Mechwarrior Books

To Ride the Chimera: A Battletech Novel (Mechwarrior: Dark Age, No. 30)

Kevin Killiany

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Politics and (shockingly!) Betrayal in the Free Worlds League, Part IV 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

In _To Ride the Chimera_ completes the four-novel story of the re-creation of the Free Worlds League. This has been an interesting storyline, if for no other reason than the fact that the Battletech Universe has left the FWL comparatively alone since he beginning; and more surprisingly, I found myself actually *caring* by the end of it. Given that the FWL is probably the state most like the USA in the BT world, I find it interesting that it took so long to really delve into it.

It's not a perfect book; the politics are interesting and somewhat compelling (to a regular reader), but their execution seems somewhat flat and peremptory compared to the last major political chapter in the series (Pandora's Gambit). But the 'Mech battles are well-executed and novel, and the characters human, for the most part.

As a side bonus, the actions in _Surrender Your Dreams_ are referred to again in this book. But I suppose I need to make room in every review for that one...

Editorial Review:

THE EPIC SCI-FI ACTION SAGA CONTINUES

A MechWarrior without peer, Thaddeus Marik has become the figurehead for a new community of worlds attempting to resurrect the Free Worlds League. After defeating a Lyran invasion on the planet of Savannah and negotiating a successful alliance with the Protectorate Coalition, Marik must now ally himself with Jessica Halas-Hughes Marik if the new league is to have a chance.

Having Marik and his forces at her side gives Jessica much-needed credibility and greater influence on Oriente. But old hatreds die hard, erupting in a war against enemies who will stop at nothing to destroy the founding of a new league...

The Last Charge (Mechwarrior: Dark Age, No. 29)

Jason M. Hardy

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Focused on Battle 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

One thing that has been missing from many of the earlier Dark Age novels, in comparison to Classic Battle Tech books, was the focus of major campaign battles. The last charge returns to those roots in continuing the story started in Fire at Will: A Battletech Novel (Mechwarrior: Dark Age, No. 28) with the invasion of the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth by the Lyran and Wolf Forces.

This book does well to show the invasion through the eyes of Anson Marik the leader of the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth who is seeing his nation fall apart around him, but at the same time it is hard to have any sympathy for the man as is personifies the classic school yard bully. Without giving away any spoilers, I can say with the conclusion of this books the door is open to many questions and obvious controversy and struggles for the Lyran Commonwealth. If you are a fan of the Mechwarrior Universe this book is worth picking up.

Editorial Review:

THE EPIC ACTION SAGA CONTINUES

Anson Marik is at his wit's end. The Lyrans are pressing on his borders. His chief tactician has resigned. And his abilities as a leader are failing him. Now his enemies are on the move, taking the Commonwealth planet by planet, forcing Marik to pull his forces back in a bravely-fought running retreat. And if Marik cannot gather his strength to stop the invasion, his people will be doomed...

Mechwarrior: Dark Age #21: Principles of Desolation(A BattleTech Novel) (Mechwarrior)

Jason M. Hardy, Randall N. Bills

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Very good author 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I picked up a Jason M. Hardy book once on impulse and have never regretted it. I may not be a good reviewer but I can say that I have now enjoyed three books by this author and find his writing style to be excellent. This fellow can really tell a story. I recommend the book very highly.

Whole lot of nothing... 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I really enjoyed Hardy's "The Scorpion Jar" and was really looking forward to this one, but was, unfortunately, really disappointed. Sure, we find out a secret about Danai and two big arrangements are made between Liao and its neighbors, but nothing really happens in this book. Danai, as the primary focus of the book, is supposed to draw us in, but I never really developed any attachments to her. Sure you feel sorry for her misfortune, but she is a less-than-convincing character. She's surrounded by cliches (the serious strategist, the cocky, sex-obsessed guy, the sympathetic relative) and really leaves the reading thinking "um, ok, then what?" Of the last 10 Mechwarrior books, the only ones I have really enjoyed have been the ones relating to the main storyline (i.e. - The Scorpion Jar, The Sword of Sedition, and Fortress Republic), which is really the same way the Battletech series went. I've just started "Wolf Hunters" and I'm really dreading another bust, but I'm trying to keep with the story. Truth be told, you really wouldn't miss anything by skipping any of the tangental novels. Decisions, decisions...

Editorial Review:

For more than a year, "divine leader" Daoshen Liao has relentlessly pushed his Capellan Confederation forces in their invasion of The Republic. Now the time comes for the next stage of his conquest-which will begin not with an enemy, but within his own family.

Fire at Will: A Battletech Novel (Mechwarrior: Dark Age, No. 28)

Blaine Lee Pardoe

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Old-style Battletech does the trick 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

_Fire At Will_ continues the focus of the MW:DA series on the
actions surrounding the borders between the Lyran Commonwealth, the
(formers) Free Worlds League, and (to a lesser extent) the Republic of the
Sphere. This is a marked departure from the start of the series, which
focused on the Republic alone; but this also has made for more interesting
books, with more politics and wider-scale action, more along the lines of
the Battletech novels published just before the MW:DA time jump.

