Rating: 
Summary: great book
Review: a great book about a reble Stiner-nice going, it was about time the Stiners got their butt kicked!
Rating: 
Summary: Wow.
Review: A nice little piece of how someone could finally be pushed to attack all that he has held dear, a nice point of why people are gradually turning against Evil Incarnate of the Inner Sphere (Katherine). Also, extremely respectful and intelligent maneuvers on each side. It's the best piece of gureilla warfare (or mentioning rebels) since Saga of the Grey Death Legion (that I've read). That's quite a well. The voicing isn't quite realistic, which is what stopped me from a 4 star rating. Still, one of the better non-Stackpole entries into the FedCom section (since we must all realize Coleman has rimward down)
Rating: 
Summary: Civil War rocks the BattleTech Universe
Review: Archer Christifori, winner of the Star League Medal of Honor, stepped away from his military career to retire to the family business. He had done his bit for king and country, the time had finally come for him to build his own life.When rioting breaks out between Davion and Steiner factions on Solaris, Archer finds his hopes of a peaceful retirement shattered in ways he never anticipated. And when matters force him into action in support of Prince Victor Steiner-Davion, he finds himself drawn into the flames of a raging civil war that threatens all of the Federated Commonwealth. Leading a militia force against an elite regiment of Alliance BattleMechs and armor, Archer is tested both as a MechWarrior as well as a leader, taking the fight against a commander that he respects deeply. In the end, the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance and the only factor that can sway victory can be the mere measure of a hero...
Rating:
Summary: Finally! The Time has Come to kick some tail.
Review: At first I thought this book would be another "localized" story about specific people and events. Little did I know that the book slowly explodes from Archer Christifori (did I spell that right?) and his rise as a hero for Thorin, to being part of a chain of events which may spell the end of relative peace in the Inner Sphere once more. The news clippings are an excellent "appetizer" to events happening outside of the main character's control. This book is indeed refreshing compared to the down-and-dirty Cappellan grudge-match stories. Those books really showed how unglamorous and complicated the St. Ives war was. This book sets the tone for the unsettling times ahead. You end the book worried but energized, will the Federated Commonwealth survive? The long awaited answer to the whole Katherine Steiner sham is about to be revealed.
Rating: 
Summary: A great tale awash in cliches
Review: Blaine Lee Pardoe shows promise as a BattleTech author. However this novel is a small step back in that he does not extend and capture the feeling that makes us believe that Archer Christofori is caught between duty and his honor. Give us emotions, give us good zing in our reading, or give us milk and cookies and let us nod off to sleep...
Rating:
Summary: Katherine the ambitious vs. Victor the victorious: Round 1
Review: Ever thought what would happen if a Militia-grade unit fought a front-line unit? Well, here is your answer. Blaine Lee Pardoe brings an excellent addition to the BattleTech universe. Archer Christifori is a decorated soldier of the Clan war. Now living a peaceful life on Thorin with his sister and as the Commander of the local militia, he believes he has everything perfect. When Felix Blutcher and his unit are sent to garrison the planet on a mission to oppress the Davionist-groups growing on Thorin, things finally spike up. Leaving the reader on edge through the whole story, by developping both sides (good and bad) in an excellent way, Blaine has delivered us the perfect book to start the Commonwealth civil war.
Rating:
Summary: Main Plot for battletech universe.....no more capellan story
Review: Finally through this book i got a first hand look at the future of battletech.....yes!!! This book is good although it is not nearly as good as Pardo's book on the northwind highlanders.....but i do like the main character...archer. i don't want to tell u too much, but suffice to say this is the book battletech fan are waiting for....because most of us are sick of capellan confed story....we want to know about VICTOR and KAI and that damned Katherine.although this book is not about victor, but once u get through 1/3 of the book u'll know what will happend in future battletech books, and u'll hate Katherine more than u hate her before. Pardo did good with this book. i like the news report at the beginning of every chapter. and it is through the news...most of us learned the later plot of the battletech universe and action else where in the inner sphere...let's just say this book is the quiet wind for the big storm that will come later.
Rating:
Summary: Get the popcorn!
Review: Find a seat grab some popcorn and hold on cause the MOTHER of all bloodfueds has just begun... This book is excellent! What started out as a small set piece about a local rebellion escalated into a opening for the wider Steiner/Davion slugfest to come. It ties in perfectly with Illusions of Victory and the events of Prince of Havoc. Very shortly Katherine will get what's coming to her, and its been coming for a while. She kills her mother, sets up Victor and takes his realm, and NOW, now she's coming DOWN! The next 2-3 books are going to be blockbusters, considering all things. WHat's gonna happen to Omi Kurita, will Vlad help Katherine? Only time will tell
Rating:
Summary: Best of the new books
Review: First off, I have read all the books (except The Sword and the Dagger which costs to frickin much) through Test of Vengence, and I must say that this is probobly the best btech book that I've read in a long time. The characters are great, and the plot is a great backdrop to whats happening in the rest of the inner sphere. The news reports are also a good addition which gives a very good feeling of the larger picture without drawing attention away from the story. If you're new to battletech, this is the book for you. RIP fasa :(
Rating:
Summary: Robin Hood Revisited
Review: Generally, I liked this novel and recommend it. As is often the case in BattleTech universe novels, the story involves poorly supplied underdogs who are forced into battling much stronger forces for a planet, federation, inner sphere, or what have you. In this case we have two decent men who are set against each other. Archer Christifori is a retired war hero, leading a quiet little military reserve unit. Because of increasing tensions, the empress Katherine Steiner sends a military force to Archer's planet under command of a Col. Felix Blucher. These two men are essentially honorable. They start out on good terms. However, the proverbial worm in the apple is a scheming and self-centered character named Leutenant Luther Fisk. Fisk is a subordinate officer under Blucher's command. Fisk's father is a real big-shot who is quick to run interference for his son. Col. Blucher soon finds himself unable to discipline Fisk. Fisk defies his commander, gets punished, and just calls his dad to get out of it. This happens several times. Blucher is helpless. As Fisk begins to realize he is beyond his commander's control, his behavior gets more and more reckless and violent. Soon civilians are being gunned down in the streets by Fisk's men. Fisk's wild-card antics soon set Archer at odds with Blucher. In particular, one rash action of Fisk's results in the death of Archer's only remaining relative, his sister. This cannot be forgiven. Before long the autocannons are chewing up armor, and lasers are blazing. You guessed it. David goes to war against Goliath. Archer with his little rag-tag military reserve unit goes up against as much larger force of regular troops. Archer's old, worn-out hand-me-down battlemechs take on the pride of the Lyran Alliance. Like a Robin Hood of the future, Archer manages through guile and craft to outsmart Col. Blucher, who comes to look like a "Sheriff of Nottingham" buffoon by the end of the book. The book is fun, and excellently written. It is well plotted, and Mr. Pardoe is an old hand who has turned several fine BattleTech novels in the past. The story has two sequels, also, for those who enjoy this book. Go on to read the next installment, entitled "Operation Audacity." Patrick J. Callahan
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