2008-03-10 Unsurpassable

I have read A LOT of "Star Wars" books, from comics to novels to reference works. A couple of them are execrable. Three or four could have been done better. Most are pretty dang decent. A few can be labelled as amazingly good. But Karen Traviss' "Republic Commando" series leaves every other "Star Wars" book in the dust. The series has just about everything anyone could ever want in a work of fiction: high tech gadgets, intense military action, budding romance (but surprisingly realistically, and not in a stomach-churning, chick-flickish way), camaraderie, intrigue, exposure to fascinating cultures, and lots of things going "BOOM!"

"True Colors" is no exception. Here, the well-established characters you have come to know and love over the previous two books start to question their purposes and callings in life, with almost all of them having to make life-altering decisions. And if you've read the previous two books in the series, you will understand their positions and reasons for making their choices. And you will approve at every step of the way. You will even end up cheering for Walon Vau.

As always, I give this latest "Republic Commando" offering my highest recommendation: I hope that should you choose to buy this volume, you will enjoy it every bit as much as I have. Kandosii!