I haven't read the novel but I did finish up the unabridged audio book. The story is quite strong. It is by far the best of the three prequels. I read the other two prequel novels before the movies came out and I was let down both times. But this novel has sooo much more character interaction. The exchanges between Anakin and Palpy actually drew me in and I clearly began to understand the prequel trilogy as a whole. You begin to feel sorrow for Anakin and you see him as a victim. I loved the novel and I only pray that Hayden can pull off emotions portrayed in the novel. I have to believe this movie will be terrific.

SPOILERS!

Anakin becomes... Darth Vader!

Padme gives birth... to Luke and Leia!

Chancellor Palpatine is... actually Siddeous!

There, I just saved you $9 and what remains of your raped childhood.

Oh Franklin... you're so jadded.

:)

Cheers!

I will buy it and test my self-control.

The times that I've ever read a movie novelization before seeing the actual movie, I found myself forgeting most of what I had read when I actually saw the movie. Not because I literally forgot what happens in the story, it's just that I found it difficult to keep track of what I had read as I watched the movie. This happened when I read the Batman movie novelization.

Also what I imagined from what I read usually didn't match up with what I saw on the screen. That's another factor to keep in mind.

I'm on page 170 and I agree, it is the strongest story and definitely the best adaptation novel-wise. It hands down better than Brooks and Salvatore's version. Sadly, I've also read the final version of the screenplay and much of the dialogue in the book has been sliced out. It will be interesting which version Lucas sends to theaters on May 19th. The potential is there for a winner - a redeeming winner at that - but I'm nervous.

Well, I also have read the screenplay (final version? are u kiddin?), and I don´t care about novelizations... everything is in the movie.

I wonder why so much people say Lucas can´t write good screenplays... One positive aspect of the new trilogy is that, thematically and stillistically, is far more cohesive than the old one.

Reading a script, however, is SUCH a different thing from seeing the movie...

Well, I don't read books that much, but if I read, I do it AFTER the movie, not before. Only exception pretty much is Sin City. But it ain't a book in that way. Saw the first trailer, loved it and watched it about 20 times. Then I bought all the comics and loved them.

I'm pretty allergic to the spoilers, and this book is out of question.

LOL - Franklin sometimes you crack me up!

Read the book before the movie!!! Never! I'm definitely going to buy it, probably before the movie, but it sit on my shelf (with a number of SW novels) and not come down till the afternoon of May 19th. :)

Simone - I trust you will have the will power to with stand reading the novel before the movie. ;)

Meli, well I will have to because I will not make the same mistake I did with Attack of the Clones. Back then I devoured any possible SPOILERS I can get hold of including reading the novel. I enjoyed the film still but maybe I would have enjoyed it better have I had that element of surprise. I emailed you btw Meli, did you get it?

Either way, this will be in my shelf indeed as are other SW merchandise.

I try to remain as spoiler free as possible, but it's a bit harder with Ep.III cause we know some of the major plot points as this is a prequel to what we grew up with. I'm looking forward to seeing the timeline.

Simone - I did get your email and I've replied. :)

I haven't read the EP3 novel yet but I have read another one of Stover's Star Wars books, Shatterpoint, and it was beyond excellent. The first really good Star Wars novel I've ever read. Most Star Wars novels are written by military Sci-fi hacks and are quite unreadable, but Stover rocks.
Glad they picked him to write the official novelization.
I'm a librarian, and I have several copies of it ordered.
Oh, and I will be reading it as soon as I get it. Who goes to see the new Star Wars movies for the story anyway? It's more like a big special effects show...with lightsabers.

"Who goes to see the new Star Wars movies for the story anyway?"

Hey slybri, I actually go to see it for the story, it wasnt the special effects that pulled me to Star Wars even when I was a kid, but the theme of redemption. The FORCE sold me in too.

Meli- got your email girl and will work on it! Thanks! *winks*

I read the book, i just couldn't help it.I bought in the morning and killed it in a day. Cried and cried when it was over. It was such a well written novel, such a fast, easy read. I hope the movie pulls the same kind of emotions off. I swear, the last three pages are burned into my head....

You cried? Oh dear. I will cry in this Episode? Is that what is most likely to happen?

Oh, you'll cry when a blue-faced Lucas shows his face as Baron Paponadiapapsmear or something like that. Very, very scary.

Unfortunately..I've almost completed the novel. I just couldn't help it. The story and plot are both excellant, although I'm not caring for the novel. Stover is a mediocre and rather bland author in my opinion...I wish the job had been passed on to Timothy Zahn. I can't wait to see everything play out on film though. The film will be fantastic.

Since Empire Strikes Back, I have ALWAYS read the book before the movie. Why? It's a better overall experience, that's why.

You can read a book and still enjoy the movie, but a movie usually spoils enough of a book to make it a chore to read through it.

Oh!!! I wish I hadnt bought the book today, I am so tempted to read it but I promised myself not to. I wonder how long this self-control will last?

I agree with Freedo. The book is amazing. Palpatine's manipulation of Anakin is described brilliantly in the book. And the turmoil between Anakin and Padme is heartwrenching. Unfortunately much of this is lost in the "final" script for the movie. I only hope that these emotions can be conveyed by the actors in the film. If they can pull it off, this could be the best installment of the Star Wars saga.

Wow Chris, that was a great review, no spoilers at all! Thanks! :-)

Man, i read the novel and i have to say (without going into too much detail for fear of spoiling for those who don't want it) that IF this movie goes off like the book does it will COMPLETELY change the way we look at the originals... All of the sudden the story isn't about Luke at all. Can't way for May 19.

"All of the sudden the story isn't about Luke at all".

But it wasnt about Luke Skywalker, I also thought it was, but as the story was told, it wasnt about him. I have the book too, but will not read it at least a day after May 19. :-)

I like reading spoilers.

This way, I can imagine what will happen in the movie in my head, and compare it to the way the director shoots/edits it.

I am reading this novel now and have made it to Chapter 2. Would very much like to finish the novel before I watch Sith again for the 5th time and then see if the film which is already brilliant in my eyes gets even better.