Order 66 (Star Wars: Republic Commando, Book 4)

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Order 66 (Star Wars: Republic Commando #4)

by Karen Traviss

4.10 · rating details · 678 ratings · 73 reviews

After the fierce combat of Hard Contact, Triple Zero, and True Colors comes the spectacular culmination of New York Times bestselling author Karen Traviss's gripping Republic Commando series. As a battle-scarred era nears its end, a shattering power play is about to stun the entire galaxy . . . and set in motion events that will alter destinies and resound throughout histo...moreAfter the fierce combat of Hard Contact, Triple Zero, and True Colors comes the spectacular culmination of New York Times bestselling author Karen Traviss's gripping Republic Commando series. As a battle-scarred era nears its end, a shattering power play is about to stun the entire galaxy . . . and set in motion events that will alter destinies and resound throughout history.

Even as the Clone Wars are about to reach an explosive climax, no one knows if victory will favor the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) or the Separatists. But no matter who wins, the stakes are highest for elite Special Ops clones like the Republic Commandos in Omega and Delta squads–and the notorious renegade Advance Recon Commando troopers known as Null ARCs.

With Republic forces stretched to the max and casualties mounting, the last thing these beleaguered warriors need to hear is that Chancellor Palpatine is keeping vast armies of secret clone troops in reserve. Sergeant Skirata, a mentor to the clone commandos, has no intention of standing idly by while Palpatine sends them into battle like lambs to the slaughter. Skirata begins to plan the clones' escape from the GAR, but his heroic effort will be in vain unless he can reverse the clones' accelerated aging process.

Caught in the treacherous dealings of their leaders, and locked in the battles of their lives, the disillusioned Null ARCs and Commandos nonetheless fight with everything they’ve got, determined to wrest victory from the Seps and save the galaxy.

But even the deadliest weapons may not be powerful enough to defeat the real menace. And nothing will stop the apocalyptic horror unleashed when Palpatine utters the chilling words The time has come. Execute Order 66. Translation: The Jedi have tried to stage a coup, and all must be shot on sight.

With their faith in the Republic and their loyalty to their Jedi allies put to the ultimate test, how will the men of Omega and Delta squads react to the most infamous command in galactic history? All the breathtaking action, suspense, and intrigue of Karen Traviss's Republic Commando series comes alive in Star Wars: Order 66.(less)

Hardcover, 448 pages

Published September 16th 2008 by LucasBooks (first published 2008)

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Mar 24, 2010

Jesse Whitehead rated it

Female writers in the science fiction and fantasy field are fairly rare. One's that are any good are even more so. (This is not because women are bad writers it is because of Sturgeon's Law.)

Star Wars books tend to be an extreme subset of this culture. There are books by female authors but each one seems more painfully confused than the last. Kathy Tyers was quite good (thankfully, since she started off the whole Expanded Universe thing). Kristine Katherine Rusch was very good – she ...more

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Oct 05, 2008

Chad rated it

Shelves: star-wars-novels

If you're not a Star Wars nerd, then don't even bother reading this review. In it, I will be writing under the premise that the Star Wars novels are something to be taken seriously. They're not, of course (supposed to be taken seriously, that is), but when reading guilty pleasure fare such as the "Republic Commando" series, it is best to heed the advice of Roger Ebert, who states that when criticizing something, you should judge it based not on what it is about, but how it is about i...more

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Oct 02, 2008

Ron rated it

Shelves: fantasy, science-fiction, star-wars

Fitting climax to the series, but … but the book's climax—while fitting and appropriate—was not well told. Hard to say more without spoiling it, but I was very dissatisfied with how Traviss handled what was perhaps the most important scene of the book--no, her whole Commando series. It simply wasn't well done.

