Hard Contact

Hard Contact

  • Downloads:7118
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-07-25 09:52:45
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Karen Traviss
  • ISBN:0345478274
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

As the Clone Wars rage, victory or defeat lies in the hands of elite squads that take on the toughest assignments in the galaxy–stone-cold soldiers who go where no one else would, to do what no one else could。 。 。 。

On a mission to sabotage a chemical weapon research facility on a Separatist-held planet, four clone troopers operate under the very noses of their enemies。 The commandos are outnumbered and outgunned, deep behind enemy lines with no backup–and working with strangers instead of trusted teammates。 Matters don’t improve when Darman, the squad’s demolitions expert, gets separated from the others during planetfall。 Even Darman’s apparent good luck in meeting an inexperienced Padawan vanishes once Etain admits to her woeful inexperience。

For the separated clone commandos and stranded Jedi, a long, dangerous journey lies ahead, through hostile territory brimming with Trandoshan slavers, Separatists, and suspicious natives。 A single misstep could mean discovery 。 。 。 and death。 It’s a virtual suicide mission for anyone–anyone except Republic Commandos。

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Reviews

Luna

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 "Etain didn’t know if she would ever see Darman or Omega Squad again。 She did know, though, that in days to come, every clone trooper or commando or ARC that she might have to order into battle would be neither anonymous, nor meaningless, nor expendable。 Under that grim helmet was a man, someone just like her, a human being, but one without the freedom or the life span afforded to her。"wow, the way this made me cry, I'm so excited to read the rest of the series。 "Etain didn’t know if she would ever see Darman or Omega Squad again。 She did know, though, that in days to come, every clone trooper or commando or ARC that she might have to order into battle would be neither anonymous, nor meaningless, nor expendable。 Under that grim helmet was a man, someone just like her, a human being, but one without the freedom or the life span afforded to her。"wow, the way this made me cry, I'm so excited to read the rest of the series。 。。。more

Oscar

3,5

Ashley Allen

Great bookI adore this series now and I can't wait to continue my journey through the Star Wars universe。 The very end had me hooked! Great bookI adore this series now and I can't wait to continue my journey through the Star Wars universe。 The very end had me hooked! 。。。more

Alastair Savin

This is a hidden gem and I think the most enjoyable book I’ve read this year。 This is coming from a guy how nominally hates Star Wars。 The reason why I dislike Star Wars is that it’s morality is very black and white and lots of interesting ideas are never explored。The clone troopers are a case in point。 How can the Jedi hold any moral high ground when fighting with an army of slave soldiers。 This book really examines making its clone characters very sympathetic and the heart of this novel。 Just This is a hidden gem and I think the most enjoyable book I’ve read this year。 This is coming from a guy how nominally hates Star Wars。 The reason why I dislike Star Wars is that it’s morality is very black and white and lots of interesting ideas are never explored。The clone troopers are a case in point。 How can the Jedi hold any moral high ground when fighting with an army of slave soldiers。 This book really examines making its clone characters very sympathetic and the heart of this novel。 Just because they don’t feel pity for themselves does not mean you don’t。 The Jedi here are flawed and therefore actually interesting as wellThe plot is very stripped back which keeps it focused and I really was invested in how they’d complete the mission and whether they’d all make it 。。。more

Sarah

This series was recommended by a friend。 It took me the first quarter of the book to orient my head into Star Wars space, during the Clone Wars, which I've only previously experienced on a television screen。 But after that, the book was transformed into an exciting adventure and each of the clones and the Padawan became distinct characters who followed their own story arc。 I'll be interested in the next book。 This series was recommended by a friend。 It took me the first quarter of the book to orient my head into Star Wars space, during the Clone Wars, which I've only previously experienced on a television screen。 But after that, the book was transformed into an exciting adventure and each of the clones and the Padawan became distinct characters who followed their own story arc。 I'll be interested in the next book。 。。。more

