A review by colossal
A Red Peace by Spencer Ellsworth

4.0

An interesting space opera in a familiar style that pits a victorious force of vat-grown clone warriors against their former masters, the human race.

Fleeing from the evil Empire Resistance is young Luke Jaqi who is of the same human/alien hybrid stock as the clones and can use the rare ability of the Force the Starfire. She is pursued by the minions of the Emperor John Starfire led by Stormtroopers the Vanguard who all wield light sabres soulswords.

It's all actually a lot more complex than that, and it's far from a direct ripoff of Star Wars, but the parallels just jumped off the page at me. I will say that like the material it feels so similar to, it's a rollicking adventure story with an engaging set of characters. Jaqi is a delight throughout and the other characters feel rich as well, particularly the drug-addicted and war-weary Araskar.