Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

The characterisation of Anakin Skywalker in the Revenge of the Sith novelisation written by Matthew Stover is the absolute peak of character writing in the Star Wars franchise, and the ultimate depiction of the character, showing the incredible understanding of the character and care of presenting him correctly from Stover's prose. He clearly understands the character on a level much deeper than most media that portrays him, even good media where the character is written superbly.

“You killed her because, finally, when you could have saved her, when you could have gone away with her, when you could have been thinking about her, you were thinking about yourself...”

Anakin is a selfish, selfish man, and is clearly portrayed as a man who walks the dark path from the beginning of the story, his fall is inevitable because it is the result of his own actions, his own greed. His love for Padme is what makes him fail, but his love is not a selfless, unconditional love, it is a selfish love, it is about what Padme does for him, what she makes him feel, it is not as simple as him caring for her. Because whilst he does, ultimately, it is all about him.

The motivations and events that lead to Anakin's turn are clearer, more defined and expanded upon in this book than the movie, and adds to the claim that this novel doesn't simply feel like an adaptation, it almost feels like the movie is the adaptation, and this is the full story.

Anakin's obsession with mastery, with the rank of Master, are not just his pride or ego, whilst that absolutely plays a part, he is truly furious because with the rank of Master, he can access information he believes will help him save Padme from his visions.

But he is still human, and the remains of his empathy and love are still clear on display, and whilst he is a very evil, self-centered man, I think the reason this story strikes such a chord with me is the personal attachment I feel to him here, because I can relate.

There's a moment when we really get into the mind of Anakin Skywalker, as he approaches and searches for Padme after defeating Dooku, and see how deep the roots of his insecurities lie.

“She wasn't here. Why wasn't she here?
Something must have happened.
He knew, deep in his guts, that something had happened to her.”

“Had something changed? For her?
In how she felt?”

Padme's nerves, her life being changed by her pregnancy, immediately spawns an immense suspicion in Anakin. Almost instantly, he jumps to conclusions, before settling on the one that serves him best, that there is someone else. That she is with another man. He is an incredibly insecure man, but this is written so superbly because I know what it is like to be Anakin here, I know what it is like to be a very pathetic, incredibly suspicious, self-conscious man, who allows his anger to get the better of him, who acts like Anakin does here, borderline emotionally abusive to a partner.

Not getting edgy, I was quite young, but I was similar with a partner, and years later I realised what I was, and it has shown great growth in myself, but it still disgusts me and saddens me to realise how I acted, and it makes me understand greater how different things could have gone for Anakin if he had the right help, the time to grow, how amazing a Jedi he could've become, how these flaws could've been tempered, like they did for me.

But not Anakin Skywalker.

The deep dive into his psyche is phenomenal, and shows the talent of Stover to be able to truly get into the minds of people of all different types, whether it's Vergere, Jacen Solo, Ganner Rhysode, Anakin Skywalker, or even Obi-Wan Kenobi, he truly gets people on a deeper level than most authors.

“Anakin and Obi-Wan would never fight each other.
They couldn't.
They're a team. They're the team.
And both of them are sure they always will be.”

The way Matthew Stover wrote the brotherly duo of Anakin and Obi-Wan was also shockingly good, they are a dazzling display of heroes who are worshipped throughout the galaxy, the most famous Jedi, possibly, in history.

“Two is enough because the adults are wrong, and their younglings are right. Though this is the end of the age of heroes, it has saved its best for last.”

They are the dynamic duo, they are the perfect team, and they save the day again, but watch as this relationship is deconstructed, their highs, their lows, their strong as steel best attributes, and the tension and flaws between them.

While Anakin is groomed by the omniscient Sidious, Obi-Wan's actions and words are twisted by his devious friend, and like he will also manage with Padme, his brother becomes his enemy.

Palpatine's manipulations are at their best here, he is a cruel and clever man, he seemingly knows all, using his knowledge of everyone's actions and even thoughts to slowly convert Anakin, and to gain his trust and obedience until eventually... it is too late.

The metaphor of a dragon for Anakin's fear was just spectacular, the dragon grows and gnashes its claws, it tugs at Anakin's heart, until by the end, Vader clamps down on it and kills it. Only to realise, yet again, when it is too late, that there was no dragon, only Anakin Skywalker.

The dragon remains, and he has failed.

Palpatine manages to come across as a loving uncle to Anakin, and you totally buy why Anakin loves and trusts him, beyond them telling you so. Sidious manages to frame everything that happens to and around him back to his own means, and used it to seduce Anakin very slowly and very cleverly.

“The brightest light casts the darkest shadow.”

