Prince of Havoc (Twilight of the Clans Vii, Battletech , No 42)

Rating:
Summary: It Rocked!!
Review: I may be a bit biased by the fact that I've read most of the Battletech Series, but I liked it, there's not quite as much to do with polotics early in the book, but later on, political intregue builds up. It's got some suprises that you may not expect. Also it's combat is fast a furious, which is a trademark of this series.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but Katrina sets my teeth on edge
Review: I think this book is one of the best Mr. Stackpole has written so far. I like the intricate intrigue taking place throughout the novel and can live with the somewhat subdued combat scenes. Katherina, Victors sister, however, sets my teeth on edge and I can only hope that Stackpole is going to end her career pretty soon.

Rating:
Summary: I think Stackpole is getting Sick of 'Tech
Review: I was always a Stackpole fan. It was his books that started me on the series and his that still make me amazed when I read them. His sheer detail and vivid action scenes should be a watermark for all other writers. But in this, his latest and likely last Battletech book, something is missing. Creativity. His actions scenes, which could have been incredible, are instead canned and unispired. If you want to read a battletech book for the action, look elsewhere. If you want to read about the deep story line of Battletch, then read this book. That it does do.

Rating:
Summary: I think Stackpole is getting Sick of 'Tech
Review: I was always a Stackpole fan. It was his books that started me on the series and his that still make me amazed when I read them. His sheer detail and vivid action scenes should be a watermark for all other writers. But in this, his latest and likely last Battletech book, something is missing. Creativity. His actions scenes, which could have been incredible, are instead canned and unispired. If you want to read a battletech book for the action, look elsewhere. If you want to read about the deep story line of Battletch, then read this book. That it does do.

Rating:
Summary: Not the best by Mr. Stackpole
Review: I would tend to agree with the previous reviewer who stated Mr. Stackpole's writing is rather weak in this book, but it isn't his writing as much as the plot. When one reads the "Warrior" trilogy or the first three of book about the return of the clans, the plot is very complex with many loosely connected storylines. Mr. Stackpole's last three battletech books are not anywhere near as complex and interesting as his previous works. Is it his writing or is it the maker of the game responsible for this change???

Rating:
Summary: Y r the finest genetic warriors- portrayed as such schmucks?
Review: I'm a battletech fan since day one. I remember when the Black Widow and Jamie Wolf just arrived to Inner Sphere. Those undercover Clansmen were resourceful unequaled warriors. Now we have Victor Davion- "supreme" warrior of the Inner Sphere with his fellow Inner Spherites doing battle on Clan Homeworlds and defeating the Clans like they are senior citizens at an old folks home. Please stop playing with my intelligence FASA folks! Gritty, hardcore, damned the good guys winning all the time-(cause it was ur opinion who the "good" guys were), fiercely true to the Battletech Universe books were the norm til a few years ago. What happened? Tell me "true battle tech fans" that a Clan facing annihilation- by the freebirths, would not use it's entire Touman (Space Navy) against the invaders of it's homeworld. Granted Comstar has stuff up it's sleeves. But Clan Smoke Jaguar wouldn't have gone out like that-trust a true Battletech fan. Battletech's been "dumbed down"- I'm afraid. But we read on cause what else is there? Please FASA get back to the way it was before it's too late. Hard edged grrrr sci-fi is what you were.... Now it's like space soap opera. Don't make me come in there and write one my darned self!

Rating:
Summary: Good but not stackpole's best
Review: I'm kind of torn on this book. I think that in terms of the battletech universe this is a good book but in terms of stackpole's writing this is kind of lacking. He's a great author and I've just come to expect better of him. Of course he didn't have much to work with since most of the action was done early on.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting continuation of the plotline...
Review: I've always enjoyed Stackpole's Battletech book, and I was awfully excited when I picked up this most recent addition to the collection. Imagine my surprise when the first half turned out to be the most uninspired piece of work I've ever seen by Stackpole (maybe even from anyone in the Battletech universe). The rest of the Clan conflicts read like it was computer generated from a turn-by-turn playing of the board-game itself. Characters have absolutely no development or depth, and it is essentially a list of the various shots each unit fired with the resulting effect. The second half of the book offers some salvation with interesting plot twists, and the writing certainly improves.

Rating:
Summary: More action in the Twilight of the Clans
Review: In this book, number seven of the Twilight of the Clans, the Inner Sphere has destroyed Clan Smoke Jaguar to the point where only a handful of warriors remained to escape to Strana Mechty, the Clan homeworld. Determined to not let them escape, Prince Victor Stiener-Davion leads his forces there to stop the invasion once and for all. There's very little actual combat in this book, but a lot of interesting things happen. For one, Clan Ghost Bear, the most powerful of all the clans, announces that it is switching from a Crusader Clan to a Warden Clan. Also, when Victor & crew return home to the Inner Sphere after soundly beating all the Crusaders but Clan Wolf and Clan Jade Falcon, Victor discovers that his sister Katrina hasn't been idle in the 1 1/2 years that he's been gone, and has managed to take control of the entire FedCom! Left without a realm, Victor has little to do, but you can be sure he won't let Katrina get away with the theft. This book, while short on 'Mech action, is still an exciting book, and it leaves plenty for the next one. The only question that remains is how long FASA is going to keep this series running.

Rating:
Summary: Another Quality Contiuance ...
Review: Lest anyone should doubt, Stackpole is the best when it comes to outlining the history of Battletech - which is as it should be, considering it's officially his job. I will not say PoH is his best effort, because it's not. As far as plot and action and story and character development and all, Grave Covenant was its superior. PoH shows an unfortunate tendancy - which occurs all too often in this genre, IMO - to start slow and then rush madly at the very end to draw the book to its finish. This has left some dangling plot threads, and prematurely cut off some others. One big instance is his almost deus ex machina takeover of the FedCom by Katharine - in the hurry to accomplish this and get to something else, the scenario by which Katherine manages the feat is rather implausible and certainly distasteful. Because of things like this, one believes maybe this book should have been accomplished it two parts rather than just the one cover. But that said, the power and quality of PoH still makes it an invaluable contribution to the series. Politics in the world of Battletech has been set on its ear, and it may never be the same again. And it's been done only as Stackpole could do it. Here's hoping the next episode is not long in coming, for we are seriously in need of resolution. For some things, anyway ... regardZ, JvS! PS - Who beside me hopes the assassin ends up targetting Katherine instead?