Product Description The turning point for the entire Star Wars saga is at handAfter years of civil war, the Separatists have battered the already faltering Republic nearly to the point of collapse. On Coruscant, the Senate watches anxiously as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine aggressively strips away more and more constitutional liberties in the name of safeguarding the Republic. Yoda, Mace Windu, and their fellow Masters grapple with the Chancellor’s disturbing move to assume control of the Jedi Council. And Anakin Skywalker, the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring balance to the Force, is increasingly consumed by his fear that his secret love, Senator Padmé Amidala, will die. As the 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. Palpatine, eager to secure even greater control, subtly influences public opinion to turn against the Jedi. And a conflicted Anakin-tormented by unspeakable visions-edges dangerously closer to the brink of a galaxy-shaping decision. It remains only for Darth Sidious, whose shadow looms ever larger, to strike the final staggering blow against the Republic . . . and to ordain a fearsome new Sith Lord: Darth Vader. Based on the screenplay of the eagerly anticipated final film in George Lucas’s epic saga, bestselling Star Wars author Matthew Stover’s novel crackles with action, captures the iconic characters in all their complexity, and brings a space opera masterpiece full circle in stunning style. From Publishers Weekly Based on George Lucas's original screenplay and story, Stover's smart, efficient novelization isn't as humorous as the last of the Star Wars films, but it's packed full of stunning fight scenes, entertaining interludes with Obi-Wan Kenobi and delightful Yodaspeak ("Named must your fear be, before banish it you can"). Picking up where the movie left off, Stover (Star Wars: Shatterpoint) makes a heartfelt attempt at deepening the characterizations of Anakin Skywalker and his secret wife, Senator Padmé Amidala. Haunted by his failed attempt to save his mother's life and having a premonition of Padmé dying in childbirth, Skywalker chooses to serve Sidious, the Dark Lord of the Sith, in order to learn how to make his wife immortal. Sidious, who has been masquerading as the Republic's Supreme Chancellor Palpatine for many years, is determined, with the future Darth Vader's help, to destroy anyone who would defy him, including all Jedi and Separatists. Stover fills in the blanks regarding one of cinema's most fascinating villains with respect and relish, providing answers to such questions as why Vader looked so weird and how he became Luke's dad. This is the perfect companion to the blockbuster film. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. About the Author Matthew Stoveris the New York Times bestselling author of five previous novels, including Star Wars: Shatterpoint; Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Traitor; Heroes Die; and The Blade of Tyshalle. He is an expert in several martial arts. Stover lives outside Chicago. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Revenge of the Sith Novel ExcerptStar Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith By Matthew Stover; Based on the story and screenplay by George Lucas A LONG TIME AGO IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY. . . . This story happened a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. It is already over. Nothing can be done to change it. It is a story of love and loss, brotherhood and betrayal, courage and sacrifice and the death of dreams. It is a story of the blurred line between our best and our worst. It is the story of the end of an age. A strange thing about stories -- Though this all happened so long ago and so far away that words cannot describe the time or the distance, it is also happening right now. Right here. It is ha