Defenders of the Republic

The Clone Wars Junior Novels #4

by Rob Valois

"With all due respect, General, if someone comes to our home, they better be carrying a big blaster." --Clone Captain Rex

For the members of Domino Squad, it's a long road from clone cadets to elite ARC troopers. From the clone training facility on their home world of Kamino to a desolate outpost on the Rishi moon, these heroic clones will stand proud and courageous as they face the challenges of the Clone Wars and the greatest villains in the galaxy.

Based on the television series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Science Fiction Fantasy

157 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2010

Reviews

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I know this book is for younger readers. I know it is adapted from the TV series, I know it is a short read and will be finished in a couple of hours. I know all this and still I love the story. This story will take show readers the bonds of blood between brothers strengthened through combat between soldiers. This bond is there from the strongest to the weakest. Sum it up in these quotes

"We're one and the same. Same heart. Same blood. Your training is in your blood. And my blood's boiling for a fight".

"This is our home. This is our war".

The book follows a group of 5 clone cadets (Domino Sqad) and their journey to ARC troopers. This story is from Star Wars Clone Wars - Season 3 [DVD]. Stories like these prove that there is so much more to the Star Wars universe then lightsabers and space ship (saying that I do love lightsabers and space ships). Love this book.

[szara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't want to be too harsh on a book that is a tv-show adaptation intended for a younger audience but I do read middle grade from time to time and I know it can be so much better. Though, I think a big part of my low rating is the translation's fault since I read the Polish edition of this book. The translation was really off at times, as if the correct possible translation of the original word was given but completely missed the mark with the tone and needed a better fitted synonym. I had some fun in the first third of the book since I really love Dominoes as characters but the quality of writing and translation of this book got really tiring by the end of it.

[Kat V · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a kids book there’s a lot of death. Overall it was decent. 3.1 stars. No need to reread.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disposable is the best description of this adaptation of 3 episodes of the TV series...and while it has it moments, there's no desire to achieve anything beyond a condensed transcription of the TV series in as condensed a package as possible. Even small kids will baulk at how ephemeral this feels.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Echo and Fives, but there were more grammar and spelling errors in this book than clones. I also wish we could get more of the clones' inner lives. But I guess I'll just read fanfiction.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good story. Typically corny dialogue. Several typos, though, which drive me a bit crazy.

[Eloise Sunshine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, more like 2,5 stars really, for to me it was nothing special in the literary sense (though clearly I'm not the target audience either).

I "saved" this book from a bookshelf of some second hand shop for nearly no money and thought to just give it a shot.
I do understand it is being written for younger generation, but both the story and the text was way too simpleminded for me to be able to rate it any higher.

Otherwise it was a book to give you a somewhat deeper look into the souls and minds of DNA-brothers - the clone troopers.

*
"Out in the corridor, squads of battle droids made their way towards the barracks. Behind them, Grievous followed, confident in his victory. As they reached the final door, one of the droids stepped up, knocked, and said, "Open up."
Grievous roared at the droid's stupidity. "Get those doors open," he howled.
*
So you see what I mean... ;)
When you're 13 or so, it probably is funny, but after 20 it just becomes embarrassing.

[Jack Leone]

In this story, the main characters are a squad of clone troopers.There are five of them: Heavy, Echo, Cutup, Fives, and Droidbait. They are based at a training facility on their home planet. They are not battle-ready, so they must train with a simulation. They cannot pass the challenge because they aren’t following orders and not staying together. One day they finally pass the challenge, and are taken to Rishi, a neighboring planet.
One day, the Sith decided to attack the base on Rishi. When the droids broke through the doors, Droidbait was killed. The droids pushed the clones back, injuring the general, and then killing him. The rest escape, but Heavy stayed back to detonate the bombs, dying with them. They then run to a cave, and Cutup is killed by a creature. Finally, Echo and Fives were rescued by their allies and given higher ranks. I was very interested in this book because I really like all the star wars movies, and this book is all about star wars. This book also has really good description and I would recommend it highly.

[Johsaun Tellevik · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Star Wars the Defender of the Republic," is a great book. Demosquad is on a mission to pass their test to become clones. They keep failing and gave up until 99 gave them hope. Eventually they passed their test and became clone troopers to fight the sepertisis? Will they succeed in their battle?

[Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A retelling of several Star Wars Clone Wars episodes. Following a group of clone troopers from cadets to experienced troopers. The beginning was pretty lackluster and boring. If it was a clone wars episode it's not one I remember. The next two segments were adequate retellings, exciting and interesting.

[J.B. Mathias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a novelization of a series of episodes of clone wars. It was well done and it was a good couple episodes...but ultimately lacks stakes like all of the Clone wars. Hard to get excited for a story of clones vs droids where the bad guys win no matter what happens.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

H was reading this to me for school reading. He brought it home from the school library and eventually it had to go back. I honestly can't remember if he finished it or not. He seemed to be enjoying the book but was not enthralled. As a Star Wars traditionalist (original trilogy + expanded universe pre Disney scorched earth) I have a difficult time getting into the whole Clone storyline.

[Adrick Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it.It has my favorite people and episode ....ARC troppers

[Brian Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clones are so brave, fives and echo...

[Kyisha Walter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got me to care about this group of clones, brisk read and great in terms of an introduction for young readers.

[Maidoc Bessell]

Good book so far

[Ryan Duc Chu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool and sad.
:) :(