Star Wars' Top Novel Gets 20th Anniversary Edition

Few things underscore the passage of time more sharply than realizing Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith turns 20 in 2025. As part of Lucasfilm's anniversary celebrations, the iconic film returns to theaters this May—and Matthew Stover's acclaimed novelization gets a special 20th-anniversary rerelease (available for preorder on Amazon).

Collider reports the novel is receiving a Deluxe Edition hardcover this October featuring new cover art, red foil-edged pages, a removable acetate jacket, and over 170 new annotations from Stover himself.

"We're thrilled to publish this deluxe edition of the Revenge of the Sith novelization," said Tom Hoeler, Editorial Director at Random House World. "Working with Matthew Stover and Lucasfilm to create this fully annotated edition has been extraordinary—it offers unprecedented insight into this masterpiece. Among 50 years of Star Wars books, it remains unique, even among film novelizations for its groundbreaking approach to adapting characters and story. Two decades later, this novel remains as vital and influential as ever. This stunning keepsake edition is the perfect way to celebrate Revenge of the Sith's 20th anniversary."

Releasing October 14

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: Episode III - Deluxe Edition (Hardcover)

$60.00 at Amazon

Widely considered among the best Star Wars novels—superior even to its source material—Stover's adaptation expands George Lucas' screenplay with richer character insights (particularly for Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Dooku) and a bold second-person narration style. Take this haunting passage depicting Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader:

"You rage through the Force to crush your destroyer, but you're diminished—more machine now than man. Like a blind painter or deaf composer, you remember power but grasp only echoes. Your fury shatters droids and equipment, yet cannot touch the shadow. Eventually, you don't even want to. The shadow understands. It forgives. It embraces you—and within your furnace heart, you burn in your own flames."

Compare this to the film's iconic but more restrained depiction:

Proof that some stories truly flourish on the page.

The standard paperback and audiobook versions remain available, with the Deluxe Edition arriving October 14 (preorders open on Amazon).

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