In this case, the novel focuses on the Lyran invasion of the
FWL. As we learned in _Pandora's Gambit_, the League is finally beginning
to re-merge into a single political force once again, after decades of
internal fighting; but the associated saber-rattling has offered a
much-desired excuse for the Lyran government to pre-emptively invade their
neighbours.

I was somewhat surprised at how well this novel fit in with its
predecessor; we don't often get both sides of the same general war in such
quick succession. Both the Lyrans and the various Marik factions came
across as sympathetic and thoughful; only the main villains' plans (Duke
Brewster) really came across as ludicrous.

I still wish it was as good as _Surrender Your Dreams_, Pardoe's
best work to date. But this was pretty good. I didn't feel like I wasted
my time.

Editorial Review:

The action-packed saga continues...

For too long, the people of the Lyran Commonwealth have only reacted to attacks by their enemies. Now, Archon Melissa Steiner launches an intricate gambit that will secure the safety of her subjects-and secure her own power against those who wish to take it...

MechWarrior: Dark Age Novel 4: A Silence In The Heavens (Mechwarrior)

Martin Delrio

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

BattleTech needs to be cleand-up... 2 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Being a fan of BattleTech for over 10 years, I must say I've seen my share of good and bad novels, soucre books, games, etc... I was not very happy with the new Dark Age setting, as somet things just dont make too much sense (I am still struggling with the fact that some Clans - or maybe all - actually GAVE UP their mechs). I think there is a lack of consistency in this series - and this book. If A. Kerensky is such a good MW, she should have ripped the Paladin apart. Second, the Clans are depicted as rather naive - being tricked very easily. This may have been the case when they first invaded, but even in Classical Btech they learned lessons!! Did they actually FORGET everything? After living in the IS for decades, one would think they'd learn something about the people they live with.

The story itself is not bad, but the action is little ridiculus.

Editorial Review:

Since the fall of the interstellar communications grid, Countess Tara Campbell has been leading the Repbulic-loyal Highlanders and protecting the world of Northwind as best she can. Paladin Ezekiel Crow's arrival in anticipation of harder times ahead is a mixed blessing for Campbell. But when the Steel Wolves arrive with a bold new leader and an ambitious plan for conquest, Campbell's happy for any help Crow may offer... no matter what secrets he may carry. Book one in The Proving Grounds trilogy, A Silence in the Heavens by Martin Delrio is the fourth novel based on the MechWarrior: Dark Age collectable miniatures game and is published by Roc, an imprint of Penguin Putnam, Inc. Delrio has also written novels set in the Spider-Man, Prince Valiant, and Mortal Kombat universes; this is his first MechWarrior: Dark Age novel.

Wolf Hunters (Mechwarrior: Dark Age, No. 22)

Kevin Killiany

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Killiany's debut impresses 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

WOLF HUNTERS is Kevin Killiany's first novel, but you wouldn't know it from reading it. (Admittedly, he's not new to fiction writing, or even to the BATTLETECH universe; he's been writing short fiction set in this universe for the past two years, released through BattleCorps.) In the novel, he does an excellent job of recapturing the characters developed by others (including Loren L. Coleman and Martin Delrio), even as he rebuilds them to fit the changing miniatures game.

Anastasia Kerensky has been perhaps the most maddeningly inconsistent character in the universe, with only Katie S-D giving her a run for her money. But in WOLF HUNTERS, Kevin Killiany embraced that inconsistency; his Anastasia runs the gamut, from hardline Clanner to indulgent Spheroid. And yet, she really doesn't; she puts on whatever face will get her what she needs: the survival of her Wolves.

The book details the evolution of the Steel Wolves of prior novels into the Wolf Hunters of the future. As is to be expected whenever a Clan unit undergoes change, there are objectors, which results in fights. Most of these are well-depicted; the very last one being the exception, in that it feels like significant parts of it were skipped over. The reader's still able to follow the plot; it just felt like the battle happened almost entirely offscreen, for whatever reason.

But the multitude of battles, ranging from infantry to 'Mechs to aerospace, aren't the point of the book. That would be Anastasia's journey--nay, the Steel Wolves' journey--as they transform themselves into the Wolf Hunters who will be appearing in future novels. And (leaving the process obscured) it's an enjoyable, believable ride. Characters old and new are presented sympathetically, leaving the reader wanting to root for all sides--and managing to satisfy the reader no matter which they pick, I think.

Kevin Killiany's book continues the trend of good novels the series has managed to keep for the past several years. WOLF HUNTERS left me looking forward both to the return of the Wolf Hunters, and to Killiany's return to the line.

Editorial Review:

The MechWarrior saga continues!

LONE WOLVES DIE ALONE.

BUT THE PACK LIVES FOREVER.

Anastasia Kerensky has declared the Steel Wolf Clan to be mercenaries, re-christening them Wolf Hunters. The combination of autonomy and wealth will make them more than a match for any MechWarrior battalion suicidal enough to challenge them.

But the real challenge comes from within the Clan. Star Colonel Varnoff believes Kerensky has betrayed them all-and with a loyal faction of Steel Wolves at his side vows to destroy all the Wolf Hunters.