Hannah Mixon

This is only my second time reading a Star Wars book and I loved this book! The characters were like able and interesting。 I felt invested the whole time。 I really enjoyed learning more about the clones and their personal lives。 Would recommend this to any Prequels/Clone Wars fan。

Jarod Pitmon

Wow。。。 Okay, let me try to explain this without sounding too dramatic。 So I was in a huge reading slump, and the last time I read a Star Wars book was when I was in middle school。 I expected to get this book and it be a fast, lighthearted, simple, fun read。 It was fast (it's not a particularly long book) and it was incredibly fun。 The lighthearted aspect was there at times, and this is where I'm worried I may come off as dramatic。 This book has some heavy themes in it, themes I didn't even expec Wow。。。 Okay, let me try to explain this without sounding too dramatic。 So I was in a huge reading slump, and the last time I read a Star Wars book was when I was in middle school。 I expected to get this book and it be a fast, lighthearted, simple, fun read。 It was fast (it's not a particularly long book) and it was incredibly fun。 The lighthearted aspect was there at times, and this is where I'm worried I may come off as dramatic。 This book has some heavy themes in it, themes I didn't even expect to come across。 The book is a story about humanity, what it means to be human, what it means to feel。 You realize how messed up the idea of a Clone army is。 People being bred to die。。。 I mean, what the heck? Especially since you connect with these characters pretty fast, you empathize with them。 Especially since from page one your realize the hardships they face and things they have to go through that frankly, in my opinion, overshadow the reasons they were created。 Is it really okay to create a life, force it to never experience the outside world until it is sent off into battle to die?This book was honestly so good。 I recommend it, big time。 What a wonderful surprise to come across a book that genuinely makes you think。 The slump has been beaten。 。。。more

Nicole

AAAAFHUJBKHDGBKKGFRFHH! I loved this! I would never have picked this up on my own。 I only read this per a friend of mine buying it for me。 I need the next one now! Darman。。。 my man, my sweet summer child。 Sweet boi。 And Etain。。。。 ROMANCE。 Dartain forever! Omega Squad is just awesome。 Didn’t realize how much they'd grow on me。 Also this was FUNNY。 AAAAFHUJBKHDGBKKGFRFHH! I loved this! I would never have picked this up on my own。 I only read this per a friend of mine buying it for me。 I need the next one now! Darman。。。 my man, my sweet summer child。 Sweet boi。 And Etain。。。。 ROMANCE。 Dartain forever! Omega Squad is just awesome。 Didn’t realize how much they'd grow on me。 Also this was FUNNY。 。。。more

Lukas Deicke

One of the best military sci-fi novels, I've read so far。 The whole novel gives the Star Wars Universe a grittiness I didn't know existed。This book also performs well as a standalone novel。 One of the best military sci-fi novels, I've read so far。 The whole novel gives the Star Wars Universe a grittiness I didn't know existed。This book also performs well as a standalone novel。 。。。more

Books_gang_

Já se neovládnu, tahle knížka si takové hodnocení opravdu zaslouží。 Ač se jedná o knížku, která už do nového kánonu nepatří, ale patří do Legend, tak rozhodně stojí za přečtení už pro příběh, který je v ní ukrytý。 Moc se mi líbilo, že jedna z hlavních postav padawanka Etain není žádná super schopná Jedi, spíš má pochybnosti ohledně toho, jestli do řádu vůbec opravdu patří。 Další hlavní postavy z jednotky Omega vám nepřijdou jako nějaký random nahraditelní kloni, ale jsou to normální lidi, kteří Já se neovládnu, tahle knížka si takové hodnocení opravdu zaslouží。 Ač se jedná o knížku, která už do nového kánonu nepatří, ale patří do Legend, tak rozhodně stojí za přečtení už pro příběh, který je v ní ukrytý。 Moc se mi líbilo, že jedna z hlavních postav padawanka Etain není žádná super schopná Jedi, spíš má pochybnosti ohledně toho, jestli do řádu vůbec opravdu patří。 Další hlavní postavy z jednotky Omega vám nepřijdou jako nějaký random nahraditelní kloni, ale jsou to normální lidi, kteří prostě byli vychováváni k zabíjení a umírání v boji。 A ty myšlenky jestli je vůbec klonování armády morální, či ne, se mi moc líbily。 Jinak z Legend jsem četla samé sh*ty, tohle byla super změna。 Moc doporučuji i lidem, co nejsou takoví blázni do Star Wars jako já 🙂。 。。。more

