Karen Traviss is a superb writer. Star Wars books can be so hit and miss but this one was AWESOME! That's right. Capital letters. The plot was fast paced and action packed right up until the very end, and had just the right amount of story in the last pages to bring the book to a close but not ruin the effect of the climax.
What I liked the best is that there were no full Jedi in the story. It was based around a mission with only a Padawan and Commandos, two characters that I have found somewhat mysterious up until now. All the Jedi in the movies, and the vast majority of the books, are powerful and fully trained. Etain, the Padawan, was an excellent tool to take a closer look at the clones. To view them properly through another's eyes. The lead clone, Darman, is experiencing another planet and a new environment for the first time. His experiences and thoughts bring all of the clones into a new light for both Etain and the reader. After reading this book, the clones are not longer just a faceless army of super soldiers. There is also the most vague hint of romance which I simply love because it leaves you thinking about so many what-ifs.
Bottom line; Star Wars fans - read this book.