Oct 25, 2011
steven
rated it:
Excellently done. Stover "introduces" you to the characters we already know and love in such a way that we understand the impact that they have had on the galaxy, and how they approach it. Obi-Wan and Anakin are celebrities, heroes of the Republic, thought to be able to do anything. This makes Anakin's fall all the more horrible and fantastic. Darth Sidious is both evil and enticing, and his reveal to Anakin is played deliciously well. The blindness of the Jedi to the darkness before t
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Sep 12, 2011
Scott
rated it:
Being an avid fan of Star Wars and having been through my fair share of various installments in the story, I must say that this particular chapter is perhaps my favorite. Thus I approached this book with a fair amount of expectation, hope, and dread. All too often books based on movies fall short of the mark when it comes to doing their cinematic counterparts justice.
Not so with Mr. Stover's retelling of this classic story. Though I am a bit rusty on my Star Wars jargon, Stover makes More...
Not so with Mr. Stover's retelling of this classic story. Though I am a bit rusty on my Star Wars jargon, Stover makes More...
Nov 22, 2011
Beth
rated it:
This story is interesting in that George Lucas didn't really give Stover a lot to work with. From the movies, Lucas gave us a vague sense that Anakin was a cool person who was really friendly with Obi-Wan, and that he was supposedly the best Jedi and blah blah blah. Plus, he makes the fall of Anakin Skywalker just about the lamest one ever. Going by that alone, there really is not that much of a story.
Stover, however, is fantastic in his novelization of Revenge of the Sith. He More...
Stover, however, is fantastic in his novelization of Revenge of the Sith. He More...
Aug 01, 2011
Dash
rated it:
One of those rare times the novelization was far better than the movie. Stover gives crucial insights, lacking (for perfectly valid reasons) from the film. We gaze into the mind of Dooku, as he finally understands his place in his master's machinations; we experience the full brunt of the anguish of Kenobi, betrayed; we witness the great Jedi Master Yoda willingly accept the role of Padawan, as he plans to study a new aspect of the Force during his self-imposed exile; we learn the surprising id
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Aug 16, 2011
Bill
rated it: 
I listened to this in the car after picking it up on a whim at the library.
Very detailed writing and excellent narration. It gets a little wordy at times and it's not perfect, but it sheds much light on the "The Force" and the primary characters that we all know and love. The movie(s) would certainly make a little more sense having read this beforehand. Certainly it develops more deeply (versus the movies) the Star Wars Universe that George Lucas has created for us.
Perhaps most impress More...
Very detailed writing and excellent narration. It gets a little wordy at times and it's not perfect, but it sheds much light on the "The Force" and the primary characters that we all know and love. The movie(s) would certainly make a little more sense having read this beforehand. Certainly it develops more deeply (versus the movies) the Star Wars Universe that George Lucas has created for us.
Perhaps most impress More...
Jan 16, 2012
Tim
rated it:
All I can say is...wow. I am once again in awe of Matthew Stover's tremendous skills. He transcends the conventions of Star Wars books and delves into the minds of his characters, and creates an elegant descriptive tapestry while doing so. To fully understand what Stover has achieved with this novelization of Revenge of the Sith, I went back and rewatched the horrendous film. The change is truly shocking: the film is hokey and slapdash, Anakin's transformation feels completely rushed and artific
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Jan 02, 2011
Ethan
rated it:
Excellent job by Matt Stover! Admittedly, this was the best of the three "prequel" star wars movies, in my opinion, but still, Stover does a very good job bringing the characters to life and adding color and depth to Lucas's screenplay. The first 100 pages were a little work getting through (the extended action sequence just seemed to go on and on) but Stover managed, even then, to intersperse the action with good bits of characterization and backstory. The transformation of Anakin
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May 26, 2011
Megan
rated it:
For starters, I think the Star Wars prequels were pretty lame. I don't hate them like most people, but they definitely don't live up to the original trilogy. I did think Revenge of the Sith was the best of the lot, but it was still subpar. Also, Most movie novelizations kinda suck, because often there is no real interiority, which makes it hard to see the reason for there to be a book in the first place! But this was one of the rare cases where the novelization was actually better than the movie
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Jan 14, 2009
Darth
rated it:
This book is the prime example of when a book is better than the movie. The book can go into so much more in depth insights into character motivation and behind the scenes machinations - that the story makes infinitely more sense.
