501st: Star Wars Legends (Imperial Commando): An Imperial Commando Novel (Star Wars: Imperial Commando - Legends)

I think the reason this book is one of the best I have read in the SW Universe is that it talks about "making choices". Usually SW is all about great battles, big spaceships, super weapons and action. However this is about individuals being responsible and becoming the masters of their fate. Whether one is a clone soldier (a Republic slave) or a Jedi (raised by the Order and obeying the rules) or a good child (listening to mom and dad) or an obedient wife, a faithful believer, a soldier (the latter examples about this galaxy), this book is about these personal choices in our lives.An adult cannot -or should not- hide behind other people's mistakes or blame their family, the town they were born at, God, their spouse, the politicians, at least not for too long. Sometimes I wonder whether one of the reasons SciFi fans read these books is because we are looking for something/someone strong/invincible/ trustworthy to SAVE them. So this book may succeed showing some souls that there is beauty in following their dreams and standing up on their own for what they treasure most.Jedi will not always save you- if anything, as Kal Skirata knows they can even take advantage of you. It is an interesting angle this, to show that, from a certain point of view, the Jedi were not just the heroes who saved the innocent etc, but also members of a secret order who viewed everybody else with arrogance and condescention. I was reading in a book titled "The Power of Self-Dependence" that one should "allow themselves to be where they are and who they are, instead of believing that they should wait for someone else to determine where and who they should be, allowing themselves to run the risks that they decide to run, the only condition being that they agree to pay the price themselves for those risks, and also allowing themselves to think what they think and the right to express it if they wish, or keep it to themselves, if that was more convenient for them".I would not deny the right to believe, to love, to sacrifice, actually readers of SW like heroics, don't we? But there has to be a moral equivalent there as well. In his first book, Iliad, the ancient poet Homer at about 900 BC extolled the bravery of the heroes, Achilles, Hector etc. But in the second, which he wrote many years later, after seeing and experiencing life more, he actually praised the family life, peace, as Ulysses struggled to get back to his island, his wife and son, his old father. There were heroics there too.Now the clones and all the other characters in their lives learn attachment and love and loss, but they also take things in their hands. As another recent excellent movie said "I am the master of my soul, I am the captain of my ship". Karen Traviss has written a masterpiece - of course a little more action would be welcome in the next book.I also liked the subtlety with which she inserted other characters from older books, such as Callista, who later would meet Luke Skywalker and become his lover for a time. It also explains what possibly happened at Plett's Well that I think was mentioned in the "Children of the Jedi". It would be nice to explore other later heroes' origins, what about finding out about Mara Jade's parents?Looking forward to the sequel.

I was truly impressed with this entire series. It was a refreshing break from the normal Jedi/Sith drama and battle for the galaxy stuff. As an Army Vet I was impressed with the insight into the life of the clone troopers, as well as the ever present strain between politicians and the soldiers whose lives are effected by policy from those who never see combat and have no idea of it's nuances. I also really enjoyed learning more about Mandalorian culture. The KOTOR video games do a real smear campaign on this militaristic warrior culture that I always expected as biased. It was nice to see Mandalorian characters draw the comparisons between themselves and the Jedi, as well as in the end walking very Jedi like paths. I put the entire series at the top of my all time favorites list.The only down side is that the series was never finished. It is sad when corporate politics gets in the way of our entertainment, but that is the way of business all too often. I talked with the author, Karen Traviss, via email and she was a pleasant and honest conversationalist. A mixture of contract/pay issues as well as a reboot of official Star Wars canon and timeline led to the final book after "501st-Imperial Commando" never even being written. Alas this is not the first time that the Dark Lord George Lucas has forced his will and dominion over us loyal Fanboys. Unfortunately we have grown used to his meddlesome ways. At least we have the majority of this wonderful body of work and I certainly recommend this series to any Star Wars fan, as well as fans of miltary fiction in general. I promise you will not be disappointed. Karen Traviss, missioned accomlished (but not completed).

Good book holds to the series, look forward to the new storyline......buy it youll enjoy it.. but be sure to read the republic commando series first (which is terrific). The republic commando series provides great depth into why public opinion about the Jedi persona may not be so great. In that series you actually find yourself not really likeing the Jedi, wholy understanding why there is a mistrust and dislike for them and agreeing with it. This book is great because at this point your just vested in learning how Clan Skirata manages itself. Really read the reviews and decide that this is a worth while series you will not regret it....

The Republic Commandos series is so fast-paced, I think that I read the whole thing in about a month! Traviss managed to make a very moral story that is still exciting. The military side of it is described well, with likable and realistic characters and a riveting story.I am disappointed with the way that the story ends, but only because Traviss didn't get a chance to finish clan Skirata's story. Apparently Lucas cut off their contract because he wanted to scrap the Clone Wars history. Ah, but one of the many consequences that come of selling Star Wars to Disney.Karen Traviss is an amazing author that can write 500-page novels in a matter of weeks, coming up with the story as she goes along. She came up with the Mandalorian language, only to have her stories of the Mandalorians ended, but unfinished.All in all, this series is very well-done, with bad choices and good choices made by the characters. It swallows the reader but is unfortunately ended abruptly.