It follows Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker as they are sent to a planet to settle a dispute as growing unrest threatens the Galactic Republic's stability, leading to the events of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.

[1] Alan Dean Foster had previously penned the 1976 novelization of the original Star Wars film and the follow-up book Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1978).

The Galactic Republic is decaying, even under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who was elected to save the galaxy from collapsing under the forces of discontent.

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.

In 2014, following Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm, 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.