Customer Reviews

No Prisoners (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Del Rey is publishing a series of five tie-in novels to accompany the highly successful Clone Wars cartoon series, which kicked off in the fall of 2008. Authorial duties are rotating between two Karens: Karen Traviss, notable Star Wars author with a penchant for clones and Mandalorians, kicked things off with an excellent novelization of the feature film. Karen Miller, a newcomer to the Expanded Universe, followed up with Wild Space, a harrowing but overlong tale of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Bail Organa journeying through the galaxy in search of a Sith planet. Now Traviss delivers the third novel, No Prisoners, coupling an intriguing exploration of differing Jedi philosophies with a juicy dose of clone and battle droid action.

One striking feature of the three novels published to date in this particular mini-series is the juxtaposition of their serious and introspective tone with the light-hearted adventure of the TV show. I appreciate that the authors are working to deepen the EU by not simply offering shallow tales of Jedi heroics. At times I find it a bit challenging to marry the TV show to these stories in my mind, but overall this is a great strategy and sometimes makes me see the TV episodes in a new light. For example, clone officer Captain Rex is given a meaty and provocative role in No Prisoners. He wrestles with some fundamental issues concerning the role of the clone army, what their purpose is in life, and whether there is any hope for them to be something more. These themes will be familiar to readers of the superb Republic Commando series, also by Karen Traviss, but playing them against the adventurous fun of the cartoon made them more poignant than ever, at least for this reader.

Beyond the intellectual examination of Rex and his clone squad, there are many intense action sequences scattered throughout. One particularly vivid scene involves the clones rescuing one of the main characters who is being held hostage. The pace at which they take over the situation and Rex's brutally firm leadership make for compelling reading. Traviss deftly paints the clones as a military force to be reckoned with and the saga is all the richer for it.

Readers of Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy will be interested to know Captain Gilad (new first name!) Pellaeon is a featured character in No Prisoners. In fact, his forbidden relationship with intelligence agent Hallena Davis and what he's willing to do to save her from danger is the prime driver of the plot. Their relationship echoes the forbidden marriage of Anakin and Padme. Pellaeon is portrayed as a smart and capable officer. Arguably, he is portrayed as TOO smart and capable: I found myself picturing the old, experienced, post-Thrawn-and-Daala Pellaeon more than a young officer making his way through the ranks. There are an awful lot of years between the Clone Wars and the Thrawn Trilogy in which he doesn't seem to have grown much, but still, it's a treat reading his interactions with Anakin, Ahsoka, and Rex.

Another place where the book veers tonally away from the show is in its treatment of Ahsoka. Many characters here are surprised or even shocked that a half-dressed fourteen-year-old has been given a leadership role. Pellaeon even forces her to change into military-issue clothes in an awkward little scene. Ahsoka also undergoes some mental turmoil when she is introduced to a rogue sect of Jedi who permit relationships and do not fear attachment. These Jedi, led by Master Djinn Altis and featuring Callista Masana from the Bantam novels, go against many of the precepts she was raised to unthinkingly accept.

These challenges to Ahsoka's beliefs (and later in the story, to Anakin's as well) underscored a theme I see woven through the Traviss stories. She seems to favor book characters over movie ones, and her anti-Jedi Order viewpoints are a strongly recurring motif. While there are times I feel she is excessively weakening characters like Ahsoka to demonstrate the Order is rotting from within, I do appreciate that she is willing to introduce and flesh out alternative views of the prequel era. She is correct that many people would likely have more negative views of the Jedi than we as movie viewers tend to, and certainly there is fertile ground to be plowed with the bred-to-fight and enslaved clone army. So while I don't always agree with the viewpoints she espouses, I value them highly.

No Prisoners presents a balanced mix of philosophical musings about the nature of clones, Jedi, and warfare with gripping action sequences and a fast-paced storyline. Karen Traviss has made quite a mark on the Expanded Universe and shows no signs of letting up, and I am pleased Del Rey is open to publishing stories such as hers that don't necessarily toe the line of the other media including the cartoon. No Prisoners is highly recommended.

The previous Star Wars books by Karen Traviss have been extremely good, and No Prisoners also reaches her high standard. Her special area of interest in her books is the clone troopers that the Republic uses to fight the Separatists. This book continues that pattern. Captain Rex is back, and he is sent on a routine three-day shakedown mission along with Anakin Skywalker's Padawan Ahsoka. Anakin hopes to use the time to spend a couple of days with Padme. The mission turns out to not be routine when they are sent off to rescue Hallena Devis, a Republic undercover agent who is caught up in the middle of a Separatist invasion.