Krzysztof

Muszę przyznać, że niezbyt często walczę z książką ze świata Gwiezdnych Wojen。 Ta pozycja to jeden z przypadków takiej walki。 Akcja nie jest zbyt wartka a jej przebieg dość przewidywalny。 Na pewno nie jest to pozycja, do której będę wracać。

Akash Singh

Just really good pulp military scifi。 I really liked this as a kid and it holds up。 The pacing is good and the characterization efficiently effective。 As much as I hold affection for The Clone Wars TV show, this series will always be the best in terms of humanizing the clones, depicting Mandalorian culture, and being critical of the Republic/Jedi。

Gribblet

How I'm supposed to review a book based on the game I'm a Level Designer on I just don't know。 But I'll try。Hey - it didn't suck。 As far as military insertion novels go, it was pretty good。 There was a scary moment where I thought there might be a love interest thing going on, but sanity and taste fortunately prevailed。 Honestly, it was difficult for me, because there were a thousand tiny details which were different from the game, and I spent most of my time wondering if we were wrong or Travis How I'm supposed to review a book based on the game I'm a Level Designer on I just don't know。 But I'll try。Hey - it didn't suck。 As far as military insertion novels go, it was pretty good。 There was a scary moment where I thought there might be a love interest thing going on, but sanity and taste fortunately prevailed。 Honestly, it was difficult for me, because there were a thousand tiny details which were different from the game, and I spent most of my time wondering if we were wrong or Travis was wrong。 I do wish I'd had my hands on it months ago - it would have been a nice continuity tool。 。。。more

Monty Minnis

This was actually an ok book。 I don't often enjoy reading star wars books (despite my love of the franchise) but this is one of the few exceptions。 It was a good read with a decent, yet simple story and is a good addition the the expanded universe。 If you have read other star wars novels, than this is a good choice。 This was actually an ok book。 I don't often enjoy reading star wars books (despite my love of the franchise) but this is one of the few exceptions。 It was a good read with a decent, yet simple story and is a good addition the the expanded universe。 If you have read other star wars novels, than this is a good choice。 。。。more

Brannigan

I really enjoyed this book a lot。 It has action and heart。 I was so excited to learn this was the first book in a series。 Can’t wait to dive in。

Evald Mark

Életem egyik legjobb könyvsorozatra valo befektetése volt, ezt bizton állithatom。Föleg ugy, hogy abszolut Star Warsban égek, és a Clone Wars meeeeeessze az egyik legkedvencebb időszakom, szoval nekem már ennyi eladta a regényt。Na meg mondták, hogy jol ir az ipse, és they're not wrong! Kitünöen egyensúlyoz az akció és az érzelmes részek között, egyetlen pillanatra se esett át a fegyverbuzistába, és ész nélküli looter-shooterbe, amitöl én a legjobban féltem。Minden katonai dolog abszolut a helyén v Életem egyik legjobb könyvsorozatra valo befektetése volt, ezt bizton állithatom。Föleg ugy, hogy abszolut Star Warsban égek, és a Clone Wars meeeeeessze az egyik legkedvencebb időszakom, szoval nekem már ennyi eladta a regényt。Na meg mondták, hogy jol ir az ipse, és they're not wrong! Kitünöen egyensúlyoz az akció és az érzelmes részek között, egyetlen pillanatra se esett át a fegyverbuzistába, és ész nélküli looter-shooterbe, amitöl én a legjobban féltem。Minden katonai dolog abszolut a helyén van, és egyáltalán nem sok。Ráadásul van karakterfejlödés。 Meg élethü, háromdimenzios karakterek。 Meg érzelmek és erkölcsi dilemmák! És végre, végre nem az van, hogy kaptam fegyvert és legyözhetetlen vagyol, hanem hogy megmutatja ennek a morális oldalát, hogy mennyi konfliktussal jár a fegyver。És a klónok, hát az összeset imádom, szeretem, életemet és véremet értük, csodálatosak, és annyira jol van hozva az egész。Rajongoknak kötelező 。。。more

