by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Republic Commando – True Colors, book three in a series of Republic Commando novels, written by Karen Traviss. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the Clone Wars in the Rise of the Empire era. Twenty-one years before the Battle of Yavin (BBY).
SUMMARY
There is quite a lot happening in this story, making it a little difficult to summarize. Heroes aren’t immune from harm, as this tale puts the cast of Commandos and Jedi into deadly situations.
Weapons aren’t the only object of war, but secrets that lie behind a vale of darkness. Doubt, insecurity and moral conduct of the Republic is in question. The secrecy of the financial support of the galactic war and it’s tools of conquest, arouse suspicion in some.
A quest to alter the lifespan of the clones is underway. The lifespan, so short, creates an issue of where loyalty should lie.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
This book starts off so much better than the previous. I think Karen Traviss did well in setting a tone. There are moments in this book I found extremely interesting and some, very boring. I’ve got to say, Traviss has done well in this series keeping the characters consistent. I still believe the first book is the better tale of the Republic Commandos.
The one thing I really enjoy is getting into the thoughts and doubts some of the troops and jedi have about the war. While the clones can’t help being – clones, there is a gross vibe that comes from the whole ordeal. It’s immoral, technology replicating life, speeding up the growth rate, just to send these men to fight and die… not really expected to live off the battlefield.
A Jusik, a jedi, leaves the order. It made me wonder just how many Jedi overall had abandoned the order during this time period, their position in galactic affairs were a heavy burden, one that many but not all would have been able to handle.
I love that one of the characters is digging into the financial side of the the war. She finds the lack of financial reporting questionable. The budget doesn’t really exist.. not just a lack in payments for the Clone Army, but the equipment; weapons, ships, vehicles, armor, med-kits – everything… so much money would be needed to fund this war!
Do I recommend you read this book? I say yes, even though didn’t recommend book two, Triple Zero.
RATING
I will give Star Wars: Republic Commando – True Colors, a C+.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Republic Commando – Triple Zero, book two in a series of Republic Commando novels, written by Karen Traviss. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the Clone Wars in the Rise of the Empire era. Twenty-two years before the Battle of Yavin (ABY).
SUMMARY
Eight years before the Battle of Geonosis, friend of Jango Fett and fellow Mandalorian, Kal Skirata, arrives on Kamino. Upon leaning that six clones were scheduled for termination, as they did not meet the Kaminoan standards for the the Clone Troopers. These six defected clones were defiant and unruly. Skirata steps in and claims the six as his own. He raises them as unique ARC troopers, with an understating of their Mandalorian heritage.
Flashing forward a year after the Battle of Geonosis, Skirata is hired along with Omega Squad & Delta Squad and a few Jedi, to track down and terminate a Separatist terrorist/spy cell on Coruscant. The unit is fractured by conflict, the two squads just can’t get along. Etain reunites with Omega Squad to oversee the mission, during this time, her and Darman fall in love. Etain, then becomes pregnant, truly defying the Jedi Orders strict ways.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
This is where I loose people. Soon after I started this book I was already over it. My goodness, all that I enjoyed from book one was absent in this one. I was bored out of my mind with this story. I may not be the biggest fan of action, but when I turned page after page after page of mediocre dialogue. I’d have to stare at the cover of the novel to entertain myself.
I thought the character development was fantastic in the first book, Hard Contact. This one was lacking in that department, mostly, Kal Skirata was an interesting character, but he alone couldn’t save this story. Etain bugged me, she was constantly reassuring the troopers that they weren’t expendable – that they were all special, it’s almost as though she was saying it so much to remind herself of that.
We get more about the Mandalorian culture, which is neat,, but also weird at times. We learn that they think its okay to commit adultery when there’s some separation (as long as they raise the child that becomes of it) that’s stupid and random. Mandalorian define themselves by culture and behavior. I’m sorry but when some of the clones were doing a tribal type song and dance, I couldn’t help but chuckle… A war is going on and these outcast troops are breaking out into a musical.
This book is overloaded with acronyms and slang (in the Mando language), making it a little challenging to follow.
What I’m about to mention here contains a spoiler. The love story between Darman and Etain, fine whatever. Interesting choice though to have Etain keep such a massive secret from Darman; she’s pregnant and doesn’t tell Darman that he’s going to be a father! So much for these clones being something special, individually meaningful… if can’t even tell one that he’s going to have an heir!
I am looking forward to the next book in the series, my fingers are crossed with hope that I’ll appreciate it much more than this one.
Do I recommend this book? Nah, just look up spoilers and move on.
RATING
I give Star Wars: Republic Commando – Triple Zero, a C-.
