EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES
エピソード2 - クローンの攻撃

BSW 22

エピソード１ではキャラクター紹介の意味もあって、米国で4種、日本で3種のカバーバリエーションが発売されたものの、エピソード2ではサウンドトラックCDにその役割は移行した筈だった。ところが、ソニー・マガジンズ直営のネットショップでは、ネット販売限定のヨーダとクローン・トゥルーパーがモチーフになったバージョンが限定500部のみ販売された。また、今回はジュニアのベルのカバーや装丁も中々なので、取り敢えずご紹介しよう。ちなみに訳者の富永晶子女史は、お馴染みの富永和子女史の実子であり、決して誤字ではないことを付け加えておく。

STAR WARS - EPISODE II
ATTACK OF THE CLONES

by R. A. SALVATORE / HARDCOVER
Ballantine Books / April 23, 2002
ISBN 0-345-42881-1

[BOOK DESCRIPTION]

There is a great disturbance in the Force. . . . From the sleek ships of the glimmering Coruscant skyscape to the lush gardens of pastoral Naboo, dissent is roiling. The Republic is failing, even under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, elected ten years earlier to save the crumbling government. Separatists threaten war, and the Senate is hopelessly divided, unable to determine whether to raise an army for battle or keep the fragile peace. It is a stalemate that once broken, could lead to galactic chaos.

 

Mischievous and resolved, courageous to the point of recklessness, Anakin Skywalker has come of age in a time of great upheaval. The nineteen-year-old apprentice to Obi-Wan Kenobi is an enigma to the Jedi Council, and a challenge to his Jedi Master. Time has not dulled Anakin's ambition, nor has his Jedi training tamed his independent streak. When an attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala's life brings them together for the first time in ten years, it is clear that time also has not dulled Anakin's intense feelings for the beautiful diplomat.

 

The attack on Senator Amidala just before a crucial vote thrusts the Republic even closer to the edge of disaster. Masters Yoda and Mace Windu sense enormous unease. The dark side is growing, clouding the Jedi's perception of the events. Unbeknownst to the Jedi, a slow rumble is building into the roar of thousands of soldiers readying for battle. But even as the Republic falters around them, Anakin and Padmé find a connection so intense that all else begins to fall away. Anakin will lose himself-and his way-in emotions a Jedi, sworn to hold allegiance only to the Order, is forbidden to have.

 

Based on the story by George Lucas and the screenplay by George Lucas and Jonathan Hales, this intense and revealing novel by bestselling author R. A. Salvatore sheds new light on the legend of Star Wars-and skillfully illuminates one of our most beloved sagas.