C。 Watson

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Darman and Etain had such a sweet friendship and it was refreshing to see a Jedi with such hesitation to be part of the war。

Grant Schmechel

Reads like Vietnam fiction, but in star wars, grounding the stories of space wizards and magic in the boots of soldiers in hostile territory。 Fun action, not much in terms of emotional attachment to characters however。 Still, I look forward to reading more stories about Omega Squad

Daniel

Super fast-paced, the clone commando’s were all fun and unique, and while I don’t know if I’ll continue the series, this was certainly a good story on its own。

Ashton

I have never loved reading but I recently heard about the "Republic Commando" books and once I opened the book, I was reading it every day。 I like Star Wars, especially during the Clone Wars era, so this book was really interesting to me。 "Hard Contact" picks up right after the Battle of Geonosis when a Clone Commando named Darman was the sole survivor of his squad。 Darman is then reassigned to a new squad to carry out a mission on Qillura to infiltrate and destroy a Separatist facility that is I have never loved reading but I recently heard about the "Republic Commando" books and once I opened the book, I was reading it every day。 I like Star Wars, especially during the Clone Wars era, so this book was really interesting to me。 "Hard Contact" picks up right after the Battle of Geonosis when a Clone Commando named Darman was the sole survivor of his squad。 Darman is then reassigned to a new squad to carry out a mission on Qillura to infiltrate and destroy a Separatist facility that is creating a nanovirus to destroy all the clones。While on their new mission they find a Jedi padawan who had been separated from her master。 The padawan, Etain has a lot of self-doubt, but Darman teaches her to be more confident and fight in battle efficiently。 The squad undergoes a lot of challenges due to separation and not being able to use long-distance communication or they could compromise the mission by being detected。 A major struggle is that the nanovirus that they are sent to destroy is targeted towards them, the clones, so it makes the mission very difficult and they have to be careful when executing the mission。I really like the whole book, to be honest。 There were a lot of action and battle scenes and I enjoy those parts of the story more because they were really interesting and were filled with great details and imagery。 I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes Star Wars and even more to those who have seen The Clone Wars show because this book adds in a lot of backstory, content, and extra detail that is very entertaining。 。。。more

Caleb Jenkinson

This book is still one of my favorite ones ever! Realistic sci-fi which starts to pull apart the ethical system of the jedi and republic while characterizing and uniquely developing many clones as men not just assets。

AceFireFox

Maaan I knew I was going to enjoy this but I didn't expect to enjoy it that much。 It's similar in the sense of Clone Wars in how it gives personality and agency to troopers, in this case the members of Omega Squad。 They all have their own memories of Geonosis and Kamino, of their mentors and their own traumas; which, considering they're all only 10, is crazy。 At first there are obvious tensions due to being cobbled together after being the sole survivors of their original squads after Geonosis b Maaan I knew I was going to enjoy this but I didn't expect to enjoy it that much。 It's similar in the sense of Clone Wars in how it gives personality and agency to troopers, in this case the members of Omega Squad。 They all have their own memories of Geonosis and Kamino, of their mentors and their own traumas; which, considering they're all only 10, is crazy。 At first there are obvious tensions due to being cobbled together after being the sole survivors of their original squads after Geonosis but they quickly learn how to work together as one unit。 I feel like I shouldn't have enjoyed it because it does plod along but not in a boring way。 Everyone is doing something and it frequently shifts POVs so something is always happening。 Now if Triple Zero could hurry up and be delivered that would be muchly appreciated。 。。。more

