This news makes me very sad. I'd never read a Star Wars book before Karen Traviss. I was a closet Star Wars fan, and reading the first RC book made me love it. I was never a HUGE fan of the God Characters like the Jedi, who make the normal people almost obsolete. Then I read of these wonderful Mandalorians, not long after playing Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. I loved Canderous Ordo, and was eager to learn more. I quickly bought all of the Republic Commando books that were out at that point (3). I loved ALL of RC and the lone IC books. I'm eagerly awaiting the second. Since Karen Traviss, I have not found an author I really like for Star Wars. I'm reading the Legacy of the Force right now, and I'm forcing myself through the third book. I liked the first one, but I wish the second one would have been longer. I love her work, and it saddens me to know that she will no longer write for Star Wars. I will have to check out her other books though.
So sad!