This takes place about 3500 years after the events of Children of Dune. Leto II, son of Paul Atreides, has merged his physical form with the sandtrout of Arrakis to become something new, a hybrid of human and sandworm. This gives him nigh invulnerability and greatly expands his lifespan far beyond what even the spice melange can do. Now he has forced humanity down the "Golden Path," which will ultimately result in humanity reaching out and fulfilling their full potential, even though most humans have no idea that's even happening. The desert planet Dune has been transformed into a much lusher, greener paradise world, which has had the side effect of destroying the sandworms who were vital for producing the melange on which the entire galaxy depended for survival.

A cabal of plotters and schemers now seek to destroy the nearly indestructible Leto II, but as he's prescient, they have to figure out a way to trap him within his own visions of the future.

Like Dune: Messiah, much of this book features characters sitting around and talking about their feelings. The umpteenth incarnation of Duncan Idaho, who first appeared in the original Dune is still alive and kicking, as the Bene Tleilaxu who made him are still sending newer versions to serve Leto II in the vain hope that Duncan will eventually be able to bring down Leto.

Because this is the Villain's Journey, we see Darth Bane and his apprentice at their worst as they plot and scheme to not only conquer the galaxy but eliminate each other. According to Darth Bane's Rule of Two, the Apprentice *must* eventually challenge the Master when the Master is no longer capable of being the one in charge.

Bad guy wins in the end, but it's actually a bit ambiguous *which* bad guy wins. There's a slight chance some part of Darth Bane's essence is still around.

Terry Brooks is best known for his Shannara series, but Lucasfilm reached out to Brooks to ask him to write the novelization of Star Wars - Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Brooks already had a very strong relationship with Del Rey, the publisher of the Star Wars franchise, and he made his fantasy debut back in 1977, the same year Star Wars was released in theaters.

Brooks does a pretty good job, mostly following the main storyline in the movie, but also adding a few details here and there. For instance, the book opens with scene where Anakin is working for his master Watto on Tatooine, and we see glimpses of Anakin's podracing skills, which will be highly relevant later in the story. Overall, it's slightly better than the movie simply because we do get more insight into who each of the characters are on the inside through their inner monologues.

Salvatore was an odd choice to pick to write the novelization for Episode II and here's why--he does not know how to write romance scenes between characters. Salvatore is excellent in writing action pieces. But romance is NOT his thing and the romance subplot between Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala really needed much better writing. They were awkward enough in the movie, but Salvatore somehow made them worse.

This novel is an interquel between Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. It takes place right before the events of Episode III, and we see everything that leads up to the capture of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. We also see the growing power and arrogance of Anakin Skywalker as he goes about his duties as a full-fledged Jedi Knight. He KNOWS he's better than the rest of the Jedi on every level. This will come to a violent confrontation in the next book. Here he succumbs more than once to "hero syndrome" as he and Kenobi go on vital missions again and again to protect the Republic from Separatist threats. We also see Darth Tyranus (Count Dooku) and Darth Sidious (Chancellor Palpatine) moving behind the scenes to set up the main conflict of Episode III.

I've seen a lot of YouTubers raving about how good the novelization of Episode III is--and now I understand why. It really is a very good story about Anakin Skywalker's journey to the dark side. Matthew Stover took great care to unravel the interactions of the characters from the movie so that the reader can fully understand everyone's motivations for their actions. We also see extended scenes about Chancellor Palpatine's seduction of Anakin Skywalker to the dark side. He plays on Anakin's fears and insecurities masterfully until Anakin can no longer sort through what's real and what's merely a product of Palpatine's manipulations. Until Anakin finds himself alone, no longer trusting the very people who love him dearly. Only Palpatine can offer Anakin his heart's desire--saving Padmé from death in childbirth. And that is the turning point in Anakin's fall right there.

Very good book. I'm enjoying it quite a bit.