NOTE: For awhile now I've been wondering whether to make these book reviews more focused on saying "Read this - here are all the technical reasons why it's cool!" or "Hey, here are some thoughts I had on this book, and they won't really make sense unless you've already read it!" I find myself increasingly pulled towards the latter, so that's what you get today. So here are my random thoughts and opinions that hopefully you'll enjoy! (Oh, and all spoilers are marked, but you won't be able to read a lot of this if you're trying to avoid them. )

I just finished the Republic Commando series, and I sooooooooo can't wait for Order 66! Yet at the same time, "I have a bad feeling about this!" I'm so scared Karen will kill someone off or make something terrible happen! But I suppose I should start from the beginning . . . .

I fell in love with this series during the first few pages of Hard Contact. I love the action, humor, and how the dialogue is so . . . modern. It could be used in an everyday conversation, minus the references to things that only exist in the GFFA, of course! And the characters are so believable - I love each and every one! I've found a character I can really identify with, too: Etain! My reactions mirrored hers in most situations, and I've had some very similar thoughts and feelings. I could probably write a whole blog just on that, if I thought about it.

I've officially become a clone-lover/sympathizer or whatever the term is. I don't think of them as just a bunch of guys with the same face any more. Sure, I felt bad for them in The Cestus Deception and Jedi Trial, but since this book is mainly about them, I really got to know them as individuals. I don't even think about them as sounding exactly like Jango and looking exactly like Jango. Similar, yes, but all distinct. It's really interesting to watch AOTC and ROTS now - I have a whole new view! I really hope Kal finds away to stop the rapid-aging. I hope they all get families of their own. I hope Etain SPOILER hurries up and tells Darman about Kad/Venku/however-many-names-they-give-this-kid! And I hope he's really happy about it. And most of all, I really really REALLY hope that Fi's therapy makes him totally normal again!!!!!!! It's so not fair that he got hurt, especially when they don't even know what happened! And when it was a pointless operation! Grrrr! More on that later. END SPOILER

SPOILERS Some of you may remember my book review on Cloak of Deception. I said that I really enjoyed seeing how crafty Palpatine really was. Well, the same thing happened in True Colors! It was interesting to see how he basically planned it so that the troops were spread thinly, prolonging the war, most likely so he could turn Anakin, get more power, and wait for an opportunity to destroy the Jedi. (It also sounds like he lied about the number of droids in order to get more power.) How he started the cloning process so they'd be ready to fight just as war broke out (though we already knew that). Then there was the whole thing about finding Ko Sai to make her manipulate his genes so he could live forever! I'd read things about him dabbling in cloning (The Essential Chronology) and having clones, but this is really crazy! Also, there were his probable talks in cloaked form (*cough*Darth Sidious*cough*) with Dr. Uthan! Sounds like he may have commissioned her research in the first place! Although I wonder why . . . . In any case, I'm reminded once again that this man's a stinkin' evil genius! It's crazy! END SPOILERS

Although Delta Squad is nowhere near as dear to my heart as Omega and the Nulls (and Corr!), Sev really grew on me in True Colors. Imagine everything he went through with Vau . . . I'd end up an obsessive perfectionist too! I feel so sorry for him! I've been so lucky to have parents who have constantly told me that even if I didn't get straight A's, they'd always love me. I just have to do my best and that's all that matters. Poor Sev!!!! Constantly doing everything under a fear of punishment for failure or a less-than-perfect job is a terrible way to live!

It seems that nobody knows about "Sifo-Dyas" ordering the army. I forget who knows what about Count Dooku and Darth Sidious actually doing it and paying for it. What was the story given to the public? Did the politicians - gasp! - lie?!?!

