Republic/Imperial Commando Series

[Emissary of the Prophets]

I read the first book Hard Target around the time that the Republic Commando game came out. I didn't get any of the others as I was working through a back log of books that I had built up. Now, I am more or less ready to find something new to read. Is the rest of the series worth reading? I remember that the first one wasn't bad.

 

[Lindley]

The first three were great. I found a few aspects of Order 66 annoying and arbitrary, but it wasn't bad. Haven't gone further than that yet.

I heard something about Traviss refusing to do any more books after some kind of disagreement with the Clone Wars cartoon. So I'm not sure how well the last written book ties off loose ends.

 

[Spiderpope]

The first three were great. I found a few aspects of Order 66 annoying and arbitrary, but it wasn't bad. Haven't gone further than that yet.

I heard something about Traviss refusing to do any more books after some kind of disagreement with the Clone Wars cartoon. So I'm not sure how well the last written book ties off loose ends.

As far as i know, there is one more book after 501st (the latest Imperial Commando novel) afterwhich that will be the end of Traviss' affiliation with Star Wars. Its also been made clear that said book will not completely wrap up the ongoing plots of the series, which is a damn shame.

It also means the upcoming Boba Fett novel is cancelled as well as several other guide books exploring the military of Star Wars.

That said the series is definitely worth reading, as long as you can handle the fact the story is unlikely to ever be finished.

 

[Mysterion]

...cancelled as well as several other guide books exploring the military of Star Wars.

Damnit. Those sound like the kind of Star Wars books I would have bought, too.

 

[captcalhoun]

Hard Contact is good. Triple Zero is better. True Colours is not bad. Order 66 is the best.

RC3378 out

 

[Stevil2001]

^ Personally, I found Hard Contact good, Triple Zero brilliant, True Colors a little tedious, and Order 66 a lot tedious. I'll still be picking up 501st though.

 

[Smiley]

The first book, Hard Contact, is brilliant. The next three books do offer some insight into Mandalorian and Grand Army of the Republic culture, but I can't recommend them unless you have a strong tolerance for pro-Mandalorian/anti-Jedi viewpoints. The plots cease to have action and galactic significance, and they become more like soap operas about a warrior cult.

I'm halfway through 501st. So far, not much has happened except for Skirata and his gang showing what all-around great people they are, Palpatine giving evil orders, and more bashing of Force-users not allied with the Mandalorians. It's not quite as terrible as Revelation, but it still makes Planet of Twilight seem worthy of a Hugo by comparison.

 

[Thelin]

I'd recommend this series. I enjoyed Hard Contact, absolutely loved Triple Zero, liked True Colors, and thought Order 66 was a decent enough set up novel for the Imperial Commando series. I've been busy so I haven't picked up 501st.

Traviss has really fleshed out Mandalorian society which is probably the main reason why I love these books so much. They're not ground breaking stories or turning the whole Star Wars universe on its head, but they give insight into one of my favorite cultures in the whole galaxy. It's a serious shame that she's leaving Star Wars. Speaking of which, has anyone here read her Wess'Har series?

 

[Mr Light]

I tried to get into this series but I just could not enjoy it. I read Hard Contact and it was just... there. I read Triple Zero and the same thing. I just can't care about a bunch of clones with minimal personality differences. Not to mention the whole thing is hard SF military and doesn't "feel" like Star Wars in the slightest bit. Not to mention the endless Mandalorian culture bits and made up annoying words.

 

[Skywalker]

Karen Traviss' additions to the Legacy of the Force series were enough for me. She wasn't right for Star Wars. I'm sorry her fans are upset, but personally, I'm glad she's moved on.

 

[Smiley]

After finishing 501st, I can say that the second half is no better than the first. The only reason I finished the book is that I'm a Star Wars EU completist. Unless you've drunk the Skirata Kool-Aid, don't waste your time with the Imperial Commando series.

 

[Corran Horn]

I love the series. I'm about 3/4 through 501st.

Unlike other books the Skirata viewpoint is kinda taken to task (by Maze at one point) so KT kinda tempered her latest work, which is nice.

I don't so much mind the supposed anti-Jedi ideas in her books. Her works are no more damning to Jedi than Episode III was, anyway. I'm looking forward to Imperial Commando II. A few of the RC/IC characters showed up in the LotF books so it's not like the road totally ends at IC II.

 

[captcalhoun]

i'm 47 pages in and not much has happened yet.

i find the anti-Jedi views a refreshing change from the Jedi worship they usually get. same as i liked Corran Horn taking Luke down a peg in I, Jedi - saying that Luke's trajectory isn't the only one and that people will all act differently...

 

[Lindley]

Speaking of, Stackpole hasn't written a Star Wars book in nearly a decade. I think it's about time that changed.....

 

[Corran Horn]

Speaking of, Stackpole hasn't written a Star Wars book in nearly a decade. I think it's about time that changed.....

Agreed. IIRC he posted some 'reasons' for that on his website. Not sure if they're still relevant.

 

[Mr Light]

Wasn't he one of the authors who complained about the New Jedi Order being too dark with the torture aliens?

 

[sidious618]

Wasn't he one of the authors who complained about the New Jedi Order being too dark with the torture aliens?

Considering he wrote two of the darkest NJO books, I'd doubt it.

Also, I agree with Skywalker on KT's work.

 

[ATimson]

IIRC he posted some 'reasons' for that on his website. Not sure if they're still relevant.

The reasons boiled down to "they haven't asked me to write more". I doubt we'll ever know whether or not he was invited and declined, or he hasn't been invited yet--those kinds of internal business dealings don't generally get seen by the public.

 

[sidious618]

He should be asked, he is a startlingly good writer.

 

[Teelie]

I liked the first two books a lot, the third was okay, absolutely hated the fourth one. It was too much angst and depressing writing tedious (an apt word) trauma/drama and too little Star Wars themed for my tastes.