*Spoliers*
First off the plot was very good and exciting. A black ops mission to take down a terrorist network, so Alias. That's very cool.
Loved all the characters and their interactions and the history between them (Kal and Vau, Kal and his 'sons', Atin and Vau, Etain and Dar, Etain and Kal, etc). Its character development and interaction like that that make a story captivating.
Loved how Kal was the father type to the Nulls and Omega.
Etain and Dar, I am such a shipper for them despite the impossiblities. Her getting pregnant was the best plot twist. She found her path and so glad Kal will be there to help out. Their father daughter relationship was on of my favorite things. Esp when Kal is feeling guilty about taking the money to train the clones and she tells him he's a good man for giving them a soul and sense of purpose and a family awww

But yes in reality the clones were like the Republic's slaves. Bread to fight and die in war, with no choice and no future. And besides Etain and Justik how many other Jedi stop and question this issue? how sad.
I do hope there is a sequel. Traviss leaves the story open for one.

I can't find anything bad to say. Even the beginning which I was told was slow, wasn't. I got through it pretty fast and didn't find it to be slow or drawn out.
I'd say it's one of the better SW novels and defintaly one of the best Clone War novels (next to Shatterpoint and LoE)

(It is also a must to read this book's prequel 'Hard Contact' since most of the characters are introducing in that novel.) ( )

I bought this after reading various impassioned remarks by Karen Traviss' saying she put put just as much if not more effort into SW books aas she did into her own work. That working in anothers universe had presented significant challenges as to her a writer and she she had not let the setting stunt hermoral/philososphical arguments.

I am a bit of a media tie in snob but I do recognise lots of good authors have written them over the years and Ms Traviss is definately a good author.
So I gave it a go. I have only seen the first SW filmand that was a long time ago now. I dismissed it as derivative space opera aimed at 12 year olds. So I found myself sadly lacking in background knowledge, What is a padawar? Apprentice? Assistant? Who are the Sith? Baddies apparently. Nothing that threw me though, Just the feeling you get joining a derivative Space Opera half way through. As promised The Jedi's valuing of expediency over morality is well illustrated. As is Karen Traviss frustraation at having to write about Cammando's who can't wear cammo. but ultimately the view point changes cannot disguise the linearity of the plot or the forgetabillity of the characters. ( )