The Approaching Storm

The Approaching Storm was a novel tie-in to the release of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones published on January 29, 2002. It was written by Alan Dean Foster; it was his first Star Wars novel since Splinter of the Mind's Eye, the original EU product. An excerpt of the book was included in The New Jedi Order: Dark Journey. Narration for the audio version was performed by Alexander Adams.

Editions

 * ISBN 0345443004, January 29, 2002, Del Rey, Hardcover
 * ISBN 0553528955, January 29, 2002, Random House Audio, Abridged cassette
 * ISBN 0553755242, January 29, 2002, Random House Audio, Abrdiged CD
 * ISBN 0345442997, January 2003, Del Rey, Paperback

Back cover
While the entire galaxy watches and waits, two Jedi and their apprentices battle impossible odds to protect the Republic&hellip;.

Inside flap
In the years since the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, the Republic has continued to crumble, and more and more, the Jedi are needed to help the galactic government maintain order. As Star Wars: Attack of the Clones'' opens, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker have just returned from a mission on a world called Ansion. Written by beloved Star Wars veteran Alan Dean Foster, and starring a new character from the upcoming movie, The Approaching Storm tells the story of that daring mission.''

''The Republic is decaying, even under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who was elected to save the galaxy from collapsing under the forces of discontent. On the tiny but strategic planet of Ansion, a powerful faction is on the verge of joining the growing secessionist movement. The urban dwellers wish to expand into the prairies outside their cities—the ancestral territory of the fierce, independent Ansion nomads. If their demands are not met, they will secede—an act that could jump-start a chain reaction of withdrawal and rebellion by other worlds of the Republic.''

''At the Chancellor's request, the Jedi Council sends two Jedi Knights, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luminara Unduli, to resolve the conflict and negotiate with the elusive nomads. Undaunted, Obi-Wan and Luminara, along with their Padawans Anakin Skywalker and Barriss Offee, set out across the wilderness. Many perils lie waiting to trap them. The Jedi will have to fulfill near-impossible tasks, befriend wary strangers, and influence two great armies to complete their quest, stalked all the while by an enemy sworn to see the negotiations collapse and the mission fail&hellip;.

Paperback
''The Republic is decaying, even under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who was elected to save the galaxy from collapsing under the forces of discontent. On the tiny but strategic planet of Ansion, a powerful faction is on the verge of joining the growing secessionst movement. At the Chancellor's request, the Jedi Council sends two Jedi Knights, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luminara Unduli, along with their Padawans Anakin Skywalker and Barriss Offee, to stabilize the planet's population. To succeed, the Jedi will have to fulfill near impossible tasks, befriend wary strangers, and influence two great armies, stalked all the while by an enemy sworn to see the negotiations collapse and the mission fail&hellip;.''

Plot summary
Just before the events of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, Jedi Master Luminara Unduli and her Padawan Barriss Offee go to the planet Ansion to make sure the world stays in the Galactic Republic rather than joining the growing powers of the Separatists. After an attack on the two female Jedi by a group of mercenaries, they are instantly saved by Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker and the four Jedi begin a journey to meet with Ansion's government for them to settle with the Republic. However, the foursome's attempts become a bit more complicated with the machinations of Ansion's residing Hutt, Soergg Vosadii Bezhin, who instead wants Ansion to join the Separatists. Nevertheless, the four Jedi make it through all impossible odds with the help of two clanless Ansionians that originally worked for Soergg and had their minds restored to a more fixed way thanks to Barriss's healing talents from the Force. After getting through much of Ansion's wildlife, Anakin, Obi-Wan, Luminara and Barriss make two Ansion clans make a peace treaty that ended their war, thus gaining more support for the Republic. Getting through more of Soergg the Hutt's machinations, the four Jedi eventually coerce Ansion to join the Republic on its voting day, and they successfully have Ansion side with the Republic. The prologue features Shu Mai, and the epilogue features a cameo by Shu Mai and Count Dooku.

Behind the scenes
The events of The Approaching Storm are referenced in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones when Mace Windu mentions that Obi-Wan Kenobi had just returned from a border dispute on Ansion.

Both Mirialans are referred to as Humans throughout The Approaching Storm. Barriss even refers to herself as Human more than once.

Luminara Unduli, already a Jedi Master in Cloak of Deception, is referenced as a Jedi Knight.

There is a spelling mistake on page 60 of The Approaching Storm: wore is spelled as were.

Cover gallery
This is a gallery of the different cover variations of The Approaching Storm.