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August 1, 2008
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 If Karen Traviss' Clone Wars novel is the opening salvo of an all out assault on fanboy consumerism by the various Lucas companies, it at least has the good graces to be a decent read, unlike your typical film-to-novel adaptation. Who knows about the quality of the upcoming merchandising blitz kicking off the newly minted Star Wars television series (we just know that there will be a lot of it), but in having the stalwart Traviss batting lead-off, Lucasfilm has assured itself of some early positive buzz.
The new Clone Wars hardcover is not a direct translation from screen to page, but rather an interpretation of the forthcoming theatrical pilot, so readers hoping to get an early jump on the proceedings might be in for a bit of a disappointment when the film launches. "The novel is for adults: the animated feature is for the younger fan -- although like all Star Wars, it will appeal to all ages," Traviss says, in an interview with AM New York. "Lucasfilm has always been very supportive of my idiosyncratic and journalistic take on the Star Wars universe," she continues. Her idiosyncracies are in fine form, and if nothing else, Clone Wars is a nice appetizer for her forthcoming Republic Commando: Order 66 opus, shipping in September. At a scant 250-odd pages, the Clone Wars adaptation gets the job done, but also leaves you wanting a bit more.
In any event, the novel starts with a bang as she reinvents notions of Jabba the Hutt, framing his loathing of humans and his newfound 'sentimentality' at becoming a parent, while maintaining an aspect of ruthlessness that took a backseat to his comedic value in the Star Wars films. Traviss has an eye for detail that fleshes out the Star Wars universe, and that's never been more apparent than when she answers the question of why hutts collect twilek dancers since they find humans so repulsive. "I possess everything you lust after," Jabba gloats, "so i have power over you."
Also of note is the portrayal of Anakin Skywalker, as the character comes into his own in a way that has only been equaled by Matthew Stover's Revenge of the Sith novelization. Anakin is less cardboard cut-out and more conflicted warrior, and the way he frets over the rocky beginning to the relationship with his 14-year old padawan is indicative of an older, wiser man who can empathize rather than proselytizing his own greatness.
Anakin's mind is burning with questions, and seeds of his eventual betrayal of the Jedi are allowed to germinate as he ponders mysteries such as why Qui-Gon Jinn was able to leave his mother to a life of slavery without batting an eyelash, or the way the elder Jedi, particularly Yoda, treat the Chosen One as a burden rather than an asset. The character has finally grown up, and the novel forms a nice bridge between the spoiled brat from Attack of the Clones and the self-absorbed ego-maniac of Revenge of the Sith. Ultimately, its very gratifying to see an author of Traviss' caliber add to the legacy of one of pop culture's most endearing super-villains.
The newcomer Ashoka is something of a question mark, and, at first glance, an annoyingly precocious tweenage padawan. Traviss does the best she can with the character, though you may find yourself wincing whenever she refers to Anakin as 'skyguy' in the heat of battle. That said, the young Togruta Jedi endears herself to the reader by the end of the novel, and whether or not this translates to the film, Traviss manages to make her an engaging new character rather than a identifiable marketing demographic.
Additionally, anyone looking for Traviss' signature Mando/Imperial style won't be disappointed. She saves some of her best prose for the clone troopers and their actions under fire, and, though the novel is half the length of her Republic Commando installments, it still manages to tweak the same emotional strings and is more than up to the task of satisfying casual action fans.
When all is said and done, Traviss' Clone Wars will more than likely rank right up there with Stover's Revenge of the Sith in terms of the highest quality adaptations in the large Expanded Universe library. Here's to hoping that, unlike Stover's work, it doesn't outshine its own source material.
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