Things become even more complicated when a band of Jedis led by Master Djinnn Altis joins forces with them. Master Altis' followers do not think that attachment between Jedis causes any problems or necessarily leads to the dark side. Ahsoka has big problems working with them because their beliefs are so different and because the entire situation challenges some of her core beliefs. Anakin, of course, is very anxious to talk privately with Master Altis and learn more about his philosophy regarding attachments. A further complication is that the ship they are on is commanded by Captain Gil Pellaeon. He and Agent Devis are lovers, so he worries that any actions he takes may be construed to have been influenced by his relationship with Devis. We also are able to meet Callista and see her function as a real Jedi instead of as a spirit and as the new person she becomes when she and Luke Skywalker fall in love in the Callista Trilogy.

I have enjoyed all of the Star Wars books written by Karen Traviss. I was disappointed to read on her blog recently that she will no longer writing any books for the Expanded Universe. The Clone Wars stories are heading in a different direction from the path taken in her previous books. She will be missed.

Karen Traviss has yet to write a Star Wars book I didn't enjoy. She's got a good sense of how to treat soldiers in words. By that I mean she can present them in a way that's real without seeming contrived.

The story itself is typical: a routine mission gets a whole lot more interesting when the Seps decide to move in on a ripe for revolution sort of planet. Anakin's caught a bit out of the loop, but he rejoins his men to help them fight to live to see another day. Anakin's padawan gets to see plenty of action and grapple with questions of Jedi morality and Code. A shiny new crew of clones get down and dirty while tangling with the tinnies.

The part I found most enjoyable was getting to see a bit more into Gilad Palleon's life. So far, we've seen him as an Imperial Admiral and then an honorable old war veteran trying to hold his people together. Now, we get to see him as a dashing young captain with an untested ship and trusty crew.

Marc Thompson's got a wonderful voice, and the book sounds just as lovely as it reads. I highly recommend grabbing the audio CD of this book, after you finish reading it of course.

I felt this one fell a little flat in comparison to the other books in the series and certainly the other books Karen Traviss has written. It sort of felt like a filler book. Almost like an extended short story. It wasn't terrible but it took some effort to get through. I'll keep reading though...it was not a waste.

If fans were ever wondering what happened to Callista "Ming" Masana, and weren't satisfied with her cameo in Order 66 (or are sitting in front of basement computers writing oodles and oodles of self-indulgent fanfiction), she's back as one of the supporting characters in the latest Clone Wars installment No Prisoners in which Gilad Pellaeon takes center stage. His motives are questioned, his military prowess tested, and worst of all, the judge of his character is none other than himself.

Karen Traviss isn't new to the Clone Wars era, nor is she unfamiliar with writing clone troopers or Gilad Pellaeon. In No Prisoners Pellaeon is a young Captain, given command of Republic Assault ship Leveler undergoing a refitting for concussion missiles at Kemla Yard. Accepting the company of clone officer Captain Rex, who's giving Anakin a break from his Padawan Ahsoka by taking her along with him, the Leveler is hailed by humanitarian relief vessel Wookiee Gunner on an inspection run prompted by the arrival of a Separatist fleet in the Fath system. Run by a rogue Jedi sect trained under Jedi Master Djinn Altis, the Wookiee Gunner intercepted a distress call from a Republic Intelligence Agent trapped on nearby JanFathal.

Deciding the best course of action, despite not being up to full specs, is to attempt an extraction, a team is assembled of both Altis' Jedi and Rex's crew of new clone soldiers to land on JanFathal and rescue potential Separatist prisoner, Hellena Devis. When Pellaeon comes clean and admits, after discovering the true identity of the agent, his personal relationship with Devis, it unravels a trail of guilt and self-doubt long enough to take us to the end of the novel. Since Pellaeon was in middle age when we first met him, his past has been a murky mystery, but apparently was filled with many romantic rendezvous that many in the navy speculate as the thing that will forever keep him back from rising within the ranks of the Republic. But we know better.

At this point, though, he's a fresh young face willing to do what's right and eager to prove his worth among his men as an equal as well as a leader. He's also as curious as everyone else on his ship, and presumably the rest of the galaxy, about understanding the mysterious and mystical Jedi Knights and their even more elusive Force. From this perspective we don't get Jedi seen through the eyes of other Jedi or characters who are familiar with them and their weird habits (and therefore, take them for granted). Instead, like everything else Traviss writes, the Jedi are dissected and analyzed very objectively, making for interesting and humorous observations. Grappling with odd Jedi behaviors and reactions, Rex and Pellaeon compare them to scent tracking dogs (well, an "akk" is the Star Wars equivalent of a dog in my head), and smoke detectors. Jedi don't just have personalities to navigate, they have technical manuals, as one imagines it, to the tricks and talents of each.

