Rating: 
Summary: Much darker, and much better, than Episode 1
Review: Having been a fan of the first movie for 25 years, I am looking forward to seeing this next installment. Not wanting to wait 10 days for the film to open I picked up the book to read. I was not disappointed.The story is dark, mysterious, and full of plot twists and intrigue. The most pleasant surprise was the characters. This chapter in the Star Wars series focuses yet again on human characters, and not on just aliens and effects. I was very interested in seeing how Anakin would become Darth Vader, and this story depicts his passion to be his downfall. I was cringing about the relationship between Anakin and Amidala and how it would be treated. Again, I was not disappointed, as it unfolds naturally and with a respect for the reality of their two lives. The childhood exploits of one Boba Fett were enjoyable as well. If the film is as good as the book, it will be outstanding. George gives up the cutesy little bears and the annoying "roger roger" of the battle droids for a dark and gripping tale of intrigue. Well done.
Rating: 
Summary: Salvatore has done better; gets 3 stars because I like him.
Review: I've read his "Vector Prime" so he knows Star Wars. This story starts strong but ends flat. In comparing the two books I would say that the problem may be in Lucas' story, but Salvatore seems to loose control (or heart) at the end. The story mirrors "Empire Strikes Back" but had me starving for Han Solo.
"Attack of the Clones" begins 10 years after "Phantom Menace" ends. Twenty-year-old Anakin is energtic, brash, funny, and "arrogant." Obi-wan in a moment of exasperation says, "You'll be the death of me."
Salvatore's excellent when he describes the farmers' battles on Tatooine or the building turmoil in Anakin's loyalties to both Obi-wan and Senator Palpatine. Then in waltzes Padame to really muck up his "well-ordered" life. The Chosen One he is, but there is still confusion as to what "bringing balance to the force" may be. So, the Jedi Council are in a fog as the dark side gains ground and the upper hand in the corruption of the Senate. The bad guys win, and the good guys go home to bandage their wounds and prepare for another day another battle. Yes, we've seen this before and Lucas has a cyclical story in mind but I hope desperately that the final book will be more satisfying. This author can be very, very good, but it's too bad Salvatore didn't seem to be able to encorporate more of his own personal strengths into the ending.
Rating:
Summary: Good but a little confusing towards the end
Review: The good: it is better than phantom menace. The characters are more interesting and more developed. The plot is better. I think the movie will be good. The bad: I reread the last part of the book several times and still couldn't follow what was going on. Now, I have a hard time reading fight scenes to begin with, but I got totally confused with these scenes. I suppose like Empire Strikes Back, we are kind of left hanging in the middle of the action. The war will continue over into Episode 3 where it will be resolved. Also, I was very confused about the political plots, just as I was with Phantom Menace. All I got was that Palpatine was orchestrating the collapse of the Republic by instigating political discord all over the place. The most significant part, I gather, is when the Senate grants him "emergency powers," obviously a precursor to his becoming emperor. I am not sure if these confusions are the result of Salvatore's writing, the screenplay it is based upon, or my inability to grasp the details. I am hoping that any confusion I have will be cleared up when I see the movie. Overall, despite my complaints, it was an enjoyable read, which is why I gave it 4 stars. I especially enjoyed R2D2 and C3PO's first meetings. With Attack of the Clones, it really feels like Star Wars again.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Story
Review: I cannot wait to see the movie. The story was such an improvement over the Phantom Menace. George really got his act together this time. However, now that I've read this, it makes The Phantom Menace a better story.
Rating:
Summary: If only the movie is this good.....
Review: This book filled me with the excitement of the first movie. For me, this was a quick read. The story was fast paced and filled with vivid detail. You feel what the characters feel. The story filled me with emotion and anticipation for the movie. I fear I will go see it repeatedly.
Rating:
Summary: My thoughts on Salvatore's book...
Review: Great book! I read it in 1 day. I was a little intimidated by the size of this book but when I opened it up and started reading the first couple of chapters; some good things became apparent: 1.) This book is easy to read. This is not Faulkner or Shakespeare. 2.) This book is well spaced out, typed in large font and divided into many small chapters. It's quite easy to read 4-5 chapters in one seating. I can't wait to see the movie. I came back from Spider-Man. What a blast that was! Lucas, you've got stiff competition! enjoy the book,
Charles D.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: When this audiobook arrived I was in the middle of re-listening to "The Phantom Menace." I put it aside and once had finished listening to Episode I popped in the first CD of Episode II. Waht a story, what action! For the next three days I was beside my CD player listneing with full attention. I would call up friends at the end of each day and give them little teasers. A lot happens in Episode II; a romance occurs, we get to see the origins of Boba Fett, and we get to see the brilliant politician Palpatine at work once more. This man is truly after your heart. However the best part for me was the lightsaber duel at the end. Waht a battle what fencing! I wont give too much away but will say its got to be one of the best Star Wars duels so far. I had nearly fallen on the floor from my seat listneing to the scene; so excited I was. It is overall a wonderful story full of emotion, action and suspense. A lot of old friends from Episode I are here of course some who I thoght would not be in episode II. I will add one more teaser and that is we finally get to see Anakin start his descent into the dark side. It was quite the scene in fact and will probably come across as quite dark on the screen if its included that is.