On the other hand, this book's overall story and storytelling were good. Seeing Jedi from the grunt/clone/Mandalorian respective is a refreshing change from the hero-worship per...more

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Feb 18, 2009

Rob rated it

This is a Star Wars novel that takes place around the same time as the movie Revenge of the Sith. It's a story about the Mandalorian trainers of the clone troopers and how a couple help organize a desertion mission to help give their clone troopers a real life. If you're a big Star Wars fan, who goes beyond the movies, particularly the first three, like I am, then you'll like this book. It's obviously part of a series itself, but you can read it without having read the others because it fills yo...more

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Sep 19, 2011

Mark L. rated it

This book is the only book from the continuity of Star Wars franchise, and I must admit that it was far better developed than I would have expected a book from this series would be. Initially, the book opens with a typical introduction of the main character mid-way through the story. This is a technique that I often see in many types of books but especially the with the sort of science fiction piece where the main character is some sort of a super soldier in hiding or a spy of some sort. ...more This book is the only book from the continuity of Star Wars franchise, and I must admit that it was far better developed than I would have expected a book from this series would be. Initially, the book opens with a typical introduction of the main character mid-way through the story. This is a technique that I often see in many types of books but especially the with the sort of science fiction piece where the main character is some sort of a super soldier in hiding or a spy of some sort. The main character of this story is one of the former. As a writer, the use of this sort of a character is both a highly complicated endeavor. This sort of a character must have both a believable, yet original: backstory, motivation, and personality .Without any one of these, such a character easily becomes unconvincing and stereotypical of the loner hero archetype. This sort of a character also usually assumes the central focus of the story and can in some stories seem at odds with the rest of the world around him due to his isolated nature. This makes a special sort of challenge for any writer who decides to tackle this sort of character in that, they must balance between isolation and integration between the main character and the rest of the world's society.

On the other hand, a character such as the special clone trooper who is the main character of Order 66 also tends to lessen the workload of developing a believable and entertainingly robust plot due to his complex nature and relationship with all of those around him. The unique thing about the Star Wars Universe at the time period of this story is that they are able to bring up some very real ethical questions that though not yet relevant to society are on the horizon. The most important and central question of the story is the nature of a clone and what their place in a society that has no place for them is. Unfortunately for the main character, in the society he is born into, clones would have no rights by the very nature of being clones made to be soldiers. It forces any reader (as well as the writer) to stop and consider what they believe about this rather abstract concept.

As a writer, this has made me stop and consider how the relationships of my main characters to the rest of their world deeply influence the success or failure of a story.
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Jul 23, 2010

Crystal Starr Light rated it

Shelves: star-wars

"An order was an order. And orders had to be followed, or else society fell apart."

The last book in the Republic Commando series! There was no way you could keep it from me. How would the clones that Karen Traviss has spent the last three books developing deal with this time altering order?

The clones from the last three books gear up in the final days of the war. Kal Skirata, den father, as it were, delves deeper into finding if the age acceleration can be rev...more

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Sep 06, 2009

Relstuart rated it

Shelves: sci-fi

I really do hope (and I think I will get what I want) that the characters from this book continue to appear in the 501st books that will be released soon. The way that the characters and the whole Order 66 goes down was very well integrated. We saw how it went down in the movie and seeing from a soldiers and the perspective of the military adds additional depth and pathos to the event. Kenobi was far from the only Jedi General that the Clones were ordered to terminate.

The Clones wer...more

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Feb 19, 2011

Jacob rated it

The Clone Wars come to an end in this book and it feels like I've been there for the entirety of the campaign. The timeline of this series is not overly extended when put in perspective but the amount of story that has been crammed into four books is astounding. I've said before that the books get better with each passing installment due to the emotional investment put into the characters over the course of the story and while I think that True Colors is my favorite of the series, Order 66 has t...moreThe Clone Wars come to an end in this book and it feels like I've been there for the entirety of the campaign. The timeline of this series is not overly extended when put in perspective but the amount of story that has been crammed into four books is astounding. I've said before that the books get better with each passing installment due to the emotional investment put into the characters over the course of the story and while I think that True Colors is my favorite of the series, Order 66 has to be one of the most satisfying payoffs for a story I have ever read. It's not a happy ending and there are a good deal of loose ends at the close of the book, but nevertheless it feels like everyone finds themselves at the place they needed to get to when the final page is turned.

Order 66 takes a while to get going, as the first few chapters made me feel like this book would be one long epilogue, with the story not so much being its own burden but instead only taking time to wrap up the threads of the previous books. Things change rapidly however and the standalone narrative of the book falls into place and moves forward with breakneck speed. There is not much in the way of filler in Order 66. There is a huge shift coming in the universe these characters occupy and author Karen Traviss propels us there faster than if we'd been shot out of a cannon. There is very little time given where we can catch our breath. The tension in this final installment is simply amazing and I cannot praise the construction of the novel enough.