Obi-Wan is just... godly here. One of the most talented Jedi Masters of his time, he is wise, loving, and caring in a way most Jedi of this era aren't, he's a talented swordsman, and a brother to his former apprentice, Anakin Skywalker.

The truth is, Obi-Wan loves Anakin.

There's an extremely emotional moment where, concerned about his friend, Obi-Wan goes to Padme to inquire about his worries, seek help, and encourage Padme to assist.

“‘You love him, too, don't you?'
When he didn't answer, she turned to look. He stood motionless, frowning, in the middle of the expanse of buff carpeting.
‘You do. You love him.'
He lowered his head. He looked very alone.
‘Please do what you can to help him,' he said, and left.”

Despite his mastery of the Force, and what it means to be a republic-era Jedi, he has an attachment to Anakin, and not only does it cloud his vision of the darkness in his brother, it hinders him from accepting it, acknowledging it, and doing anything about it.

He hid and accepted his friend's flaws, he trusted him to do the right thing, and in the end, he failed...

“And here, and now, despite it all...
Obi-Wan still loved him.”


After their climactic duel, Obi-Wan leaves Anakin to burn. He notes that to put Anakin out of his misery would be the right thing to do, but he isn't feeling merciful. And whilst he thinks about it, it is too late, Sidious arrives, and he flees.

Hoping, but ultimately failing, to save Padme, Obi-Wan resigns himself to watching over Luke. Finally, he smiles, remarking that he cannot think of a better way to spend his life, than watching over Anakin's son. He declares that he wants to be an eccentric old uncle, and to keep him out of danger too dark for him to handle on his own.

Whilst the novel doesn't reach the pinnacle of Star Wars books just quite for me, and is definitely outmatched by the greats like Path of Destruction, The Last Command, Vision of the Future, the entire New Jedi Order series, it's a beautiful novel that just adds more to my favourite film in the franchise.

And whilst I may give this novel a lower rating than the movie, I do believe it improves upon it, adding depth and realism to Anakin's turn, and adding so much to the film it's almost its own thing, in fact, I'd argue it is.

But when I rate these books, I compare them to the previous books I've read, and it just doesn't quite compare to my all-timers.

It is, absolutely, a masterpiece in its own regard, and I think that to any fan of the movie, the prequels, or even the franchise in and of itself, this is an exceptional read, if not a gateway into the wider Legends universe.

Artistic, literary, Matthew Stover treats the film like a fine art, making you feel like you're reading Lord of the Rings, or some beloved literature ancient and old. He makes it feel biblical, like a myth.

‘Mythology' has never been a better adjective for a Star Wars book, than the Revenge of the Sith novelisation, written by Matthew Stover.

9/10

WHY: I recently finished the heartbreaking Clone Wars TV series which naturally leads in to Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith, but did not want to rewatch the film - instead opting for a novelisation and my first Legends material due to the stellar reviews.
DIFFERENCES: I really liked some of the additional story material and artistic vision presented here, especially in the first half of the novel. There's a deeper introspection into Anakin's thinking and character through his perspective, as well as masterful manipulation from Palpatine in both the condensed timeline and manoeuvring of key players. Further, I really enjoyed the image of Coruscant bathed in blood-red flames and smoke due to the opening battle, and wish this detail was more relevant in the canon - it fits the story's themes of darkness and subterfuge.
WRITING: The writing overall was good, but unfortunately I had a few issues with the exploration of the dark and light theme. At times it was very cool, especially in regards to Yoda and Sidious, but also had me confused with its concluding message after being prominently interweaving itself through the plot. Also, some Star Wars action just can't be translated to page - whilst it was interesting to learn about different droid thinking and different lightsaber forms, it is much more captivating to watch a space battle or Jedi and Sith duel.
WHO: Really, really for the hardcore Star Wars prequel trilogy and Legends fans. Otherwise, this novelisation is very much skippable for the rest of the reader base. The film and its visuals not just cover the story better but add more perspectives and emotion.

A fantastic read which builds upon the themes and story presented to the audience in the film but expanded upon greatly.

Revenge of the Sith, although in my opinion the best of the prequels, might not be the greatest movie of all time, but it did have one great story hidden in there. Not as executed as well as it could have, but the novelization more than makes up for it. The politics aspect is great, and how Palpatine's influence over everyone and Anakin is described. Anakin's turn is way more believable and it hurts way more if you also have access to all the characters' thoughts, both him and others such as Obi-Wan and Padme. I found it to be very gripping and entertaining to listen to even if I obviously knew all scenes that were going to take place. It really makes the story shine.

2.5