''The Approaching Storm'' is a

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

novel, set in the fictional ''

Star Wars ''Star Wars'' is an American epic film, epic space opera media franchise created by George Lucas, which began with the Star Wars (film), eponymous 1977 film and Cultural impact of Star Wars, quickly became a worldwide popular culture, pop cu ...

'' universe, by American writer

Alan Dean Foster Alan Dean Foster (born November 18, 1946) is an American writer of fantasy and science fiction. He has written several book series, more than 20 standalone novels, and many novelizations of film scripts. Career ''Star Wars'' Foster was the ghost ...

. It follows

Obi-Wan Kenobi Obi-Wan "Ben" Kenobi () is a character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. In the original film trilogy, he is a Jedi Master who trains Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Force. In the prequel trilogy, he mentors Luke's father, Anakin Skywalke ...

and

Anakin Skywalker Darth Vader () is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He was first introduced in the Star Wars original trilogy, original film trilogy as the primary Antagonist, antagonist and one of the leaders of the Galactic Empire (Star W ...

as they are sent to a planet to settle a dispute as growing unrest threatens the

Galactic Republic The Galactic Republic, commonly known as The Republic, is a fictional political entity in the ''Star Wars'' universe that predates the formation of the Galactic Empire. It is prominently featured in the prequel trilogy of ''Star Wars'' fil ...

's stability, leading to the events of '' Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones''.

Background and release

had previously penned the 1976 novelization of the original ''Star Wars'' film and the follow-up book '' Splinter of the Mind's Eye'' (1978). Released a few months before (and set shortly before the events of) the film '' Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones'' (2002), ''The Approaching Storm'' depicts the increasing

separatism Separatism is the advocacy of cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious, racial, regional, governmental, or gender separation from the larger group. As with secession, separatism conventionally refers to full political separation. Groups simply seekin ...

which triggers the Clone Wars. The events which it depicts are passingly mentioned in an early scene of ''Attack of the Clones''. The hardcover book was released on January 29, 2002, with a mass-market paperback following in January 2003. The book also includes a 12-page preview of '' Tatooine Ghost'' (2003).

Plot

The

is decaying, even under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor

Palpatine Sheev Palpatine ( ) is the main antagonist of the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He first appeared in the 1980 film ''The Empire Strikes Back'' as . He is also known by his Sith name, Darth Sidious, which was first used in the novelization of the 199 ...

, who was elected to save the galaxy from collapsing under the forces of discontent. On the tiny but strategic planet of Ansion, a powerful faction is on the verge of joining the growing Separatist movement. The urban dwellers wish to expand into the prairies outside their citiesthe ancestral territory of the fierce, independent Ansion

nomad Nomads are communities without fixed habitation who regularly move to and from areas. Such groups include hunter-gatherers, pastoral nomads (owning livestock), tinkers and trader nomads. In the twentieth century, the population of nomadic pa ...

s. If their demands are not met, they will secedean act that could jump-start a chain reaction of withdrawal and rebellion by other worlds of the Republic. At the Chancellor's request, the Jedi Council sends Kenobi and fellow

Jedi Jedi (), Jedi Knights, or collectively the Jedi Order are fictional characters, and often protagonists, featured in many works within the '' Star Wars'' franchise. Working symbiotically alongside the Galactic Republic, the Jedi Order is depic ...

Luminara Unduli to resolve the conflict and negotiate with the elusive nomads. Undaunted, Kenobi and Unduli, along with their Padawans Skywalker and Barriss Offee, set out across the wilderness. Many perils lie waiting to trap them. The Jedi will have to fulfill near-impossible tasks, befriend wary strangers, and influence two great armies to complete their quest, stalked all the while by an enemy sworn to see the negotiations collapse and the mission fail.

Legacy

In 2014, following

Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...

's acquisition of

Lucasfilm Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC is an American film and television production company founded by filmmaker George Lucas in December 10, 1971 in San Rafael, California, and later moved to San Francisco in 2005. It is best known for creating and producing th ...

, spin-off books like ''The Approaching Storm'' were rebranded ' Legends' and declared non-canon to the franchise to clear the slate for the ''Star Wars'' sequel trilogy.

References

External links

Amazon.com ListingOfficial CargoBay ListingTheForce.net review
2002 American novels 2002 science fiction novels Star Wars Legends novels Novels by Alan Dean Foster Del Rey books {{2000s-sf-novel-stub