The next book on the reading schedule is the sole "Imperial Commando" novel entitled "501st" which picks up from here and marks the end of these character's narratives for the time being as Traviss' issues with her work being ignored during the production of the Clone Wars television series forced her to cancel the second book. Which is a shame because I could read about these characters forever, as I think they're some of the best developed in the entirety of the license.(less)

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Dec 21, 2008

Pink rated it

Shelves: mmm-sci-fi-and-fantasy

This is the book that gives you the background of what exactly was happening in the Star Wars world when Palpatine started preparing for the infamous "Order 66" (you know, from Episode III, Revenge of the Sith? Kill all Jedi on sight?).

I'm such a nerd.

Anyways, when they first started publishing books about the first generation of Kaminoan clones (OMG, I AM TOTALLY A NERD), I was skeptical. Who cares about the clone troopers? to me, they were always faceless so...more

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Oct 01, 2010

Dan rated it

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Shelves: 2010

This series has really surprised me. I only started reading it because I had received some free "stripped" copies of the first two titles. The premise seemed interesting, but I wasn't sure how long it would hold up. I mean, I had been out of Star Wars in a big way for several years now, and the only things that seemed to interest me in the least were stories from the Old Republic (i.e. stories that couldn't be tainted by the prequels). How could I enjoy a series that is actually neck-d...moreThis series has really surprised me. I only started reading it because I had received some free "stripped" copies of the first two titles. The premise seemed interesting, but I wasn't sure how long it would hold up. I mean, I had been out of Star Wars in a big way for several years now, and the only things that seemed to interest me in the least were stories from the Old Republic (i.e. stories that couldn't be tainted by the prequels). How could I enjoy a series that is actually neck-deep in between episodes II and III?
Well, Karen Traviss did it. She managed to give distinct personalities and emotions to a select group of clone commandos, she enriched the Mandalorian culture, and, despite what many people seem to gripe about most in regards to these books, she made some likable and relate-able Jedi.
I've never been much for military-styled fiction, and definitely never enjoyed the SF military fiction (like David Weber's books) but it all gelled for me here, seeing how each squad felt about the war, their views in regards to their commanding officers, and even about mortality. I especially loved how Traviss easily paralleled the thoughts on the war and the lives of the soldiers post-war to what has been happening with U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. She doesn't beat you over the head with it, but you can easily see it in the complaints of the soldiers, and even the Jedi generals who felt that Palpatine wasn't listening to their military advice.
The Mandalorians no longer seem like some brutish culture of for-hire mercs who helped the Sith in the past. They now seem like a proud warrior culture that embraces family ties and honor. Seriously, the way these characters become honor-bound and care for their small groups, especially a lot of the father-son type dynamics, it really resonated with me. All of which made the inevitable ending we knew we'd get here even more heart-breaking (even if, when she started writing these novels, the concept of Order 66 hadn't been created yet).
What's most heart-breaking, though, is that it seems Traviss will not be able to continue through to the stories logical conclusion. She does follow-up where this left off with the Imperial Commando novel, The 501st, but all plans for stories after that seem to have been scuttled. The story is that, despite having all these stories approved by Lucasfilm, and being allowed to be in continuity, the powers-that-be decided to retcon most of it in order to have a storyline on the Clone Wars TV show (which I haven't seen yet, but from what I've heard , involves both the Mandalorians and a young Boba Fett, both of which could easily ruin what Traviss has done here). In protest, Traviss has decided to stop writing for Lucasfilm, which is a damn shame, because she seems focused on writing Gears of Wars novels now (something I have no knowledge or interest in following).
It just seems typical, that right as they get a writer who is doing wonderful things and actually making lemonade out of the lemons that were the prequels, Lucas screws her over for the cash-cow that is a children's TV show. Oh well. Back to the Old Republic, I suppose...(less)

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Jul 28, 2011

Mike Smith rated it

Shelves: star-wars

This is the fourth book in the "Republic Commando" series by Karen Traviss. As always, she writes remarkably well about military comradeship, training, and operations. This book explains how the clonetroopers who seemed so loyal to the Jedi officers in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and other Clone Wars stories were so ready to follow the infamous Order 66 to kill those same Jedi. And the explanation ties in very neatly with other Expanded Universe material, although you don't need...more