SPOILER What's with this second clone army? Who would they use as a template? Would the accelerated aging be even worse with them since Arkanian Micro takes less time to grow clones? What was Palpatine thinking? [3PO] I'm so confused! [/3PO] END SPOILER

SPOILER Does anyone else love the idea of Venku/Kad/whatever-name-they-decide-to-give-him-next having so much extended family? All those uncles, and a few aunts as well! I think that's so cute! I'm an only child, so the whole "big family" thing always excites and fascinates me. I can't wait to see the clones interact with him and try to raise him. I mean, Skirata will be doing most of the raising, but Ordo and Mereel know, so they could help to an extent, and maybe even Fi as well. I wish we could have heard more about him at the end and what he thought about the baby. And although the rest of Omega doesn't know that V/K/blahblahblah is Darman's kid, they'll still see him from time to time and interact. I just think it's so adorable . . . . END SPOILER

SPOILER (KIND OF) Aha, so they know where Grievous is, do they? What about this little leak? Who leaked it? Palpatine? Why? So many questions!!! END SPOILER

SPOILER Jusik's choice to leave the Order: You go boy!! Tell 'em! Stand up for what's right! I've also been doing quite a bit of thinking about Etain's conflict in this matter, but that'll probably be another blog . . . . END SPOILER

Vau and Mird. You knew I'd get there eventually, didn't you? I began Triple Zero hating their guts, but by the end, I was actually softening towards them, right along with - surprise surprise - Etain. Now, especially after Mird's little nesting session (awww!), I really like him! As for Vau, he's one of those grey characters. He's done some rotten things, even though he seems to think that they were for the good of his men. At the same time, I think he has a good heart underneath that was poisoned by his family. Of course, one always has the choice to change. But anyway, he's on my good side now, especially because of his donation to the clones' "retirement fund." The interesting thing was how Jaing volunteered to take Mird when Vau dies someday. I was so sure that Etain would volunteer! They've certainly bonded! But perhaps something will happen and she'll end up with him. Or maybe V/K/blahblahblah will. No clue. Is this answered in LOTF? (Try to keep your answer as spoiler-free as possible, please. )

Ah, and now for my favorite Null: Mereel. . . . No comment . . . . *laughs* He's just funny, smart, and in many ways world-wise (especially for a clone). One thing I really love about Skirata is how he taught all his boys to be gentlemen (okay, minus the cursing in all those languages . . . but it was funny . . . and he's Mereel . . . yikes, I think I've just misplaced my morals . . . OKAY, MOVING ON!). But seriously, for the most part they're all very good. Good Mando men. And I think Skirata said that he just made sure that they behaved in civilized company or something. SPOILER I looooooooved reading about Mereel being an uncle and how he wanted to babysit for Etain! Again, can't you just see them all playing peek-a-boo with V/K/bbb? Or, more likely, teaching him about weapons and fighting and stuff? It's so cute to see a grown clone bend down and make silly faces and noises to entertain a child. END SPOILER And it's Mereel. Have you caught on yet?

SPOILER Fi. Ahem. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! *takes bow* Fi was amazing! Is amazing! He's funny and he likes glimmik music - whatever the heck that is! He's one of my favorite parts about this series! I mean, I'm glad that he's finally found a girl, but not like this! I just hope he regains everything. Speech, movement, everything. *sniff* I love you Fi! Not like that, but I do! *sniff* Hey, uh, Karen? Hint hint. Cough cough. Nod nod. Wink wink. Nudge nudge. And I think that about covers it . . . . END SPOILER

My Order 66 predictions . . . okay so they're more like random, baseless thoughts, but still . . . . How are Omega, Delta, and the Nulls going to handle Order 66? Delta seems to be the most in danger of obeying the order, but I'm sure if Vau said no, then they wouldn't. And they wouldn't harm Jusik (of course, SPOILER, they wouldn't really have to now. END SPOILER) or Etain. Omega obviously wouldn't, but what if Darman got REALLY mad at Etain? Would he do it then? What will Skirata do about this? I know he'll protect Jusik and Etain, obviously. But will he bother to help the other Jedi? Will he allow them into his "clone haven?" Will Zey die? Can everything end happily, or will Karen shock us all by killing someone off that we thought was untouchable? What about the aging thing? Will they figure out how to turn it off? Gah! I can't bear the suspense!!!

I could write so much more here, but I have some thoughts that came from this series that'll get blogs of their own, so you'll get those eventually. In the mean time, I have another blog that's all ready to go (just a fun one - not deep ), and my dad has actually called something to my attention that I may end up blogging about too - wow!

So MTFBWY, especially since you're now stuck with me for another year.
Jade

P.S. Um, by the way, I've heard that some of these characters appear in the LOTF series. Since I probably won't get around to reading that series until I'm Skirata's age (), please don't mention any spoilers or things that may detract from my reading experience. Thanks!