Star Wars Book Club discussion

I don't know about you guys but I loved this book. I've read it before, but I guess I forgot how great it is. How it fills in so many of the gaps created by the movies and really allows Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader to feel more organic and poignant.

The parallels drawn between Anakin and Qui-Gonn are interesting. The fact that Qui-Gonn refused a seat on the council to be able to go against the rules and really follow the ways of the Force, not just the ways of the Jedi. It made me really sad that he was dead. Imagine how amazing it would have been if he'd been a part of Anakin's path to becoming a Jedi. Not that Obi-Wan wasn't an excellent mentor, but he is more legalistic and Qui-Gonn better understood the nuances and the grey areas.

I also like the character break-downs "This is Obi-Wan Kenobi." Very cool writing tool to tell about the character from a different perspective.

The way they discuss the prophecy potentially having been interpreted incorrectly is a huge thread that was missing from the film. The fact that it doesn't mention that The Chosen One is a Jedi is so important! It adds to the depth of Anakin's character. How that alters the way the Council views him and interacts with him and in the end what it truly means to "bring balance to the Force" which of course we know, he ends up doing.

His inner monologue about Padme and his overwhelming desire to protect her. But also his inner struggle when it comes to his loyalty to Palpatine and how The Emperor uses Anakin as a chess piece in his game. Such a great book!!

I'm really interested in reading "Shatterpoint" even though it's not technically canon anymore. In this book it makes small mention of Mace's abilities to sense Shatterpoints in the Force and how Anakin himself is a Shatterpoint. That is intriguing and since Mace is a canon character, it would be interesting to use that story to flesh out Mace and his motivations.

One things that struck me was the dynamic between Mace and Yoda. Both highly respected Jedi Masters who approach Anakin and the Force very differently.

What did you guys think? And who's ready to dive into Tarkin?

Hi Liz, Thank you for sharing your review of Revenge of the Sith. You make some excellent points that I'd like to comment on.

Matthew Stover definitely gives the reader a better feel for what's going through the characters' heads. That's one reason I prefer the novel over the film.

Go ahead and read Shatterpoint. It features Mace as a character torn between his origins and his loyalties. It's set up as a study of the order embodied in Mace Windu, the Jedi Master, vs the chaos embodied in Kar Vastor, the jungle master. Canon or non-canon, it's a memorable study of a hero in turmoil.

Now I need to go find a copy of Tarkin...

Hey Gavin, Thanks for joining the thread!!!

It really is such a great book and I just fell in love with Matthew's story and the strength of what he did for Anakin's story line and subsequent fall to the dark side.

Also the points made by Padme and Bail about staying a part of the system to be able to eventually change the system.

Really excited to read Shatterpoint. I'm so intrigued by Mace and his Force skills. Love that they put that into the book a little. How Mace is constantly seeing the Shatterpoint, but it isn't until it's too late that he realizes the power of Anakin being that point. Wow!

June is Lords of the Sith. I got the order backwards. But hope you'll jump in at any time. Tarkin will be July's book.