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Mar 01, 2009

Espresso rated it

Recommends it for: everyone

Shelves: science-fiction

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Sep 11, 2011

Adelaide Metzger rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: ade-s-sci-fi

OH NO!!!!! Order 66??!!! That's the order given from the emperor to all clones to (view spoiler). But he (view spoiler) Ahhh! This plot is SO complex and seductive and incredible--especially when (view spoiler)...more

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Oct 19, 2009

Angel rated it

Recommends it for: SW fans

Shelves: science_fiction

The main problem with this book was length. Traviss apparently needed a better editor because this story could have been told with about 100 pages less. I wish I could rate it higher because I really wanted to like this book. The premise for a Star Wars novel is excellent: the point of view of the clones fighting for the Republic and the fall of the Republic as it gives way to the Empire all from the view of the minor characters, so to speak. The characterization in the book is pretty good as we...moreThe main problem with this book was length. Traviss apparently needed a better editor because this story could have been told with about 100 pages less. I wish I could rate it higher because I really wanted to like this book. The premise for a Star Wars novel is excellent: the point of view of the clones fighting for the Republic and the fall of the Republic as it gives way to the Empire all from the view of the minor characters, so to speak. The characterization in the book is pretty good as well. So for those reasons, I really wanted to like this book. However, Traviss just keeps spinning sidelines and adding more characters and details, and after a while, it just gets long. The event of Order 66 is pretty much the driving force; you know as a reader (especially if you are familiar with the events in the Star Wars universe) that the hammer is about to come down. Some suspense is good, but after a while, you can do so much stretching of your plot before a reader gets tired of waiting. After three quarters of the way into the book, I just scanned the rest to see who lived, who died, and how things turned out. Feeling that I had to scan is usually not a good sign. It tells me the author just tried to throw everything in, including the kitchen sink, then tried to wrap it all up in the end. Clocking in at a little over 400 pages was a bit much. The story was good, but it could have been a lot tighter and still pack the punch. As a couple other people have commented here, the author's ending was not exactly the most satisfactory (as others have pointed out, I won't say more to avoid spoilers), but I will leave that to the more hardcore SW readers to decide. As a casual reader of SW fiction, it was ok.

I will add something else. If you have not read the previous novels in the Republic Commando series, you may miss a few things along the way. The characters have been developing during the series, and you may have a better appreciation of the characters if you have read the previous novels. I have not read the previous books prior to this one, which I picked up mostly out of curiosity. In spite of my reservations about Order 66, I am still considering picking up the previous works in the series because overall the idea behind the series is a good one. Also, I found very fascinating the descriptions of the Mandalorian culture (some of that could be a whole other book or novel by itself). This was a strength in the book for me. (less)

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Dec 15, 2011

Michael rated it

I have been a Star Wars fan since the summer the first movie was released (I saw it 29 times…once I paid to watch just the attack on the Death Star). I have always been interested in the back story, what was going on behind the scenes when while Darth Sidious plotted to wipe out the Jedi. Much of the back story is presented in this excellent series by Karen Traviss. By placing the clone army under the command of the Jedi, Sidious accomplished several things, the more important of these were s...more

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Jul 28, 2011

Lilith K rated it

I had started out thinking I could manage reading a few chapters before I went to bed and ended up finishing the book in the early hours of the morning. It’s a very good follow up to the Republic Commando trilogy. Finally get to find out what happens with Fi, I thought for sure he was done for. From the previous books I was pretty much invested in everyone and every chapter I drew me further into the book. The ending…is a very splendid thing. The moment Order 66 is given, chaos ensues. I had to ...more

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Aug 16, 2010

Anthony rated it

Didn't think I would enjoy a Star Wars book without any of the main characters...as a matter of fact, most of the characters in this book are the same as the other ones, because these are the tales oft the Clone Troopers. This is about the stories we don't get to see or hear about...Clones want to have a life too, at least that's what this is about. The Clone Troops realize that the war will come to an end and wonder if they will too. Karen Traviss handles the story telling with great care, She ...more

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Jan 19, 2009

Ben rated it

Another installment of the Republic Commando Series, this book covers the climax and ending of the bloody clone wars. The Nulls have been hacking data from the Republic Mainframe and know that secret reinforcements are on the way, but not necessarily for thier benefit. And when an order is given that no one can refuse, Kal and his boys decide its time to leave. Fast. It all depends on the outcome of Order 66.