Charlie

I love this whole series。 Just want more。

Cédrik

Fun book that brought me back to pre-disney star wars and it was very interesting。

Philippe Beaujean

Ik had bij dit boek een aantal vooroordelen。ik ben namelijk geen fan van droge nietszeggende oorlogsverhalen zonder een plot。 Ook de kaft illustratie liet te wensen over, maar dit is echt een leuk boek!

Robert Bradshaw

Going into this book I thought there would be a lot more shooting, I mean isn't that kind of the point? But I can't fault the book for my own bias, so judging it objectively I'll give it 4 stars for what it is, not what I thought it would be。 The characters were all distinguishable, particularly the clone troopers who are the true highlight of the book, and the plot moved at a good pace。 I was interested enough to want to know more and find out where the story was going。 The last 40 pages or so Going into this book I thought there would be a lot more shooting, I mean isn't that kind of the point? But I can't fault the book for my own bias, so judging it objectively I'll give it 4 stars for what it is, not what I thought it would be。 The characters were all distinguishable, particularly the clone troopers who are the true highlight of the book, and the plot moved at a good pace。 I was interested enough to want to know more and find out where the story was going。 The last 40 pages or so were excellent and in my mind brings the book up a full star。 Most of this novel is just the troopers wandering through the woods to their objective/trying to link up with each other。 A few shots are fired and contact (of the hard variety) is made with some enemy forces and that's where the book really shines。 Particularly I would like to give prise to the Mandalorian antagonist。 An intriguing character with interesting agendas。 He plays the roll of self centered mercenary quite well。The reason I'm not giving this book five stars is because the first few chapters with the Jedi padawan are slow and dull。 Once she meets the clone troopers she becomes more interesting and more flushed out。 Whether that was intentional as part of her character ark or not I'm not sure but it is noticeable。 For my money, Traviss should have spent more time with the other troopers (the three that are more side characters) and less time on the padawan, but I get why she did this and her motivation。 I just found the most enjoyment when the troopers were talking tactics and scoping in on targets。 Don't go into this book thinking it will be a guns blazing affair as you will be disappointed。 Think more of a squad of clone troopers needing to stealth their way to the objective, that is the correct head space to be in before reading。 。。。more

Ariya

My first Star Wars expanded universe pick up。 I'm not even slightly disappointed。 Far from it, this is a good piece of writing。 The story is centered around a squad of the clone commandos of the Republic whom no one regards in the prequel trilogy。 They were sent to the mission to destroy the Separatists' lab working on the virus to eliminate all the clones。The plot is straightforward and loosely video game-like kind of plot (I looked it up and found it was a video game tie-in) but has surprising My first Star Wars expanded universe pick up。 I'm not even slightly disappointed。 Far from it, this is a good piece of writing。 The story is centered around a squad of the clone commandos of the Republic whom no one regards in the prequel trilogy。 They were sent to the mission to destroy the Separatists' lab working on the virus to eliminate all the clones。The plot is straightforward and loosely video game-like kind of plot (I looked it up and found it was a video game tie-in) but has surprisingly characters' depth and even more heavily criticized the Republic's abuse of sparing the clones, breeding them to fight and wasting millions of them to die for the questionable honorable cause。 The simplicity of the plot leaves the room for generating the unhinged discomfort of inhuman exploitation initiated by those who are supposed to be the 'good' guys like those Jedi Knights。 I don't know any of the characters beforehand but oh well, I want them to have happiness and choices in their shortened life span。 They are all genuinely likeable and have their own personality and conflicts set aside their identical face and brainwashed mindset。 I'd definitely read the next one in this series though I'm well aware how it ends。 Hmm, hope it won't hurt me too much。 。。。more

