Rating: 
Summary: An auspicious beginning
Review: I was very pleased to see that Michael Stackpole was returning to the Battletech universe. His previous novels were central to the old storyline, and I'm sure he will continue in this new age of 'Mech combat. This novel is written in the first person, which is a welcome change, and it seems that Mr. Stackpole enjoyed playing with the character of Sam Donnely. Having read many of Mr. Stackpole's other novels, I found it quite entertaining to see some scenes and ideas from his fantasy novels (i.e. Talion: Revenant). The story introduces the reader to the new Inner Sphere; The Republic, after several generations of peace, is now coming apart at the seams. Sam Donelly finds himself in the middle of this unrest and must use all of his considerable skills to ensure the innocent are not harmed. While the Mech action found in the old Battletech series is not as evident in this novel, the foundation is laid for the general conflagaration that will soon (it seems) envelop the Republic of the Sphere. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was well-written and the "overly intellectual" musings of Sam are quite humorous. Of course, it was good to see Victor Davion make a cameo and soothe those who thought that everything from the old Battletech universe was stripped away. Can't wait for the next novel.
Rating: 
Summary: The new Battletech universe is wasting Stackpole's talent.
Review: I'm a great fan of Michael Stackpole, but his talent was wasted in having him write in the new Battletech universe.The first half of the book is basically a poor introduction to the new battletech universe, which is starts off 60 years after the last book. The explanation for the new political revolution is muddled and vague The main characters of the previous universe and their fates are brushed off. Only one character has been brought back, briefly, but that appears to be a forced attempt to link the old universe to the new. But the worst sin in attempting to explain the new universe, there is no mention of the clans nor their fate. The biggest influence on the battletech universe is unacknowledged. The second half of the book does picks up quite a bit, but not enough to overcome a lackluster first half. There is a great resemblance to the actions of the assassin in his previous battletech book, Natural Selection, which makes for enjoyable reading, but that period is too short. The greatest disappointment to this book is it's limited scope. Like another reviewer wrote, there are hints of a greater conspiracy, but they never develop and most of book is limited to actions that take place and only influence a single planet. Nothing like the galactic scale of Stackpole's previous battletech books. In the end, I'd have to recommend against reading this book and definitely have no interest in reading any Mechwarrior Dark Age book. Stackpole is the best of the battletech writers and a great writer on his own, but if this is the best that the new universe can offer, there's no hope that the rest of the Dark Age books written by other authors will be any good.
Rating: 
Summary: There's a signpost up ahead ...
Review: I've never read any of the other MechWarrior or BattleTech series of books, yet I have been very interested in the MechWarrior PC games. As a matter of fact, I have MechWarrior 3 on my computer, and I am looking forward to upgrading my gaming system to Microsoft's X-Box just so I can have Mech Assault. If there is anything that I can say about MWDA:Ghost War, it's that I love this book! I was warned (I read another review)that I would be in for a ride. And I have been on one since the first page. And it hasn't changed my opinion about the game, whatsoever. Every step I take in a 'Mech, is an imaginery walk in Mason's 'Mech. Michael Stackpole's Mason Dunne tells it like it is, and can walk the walk to prove it. Although, if you leave it to Lady lakewood, he's a bit clumsy. However, Stackpole has a good sense of deception. I was fooled by the Sam Donnelly/Mason Dunne character and his intentions. I was even more fooled by the so-called arrest by Janella Lakewood. No need to say more and ruin the story there.
Yet, I give the same warning to those who are about pick up this book: your in for one hell of a ride!
I hope that the remaining three books, and all of the others are just as exciting as this one. For a first timer, and an avid fan of Briam Lumley's Necroscope Series, this is a very decent change of pace for me. Every page read is a new lesson learned in playing the game. But then again, I'm just a junkie for this kind of stuff, and I have a run-away imagination. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Anyway, read MWDA: Ghost War. Live it, feel it, explore it, chew on it for lunch! You'll find it pleasing to the palate. Especially if you envision it with today's headlines of war here, impending war there, you'll raise an eyebrow at some of the similarities. There's a sign post up ahead - "Warning: 'Mech Crossing" Just pray that its a Ghost Knight.
I give MWDA:Ghost War, 4 stars. Add 1 because at this point I haven't finished reading as of yet. And I'm waiting for the next one to arrive.
Rating:
Summary: A good start for a new era in the BattleTech saga
Review: Since WizKids bought out the BattleTech/MechWarrior franchise from the now defunct FASA, they have pulled a number of surprises on me. The nastiest was going into the local bookstore, checking out the latest MechWarrior book, and seeing the date "3132" in the first chapter's header. I nearly passed out. But after recovering from the shock, I picked up a copy of what was apparently the first novel in this new series (they need a better way to show what order they were in, although I had no trouble figuring it out from Amazon.com). Though initially skeptical-- I mean, I liked the old era and its characters!-- I was not disappointed. Ghost War is very different from previous BattleTech favorites of mine, but it is still BattleTech. The first major change is that it is told from a first-person perspective. This was vital to the story, I later came to understand, but still somewhat of a shock. It is different stylistically (due to the entire story being colored by the perceptions of the main character, Sam Donelly). And finally, the new era still threw me off a hundred pages into the book. But after the shock of the surface differences, it becomes clear that not only was the move sixty-five years into the future a good idea, but having Stackpole handle it was also a good move. The plot is twisting and convoluted, almost (but not quite) confusing at times. There is plenty of political intrigue and an element that has been a strong and important part of BattleTech, the concept that mankind will never cease to fight amongst themselves, is still preeminent. Stackpole handles the introduction of the new time period very well, and the main character, Sam Donelly, is well-constructed and entertaining. The use of humor through Sam's eyes is very well done also. Finally, the appearance (I won't call it cameo because I have a feeling he will be back) by none other than Victor Steiner-Davion was well appreciated and a good way to connect back to the old era. If I had to complain, I would note that, like others have said, there is too little 'Mech action, but there is a reason for this (and there will be more action later on in the series). Also, Sam seems to be a little too perfect in some ways; it's not that he isn't flawed, but he is extremely versatile. Nonetheless I found myself rooting for him the whole time. Another thing that bugs me is that Stackpole seemed to slip back into Star Wars at least once in the book, referencing a "holdout blaster" when the rest of the time they are "holdout lasers". But this minor editorial issue can be forgiven. Overall an intriguing and entertaining read. I'll certainly buy more in the series, and I am anxiously awaiting MechWarrior 5.
