Anakin Skywalker

He was a slave. A pilot. A Jedi. A war hero. A brother.  

He was Anakin Skywalker, The Chosen One.

Born on a harsh planet and into even harsher circumstances, Anakin Skywalker was up against the odds from the very beginning. Despite these hurdles, he managed to overcome and thrive as a mechanic, a builder, and a pilot. All of this while he and his mother were forced to scrape by as the slaves of a local junk dealer on Tatooine. His life took a dramatic turn however, when a chance encounter with Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn led to his eventual freedom. Qui-Gon quickly recognized Anakin’s affinity for the Force, but more than just that he recognized the boy’s strong sense of justice and his aptitude for empathy and compassion. Anakin was, by almost all accounts, the perfect Jedi candidate. Sadly, apparent perfection that is introduced to imperfect circumstances inevitably creates conflict. Shortly after Qui-Gon and Anakin began to form a bond, Qui-Gon was cut down by a powerful and mysterious Sith Apprentice. Anakin found himself far from the only place he knew as home, separated from his mother, and without the only man who had ever assumed a fatherly role in his life. He was then to be trained as a Jedi by Qui-Gon's former apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Though it was not without growing pains, Anakin and Obi-Wan's relationship slowly evolved from teacher and student into a close, brotherly partnership. Their bond only grew stronger throughout the duration of the Clone Wars. Anakin’s skill in the Force and his magnetic personality helped him to quickly gain popularity both in Jedi circles and the general public. Included among those drawn to him were two important individuals in particular; Padme Amidala and Sheev Palpatine. What was once a childhood crush turned into a passionate romance between Anakin and Padme and then eventually a secret marriage. Despite his closeness with Obi-Wan, Anakin could not confide in him the truth of his marriage with Padme due to it being a violation of his Jedi duty. Enter Sheev Palpatine. A Sith Lord, disguising himself as the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic. Palpatine had recognized Anakin’s Force potential from a very early age, and set into motion a plan to sway him over to the dark side of the Force and take him on as a Sith Apprentice. Palpatine formed a close friendship with Anakin, providing him a safe place of refuge outside of the Jedi Order. Using the pretext of thier friendship, Palpatine steadily forged a path leading Anakin away from all that he loved and believed in.  

Anakin was considered to be the Chosen One destined to bring balance to the Force. He was hailed as a galactic hero. He was full of passion, seeking to eradicate evil and injustice wherever it festered. He was a fiercely loyal friend and husband. Despite all of that, he was manipulated and used by the very people he trusted the most. Because of that manipulation, coupled with his own choices and actions, he fell. The brilliant, bright light that had been Anakin Skywalker was extinguished. And in its place rose a dark shadow of the man he once was.  

Check out the books listed below to see firsthand the events and circumstances that shaped Anakin Skywalker as a person, a Jedi, and eventually, a Sith Lord.

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