Dont get me wrong, I am a star wars fan and I still saw the movie 3 or 4 times, and I liked it. But I still found myself going - why the &)*%# would they do that? What kind of response is that ? Etc...
I recomend this book to anyone who likes More...
Dont get me wrong, I am a star wars fan and I still saw the movie 3 or 4 times, and I liked it. But I still found myself going - why the &)*%# would they do that? What kind of response is that ? Etc...
I recomend this book to anyone who likes More...
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Mar 11, 2010
Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z and Naruto
rated it:
"The Jedi's will fall." Thats what the emperor said in Satr Wars Episode 3- Revenge of the Sith. This book is about Anakin Skywalker falling into the hands of the evil emperor. Obi Wan, Anakins master, senses this as Anakin, "Falling into the Dark Side of the Force." As Anakin is trusting the emperor more and more, he finds out that his wife, Padman, is pregnat. He's having nightmares about his wife dying of giving birth. The epic climate of this book is a not miss. My review
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Jul 14, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it:
This book was a disappointment.
The story was interesting--compelling, even--but it was so badly written that the prose itself was often distracting. Certainly, many authors have used short, choppy sentences (or even sentence fragments) for dramatic effect, but Stover does it so often that it loses its dramatic appeal and almost degenerates into a parody of itself. Parts of the book read like deliberate emotional manipulation, which is strange, because the story itself IS moving. C More...
The story was interesting--compelling, even--but it was so badly written that the prose itself was often distracting. Certainly, many authors have used short, choppy sentences (or even sentence fragments) for dramatic effect, but Stover does it so often that it loses its dramatic appeal and almost degenerates into a parody of itself. Parts of the book read like deliberate emotional manipulation, which is strange, because the story itself IS moving. C More...
Nov 29, 2010
Chris
rated it:
Does it even need repeating? Matthew Stover's book is far superior to George Lucas' film. In fact, it's the best Star Wars novel yet written. Disparage Lucas' writing and directing all you want, but the man has still concocted a great tragic story, brought to life with stunning style by Stover. If Stover's Shatterpoint is the franchise's darkest book, his Traitor the deepest, and Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor the most fun, then this novelization is easily the most stylish. What was a
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Feb 13, 2009
Melissa
rated it:
"This is what it feels like to be Anakin Skywalker." I wish he hadn't felt the need to repeat that throughout the book. I got it the first time, okay? I read this book after having seen the movie, and I was a little disappointed.
The first battle of the movie, where they rescue Chancellor Palpatine, encompasses fully the first third of this book. Some parts of the movie were not even included (Yoda on Kashyyyk???). Enjoyable, but not one of the best of the "based on" More...
The first battle of the movie, where they rescue Chancellor Palpatine, encompasses fully the first third of this book. Some parts of the movie were not even included (Yoda on Kashyyyk???). Enjoyable, but not one of the best of the "based on" More...
Jun 27, 2007
Bain
rated it:
This is so much better then the movie and it explains everything that the movie can't. like how obi-wan can beat a four way light saber killing machine.
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Aug 13, 2011
Craig
rated it:
Well, it wasn't exactly spectacular, but it definitely helped the movie to make a lot more sense. As I sort of surmised, being able to actually see Anakin's thoughts went a long way toward explaining his actions and states of mind than Hayden Christensen's horrible acting did. Also I quite liked the way Stover wrote certain scenes from perspectives other than the ones we saw in the movie - for example, Padmé and Obi-Wan's talk from C-3PO's point of view. It's a little thing, but it makes read
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Jul 13, 2009
Kristin
rated it:
Warning. I assume everyone knows the story of "Revenge of the Sith". . but if not...this might spoil it for you. Of all the Star Wars prequel movies this was my favorite. I love stories about how things came to be. I thought the movie didn't explain Anakin's transition from good to bad, well enough but the book definitely filled in the blanks the movie was missing.
