Karen Traviss is a critically acclaimed author, celebrated for her contributions to military science fiction and her work across major entertainment franchises. Her narratives are distinguished by a grounded approach to conflict and a deep exploration of character motivations. Beyond her established military themes, Traviss also crafts compelling techno-thrillers set in contemporary, real-world contexts. Her versatile storytelling and ability to engage diverse audiences highlight her significant presence in modern speculative fiction.
In a starkly divided world, one half is a desolate wasteland while the other clings to survival, facing impending doom. The story delves into themes of resilience and the struggle for survival in a harsh environment. Characters navigate the challenges of their bleak reality, exploring the consequences of their choices as they confront the fragility of life. As tensions rise and time runs out, the narrative unfolds with urgency, highlighting the stark contrasts between hope and despair.
Set against a backdrop of chaos, the protagonists navigate a perilous new world while grappling with distrust among themselves. As they confront external dangers and their own insecurities, the story explores themes of survival, cooperation, and the complexities of relationships in a time of crisis. Each character must confront their past and work together, despite their differences, to face the threats that endanger their new existence.
As the savage Clone Wars rage unchecked, the Republic’s deadliest warriors face the grim truth that the Separatists aren’t their only enemy–or even their worst.In the Grand Army’s desperate fight to crush the Separatists, the secret special ops missions of its elite clone warriors have never been more critical . . . or more dangerous. A growing menace threatens Republic victory, and the members of Omega Squad make a shocking discovery that shakes their very loyalty. As the lines continue to blur between friend and enemy, citizens–from civilians and sergeants to Jedi and generals–find themselves up against a new foe: the doubt in their own hearts and minds. The truth is a fragile, shifting illusion–and only the approaching inferno will reveal both sides in their true colors.
The fifth tie-in novel to this hugely successful game: high-octane, all-action
and telling the story of beleagued humanity, facing a powerful alien species
bent on their destruction
The Clone Wars are over, but for those with reason to run from the new galactic Empire, the battle to survive has only just begun. . . .The Jedi have been decimated in the Great Purge, and the Republic has fallen. Now the former Republic Commandos–the galaxy’s finest special forces troops, cloned from Jango Fett–find themselves on opposing sides and in very different armor. Some have deserted and fled to Mandalore with the mercenaries, renegade clone troopers, and rogue Jedi who make up Kal Skirata’s ragtag resistance to Imperial occupation. Others–including men from Delta and Omega squads–now serve as Imperial Commandos, a black ops unit within Vader’s own 501st Legion, tasked to hunt down fugitive Jedi and clone deserters. For Darman, grieving for his Jedi wife and separated from his son, it’s an agonizing test of loyalty. But he’s not the only one who’ll be forced to test the ties of brotherhood. On Mandalore, clone deserters and the planet’s own natives, who have no love for the Jedi, will have their most cherished beliefs challenged. In the savage new galactic order, old feuds may have to be set aside to unite against a far bigger threat, and nobody can take old loyalties for granted.
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.
Following the eruption of the bloody Clone Wars at the battle of Geonosis, both sides remain deadlocked in a stalemate that can be broken only by elite warrior teams like Omega Squad, clone commandos with terrifying combat skills and a lethal arsenal. . . .For Omega Squad, deployed deep behind enemy lines, it's the same old special ops grind: sabotage, espionage, ambush, and assassination. But when Omega Squad is rushed to Coruscant, the war's most dangerous new hotspot, the commandos discover they're not the only ones penetrating the heart of the enemy.A surge in Separatist attacks has been traced to a network of Sep terror cells in the Republic's capital, masterminded by a mole in Command Headquarters. To identify and destroy a Separatist spy and terror network in a city full of civilians will require special talents and skills. Not even the leadership of Jedi generals, along with the assistance of Delta squad and a certain notorious ARC trooper, can even the odds against the Republic Commandos. And while success may not bring victory in the Clone Wars, failure means certain defeat.Also includes the bonus story Omega Squad: Targets by Karen Traviss!
When humanity expanded beyond the safety of Earth to new stars and horizons, they never dreamed what dangers they would encounter there. When the alien juggernaut known as the Covenant declared holy war upon the fragile human empire, millions of lives were lost—but, millions of heroes rose to the challenge. In such a far-reaching conflict, not many of the stories of these heroes, both human and alien, have a chance to become legend. This collection holds eleven stories that dive into the depths of the vast Halo universe, not only from the perspective of those who fought and died to save humanity, but also those who vowed to wipe humanity out of existence.INTRODUCTION - Frank O’ConnorBEYOND - art by Sparth, words by Jonathan GoffPARIAHB. - K. EvensonSTOMPING ON THE HEELS OF A FUSS - Eric RaabMIDNIGHT IN THEHEART OF MIDLOTHIAN - Frank O’ConnorDIRT - Tobias S. BuckellACHERON- VII - art by Sparth, words by Jonathan GoffHEADHUNTERS - Jonathan GoffBLUNT INSTRUMENTS - Fred Van LenteTHEMONA LISA - Jeff VanderMeer and Tessa KumICON - art by Robogabo, words by Jonathan GoffPALACE HOTEL - Robt McLeesHUMAN WEAKNESS - Karen TravissCONNECTIVITY - art by Robogabo, words by Jonathan GoffTHE IMPOSSIBLE LIFE AND THE POSSIBLE DEATH OF PRESTON J. COLE - Eric NylundTHE RETURN - Kevin GraceFROM THE OFFICE OF DR. WILLIAM ARTHUR IQBAL
The second novel of the Kilo-Five Trilogy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Traviss—part of the expanded universe based on the award-winning video game series Halo ! 2553. Welcome to humanity’s new war: silent, high stakes, and unseen. This is a life-or-death mission for the Office of Naval Intelligence’s black-ops team, Kilo-Five, which is tasked with preventing the ruthless Sangheili, once the military leaders of the alien alliance known as the Covenant, from regrouping and threatening humankind again. What began as a routine dirty-tricks operation—keeping the Sangheili occupied with their own insurrection—turns into a desperate bid to extract one member of Kilo-Five from the seething heart of a brutal civil war. But troubles never come singly for Kilo-Five. Colonial terrorism is once again surfacing on one of the human worlds that survived the war against the Covenant, and the man behind it is much more than just a name to Spartan Naomi-010. Meanwhile, the treasure trove of Forerunner technology recovered from the Forerunner shield world of Onyx is being put to work, even as a kidnapped Sangheili plots vengeance on the humans he fears will bring his people to the brink of destruction…
