*All posts in the Star Wars Canon series contain minor spoilers
“We are brave, Your Highness.” Padmé, Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Written by: Terry Brooks
Published: April 21, 1999
When does The Phantom Menace take place? 32 BBY
Synopsis:
The peaceful planet of Naboo has come under attack by the Trade Federation in an attempt to dispute the taxation of trade routes. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan learner Obi-Wan Kenobi have been sent on behalf of the Supreme Chancellor to negotiate peace. After a failed effort, they flee Naboo with Queen Amidala and land on the desert planet of Tatooine. There they meet Anakin Skywalker, a young boy strong in the Force, who Qui-Gon believes is the Chosen One and is destined to bring balance to the Force.
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The prequel novelizations are unique because they are some of the only Star Wars books that can fit into both the canon and legends categories. The movie is obviously considered canon, and the basic storyline of the book is as well, but there are a few extra details scattered throughout which I’m honestly not entirely sure if they are canon or legends.
In Master and Apprentice, (which I am very eager to read again after having read The Phantom Menace) it’s mentioned that Obi-Wan joined the Jedi order when he was three years old, which is considered to be late for a Jedi. It also mentions another Jedi, Rael Averross, who didn’t join the order until he was five years old. In The Phantom Menace, it mentions all Jedi come to the temple before they are six months old, specifically mentioning Obi-Wan when he was that age. Queen’s Shadow also mentions that Qui-Gon knew Padmé was actually Queen Amidala from the start, but he doesn’t seem to think so in this book. The Phantom Menace says R2-D2 was the first to figure it out, which I think is hilarious. Some small discrepancies like these make it hard to classify this book as truly canon.
Some of the lines were exactly the same as the film, though some were completely different. There was quite a bit of extra Anakin, including additional scenes on Tatooine before he meets Qui-Gon and Padmé. Though the line of Anakin declaring he will marry Padmé when he first meets her was pretty cringeworthy. Darth Maul was also given some extra lines and scenes, though it still confuses me as to why he is often portrayed as the central focus of the film when he only has two lines and only appears in seven scenes.
Reading different points of views and different thoughts of the characters did enhance the story. There was some additional background and extra information, including some history about the Sith which was interesting. But overall, I enjoyed the movie more.
Have you read The Phantom Menace novelization? Do you enjoy the book or the movie more?
Next Star Wars post: Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Complete list of Star Wars Canon Novels
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