Hi all
What are some GREAT battletech novels.
It's been 15 years since I last read one -- and loved it of course. Not sure how they'll read as an adult. Sounds fun though.
Anyway, not a book snob. I'd appreciate recommendations. Really fun, juicy stories. The BT universe is so huge and I only know what happened in MW2, MW3 and a little bit from a few novels. Interested in having a feel for the IS houses so I can get pumped and pick a faction.
Thanks, community.
2
Great Bt Novels
Started by CtrlAltWheee, Jan 03 2014 01:42 PM
24 replies to this topic
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Posted 03 January 2014 - 02:14 PM
Wolves on the Border
Jade Phoenix Trilogy
Blood of Kerensky Trilogy
Malicious Intent
Bred for War
Twilight of the Clans
Jade Phoenix Trilogy
Blood of Kerensky Trilogy
Malicious Intent
Bred for War
Twilight of the Clans
Edited by CyclonerM, 03 January 2014 - 03:12 PM.
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Posted 03 January 2014 - 02:28 PM
Wolves on the Border and Heir to the Dragon are two of my favorites. If you're interested in learning more about the Great Houses, both of these books focus on the Draconis Combine.
The Jade Phoenix Trilogy is a must read for anyone looking to understand the Clans.
The Jade Phoenix Trilogy is a must read for anyone looking to understand the Clans.
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Posted 03 January 2014 - 02:49 PM
The Decision At Thunder Ridge is the first and one of the best. Tons of action and a focus on the small scale instead of the large scale politics from some of the other books. I'm a huge fan of the whole Grey Death Trilogy.
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Posted 03 January 2014 - 02:59 PM
CyclonerM... he asked for IS centered books and you tell him to read the clan novels? 
The Gray Death trilogy is great, but more focused on the characters. The big houses and their politics are only a side role.
Wolves on the boarder is fantastic. It explains a lot about house Kurita and its interpretation of the way of the warrior. Also Heir to the Dragon.
Binding Force will tell you something about the later house Liao.
The Warrior trilogy, while heavily biased towards Davion/Steiner, will also give you some view into the earlier house Liao and the conflict between Liao/Davion.
Out if my head, I can't remember a book centered on Marik or Steiner exclusivly. But it's been over a decade since I last read them.
The Gray Death trilogy is great, but more focused on the characters. The big houses and their politics are only a side role.
Wolves on the boarder is fantastic. It explains a lot about house Kurita and its interpretation of the way of the warrior. Also Heir to the Dragon.
Binding Force will tell you something about the later house Liao.
The Warrior trilogy, while heavily biased towards Davion/Steiner, will also give you some view into the earlier house Liao and the conflict between Liao/Davion.
Out if my head, I can't remember a book centered on Marik or Steiner exclusivly. But it's been over a decade since I last read them.
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Posted 03 January 2014 - 03:13 PM
Egomane, on 03 January 2014 - 02:59 PM, said:
CyclonerM... he asked for IS centered books and you tell him to read the clan novels?
The Gray Death trilogy is great, but more focused on the characters. The big houses and their politics are only a side role.
Wolves on the boarder is fantastic. It explains a lot about house Kurita and its interpretation of the way of the warrior. Also Heir to the Dragon.
Binding Force will tell you something about the later house Liao.
The Warrior trilogy, while heavily biased towards Davion/Steiner, will also give you some view into the earlier house Liao and the conflict between Liao/Davion.
Out if my head, I can't remember a book centered on Marik or Steiner exclusivly. But it's been over a decade since I last read them.
The Gray Death trilogy is great, but more focused on the characters. The big houses and their politics are only a side role.
Wolves on the boarder is fantastic. It explains a lot about house Kurita and its interpretation of the way of the warrior. Also Heir to the Dragon.
Binding Force will tell you something about the later house Liao.
The Warrior trilogy, while heavily biased towards Davion/Steiner, will also give you some view into the earlier house Liao and the conflict between Liao/Davion.
Out if my head, I can't remember a book centered on Marik or Steiner exclusivly. But it's been over a decade since I last read them.
Whoops, did not read. However, he might understand better our ways with some reading
However, there is Ideal War. It should focus on the FWL.
#9
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Posted 03 January 2014 - 03:15 PM
CtrlAltWheee, on 03 January 2014 - 01:42 PM, said:
Hi all
What are some GREAT battletech novels.
It's been 15 years since I last read one -- and loved it of course. Not sure how they'll read as an adult. Sounds fun though.