Pandora's Gambit: A Battletech Novel (Mechwarrior: Dark Age, No. 27)

Randall N. Bills

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A story about rebuilding 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

As is surpisingly often the case with Battletech/Mechwarrior novels, there is little actual mech-on-mech combat in this book. Instead, this is a book about politics, specifically the first steps towards re-founding the Free Worlds League (House Marik). The realm has been splintered for decades - since shortly after the end of the old Battletech days - and while combat plays an important role in its re-creation, it is not as important as politics, and specifically the family politics of Jessica Marik and her children. The book is subtle and steeped in the history of Battletech, and even though I never had much interest in FWL history before, this impressed me quite a bit. I look forward to more books in this sub-series.

Editorial Review:

In the year 3069, the Free Worlds League was shattered and the House of Marik disgraced. Now three warriors vie to reunite the realm, turning the world of Marik into a battleground in a narcissistic attempt to save it.

Mechwarrior: Dark Age #23: Surrender Your DreamsA Battletech Novel (Mechwarrior)

Blaine Lee Pardoe

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Brilliant and innovative (for Battletech) 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I should start by noting that I really, really appreciate the Fortress Republic concept, and I've been thirsty for more of it ever since the last Loren Coleman books last year. So it may not be entirely surprising that I really took to this book, since it is all about the implementation of that plan from the outside.

This book consists of three separate storylines regarding different military missions, connected by a single thread - the Fidelis, an ultra-elite fighting cadre split between the three different forces. Each of the storylines starts in media res, with the Chapters interweaved throughout the book. A framing device, explaining how all of these missions were put together by Damien Redburn, the ex-Exarch, ties them together and gives them a sense of connection that wasn't there in Wolf Hunters.

The writing style is very effective for the first 2/3rds or so, with information revealed early, and the context given later. Sure, it was a bit cheesy, but it helped make the framing device that much stronger - better to see first what the Republic is willing to do to preserve itself, before seeing *why*.

This isn't where I'd start, certainly; I wouldn't recommend this to newcomers to the Battletech/Mechwarrior universe. But for those of us that have been reading for decades now, this is the best book that has come out in a long time.

Editorial Review:

The Fidelis fight on...

They are the Fidelis, a brotherhood of warriors whose devotion to honor and courage on the battlefield is unmatched. Their existence known only to a former exarch, they are a fighting force to be reckoned with-a force three knights must consider as they undertake missions that could save the Republic...or cripple it.

Mechwarrior: Dark Age #20: Trial By Chaos (A BattleTech Novel) (Mechwarrior)

J. Steven York

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A well-written story... 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

There is so much that I would like to say here, but I will be brief and to the point. I have read fifty books in the Battletech series, all of the books in the previous Mechwarrior series, and all of the Mechwarrior Dark Age books.

This book is one of the best that I have read in any Battletech series. I look forward to the next one this author writes in this series.

Slow start, Fantastic Finish 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

The only thing keeping this book from 5 stars for me is the slow start. It is very well written and Steven York does a good job in building your interest in the characters. Understanding that a bit of back history is needed to understand why the Ghost Bears Galaxy named Raging Bears are on Vegan; the beginning is slow but informative.

Midway through the book the story really picks up, and it never slows down. With a very strong finish you are left wanting to know what will happen next to this world. If you are a fan of the Mechwarrior/Battletech novels this is worth picking up.

Editorial Review:

The MechWarrior saga continues

The Raging Bears have begun their occupation of the planet Vega with the hope of restoring order amid relentless violence and civil ruin. But their bold move may prove to be the chance their enemies have waited for.

Mechwarrior: Dark Age #26: A Rending of FalconsA Battletech Novel (Mechwarrior: Dark Age)

Victor Milan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

This book moves the story line forward in many ways. 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This give a great deal of insight into what is occuring in the Falcon Domain, as well as some hints as to the Clan Homeworlds, and the Lyran, Wolf actions.

Not my cup of tea 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I've never really been a fan of the Jade Falcon sub-line of Battletech/Mechwarrior novels, and this book is no different. Once again the book focuses on Malvina Hazen, who by most counts qualifies as a villain (as opposed to an anti-hero), as she works to destroy all life in the Inner Sphere. As she grows stronger, her enemies grow dumber, and so she wins time after time.

The parts of the book I liked the most were when they touched upon other events in the Inner Sphere, especially with House Steiner and the Wolves. But they were few and far between.

Editorial Review:

The epic science fiction action saga continues

She has found her vision-and it is of doom...

Jade Falcon Galaxy Commander Malvina Hazen and her warriors are encamped on the planet Skye in their Occupation Zone, overseeing the consolidation of power on the worlds they've wrested from The Republic. When a ship appears at Skye's jump point and its commander declares a Trial of Possession for the wartime doctrine he claims Malvina stole from Clan Hell's Horses, Malvina sees her vision unfolding: she agrees to single BattleMech combat.

Malvina emerges from the fray victorious-and inspired to ride her growing reputation into Clan Jade Falcon's halls of power. But her bold actions may herald the beginning of a civil war that could unmake not simply her own Clan, but the entire Clan way of life.