In case you were wondering what other great things Jedi were capable of, the confused confrontation between Ahsoka (of the Yoda school of Jedi) and Callista (of the Djinn Altis school) along with the nosy wonderings of Rex's clones reveal that Jedi can have sex, no strings attached. I'm sure many curious beings are now flocking the Jedi temple to solicit the experience one can only have with a Jedi: feeling the Force.

Speaking of Jedi and sex, Traviss finally sheds some light on Callista's affinity for machinery and provides what could be the reason her connection with the Force waned after she reintegrated herself into the body of Cray Mingla at the end of Children of the Jedi. The explanation was a little blurry, like all things associated with the Force, but the short of it is something like opening a new set of senses and having them shut off the moment human-to-machine connection is severed; like being in a dimly lit room after being outside on a very clear, sunny day. Clearly, Callista's true love was never Geith or Luke, it's mechanical devices. You can take that where you will.

Pellaeon seems to struggle with finding his conscientious footing in No Prisoners navigating the romantic world, the military world, as well as the completely foreign world of Jedi. His conclusions are sound, if for the reader, at least on one front, a little disappointing. But we have to remember, Traviss is helping to construct the Pellaeon we meet on board the Chimaera besides Grand Admiral Thrawn, not to mention the book probably had a page limit. She also alludes to more sober events in Order 66 which were sad, but let's face it: we deal.

No Prisoners has good pacing and funny comparisons. It wasn't my favorite, but the Clone Wars series (of books) hasn't really struck me as phenomenal on the stage of all that is epic. We're so saturated now with Clone Wars everything, it's starting to wear on me, but I still managed to find solace in the familiars of No Prisoners and consoled my frustration and apathy with the understanding that each book is a non-chronological glimpse into galaxy-wide war affecting trillions, even the few outstanding citizens who we happen to know as something of celebrities. This is one of the reasons I like the Republic Commando books: one main cast of characters with a story arc that now spans not only the war, but the trilogies as well. The Clone Wars books appear as scattered and disorganized as the war itself (something I appreciate, but am not a fan of); it's my disinterest in the minor skirmishes of the Clone Wars and the Anakin/Padmé relationship that made this book less than amazing.

On the bright side, Traviss reminds the reader of Ahsoka's primal Togruta roots. It definitely lent an air of something mysterious and alluring to an otherwise boring child Jedi. She really appears quite tantalizingly alien, far removed from the humanizing efforts of the CGI "Clone Wars" cartoon. Combined with her squirming discomfort and confusion surrounding the heretical Jedi under Master Altis, her Togruta-ness (otherwise never really mentioned or made out to be significant) made her an enjoyable addition to this book.

Fans of the series will enjoy this installment, but I think even if you don't like the Clone Wars, you'd appreciate No Prisoners for the Pellaeon and Callista backstory we wouldn't have gotten fictionally otherwise. And besides, who knew Luke's father would have met one of his girlfriends before he put on his flashy prosthetics?

Karen Traviss really impressed me in No Prisoners. Not only is there a nice amount of action, but the moral arguments brought up really make this an interesting read. Also, some characters from previous books, such as Gilad Pelleaon, show up. There is also a group of new characters, bringing new faces into this time period. Of all the Star Wars books I've read so far, no other has been as good as this one. I would be willing to read it over and over again!

Karen Traviss has to be one of the best Star Wars authors out there. She really captures the characters well without all of the overly technical descriptions some authors have. If you have not read her Republic Commando novels do so NOW. She specializes in Mandalorian's and Clone Troopers, and of course Boba Fett as well.

This book focuses on Comander Rex, a familiar character from the Clone Wars cartoon, and of course Asoka. Its a quick read that an give you a little more insight into the characters then the cartoon..

"No Prisoners" enhances the Star Wars expanded universe by adding details and experiences beyond the movies and TV shows. Good character development. Develops the details and experiences of some non-clone, non-Jedi Republic military members to the universe. Also expands the Jedi universe with alternative Jedi philosophies.