Anyway, not a book snob. I'd appreciate recommendations. Really fun, juicy stories. The BT universe is so huge and I only know what happened in MW2, MW3 and a little bit from a few novels. Interested in having a feel for the IS houses so I can get pumped and pick a faction.
Thanks, community.
What are some GREAT battletech novels.
It's been 15 years since I last read one -- and loved it of course. Not sure how they'll read as an adult. Sounds fun though.
Anyway, not a book snob. I'd appreciate recommendations. Really fun, juicy stories. The BT universe is so huge and I only know what happened in MW2, MW3 and a little bit from a few novels. Interested in having a feel for the IS houses so I can get pumped and pick a faction.
Thanks, community.
Well there's 2 main ways to try and view the BattleTech pulp fiction novels, first way as straight forward adventure stories. These are more small scale local stories that focus on things happening to a single group or planet. A bunch of the mercenary focus stories fall under this category. The Grey Death Legion books by William Keith JR and Andrew Keith are some of the best of both the category but are also very good pulp fiction sci-fi books in their own right. Other good books in this first category are the Black Thorns merc books by James Long - Main Event & D.R.T. - and the Camacho's Caballeros books by Victor Milan - Close Quarters, Hearts of Chaos, & Black Dragon and the 2 books from Robert N. Charrette about Wolfs Dragoons - Wolves on the Border & Wolf Pack.
The second sub category is more political and follows the various leaders of the Houses/Clans as they plot grand moves across the Inner Sphere for dominance. Most if not all the the Michael Stackpole novels fall into this category, I'd also include the Way of the Clans trilogy by Robert Thurston. This is not all of the books by any stretch, but these are the one I recall most readily and IMHO are the best of the BattleTech novels.
A good list and explaination of each book and where it fits into the timeline is here:
[link]http://www.sarna.net...ttleTech_novels[/link]
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Posted 03 January 2014 - 03:54 PM
I feel the following books will give you a good feel of the BattleTech Universe.
I would start with the Warrior Trilogy by Michael A. Stackpole, is about the events before and during the Fourth Succession War( 3028 to 3030). The main acts are the wedding of Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner, the experiences of Justin Xiang on Solaris VII and as spy on Sian, the vendetta between Morgan Kell and Yorinaga Kurita, the machinations of Michael Hasek-Davion and of subversive elements inside the Steiner nobility, ComStar's secret manipulations and of course the most important battles of the war.
Heir to the Dragon, by Robert N. Charrette, follows Theodore Kurita for twenty-two years as he learns to survive and thrive in the subtle and deadly courts of the Draconis Combine. The novel is also the only narrative of the War of 3039.
The Saga of the Gray Death Legion is a series of books about the famed Gray Death Legion mercenary unit. Most of the novels are by William H. Keith, Jr., with additional writing by Andrew Keith and Thomas S. Gressman. (This is the Mercenary unit that found the Helm Memory core that brought back Star League Tech right as the Clans hit.)
The Legend of the Jade Phoenix trilogy, by Robert Thurston, is the story of the fall and redemption of Aidan Pryde, hero of Clan Jade Falcon.
Blood of Kerensky is a trilogy by Michael A. Stackpole about the Clan Invasion (3049 - 3052)
There are many other fine novels you can read. Here is a complete list of BattleTech Novels.
v This is a list that I made over a year ago and I post when someone asks for a recommendation.
I would start with the Warrior Trilogy by Michael A. Stackpole, is about the events before and during the Fourth Succession War( 3028 to 3030). The main acts are the wedding of Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner, the experiences of Justin Xiang on Solaris VII and as spy on Sian, the vendetta between Morgan Kell and Yorinaga Kurita, the machinations of Michael Hasek-Davion and of subversive elements inside the Steiner nobility, ComStar's secret manipulations and of course the most important battles of the war.
- Warrior: En Garde (August 1988) 3026
- Warrior: Riposte (October 1988) 3028
- Warrior: Coupé (April 1989) 3029
Heir to the Dragon, by Robert N. Charrette, follows Theodore Kurita for twenty-two years as he learns to survive and thrive in the subtle and deadly courts of the Draconis Combine. The novel is also the only narrative of the War of 3039.
The Saga of the Gray Death Legion is a series of books about the famed Gray Death Legion mercenary unit. Most of the novels are by William H. Keith, Jr., with additional writing by Andrew Keith and Thomas S. Gressman. (This is the Mercenary unit that found the Helm Memory core that brought back Star League Tech right as the Clans hit.)
