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Question about the New novels?


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#1 OzBrad

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 05:13 PM

Hey guys, Im doing some research on the Novels in the Battletech series and found that ***** there is sooo many lol. When I was younger my dad a big Sci-fi reader used to take me to second hand book stores and hunt around for the Battletech books that would go for $1.50-$3.00 :) Unfortunitly I grew out of it and have just recentley regreted it because I reckon I would have had the whole series by now lol or nearly all of them.


Anyway, I have decided that having a look at the entire LIST of Battletech (Classic) series its just too many to get:) Yes it sounds lazy but *** it would be expensive especially with ebay yank shipping prices to Australia. So I have decided to search some more and have found that there are the relative new series, Mechwarrior:Dark Ages which is easier to purchase since I have been able to find them more compared to the class series. I understand that the series isnt popular like the classic but gives me a chance to get back into the reading factor and a fresh start.

Now this morning I was on Amazon and found this series o.O! http://www.amazon.co...rds=BattleCorps+ BattleCorps

From what I have read with the reviews, it hasent had much of a decent hit on the fans as usual? Could someone please explaine the following:

1. Is this a new series?
2. Is there only 2-3 novels at this stage?
3. What are the novels like (without spoiling)?
4. On the MW: Dark Age note, are they worth it? (As much as im going to regret saying this, put your classic aside)?

Regards Brad.

#2 Arctic Fox

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 05:34 PM

1. Kinda. They're collections of short stories from BattleCorps, which is apparently as close to novels as Catalyst Game Labs can publish until they solve whatever problem they have with releasing full length novels.

2. There are two at the moment. I think I heard that Catalyst is planning to publish more, but I'm not certain.

3. Well, they're collections of short stories, so I suppose that varies. I haven't actually read these yet, so I can't comment on the quality, but since BattleCorps often has good stories and many of these are written by the usual BattleTech authors, I can't imagine they'll be bad.

4. The general consensus I hear is one of either "They all suck" or "The early ones suck and the later ones are good". I haven't read the early ones, but I did read a couple of the later ones and they're pretty good, so I'm subscribing to the second opinion at the moment.

Edited by Arctic Fox, 07 February 2012 - 05:34 PM.


#3 Belial

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 05:46 PM

Actually, I have the reverse opinion when it comes to the Dark Age novels. The first several were excellent. I tore through the third book, The Ruins of Power, and the ninth book, Patriot's Stand, in one night each. The only one that didn't interest me was Blood Avatar, but probably due to it being written by Ilsa J Bick. I've hated everything she's ever written. See if you can aqcuire and read the Dark Age stuff; I'll vouch for it even as a fan of the original novels.

#4 SmilingBandit77

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 06:00 PM

Personally, I've liked every Battletech novel, no matter who the author was or which timeframe. Dark Age takes up something like 80 years after the original series basically in a much smaller section of the galaxy centered around Terra. Mechs are rarer than back in 3068 and there is a larger focus on units with mechs, tanks, and infantry. Every faction now has Battle Armor Infantry.

The only thing I didn't like is that somehow every faction donated a bunch of planets to the "Republic of the Sphere" even though they couldn't agree enough to keep the Second Star League together.

#5 SmilingBandit77

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 06:03 PM

Oh.. there are 63 novels in the original series, and I think 31 in the Dark Age... The best & cheapest way to get them would be on a Kindle or some other electronic format

#6 Belial

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 06:04 PM

I'm currently browsing BattleTech novels with the intent of purchasing a few. I have only one question: what the heck is the 'Mech on the cover of Lost Destiny by Stackpole??

#7 RoninV3

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 06:30 PM

Some of the BattleCorps stories are really good as they are from the original authors who have a feel for the universe. As far as Dark Age novels are concerned I really stopped due to RL stuff, reading about war wasn't as fun when you were dealing with it all day. I played some Magic talked to my family on Skype as much as possible so i got out of it. I just got back in BT this November and I've had to deal with the Jihad and how much my BT Universe had been F'd up. I have started on the dark Age novels and I have to tell you the WORST BT novels I have ever read were the Proving Ground Trilogies by Martin Delrio. His writing was ok, but he had NO FEEL for the universe. The things that he had several of the Characters made no sense in regards to how they are described in the BT universe. Any Clansmen worth thier salt would have demanded trials of annihilation against ANY of the Steel Wolves for the very Un-Clanlike behavior. Kerensky was played as an ill-tempered impetous child who could not take no for an answer. Not like the elite warrior and commander that she was described as and Nothing compared to others described of that line. Although he dida good job of trying to tell his characters backstories they were still to one dimensional. And the mech and battleaction was horrible and not like what the CB novels have developed, it was too choppy. And finally Iunderstand the demilitirization of the post Jihad/Dark Age story but 4 mechs for the entire Steel Wolves force to take Northwind? C'mon then the same for the Battle for Terra, they actually got to the surface of Terra with unescorted dropships and the Republic didn't stop them? None of this falls in line with what we know of the universe. Northwind had several Mech and Aerospace manufacturing sites on it and the only thing he comes up with is a small Industrial mech firm. I am moving forward and hoping that By Temptations and By War will be much better.

