Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones (novelization)

The Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones novelization by R. A. Salvatore, published by Del Rey on April 23, 2002, is the official novel adaptation of the film Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. It includes expansion of scenes from the movie, many scenes cut from the movie, and several original scenes. The paperback edition includes 32 pages of storyboard art from the First Battle of Geonosis, an introduction by Rick McCallum, and a preview of Matthew Stover's novel Shatterpoint. Narration for the audio version was performed by Jonathan Davis.

Editions

 * ISBN 0-345-42881-1; April 23, 2002, Del Rey, 336-page hardcover
 * ISBN 0-553-52904-8; April 23, 2002, Random House Audio, Abridged cassette
 * ISBN 0-553-71472-4; April 23, 2002, Random House Audio, Abridged CD
 * ISBN 0-553-71473-2; April 23, 2002, Random House Audio, Unabridged cassette
 * ISBN 0-553-71474-0; April 23, 2002, Random House Audio, Unabridged CD
 * ISBN 0-345-45851-6; May 1, 2002, Del Rey, 353-page Celebration II hardcover
 * ISBN 0-345-46143-6; November 12, 2002 Del Rey, 336-page hardcover (Yoda cover)
 * ISBN 0-345-42882-X; April 1, 2003, Del Rey, 368-page paperback
 * ISBN 8372459479; 2002, Amber, 262-page Polish paperback
 * ISBN-13:978-954-528-677-3; 2006, Trud, 278-page Bulgarian paperback

Hardcover
There is a great disturbance in the Force&hellip;. From the sleek ships of the glimmering Coruscant skyscape to the lush gardens of pastoral Naboo, dissent is roiling. The Republic is failing, even under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, elected ten years earlier to save the crumbling government. Separatists threaten war, and the Senate is hopelessly divided, unable to determine whether to raise an army for battle or keep the fragile peace. It is a stalemate that, once broken, could lead to galactic chaos.''

''Mischievous and resolved, courageous to the point of recklessness, Anakin Skywalker has come of age in a time of great upheaval. The nineteen-year-old apprentice to Obi-Wan Kenobi is an enigma to the Jedi Council, and a challenge to his Jedi Master. Time has not dulled Anakin’s ambition, nor has his Jedi training tamed his independent streak. When an attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala's life brings them together for the first time in ten years, it is clear that time also has not dulled Anakin's intense feelings for the beautiful diplomat.''

''The attack on Senator Amidala just before a crucial vote thrusts the Republic even closer to the edge of disaster. Masters Yoda and Mace Windu sense enormous unease. The dark side is growing, clouding the Jedi's perception of the events. Unbeknownst to the Jedi, a slow rumble is building into the roar of thousands of soldiers readying for battle. But even as the Republic falters around them, Anakin and Padmé find a connection so intense that all else begins to fall away. Anakin will lose himself&mdash;and his way&mdash;in emotions a Jedi, sworn to hold allegiance only to the Order, is forbidden to have.''

Paperback
''Courageous to the point of recklessness, and possessing a wild independent streak, twenty-year-old Anakin Skywalker, apprentice to Obi-Wan Kenobi, is coming of age in a time of great upheaval. The attempted assassination of Senator Padmé Amidala before a crucial vote thrusts the Republic even closer to the edge of disaster. Unbeknownst to the Jedi, a low rumble of discontent is building into the roar of thousands of clone soldiers readying for the ultimate fight. The dark side is growing. Masters Yoda and Mace Windu sense enormous unease&hellip;for the fiercest battle of dark versus light is fast approaching, threatening to consume them all in a tidal wave of war.''

Notable differences between the movie and the novel

 * Padmé and Anakin's relationship is explored in greater detail.


 * The Lars family is introduced, and has its own subplot leading up to when they appear in the movie. The novel reveals how Cliegg Lars lost his leg and deepens the relationship between Shmi Skywalker, Owen Lars, and Beru Whitesun.
 * Anakin's childhood episode with sparing the life of a wounded Tusken Raider in the Episode I novel by Terry Brooks (which did not appear in the film) was briefly referenced by R. A. Salvatore in the Episode II novel (which episode likewise didn't surface in film II either).


 * During the battle in the Petranaki arena, the nexu that attacks Padmé survives longer than in the film, pursuing her as she rides the reek alongside Anakin, and then attacking the spear-wounded acklay. Although it is mentioned that all of the three execution monsters die in the Jedi-droid battle, the acklay's death is the only one described &mdash; it is killed by Obi-Wan, as in the film.


 * Another difference in the novel is the battle between Padmé and Anakin on Naboo. In all depictions: Anakin and Padmé engage in a wrestling fight after Anakin pulls a joke on her. In the movie, when Padmé and Anakin fight, though Anakin has the superior strength, Padmé's beauty, strength, and more focused combat skill gives her an advantage over Anakin. After a brief fight, she defeats him and smiles. In the novel, Anakin had the advantage over Padmé with his superior strength. He defeats her after a lengthy fight.
 * During Anakin's duel with Count Dooku on Geonosis, Anakin briefly uses his green lightsaber as well as the blue lightsaber given to him by Obi-Wan. The film depicts Count Dooku slashing in half Anakin's green blade forcing him to using his blue lightsaber whereas the novel depicts the opposite wherein Count Dooku cuts away Anakin's blue blade forcing him to use his green lightsaber.

Cover gallery
This is a gallery of the different cover variations of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones novelization.

Print excerpts

 * Star Wars Insider 60