No Prisoners is a slight novel. It's 257 pages and had the plot been more elaborate or with the addition of a twist the book could at least weighed in at 300 pages. It's not the page count that bothers me. It's that I paid nearly $20 for this trade paperback.

Now that that's out of the way, I confess as I read No Prisoners I remembered I how much I enjoy Traviss' take on this period and I really like what she's done for The Clone Wars series.

The introduction of an alternative Jedi school makes for some interesting contrasts that challenge Ahsoka and Anakin's core beliefs. Conceiving of Jedi who break the very doctrine that holds Yoda's Order together and keeps Anakin in constant torment.

Rex and his Clones are great. Traviss' interjects her sometimes controversial beliefs about attachment, duty, and Star Wars morality but it never feels forced or preachy. It all flows nicely as it raises obvious questions about the war. And every serious EU fan should be giddy about the sizable appearance of a young Gilad Pellaeon!

I would have liked a few more scenes with Ahsoka. Heck, I would have liked more scenes with all of these characters.

Despite the unfairly high price for the length, No Prisoners is another sharp, exciting, well told SW tale.

"The choice is always with us, demanding to be made with every action we take, even in peacetime"
Anakin has sent Ahsoka with Captain Rex as the two observe the testing of a new ship, the Leveller, commanded by Gilad Pellaeon. But things go awry when Hallena Devis, a Republic spy and Pellaeon's lover, is captured on JanFathal (or, as I've seen elsewhere, "The Spit Planet").

I Liked:
There is quite a bit to like about this little novel. One of the things that really stood out to me was the characters. I enjoyed seeing our "old" friends, Gil Pellaeon and Callista Masana. I really liked how Traviss added a love interest for Pellaeon (and a black woman to boot!), but she really outdoes herself with Callista, a character I've never been particularly fond of. Traviss does Callista justice and, more than that, alludes to Callista's future bonding with the Eye of Palpatine and losing her ability to touch the Force. Very adept and neatly done (as if on purpose!). Traviss also is more than capable of writing Rex (of course, she really can't err in writing from a clone/Mando) and even, surprisingly, Anakin. Even Ahsoka is far less annoying than I've seen her.
Traviss gets a chance to "fix" the issue of Jedi marrying and having relationships, as first revealed in Children of the Jedi when Callista reveals she dated Geith. I actually don't mind the concept of more Jedi than just those at the Temple, though I continually wonder how the Lost Twenty fits into that picture (not that Altis was specified as a Lost Twenty). Altis' Jedi sect is interesting, and I would love to learn more about them. Though I can't imagine one guy, not that old, has trained thousands of students. Is he meaning thousands of Force-sensitives or thousands of beings in general?
Also, kudos to Traviss for having Pellaeon make Ahsoka dress in decent clothes. I honestly have no idea why the Jedi allow her to dress so scantily (as no one except Aalya, another sex object, does). What happened to the Jedi robes? When could apprentices choose what to wear?
Traviss' forte has always been writing action and military combat (also clones and Mandos). Here, she does a superb job of detailing life on a starship (something gravely missing from most Star Wars EU), a hostage situation, and even a "spook" mission. It's obvious she's knowledgeable and has a firm grasp on what she's talking about (and if not, she does excellent research, as with the battle wounds!).
I was impressed with the conclusions. Several people are given the choice: to think and ponder over the questions they were posed or to ignore them. Some, like Rex, realize that pondering over the questions doesn't do anything but weigh you down. Others, like Anakin, want to refuse to acknowledge there is a problem. And still others, such as Hallena, are beginning their journey to seek out the truth.

