On May 16, 2002, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones landed in theaters for the very first time. The middle chapter of George Lucas’ prequel trilogy of films was the first to feature Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor together as Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi for the first time. It also dove deeper into the forbidden romance between Padmé Amidala and Anakin and featured Yoda fighting with his lightsaber for the first time.
The film turns 20 years old this year. What better way to celebrate than with books? Many stories have been told about The Clone Wars, the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan, and more. These are some of the most worthwhile reads out there to get you ready for a re-watch.
Brotherhood
Although this story takes place directly after The Clone Wars, it deals with Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi learning to embark on separate missions now that the former is a Jedi Knight and the latter a new Master.
Possibly the most important to fans of the movies, however, is that the major plot point of the story finally reveals what happened between Obi-Wan and Anakin on Cato Neimoidia. That famous one-liner from Revenge of the Sith is a mystery no more thanks to author Mike Chen.
Brotherhood releases on May 10, 2022, giving you just enough time to dive in before the 20th anniversary of Episode II arrives.
The Approaching Storm
There are several tie-in novels to Attack of the Clones that were released around the time the film came out. These stories are categorized as Legends now, but in the case of books like The Approaching Storm, nothing in canon has technically overridden the story’s events to the point where it can’t still be enjoyed.
This book follows Obi-Wan and Luminara Undul — as well as their Padawans, Anakin and Barriss Offee — as they attempt to stop yet another planet from taking the side of the Separatists in the budding war.
You can still find The Approaching Storm and other Star Wars Legends books in many places Star Wars books are sold.
Star Wars; Attack of the Clones novelization
Not every film novelization adds a lot of substance to the movie it’s based on. However, R.A. Salvatore’s Attack of the Clones novel remains among the exceptions.
The book gives more background information about Shmi, telling more of her story before she’s taken by the local Tusken Raiders. It also proves, in some ways, that much of the film’s dialogue reads better than it’s spoken — and that’s not a bad thing.
Every Star Wars film novelization — there is one for every theatrical release, including The Clone Wars movie — offers its readers a little something different. Some stick pretty close to the original script dialogue; others, such as the ROTS novel, exercise more creative freedom in the way the movie’s story is told. Attack of the Clones is largely in the middle of the two extremes, but it remains an enjoyable read even if the film isn’t at the top of your favorites list.
Shatterpoint
In Attack of the Clones, most of Mace Windu’s “shining” moments happen in the Geonosis arena during the first battle of the war that plunged the galaxy into decades of darkness. He confronts Dooku, fights on the front lines against a sea of enemies, and does what Obi-Wan couldn’t: eliminates Jango Fett with a single swing of his purple saber,
But in Shatterpoint, a different side of Windu emerges when he must return to the place he came from in order to rescue one of his own.
This book — despite it not being “canon” — will change the way you look at Mace Windu. He’s still not a great guy, let’s be clear about that. But so much of that stems from the fact that he was raised in the same Jedi Order that became the corrupt cult-like organization that went on to fail so many of its members.
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