This audiobook version is unabridged. It contains nine CD's with nice packaging. The reader Jonathan Davis does an incredible job in narrarating the story. Hope I hear more of him in future audiobooks. His voice, smooth and inviting is well suited for this format. You can not call yourself a true Star Wars fan if you don't pick up this book in either the hard copy version or on audio like I did. It will entertain you for hours on end. Included with the audio version are sound effects and music, though not from the new soundtrack. Buy it and May the force be with you. The dark side has indeed arrived!
Rating:
Summary: The best cliff-hanging book
Review: Star Wars Episode II: The Attack of the Clones, was a great book. I bought it because I wanted to be a spoilers and I wanted to compare the book with the movie. Well you must see Episode I to understand this. From the sleek ships of the glimmering Coruscant skyscape to the lush gardens of pastoral Naboo, dissent is roiling. The Republic is failing, even under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, elected 10 years earlier to save the crumbling government. Seperatists threaten war, and the Senate hopelessly divided, unable to determine whether to raise an army for battle (Military Creations Act) or keep fragile peace. It is a stalemate that ,once broken ,could lead to galactic chaos. This leads you to a wonderous journey if you read it. This is a great book. When I read it, i couldn't stop at one chapter, so i went on obviously making me complete the book. THIS IS INDEED A GREAT BOOK! You must read it!
Rating:
Summary: Pay Attention NJO Boys and Girls!
Review: Ok, I want all of the authors of the New Jedi Order books to pay attention to how it is done. George and Salvatore are trying to show you what the star wars universe is about (new or old). You provide the readers with a variety of reading goals. You provide a love story for the fans who enjoy a good romance, action for the glory buffs, suspense for the mystery lovers, and comedy for the humorous fans. Blended together, you have a star wars novel for everyone. Yes, there is death, yes, there is tragedy, but it is all explained and detailed in a way to satisfy all of the readers (happy or unhappy with the circumstances).
This novel brought it back to the way the star wars universe should be. The heros have struggles and failures and the villians have triumphs and successes, but not to the definitive extent...save a little for the next guy to pick up on...
Rating:
Summary: A very enjoyable novelization!
Review: I think everyone is agreed that the trilogy is back on track. As Muad'dib observed, "Beginnings are such delicate things." In fact, after reading this book, "The Phantom Menace" for me has become a better film and a better story. The plot lines that were drawn in Episode I are filled in and rounded out Now, about Jar Jar Binks: Don't worry-he appears in about three scenes. He does however play a pivotal part of the story, and for one moment, the entire plot rest on something he does. The Simpsons call Jar Jar Binks "Poochie," but Binks gets slightly better treatment. By the way, have you noticed that he is not in any of the trailers? This is a good novelization. I am not familiar with Salvatore, but I found his prose to be like glass. This book returns to the high standard of screenplay adaptations set by Orson Scott Card with "The Abyss." It has the feel of a good story, and it is not at all like reading a screenplay. I hope Salvatore does the novelization for the next film. The pacing and the length of the chapters are done perfectly, and compliment the prose and the films, which is what we are all about. I found many of the parallels in the story reminiscent of "The Empire Strikes Back," the other middle film. Note the parallels between meeting Amidala's family with Anakin's family, and the father-son relationships between Kenobi and Anakin, Jango and Boba Fett, and Panaka and Typho. Indeed, this book is almost a fugue like the "Back to the Futuure" trilogy. There are also other parallels, but I would get pasted because they are spoilers. The "Star Wars" Universe, it must be remembered, is primary a film phenomenon, with the books being a back second. You cannot get very intricate as Tolkien or Herbert when you have only 2 ½ hours to visually and musically present a story. This is really the biggest weakness of the "Star Wars" franchise, with the other weakness being that there are so many minds weaving the tales that there are several minor contradictions, such as Boba Fett's oringins. However, this book is a benchmark for all the "Star Wars" books, showing us that there is a strong and viable print side to the universe.
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