I actually thought that this book was really depressing. I cannot give away ...more

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Jun 20, 2011

Gary Varga rated it

The reason I read Star Wars novels is for escapism. This escape is supposed to place me in a familiar universe but the familiarity is less about the contents of that universe than its feel. It is supposed to be a little cheesy perhaps but always fast, exciting and fun.

This Star Wars novel looks into how the change from a Republic into an Empire took place from the perspective of members of the army (yes, clones).

At the start and towards the end of the book the Star Wars f...more

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Aug 04, 2011

Jason added it

This has to be the best book out of the Republic Commando series (and probably my favorite Star Wars EU book). Traviss paces the story well and if you remember the events of Revenge of the Sith, runs parallel to it and offers much more insight into the movie. Ultimately, very sad at then. After 4 books, you really get to feel for these characters and watch them grow and your heart goes out them when something bad happens. I've started 501st and hopefully, they'll continue the series as Imperial ...more

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Dec 01, 2010

Guy Gonzalez rated it

· review of another edition

Despite my enjoying the movies, the Clone Wars cartoon, and several of the comics and games over the years, ORDER 66 was my first Star Wars novel, chosen because of its connection to one of the most powerful moments of the relatively lackluster second trilogy, and its promise of a very different perspective.

Karen Traviss delivers in spades with an impressively compelling story that went way above and beyond my highest expectations. While the first 150 pages were a bit of a slog as I ...more

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Nov 19, 2009

Gabriel Hughes rated it

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Aug 19, 2009

Andrew rated it

Recommends it for: Star Wars fans

Shelves: sci-fi, star-wars

This book is another solid effort from Karen Traviss. Order 66 shares many of the strengths of the previous three RC novels and many of the weaknesses which plagued the previous two. Like Hard Contact, Triple Zero and True Colours, this book strays far from the norm for Star Wars fiction. Much more than another tale about Luke slicing aliens, Karen Traviss continues to view the Star Wars universe through the eyes of clone soldiers and Mandalorian mercs, adding some tasty cultural depth to some p...moreThis book is another solid effort from Karen Traviss. Order 66 shares many of the strengths of the previous three RC novels and many of the weaknesses which plagued the previous two. Like Hard Contact, Triple Zero and True Colours, this book strays far from the norm for Star Wars fiction. Much more than another tale about Luke slicing aliens, Karen Traviss continues to view the Star Wars universe through the eyes of clone soldiers and Mandalorian mercs, adding some tasty cultural depth to some previously overlooked factions. The action is more sparse than in Hard Contact, but that’s fine with me. The few action scenes are intense and realistic (as far a sci-fi action goes). Add to this a couple of interesting characters and an excellent shocker of a climax, and you’ve got a pretty enticing read.
Unfortunately, Order 66 gets bogged down in the same places that Triple Zero and True Colours did. Traviss just can’t help but add even more characters into the mix. There are just too many characters (many of them extremely similar) and not enough for them to do. Some of them seem to show up, deliver a token line or two and disappear, as if they were included just to reassure us that Karen hadn’t forgotten about them. The other major problem is that of repetition. Traviss continues to beat a lot of dead… banthas in the ideas department. We know clones aren’t droids. We know they’re practically a slave army. Those ideas were revolutionary and exciting in the first book, but they’re wearing thin now and I wish more time was spent developing some characters rather than dredging up old and tired insights for the fourth time. Finally, things just seem to develop a little too slowly. Maybe the plot gets dragged down by the hordes of minor characters all clamouring for attention. Whatever the cause, I felt a lot more should have happened before this book ended.
If you’ve read the previous three RC books, this is a must read. If you’re a fan of Star Wars at all, this one is worth checking out. There are some truly great ideas in this book, even if some of them loose a little steam in the execution.
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Oct 16, 2008

Andrew Liptak rated it

Karen Traviss’s four book series based off of the Republic Commando video game came to a close with the publication of her latest Star Wars novel, Order 66. The book is a slightly uneven affair, with a number of story lines coming to a close in a quick, complete fashion. The book is by no means a bad or uninteresting read, but it’s not the best of the four.

I came across Karen Traviss when I was in High School, when I began to read Asimov’s, a long-running Science Fiction magazine. Ka...moreKaren Traviss’s four book series based off of the Republic Commando video game came to a close with the publication of her latest Star Wars novel, Order 66. The book is a slightly uneven affair, with a number of story lines coming to a close in a quick, complete fashion. The book is by no means a bad or uninteresting read, but it’s not the best of the four.