#8 Arctic Fox

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 06:34 PM

View PostBelial, on 07 February 2012 - 05:46 PM, said:

Actually, I have the reverse opinion when it comes to the Dark Age novels. The first several were excellent. I tore through the third book, The Ruins of Power, and the ninth book, Patriot's Stand, in one night each. The only one that didn't interest me was Blood Avatar, but probably due to it being written by Ilsa J Bick. I've hated everything she's ever written. See if you can aqcuire and read the Dark Age stuff; I'll vouch for it even as a fan of the original novels.


Hmm, interesting. I hear The Ruins of Power and the Proving Grounds trilogy in particular trashed so much that I'm almost afraid to read them at this point. I really have to get the rest of the Dark Age novels and see how good or bad they are for myself.

View PostSmilingBandit77, on 07 February 2012 - 06:00 PM, said:

Personally, I've liked every Battletech novel, no matter who the author was or which timeframe. Dark Age takes up something like 80 years after the original series basically in a much smaller section of the galaxy centered around Terra. Mechs are rarer than back in 3068 and there is a larger focus on units with mechs, tanks, and infantry. Every faction now has Battle Armor Infantry.

The only thing I didn't like is that somehow every faction donated a bunch of planets to the "Republic of the Sphere" even though they couldn't agree enough to keep the Second Star League together.


There's much less focus on the Republic of the Sphere in the later books. For example, the last few books published (including A Bonfire of Worlds, which is unfortunately still only an ebook) focus heavily on the reformed Free Worlds League and the Lyran invasion of it. They also have plenty of 'Mechs, though still with more focus on combined arms warfare, which is a good thing in my opinion.

As for the factions donating worlds to the Republic. The situation at the end Jihad is far different than it was at the end of the FedCom Civil War, with the widespread destruction and eventual cooperation between the various factions being the main factors that allow the Republic to be formed as a buffer state. It was still far from every faction that agreed to it, though, and the Republic had to launch an invasion of the Capellan Confederation and the former FWL to take their worlds in 3081.

View PostBelial, on 07 February 2012 - 06:04 PM, said:

I'm currently browsing BattleTech novels with the intent of purchasing a few. I have only one question: what the heck is the 'Mech on the cover of Lost Destiny by Stackpole??


Looks like a Wolfhound.

Edited by Arctic Fox, 07 February 2012 - 06:56 PM.


#9 RoninV3

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 06:37 PM

View PostBelial, on 07 February 2012 - 06:04 PM, said:

I'm currently browsing BattleTech novels with the intent of purchasing a few. I have only one question: what the heck is the 'Mech on the cover of Lost Destiny by Stackpole??


Ah I just went to look that up for you, but that cover has Ulric Kerensky and Antastasius Foct choosing Tukayid as the location forthe proxy battle (I assume from the background they are on the Dire Wolf). Are you sure it is Lost Destiny?

#10 Arctic Fox

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 06:40 PM

View PostRoninV3, on 07 February 2012 - 06:37 PM, said:


Ah I just went to look that up for you, but that cover has Ulric Kerensky and Antastasius Foct choosing Tukayid as the location forthe proxy battle (I assume from the background they are on the Dire Wolf). Are you sure it is Lost Destiny?


He's referring to the Roc reprint of it. I just edited my previous post with my assesment of what it is.

#11 Sten Yorgenson

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 06:40 PM

Anyone know why the classic novels stopped being available for the kindle?

#12 RoninV3

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 06:42 PM

Thanks AF

#13 Arctic Fox

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 06:44 PM

View PostSten Yorgenson, on 07 February 2012 - 06:40 PM, said:

Anyone know why the classic novels stopped being available for the kindle?


This is from the BattleTech forums:

Quote

No, Catalyst has not lost the right to publish BattleTeh or Shadowrun fiction(print or epub). Our licensor has requested that we temporarily take down the files while they investigate an issue regarding works of fiction contracted by previous companies. We fully expect to return these classic works to the online venues soon, and are also working to bring out new collections and brand new short fiction as well. Stay tuned.

If you see anyone on other forums discussing this, feel free to post this response.

Thanks!


Randall


#14 CoffiNail

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 08:34 PM

BattleCorps is well worth it. I have not read those anthologies but I have read a few stories contained in them. I am enjoying them.

TBH I have not touched Dark Age yet. I am reading Sourcebooks and such and then starting the series over. I have recently, like last year read a number of the Clan novels, ie JP, BoK, I am Jade Falcon, Roar of Honor and Test of Vengence... I remember when I was younger non Clan novels I always had a hard time reading... I just do not find the Inner Sphere as enjoyable :)

#15 Sten Yorgenson

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Posted 09 February 2012 - 09:44 PM

Thanks for the info Arctic Fox. I may need to check out the Battlecorps stories.





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