Just finished re-reading the last two books in The Clone Republic series – The Clone Elite and The Clone Betrayal. As noted before (see previous post re The Inheritance Trilogy) I think these books are well-written, effective pacing and a good mix of action/character development. I have enjoyed the entire series so far and have read all the books twice now, pretty sure.

Although some major characters’ motivations remain opaque in some situations (Ray Freeman most notably) the series does a good job of drawing you into Wayson Harris’ world (and how it progressively alienates and isolates him into taking the law into his own hands by the time of the events depicted in The Clone Betrayal). I will leave it to the reader to spoil the series’ plot (so far) for themselves by reading the Amazon page 🙂

This series is primarily military sci-fi first and foremost, and explores far more of the action/warfare side of things than anything else. On the human side of things, I’m not completely sure if centering nearly everything on Wayson Harris’ point of view is meant to make a bigger societal commentary or not, however – given he is a clone (and the last of his kind – a Liberator) there are plenty of underlying themes possible here:

a) a clone race created to serve man smacks heavily of slavery and ‘disposable people’;

b) the initial conquest of the galaxy followed by a revolt/religious war, followed by a war with aliens could be seen in many contexts given current world events, etc.);

c) the continual rivalry between the clones and humanity – on the part of the humans – pretty much solid prejudice despite what clones do for them and instead of them – on the part of the clones – given their mental programming to believe they are in fact human – disbelief when proved otherwise (or a building hatred of and frustration with humanity for those clones like Harris who figure it out and survive).

The author doesn’t seem to use the ‘symbolism so thick you can cut it with a knife’ approach of say, many Spike Lee movies to make allegories or imply a different meaning, either. I guess it’s up to the reader to decide.

But Wayson, despite his regular penchant for violence and increasing alienation by the end of this book, is in many ways a product of his environment and increasingly sympathetic (to me?). Kent definitely explores Harris’ awakening humanity and emotions despite the bad side arising at the same time (his vendetta against Earth and the Unified Authority, started in The Clone Betrayal but likely continuing in at least the next book or two).

I am definitely looking forward to the next book expected out later this fall, hoping it won’t disappoint – there are several loose ends still out there I’d like to see tied up (but I won’t spoil anything for you).