501st

Book Details Title 501st Era Empire Series Imperial Commando Series Type Novel Author(s) Karen Traviss Avg. Rating

Synopsis

The Clone Wars are over, but the clone deserters' personal battle against the Empire has only just begun. With death warrants on their heads, and a hated Imperial garrison on Mandalore, Kal Skirata's clan of clone veterans, Mando mercenaries, misfit refugees, and a renegade Jedi find all their worst nightmares have followed them home. The search for a cure for the clones' premature aging grows more desperate, and Etain's son must be protected at all costs. Darman and Niner are still stranded in the Imperial legion, and fight to survive in a very different army. But as Mandalore prepares to resist Palpatine's new order, Skirata is forced to give safe haven to those he hates most, and some he thought were dead. Clan Skirata thinks things can't possibly get any worse - until their ragtag private army faces the reality of fighting the Empire. Their most lethal enemies are now their own brothers.

 

Lord Depravus Says

Imperial Yawn - 02-Mar-10

Prior to reading this book I heard that the upcoming sequel had been cancelled and Karen Traviss would be writing no more novels for the Star Wars universe. Needless to say it perked my interest because it made me wonder how this book was going to end and whether anyone else was going to pick up the storyline if it had an open ending… which of course it did.

Having said that, I have to admit I was apprehensive about reading this book. While I have admired Karen’s contribution to the expanded universe and her in-depth voyage into the Mandalorian culture, I didn’t really enjoy any of the Republic Commando books because I found them very hard going.

This book was sadly no different. It was an easier read that than the previous books but, even after 5 books, I still can’t remember who any of the characters are and there is far too much pointless dialogue. There wasn’t much in the way of a storyline either – the story starts with the characters in one place and it ends with them all in the same place without really doing anything exciting.

Oh and I do have one glaringly obvious mistake to point out: If the Jedi Order had a 1,000 year old Kamenoan amongst their ranks, do you not think that she might have been able to help with search for the "missing planet"? Just a thought...

Nevertheless it will be interesting to see where the story goes from here – if indeed it goes anywhere now that Traviss seems to have quite publicly spit her dummy.

So anyway my verdict is that this book is better than the Republic Commando books but is still boring so I would recommend reading it before going to bed because it might help you sleep!