Cody MacKay

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 A 15-year-old novel tie-in to an XBox video game。 Set in the aftermath of one of (if not, THE) least popular film of the franchise。 Only the third novel of a woman whose previous experience was decidedly non-fiction (a journalist, to boot)。 This book has a number of reasons why it should fail, why it should be an absolute disaster, a slog through corporate cross-marketing nonsense。But it's actually, well, pretty darn good。 'Hard Contact' is a boilerplate action novel that just happens to be set A 15-year-old novel tie-in to an XBox video game。 Set in the aftermath of one of (if not, THE) least popular film of the franchise。 Only the third novel of a woman whose previous experience was decidedly non-fiction (a journalist, to boot)。 This book has a number of reasons why it should fail, why it should be an absolute disaster, a slog through corporate cross-marketing nonsense。But it's actually, well, pretty darn good。 'Hard Contact' is a boilerplate action novel that just happens to be set in the Star Wars universe。 The first two thirds carry the novel。 It hits all the typical military action beats: a group of highly skilled troopers thrust together for their first mission together; a soldier defying orders but who was ultimately right to do so; a fast and disastrous ingress that separates the group; a dangerous terrain that makes reconvening as a squad difficult; relying on civilians to help; said civilians betraying the soldiers。。。you get the point。But it is, indeed, more than that, and this is where I was surprised - the backdrop of the Star Wars Universe gave so much more characterization to otherwise archetypal soldier types。 While there were the typical serious leader, goof-off with one-liners, and overtly harsh soldier with a sad and sorry past, the point is hammered home that these men were CLONED, literally created to fight and likely die。 The quick-aging process means that these characters, who look and behave as early 30-somethings, are actually only 10。 Much is made of how sad that fact is (perhaps too much); but it's a nice Star Wars specific wrinkle to the typical action story。The final third of the novel falls really flat and gets pretty disjointed - if I had to guess, I would say it was likely written first。 I imagine Traviss thinking - this is the climax, this is what I want to happen, now how do I make the rest of the story。 What she did with the first two-thirds may have been generic, but it was effective and fun。 The last third falls flat, but ultimately doesn't ruin an otherwise fun read。 。。。more

Michael Kapp

This book is great because it focuses on the intense, brutal life of a clone soldier instead of focusing strictly on the Jedi as Star Wars often does。 Much of the book is spent sneaking around and fighting isn't as common as one would expect in a novel about war。 The end battle goes a little too smoothly, in my opinion, but this book really drives home the themes of camaraderie, sacrifice, and compassion。 I look forward to reading the next book in the series。 This book is great because it focuses on the intense, brutal life of a clone soldier instead of focusing strictly on the Jedi as Star Wars often does。 Much of the book is spent sneaking around and fighting isn't as common as one would expect in a novel about war。 The end battle goes a little too smoothly, in my opinion, but this book really drives home the themes of camaraderie, sacrifice, and compassion。 I look forward to reading the next book in the series。 。。。more

Joe Lloyd

I thought it wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be。 Having said that, I love to expand on my SW knowledge。 And this one was a nicely self-contained story about an elite squad of Clones (Fairly early on in the timeline of the Clone Wars)。 The extra detail they put into how the clones feel and exploring the clones as a concept and the ethics of it all。 We see a deeper level of understanding of these clones and they become even better because of it。 I was a huge fan of the video game and wante I thought it wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be。 Having said that, I love to expand on my SW knowledge。 And this one was a nicely self-contained story about an elite squad of Clones (Fairly early on in the timeline of the Clone Wars)。 The extra detail they put into how the clones feel and exploring the clones as a concept and the ethics of it all。 We see a deeper level of understanding of these clones and they become even better because of it。 I was a huge fan of the video game and wanted to explore this further。 I enjoyed it。 。。。more