Rating:
Summary: Stackpole delivers
Review: Stackpole's Ghost War is highly entertaining and kept me reading from front to cover. It is very much worth to pick it up whether you are new to Mechwarrior/Battletech or have read all his past novels.
The main character is interesting, perhaps a tad bit too primitive, and the story flows well. Stackpole also explains the setting nicely and his mech fights are brief (which is good) but exciting. If you have the board game, I would highly recommend it. If you have read Battletech novels in the past, I would still recommend it.
So why did I give four stars and not five? I have read all his novels of the past and this one is well written and entertaining, but lacks the grandeur of past novels. With the exception of Victor Steiner-Davion, there is little about the overall political situation and much less about the successor states. Beware that the old age is gone and it is therefore indeed a great way to draw in new readers. However, it does not offer the same fascinating characters and intrigues of past novels. Nonetheless, buy this.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book for non-series readers
Review: The departure of Mike Stackpole from the BattleTech series saddened me to no end, back when it happened. He was the one B-tech author I could really stand to read-in all honesty, Mech Combat isn't that interesting to read about, but Stackpole's byzantine plots and general COOL Political and covert-ops storylines were a joy to read, and his characters, while not all believable, were people that I found really interesting, and at times unpredictable. Now, to my surprise, he's returned to the B-tech scene with this new book, Ghost War. The book starts out confusing. I missed most of the rest of the books in the MechWarrior series, so I go from about 3065 to about 31something in a snap. Suddenly, everyone's dead!! Several of the main characters from the old books had kicked the bucket, Victor Davion is old and feeble, and this Republic is here again. This is dissapointing...I hated the republic.
So imagine my surprise and joy when it all starts tumbling down! I look forward to another succession war soon. Anyway. Mike stackpole has a unique writing style that never fails to dissapoint. His interesting dialogues and humor that creeps up on you unexpectedly and evokes a laugh from you always keeps me entertained and wishing for more, and, as always, the plotline doesn't dissapoint, with just the right amount of intrigue to keep you turning pages. 4.5 stars, I give this one, mostly lacking the half for it's setting. Hopefully they'll start the 5th sucession war soon and get me really into it.
Rating:
Summary: Baffling at first, but stackpole's back, so I can't complain
Review: The departure of Mike Stackpole from the BattleTech series saddened me to no end, back when it happened. He was the one B-tech author I could really stand to read-in all honesty, Mech Combat isn't that interesting to read about, but Stackpole's byzantine plots and general COOL Political and covert-ops storylines were a joy to read, and his characters, while not all believable, were people that I found really interesting, and at times unpredictable. Now, to my surprise, he's returned to the B-tech scene with this new book, Ghost War. The book starts out confusing. I missed most of the rest of the books in the MechWarrior series, so I go from about 3065 to about 31something in a snap. Suddenly, everyone's dead!! Several of the main characters from the old books had kicked the bucket, Victor Davion is old and feeble, and this Republic is here again. This is dissapointing...I hated the republic.
So imagine my surprise and joy when it all starts tumbling down! I look forward to another succession war soon. Anyway. Mike stackpole has a unique writing style that never fails to dissapoint. His interesting dialogues and humor that creeps up on you unexpectedly and evokes a laugh from you always keeps me entertained and wishing for more, and, as always, the plotline doesn't dissapoint, with just the right amount of intrigue to keep you turning pages. 4.5 stars, I give this one, mostly lacking the half for it's setting. Hopefully they'll start the 5th sucession war soon and get me really into it.
Rating:
Summary: Another excellent Stackpole product
Review: Welcome to the Dark Age, courtesy of Michael Stackpole. After a leap of several decades into the future from the last Battletech novel, things have changed far more, perhaps, than during the entire succession wars period. Nearly all the familiar characters from the past are dead, leaving only a very limited tie to the past; in fact there is really only one returning character from the old days. Humanity is still fractured with regards to any single galactic government, but there has been an inroad to peace, if only in a limited region of space. Unfortunately, though this new principality has been around for a while, it is not so secure as its residents might hope. The initiation of the Dark Age concept actually occurs several months before the book begins, with the centuries-old, high-speed interstellar communications network being sabotaged by unknown conspirators. This has forced all the interdependent worlds to begin fending for themselves for the first time in a long time. The results are frightening, with power being seized by very unsavory individuals. Writing in the first person, a first for any of the Battletech/Mechwarrior series, Stackpole shows the same brilliant prose and excellent action and intrigue that his readers have come to expect from him. While the game line might not appeal to all the old fans, I think that the new storyline will. Except for a few re-drawn political lines, the universe is still recognizable. And for new readers to the game universe, Stackpole does a good job in bringing the reader up to speed on the past 60+ years of the Inner Sphere. I highly recommend this book.
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