I came across Karen Traviss when I was in High School, when I began to read Asimov’s, a long-running Science Fiction magazine. Karen had published a couple or short stories through them, and I had found that I enjoyed them very much. When it was announced that there was to be a tie-in novel about the Republic Commando game, I wasn’t all that interested until I heard that it was Traviss who would be writing it, and the first book didn’t disappoint, introducing readers to a series of new characters and a moral element that has largely been lacking in a number of the Star Wars books that have come out recently.

Order 66 picks up where True Colors leaves off- Jedi Etain Tur-Mukan has had her child, Jusik has left the Jedi Order, Fi has been brought to Mandalor, the ARC troopers are working on infiltrating the computer systems of the Republic and Skirata is working to find a way to reverse the rapid aging in order to give the clones a full and normal life after the war is over.

One of my main concerns with the series as it’s progressed over the past couple of books is the vast complexity that they have come to. There are a number of very diverse story lines that have largely taken away from the main focus of the original novel - Delta Squad, with Niner, Atin, Darman and Fi. The cast of characters has been expanded, and that goes for the story lines as well. To some extent, this is a good thing, and it falls in with what Karen has done with her other, non-Star Wars books - they’ve become extremely rich with plots and characters, turning them into books that really make you think. In the Star Wars universe, this is a rare thing, and Order 66 stands as one of the better books in the series for this trait. On the other hand, it feels somewhat overburdened at times. The first half of the book starts off fairly slowly, and its not until the last half in which the action really picks up, where Karen shows once again that she’s one of the better writers when it comes to combat situations - Clone operations here are possibly the most realistic and logical than in any other book series, save for the X-Wing Series by Michael A Stackpole and Aaron Allston.

What also sets this, and her other Republic Commando books, apart is the care and devotion that is paid to the Clone Troopers. I’ve made this point in other reviews - the clones might be genetically the same, but Karen has expertly crafted numerous characters that are wholly different from one another in different situations and in the way that they approach problems. This comes particularly at the end, when one of the team members is left behind in a battle and presumed killed. Karen doesn’t shy away from making the characters really hurt when she needs them to be, and the book ends on somewhat of an unclear and unresolved note, which seems very fitting, given how this book ends around the time of Revenge of the Sith.

The absolute strongest point is the morality of the characters, and constant questioning of right and wrong on the part of the Clone Troopers and the Jedi and Republic that brought them into battle. The reactions of many of the Clones during the order to kill the Jedi surprised me, given where I was thinking the story was going and the attitudes of the Jedi up to that point, and it makes me re-think some elements of the movie - the clones weren’t mindlessly following their orders to kill their Generals - they had legitimate issues with the way that they were treated and used in the war, and genuinely saw the Jedi as a threat.

One of the big sticking points that I found in this was not the overall complexity, but the Mandalorian subplots that Karen has worked into the series. While it was running full tilt by the time this book came around, the plot took up a lot of the book in places, where it didn’t really seem to need to. Karen pulled it out and made it a fully-formed and well realized idea, but at points, it seems a little out of place. This was one element where I wished that the sequels were a little more in line with the first book, in that they focused a bit more on the combat actions of the Clone Commandos.

One of the interesting parts is how the issue of only a couple million Clones has been resolved, and by doing so, ties in her novel with several other pieces of Clone Wars fiction, most notably Timothy Zahn’s short stories, Hero of Cartao and his Heir to the Empire trilogy, with the use of the Spaarti cloning technology. Throughout the events of this novel, it’s clear that a vast wave of Clone Troopers, including elements of the 501st, were a much larger, quickly grown generation of Clone Troopers, coming in during the months leading up to the final battle over Coruscant. This has been a sticking point for Karen and has caused some trouble for her on message boards by irritated and annoying fans. Despite the troubles that have been caused, it is nice to see that this issue is somewhat resolved, and it is fantastic to see mention of the 501st, of which Karen is an Honorary Member, and a group that she looked at a lot in her novelization of the Clone Wars. The 501st Dune Sea Garrison is honored with a thanks in the beginning of the book.