It helped me to see Anakins strengths better (although he was still pretty screwed up and Padame was loony to m More...
It helped me to see Anakins strengths better (although he was still pretty screwed up and Padame was loony to m More...
Jan 17, 2009
Mike
rated it:
The book starts with the words "This is what it feels like to be Anakin Skywalker." Not a bad beginning, that, but the best is saved for last.
The final words in the book, after the black helmet seals shut and the life support system begins breathing for him, are "This is what it feels like to be Anakin Skywalker-forever."
Most awesome turn of phrase to describe a character EVER!
Also, the book is not an exact chronicle of the events of the f More...
The final words in the book, after the black helmet seals shut and the life support system begins breathing for him, are "This is what it feels like to be Anakin Skywalker-forever."
Most awesome turn of phrase to describe a character EVER!
Also, the book is not an exact chronicle of the events of the f More...
Sep 27, 2011
nathan
rated it:
this book is the base of of the movie almost word for word as it follow the story of the young jedi named anikin and tells of the sinister sith that try to tempt him into joining the dark side eventually the evil sith lord despised as one of anikins friends convinces him to join the dark side by manipulating anikin and people dearest to him.
I like this book because it touches alot upon the subject of sci fi which i like. Matthew stover did a great job re righting the George lucas More...
I like this book because it touches alot upon the subject of sci fi which i like. Matthew stover did a great job re righting the George lucas More...
Jun 18, 2008
David
rated it:
Interesting to see more of what Anakin was thinking in this book.
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Sep 30, 2010
Soragon
rated it:
The book is pretty well written though not as beautifully as I would have liked. It added a new dimension to characters that gave it more emotional tension. I was pretty content until the infiltration of the Jedi Temple by Yoda and Obi-Wan. I'm sorry, but Yoda, dressed as Obi-Wan's baby who's speaking in an Irish(?) accent!? I understand the need for comic relief but this, this is too much. This is not Star Wars. That's where it lost my appreciation and respect.
Overall, it was a fun More...
Overall, it was a fun More...
Oct 27, 2011
Don
rated it:
If you ever wonder how writers can take a screenplay and a plot outline and develop an amazing and dense novel from it, then I suggest you start by using Matthew Stover’s “Revenge of the Sith” as the template. While the plot follows the basic A to B events of the film, Stover makes sure to take full advantage of third-person omniscient narration. The thoughts and motivations of each character is fleshed-out and given a level of philosophical depth that adds credibility to each character. “Even S
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Oct 10, 2010
Mj
rated it: 
The first three books lacked the heart and camaraderie of the last three. There was less of that need to root for the good guy. Knowing the outcome ruined the mystery and on-the-edge-of-your-seat sensation. I definitely preferred the characters in The New Hope,The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi,despite the advances in special effects. I read the first two in this series hoping they would get better. They didn't. I was disappointed. Should have stopped with episodes IV,V, and V More...
May 30, 2008
Jacob
rated it:
Ok,
I know what you are all thinking "Jacob is just too much of a Star Wars geek to know a crappy book". And you know what? At times I think that I would agree with you but I would like to say this. The book of episode 3 is shockingly very different and much more intense than the movie ever was, and here is the big difference- George Lucas didn't write the book. In this version you actually have depth added to the characters and Anakin isn't a whiny little bitch. He is exactly More...
I know what you are all thinking "Jacob is just too much of a Star Wars geek to know a crappy book". And you know what? At times I think that I would agree with you but I would like to say this. The book of episode 3 is shockingly very different and much more intense than the movie ever was, and here is the big difference- George Lucas didn't write the book. In this version you actually have depth added to the characters and Anakin isn't a whiny little bitch. He is exactly More...
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