- Decision at Thunder Rift by William H. Keith, Jr. (June 1986) 3024
- Mercenary's Star by William H. Keith, Jr. (June 1987)
- The Price of Glory by William H. Keith, Jr. (October 1987) 3028 (Helm Memory Core was found in this book)
- Blood of Heroes by Andrew Keith (July 1993) 3056 -From this book on the novels cover the unit after Clan Invasion-
- Tactics of Duty by William H. Keith, Jr. (August 1995)
- Operation Excalibur by William H. Keith, Jr. (August 1998)
- The Dying Time by Thomas S. Gressman (January 2002)
The Legend of the Jade Phoenix trilogy, by Robert Thurston, is the story of the fall and redemption of Aidan Pryde, hero of Clan Jade Falcon.
- Way of the Clans (August 1991) (This happens in Clan space before the Clan Invasion)
- Bloodname (October 1991) (This happens in Clan space before the Clan Invasion)
- Falcon Guard (December 1991) (This is about Aiden Pryde during The Invasion including the Battle of Tukayyid)
Blood of Kerensky is a trilogy by Michael A. Stackpole about the Clan Invasion (3049 - 3052)
- Lethal Heritage (September 1989)
- Blood Legacy (December 1990)
- Lost Destiny (April 1991)
There are many other fine novels you can read. Here is a complete list of BattleTech Novels.
v This is a list that I made over a year ago and I post when someone asks for a recommendation.
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Posted 03 January 2014 - 04:02 PM
Skylarr, on 03 January 2014 - 03:54 PM, said:
I feel the following books will give you a good feel of the BattleTech Universe.
I would start with the Warrior Trilogy by Michael A. Stackpole, is about the events before and during the Fourth Succession War( 3028 to 3030). The main acts are the wedding of Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner, the experiences of Justin Xiang on Solaris VII and as spy on Sian, the vendetta between Morgan Kell and Yorinaga Kurita, the machinations of Michael Hasek-Davion and of subversive elements inside the Steiner nobility, ComStar's secret manipulations and of course the most important battles of the war.
Heir to the Dragon, by Robert N. Charrette, follows Theodore Kurita for twenty-two years as he learns to survive and thrive in the subtle and deadly courts of the Draconis Combine. The novel is also the only narrative of the War of 3039.
The Saga of the Gray Death Legion is a series of books about the famed Gray Death Legion mercenary unit. Most of the novels are by William H. Keith, Jr., with additional writing by Andrew Keith and Thomas S. Gressman. (This is the Mercenary unit that found the Helm Memory core that brought back Star League Tech right as the Clans hit.)
The Legend of the Jade Phoenix trilogy, by Robert Thurston, is the story of the fall and redemption of Aidan Pryde, hero of Clan Jade Falcon.
Blood of Kerensky is a trilogy by Michael A. Stackpole about the Clan Invasion (3049 - 3052)
There are many other fine novels you can read. Here is a complete list of BattleTech Novels.
v This is a list that I made over a year ago and I post when someone asks for a recommendation.
I would start with the Warrior Trilogy by Michael A. Stackpole, is about the events before and during the Fourth Succession War( 3028 to 3030). The main acts are the wedding of Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner, the experiences of Justin Xiang on Solaris VII and as spy on Sian, the vendetta between Morgan Kell and Yorinaga Kurita, the machinations of Michael Hasek-Davion and of subversive elements inside the Steiner nobility, ComStar's secret manipulations and of course the most important battles of the war.
- Warrior: En Garde (August 1988) 3026
- Warrior: Riposte (October 1988) 3028
- Warrior: Coupé (April 1989) 3029
Heir to the Dragon, by Robert N. Charrette, follows Theodore Kurita for twenty-two years as he learns to survive and thrive in the subtle and deadly courts of the Draconis Combine. The novel is also the only narrative of the War of 3039.
The Saga of the Gray Death Legion is a series of books about the famed Gray Death Legion mercenary unit. Most of the novels are by William H. Keith, Jr., with additional writing by Andrew Keith and Thomas S. Gressman. (This is the Mercenary unit that found the Helm Memory core that brought back Star League Tech right as the Clans hit.)
- Decision at Thunder Rift by William H. Keith, Jr. (June 1986) 3024
- Mercenary's Star by William H. Keith, Jr. (June 1987)
- The Price of Glory by William H. Keith, Jr. (October 1987) 3028 (Helm Memory Core was found in this book)
- Blood of Heroes by Andrew Keith (July 1993) 3056 -From this book on the novels cover the unit after Clan Invasion-
- Tactics of Duty by William H. Keith, Jr. (August 1995)
- Operation Excalibur by William H. Keith, Jr. (August 1998)
- The Dying Time by Thomas S. Gressman (January 2002)
The Legend of the Jade Phoenix trilogy, by Robert Thurston, is the story of the fall and redemption of Aidan Pryde, hero of Clan Jade Falcon.
