Book Review: Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover

Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Woodring Stover
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The novelization of the final prequel film Revenge of the Sith hit shelves approximately six weeks before the film hit theaters, written by fantasy-science fiction writer Matthew Stover based on the script and story penned by George Lucas.

Stover sticks with the general outline of the film, especially at the beginning and the end of the novel but adds details that either Lucas cut from the film or details that added to the overall narrative. The book focuses more on Palpatine’s arguments to Anakin about the Jedi conspiring to destroy the Republic while his concern for Padme was subtly intertwined within the political aspects. While it added depth to Palpatine’s manipulation as well as Anakin’s character flaws, it would not have translated to a film. The scenes showing the birth of the Rebellion amongst Senators were nice touches that gives background to events that occur in the original trilogy. The best part of the novel was Stover’s descriptions of the characters throughout the novel especially their inner thoughts.

Revenge of the Sith is a great novelization that adds to what was included in the film as well as giving greater context.

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