Mischievous and resolved, courageous to the point of recklessness, Anakin Skywalker has come of age in a time of great upheaval. The nineteen-year-old apprentice to Obi-Wan Kenobi is an enigma to the Jedi Council, and a challenge to his Jedi Master. Time has not dulled Anakin’s ambition, nor has his Jedi training tamed his independent streak. When an attempt on SenatorPadmé Amidala's life brings them together for the first time in ten years, it is clear that time also has not dulled Anakin's intense feelings for the beautiful diplomat.
The attack on Senator Amidala just before a crucial vote thrusts the Republic even closer to the edge of disaster. Masters Yoda and Mace Windu sense enormous unease. The dark side is growing, clouding the Jedi's perception of the events. Unbeknownst to the Jedi, a slow rumble is building into the roar of thousands of soldiers readying for battle. But even as the Republic falters around them, Anakin and Padmé find a connection so intense that all else begins to fall away. Anakin will lose himself—and his way—in emotions a Jedi, sworn to hold allegiance only to the Order, is forbidden to have.
Courageous to the point of recklessness, and possessing a wild independent streak, twenty-year-old Anakin Skywalker, apprentice to Obi-Wan Kenobi, is coming of age in a time of great upheaval. The attempted assassination of Senator Padmé Amidala before a crucial vote thrusts the Republic even closer to the edge of disaster. Unbeknownst to the Jedi, a low rumble of discontent is building into the roar of thousands of clone soldiers readying for the ultimate fight. The dark side is growing. Masters Yoda and Mace Windu sense enormous unease…for the fiercest battle of dark versus light is fast approaching, threatening to consume them all in a tidal wave of war.
Notable differences between the movie and the novelEdit
Padmé and Anakin's relationship is explored in greater detail.
During the battle in the Petranaki arena, the nexu that attacks Padmé survives longer than in the film, pursuing her as she rides the reek alongside Anakin, and then attacking the spear-wounded acklay. Although it is mentioned that all of the three execution monsters die in the Jedi-droid battle, the acklay's death is the only one described — it is killed by Obi-Wan, as in the film.
Another difference in the novel is the battle between Padmé and Anakin on Naboo. In all depictions: Anakin and Padmé engage in a wrestling fight after Anakin pulls a joke on her. In the movie, when Padmé and Anakin fight, though Anakin has the superior strength, Padmé's beauty, strength, and more focused combat skill gives her an advantage over Anakin. After a brief fight, she defeats him and smiles. In the novel, Anakin had the advantage over Padmé with his superior strength. He defeats her after a lengthy fight.