Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

By: Matthew Stover

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The stunning novelization of the final film in George Lucas’s epic Star Wars prequel trilogy

“The best Star Wars novel.”—IGN

As 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. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine continues to strip away constitutional liberties in the name of security while influencing public opinion to turn against the Jedi. And a conflicted Anakin Skywalker fears that his secret love, Senator Padmé Amidala, will die. Tormented by unspeakable visions, Anakin edges closer to the brink of a galaxy-shaping decision. It remains only for Darth Sidious to strike the final staggering blow against the Republic–and to ordain a fearsome new Sith Lord: Darth Vader.

Based on the story and screenplay by George Lucas, bestselling author Matthew Stover’s Revenge of the Sith novelization captures the iconic characters of Star Wars in all their complexity and brings a space opera masterpiece full circle.

“Widely regarded as one of, if not the, best novelizations in the series and possibly the medium.”—Gizmodo© & (P)2005 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM; Random House Inc., Random House Audio, a division of Random House Inc.

Anything with Jonathan Davis is well worth the $

As are all books that are transformed into motion picture, they completely outshine the film adaptation, this novel is no exception. The descriptions given throughout the story are so vivid that they make it seem as though you are actually watching a movie. The only regret I have with the purchase is that I didn't buy it sooner. Jonathan Davis is the top of the list when it comes to narration. I find myself looking for his name when I am browsing. 5 stars.

loved it

this is a amazing audio version of revenge of the sith movie. it brings new details that the movie could not give

3rd Down

Reading all the books in order. I love this book, because it drew emotions out of me. I hated how Anakin Skywalker turned Sith in the movie. Listening to it, just made me sad, but thats because this saga, this book is so good.

A Warts and All Adaptation

Jonathan Davis does a fantastic job conveying an array of emotions from all sorts of characters. Add the masterful edits of sound effects and music, and it creates a fantastic audio book.

The biggest problem comes with the fact that this is based on the screenplay. Obviously that's to be expected, but neither Stover nor Davis can overcome some of the problems with the story itself. Padme's heavy and narm-worthy use of 'my love' like it's a drugstore paperback. Some of the biggest offenders are critical to the plot, like the weak speech the Chancellor gives in creating the Empire (The Jedi tried to undermine our democracy and need to be killed, but we're stronger and more united than ever. "We have become an empire in fact, let us become an Empire in name as well") and Skywalker's resentment and suspicion of the Jedi Order, but being unable to see a problem with his lifelong confidant extolling the virtues of the Sith before revealing himself as a Sith Lord.

Those problems weigh heavily on the audio book, but if you can stomach it, Stover's prose and Davis' delivery produces a wonderful, if handicapped result.

Far Better Than the Movie

This review assumes all of you have seen the movie this book was based on and therefore contains many spoilers for that movie.

Compared with this book, the movie feels rushed and very shallow. The book delves into the motivations of, not just Anakin, but many other characters. I was especially impressed by how well Matthew Stover revealed Windu's inner processes. Not just revolving around the confrontation with Palpatine, but also the skeptic caution with which he treated Anakin.

Of course, Stover also engages Kenobi's thoughts and reveals that, in a way, even he was not the "perfect jedi" that everyone believed he was.

Anakin himself, who's brashness and seeming rapid fall to the dark side made immeasurably more sense here than in the movie. Even actions that appeared to be irrational instability, such as his desperation to become a master, are masterfully explained in the book.

This book even humanizes (in concept, not literally) Yoda. It shows that he is perhaps, not so wise as he is usually portrayed. Anakin goes to him for help, as he does in the movie, but Yoda fails to offer anything but typical jedi platitudes driving Anakin to other sources. Toward the end, when Yoda begins to learn under the force ghost of the very unconventional Qui-Gon Jin, he makes an insightful realization about the limitations of jedi order as it had been and sees that, in a way, their inflexibility became their downfall.

My favorite part of this book was the description of Anakin's "dragon." It was an exceptionally well done abstraction of the struggle within him. The fruition of which, gave me goosebumps at the end.

In my opinion, any Star Wars fan should read this book. It just helps the story make sense, makes it seem like it could've actually happened and it wasn't forced in just because Anakin had to become Darth Vader somehow.

Of course, I can't say enough good things about Jonathan Davis. His narration was spot-on.