I Didn't Like:
This isn't by far the worse that Traviss has written, but I felt it was a little less than perfect, starting with the characters.
From the onset, I was a little shocked at the portrayal of Captain Gilad Pellaeon. It's not that he's portrayed as hugely out of character (like an idiot or corrupt or something along those lines); I just felt that he was off, more like a jolly, good English sea captain who occasionally bucks protocol he doesn't like (such as being on a first name basis with Rex), while adhering to others (proper uniforms on officers, such as Ahsoka). I guess this comes off as a shock since I recently finished Zahn's Hand of Thrawn Duology in which Pellaeon plays a large part and comes off as very formal, very by the book, very proper. And yes, I understand that Pellaeon is younger here, but I still have a hard time picturing him changing so drastically from "cheerio" captain to skeptical, hesitant, questioning captain in Heir to the Empire.
I was also never fond of Hallena. I'm sorry, she just felt too incompetent, too hesitant, too questioning. She goes to JanFathal, utterly fails, and needs to be rescued, causing two clones to lose their lives (thereby causing everyone else, most of whom barely know the guys, to angst about it constantly). One could argue that was the whole point, that she accomplished nothing and caused the death of these two men, but I had a hard time buying she was such a good agent, given how quickly she was apprehended and how disillusioned she was so quickly. And her conclusion...ugh, how cliché.
My second biggest complaint is that Traviss, once again, has to make a big argument out of something. Here, as elsewhere, she makes sure to load on the comments about how clones are humans, how they are being used by the big, bad Jedi led by cold, cruel, heartless Yoda...yada, yada, yada. Been there, done that, got the shirt. As if that weren't bad enough, she also makes sure to debate the whole attachment issue (not necessarily a bad thing), sometimes awkwardly inserting it into conversation just so the Jedi philosophy of non-attachment can be assailed (such as when Ahsoka and the clones talk about sex, in the most forced, uncomfortable conversation ever, or Callista and Ahsoka talk about relationships just before a big battle). I don't have a problem with discussing clones' humanity or attachment, but let's not go overboard, and please, let's be a wee bit subtle. I mean, Jedi attachment is a really cool issue, one that would be very interesting, but honestly, Traviss drives it into the dirt (everyone notices the tension between Altis' Jedi and Ahsoka, everyone wants to ask about details, Ahsoka spends 90% of the book gawking at Callista as if she has a second head, everyone, including Pellaeon, wonders if non-attachment/attachment is the way to go, etc.) and makes it boring. Although, I will admit, I liked how Altis and Anakin spoke about it at the end.
Then there was the whole thing about Pellaeon and Devis' "secret" relationship. As I read that, I just wondered...why? Why couldn't they come out and admit their relationship? Why was it forbidden at nearly the same level as any Jedi's (such as Anakin and Padme's)? I know, Anakin and Padme's was weird (particularly in the movie, when Padme, who should have had zero restrictions, protests it--though the novelization of the movie does clarify this), but the excuse about the Republic wanting squeaky clean officers is just stupid. The Republic needs officers, and they aren't going to get all picky on who they happen to be dating, especially if it means the difference between winning and losing. And I really didn't sense much chemistry between the two. They felt very stiff and formal, even when off duty. Traviss had to tell us they were in love; I would never have gotten it from the way they acted towards or around each other (particularly not with the way that the book ends, which does nothing to cement my perception of their "true love" to each other).
It is rare for me to be confused over Traviss' writing or what is going on, but in this book, I encountered that feeling frequently. I was constantly rereading sentences, trying to figure out what the characters were joking about or referring to, eventually giving up. Also, there were several battle sequences (such as Pellaeon rescuing Anakin) that were badly described and lost me completely.
I had read somewhere how sexist this book was, and I am going to have to second that. Callista gets slapped on her rear in public as a supposed display of affection (Traviss, if you want to show that Geith and Callista are in love, why not have them hold hands or kiss each other's cheek?). Hallena is considered a commodore solely because she's Pellaeon's squeeze and not because she is an esteemed Republic agent. Hallena also speaks about giving up her job and joining Pellaeon on his ship; nowhere does Pellaeon offer to make the same sacrifice nor do they both agree to give up their jobs for something else. And Padme does the good house-wife thing in making coffee, packing bags, and dishing gossip. Ugh.
Another minor complaint I have is going to sound very strange. Normally, I love it when authors bring a bit of realism to Star Wars: family life, divorce, outings at the park, you get the drill. Here, when Traviss does it, it almost feels over board. From Padme wearing a beauty mask to making coffee--oops, I mean caf--to arguing with a teenager over her clothing choices to likening a revolt to a bargain sale at a mall, it just feels out of place or maybe a bit too...obvious.

Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
Pellaeon goes out of character and swears, using "kriff".
Geith and Callista are lovers; Geith whacks Callista on the rear in a supposedly "affectionate" pat in public. Pellaeon and Hallena are lovers as well.
Hallena is captured; as she is rescued, at least two clones die.

Overall:
If I could think of one word to describe this book, it would probably be: disappointing. It's certainly not horrible, but I felt it was lacking, that it didn't live up to Traviss' other works (particularly her novelization of the Clone Wars movie). Traviss writes some characters brilliantly and shows her expertise in military battles, but she flounders by relying too hard heavy-handed messages that just ruins the pacing and flow. And with a price tag of 16 dollars (at most places) for a mere 257 pages, it's hard to justify a purchase.

Brought to you by:
*C.S. Light*