- Way of the Clans (August 1991) (This happens in Clan space before the Clan Invasion)
- Bloodname (October 1991) (This happens in Clan space before the Clan Invasion)
- Falcon Guard (December 1991) (This is about Aiden Pryde during The Invasion including the Battle of Tukayyid)
Blood of Kerensky is a trilogy by Michael A. Stackpole about the Clan Invasion (3049 - 3052)
- Lethal Heritage (September 1989)
- Blood Legacy (December 1990)
- Lost Destiny (April 1991)
There are many other fine novels you can read. Here is a complete list of BattleTech Novels.
v This is a list that I made over a year ago and I post when someone asks for a recommendation.
Just a littile input there - it's a great, informative post, but I don't think it's necessary to include major spoiler like "experiences of Justin Xiang on Solaris VII and as spy on Sian". It's probably too late for readers of this tread, but for the future?
(I know that this plot point isn't hard to figure out, but still...)
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Posted 03 January 2014 - 07:21 PM
Just read Far Country. Its the only Btech novel you'll ever need.
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Posted 03 January 2014 - 08:43 PM
CtrlAltWheee, on 03 January 2014 - 04:00 PM, said:
Gotta love the MWO community 
/Shudders...
Have you seen how some of them dress... or undress
/seizures....
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Posted 05 January 2014 - 12:35 AM
Surtr, on 03 January 2014 - 07:21 PM, said:
Just read Far Country. Its the only Btech novel you'll ever need.
You know I hadn't read a Battletech book in about 7 years.
found the box I packed them in when I moved, and decided to try Far Country cold figuring I'd give it as much of a chance without the other BTech novels getting in the way.
Only got about half way through before I felt like my eyes were bleeding...
Last time that happened was when my wife pushed Twilight on me. (sorry to the twilight fans out there, I just can't see the appeal of ageless forever brooding teenage day glow sparkly vampires)
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Posted 05 January 2014 - 08:39 AM
Tyrnea Smurf, on 05 January 2014 - 12:35 AM, said:
(sorry to the twilight fans out there, I just can't see the appeal of ageless forever brooding teenage day glow sparkly vampires)
According to my sisters - it was more finding a 'clean' romance.
IE - one where everyone wasn't just jumping into bed with every other person they met.
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Posted 05 January 2014 - 06:11 PM
Tyrnea Smurf, on 05 January 2014 - 12:35 AM, said:
You know I hadn't read a Battletech book in about 7 years.
found the box I packed them in when I moved, and decided to try Far Country cold figuring I'd give it as much of a chance without the other BTech novels getting in the way.
Only got about half way through before I felt like my eyes were bleeding...
Last time that happened was when my wife pushed Twilight on me. (sorry to the twilight fans out there, I just can't see the appeal of ageless forever brooding teenage day glow sparkly vampires)
found the box I packed them in when I moved, and decided to try Far Country cold figuring I'd give it as much of a chance without the other BTech novels getting in the way.
Only got about half way through before I felt like my eyes were bleeding...
Last time that happened was when my wife pushed Twilight on me. (sorry to the twilight fans out there, I just can't see the appeal of ageless forever brooding teenage day glow sparkly vampires)
My tongue was so far into my cheek it was sticking out
Honestly Heir to the Dragon is still one of my favorite Btech books however. Just overall super badass.
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Posted 06 January 2014 - 01:01 AM
The newest book is one of the best i ever read.
Isle of the Blessed
However all books of Robert N. Charette and Thomas Greesman are really good ones.
Isle of the Blessed
However all books of Robert N. Charette and Thomas Greesman are really good ones.
#20
Posted 06 January 2014 - 01:36 AM
I'm a fan of Threads of Ambition and The Killing Fields myself. I didn't see anyone else mention them, so I figured I'd throw them out there. I really appreciate these two because it puts House Liao (AKA the good guys ) in the role of the protagonist instead of being the antagonist/punching bag that they always seemed to be in the early BT novels.
Highlander Gambit is pretty good too.
I'm also fond of the Archer Christifori books as well, but I'd say wait to get around to those as they take place in the 3060's and have Clan stuff in them.
Hope some of that helped out.
) in the role of the protagonist instead of being the antagonist/punching bag that they always seemed to be in the early BT novels.Highlander Gambit is pretty good too.
I'm also fond of the Archer Christifori books as well, but I'd say wait to get around to those as they take place in the 3060's and have Clan stuff in them.
Hope some of that helped out.
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