Order 66 is a fine installment in the Republic Commando and Clone Wars series, and I’m sad to see it go. It is a rich and complex read, one that is far superior to most of the novels in the Star Wars line for its stand on moral issues, its writing and genuine care that makes me remember that these books are leaps and bounds above most of the tie-in novels that are on the market nowadays.

While the book is not a perfect read (or cover, for that matter. Side note - I’m not sure who thought that the current cover was a better one than the original, but it’s not, and should be changed back. Like right now. Ahem.) but it’s a superior one that stands out from the rest of the books out there.

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Sep 27, 2008

Roberta rated it

Recommends it for: Star Wars fans

Shelves: sciencefiction, starwars

Presumably this is the conclusion of the Republican commando series. The ending was bittersweet. The plot was well done, and I had to put the book down to run an errand in the middle of the climax of the novel.

I didn't like the ending hence the 4 instead of 5 stars. There's no reason that what happened at the end to make it bittersweet had to happen other than it is a tumult-field time in the Star Wars universe.

I liked the portrayal of the corruptness of the Jedi as we...more

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Mar 27, 2011

William rated it

Shelves: star-wars, paperback

Traviss is hit and miss, and this novel does nothing to change the way I feel about her writing. There were parts that dragged on, and then there were parts that sizzled with tension and action. I prefer the mission style action of Hard Contact than the philosophical take in this novel, but it did make you think at times when the clones question the "good" Jedi. It remains to be seen if Imeprial Commando will follow the same characters or bring us new people to watch.

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Aug 29, 2011

Derrick rated it

Shelves: 2008, star-wars

the final Republic Commando novel, supposedly. We will see though, since she left several "openings" for later stories. Basically, everything comes to a head and the RC's under Skirata disappear and go to Mandalore to start their new lives. Etain, the jedi who had a baby with a clone, is killed as they are trying to leave Coruscant. I really enjoyed this story, much more story than the previous. I really hope the bookclub carries this and the previous as a combo.

· see review

Jul 17, 2009

Patrick rated it

Shelves: star-wars

I've already nerdily loved this series, but this possible finale (I hope there is one more coming to wrap up plot points) didn't quite measure up to the predecessors. The characters kind of got stuck in ruts. Lots of talking about how torn they were between duty and self-preservation and righting of the wrongs perpetuated on the clone troopers, which should be good because I love that angle to this series. But then that is followed by lots more talking about how torn they were between duty an...more

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Aug 02, 2011

Dale rated it

Decent ending to the series; though, not truly an ending as it would seem most of the characters come back in the 501st book(s). Some nice philosophy regarding choice and freedom, without being too heavy handed. When it's all said and done, though, it's a Star Wars novel based spun off from a video game so while Traviss is a decent enough writer for the purpose, don't go expecting Shakespeare.

· see review

Apr 15, 2010

Wesley rated it

One of the lowest ratings I'll give a book. Besides being a poor writer, the inconsistencies with the movies and how the established cannon treated clone troopers are unbearable here. I understand that giving them personalities is part of what she was trying to do, but she developed them into a corner where she had to be inconsistant. IT'S NOT LIKE SHE DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS COMING!!!

· see review

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About Karen Traviss

Karen Traviss is a science fiction author and full-time novelist from Wiltshire, England. Originally from the Portsmouth area, Traviss worked as both a journalist and defence correspondent before turning her attention to writing fiction. She also served in both the Territorial Army and the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service. Traviss is a graduate of the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy workshop.

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Books by Karen Traviss

Sacrifice (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, #5)

Bloodlines (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, #2)

Hard Contact (Star Wars: Republic Commando, #1)

Revelation (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, #8)

Triple Zero (Star Wars: Republic Commando, #2)

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Quotes from Order 66

“If we were given one word of information in our entire history, how we'd treasure it! how we'd pore over ever syllable, divining it's meaning, arguing its importance; how we'd examine it and wring every lesson we could from it. Yet today we have trillions of words, tidal waves of information and the smallest detail of every action our government and businesses take is easily available to us at the touch of a button. And yet...we ignore it, and learn nothing from it. One day we'll die of voluntary ignorance ” — 13 people liked it

“Gar taldin ni jaonyc; gar sa buir, ori'wadaasla. (Nobody cares who your father was, only the father you'll be.) - Mandalorian saying” — 7 people liked it

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Order 66 (Star Wars: Republic Commando #4)

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