I have only read about 79 pages of the novel (my reading has slowed since life has picked up in the last week).

So far it's a mixed bag. Almost everything not seen in the film has captured my attention (especially the portions involving Cleigg Lars and his family--Owen (son), Beru (daughter-in-law-to-be), and a certain female character named Shmi (who has been captured by Tuskens).

I wish I could say that the scenes from the film, many involving Obi-Wan, Padme, and Anakin, are better on paper, but they are just as cheesy. Obi-Wan seems begrudged to be training Anakin (not good friends as he would have Luke believe) and Anakin seems less mature than he did in THE PHANTOM MENACE. Padme is almost as wishy-washy in the novel as she would later become on film in REVENGE OF THE SITH.

I wonder if Salvitor read Terry Brooks' adaptation of Episode I. He keeps stating that Anakin was nine when he met Padme where in the novel he was nine--nine at the beginning of the novel and nine at the end.

However, his additions, as previously stated, are what has kept me reading. I do aim to finish the novel and go on to the next book. I do want to read through the prequels.

I realize MANY of you are ATTACK OF THE CLONES fans and I don't mean to get your dander up. My goal in deciding to read through these books was the hopes that I would like the stories better than I do before I read them.