Brooks adapted this novel, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, from George Lucas's script and story at Lucas's request.

The majority of the novel follows the movie script very closely. However, Brooks was allowed to add material as long as it was not inconsistent with the story, and he did so, most significantly with the extra Anakin Skywalker scenes.

The novel also appears in audio version from Random House Audio. Michael Cumpsty reads an abridged version, while Alexander Adams is the reader for the unabridged version.