Rating: 
Summary: When Real Life interfers...
Review: The Inner Sphere is suffering.
Due to long running contractual disputes, Michael A. Stackpole ceased writing for the Battletech Universe (and the Star Wars Uni, on a side note) after this novel.
It was a blow to the series.
I think it is fair to say (and I speak as one of Mr.S's greatest fans) that this novel is not his best. At least the first half isnt. He really picks it back up in the second part, with his famous swashbuckling style of writing politics, action and intrigue, giving all you want and more from a series as rich and vibrant, as deep and inmence as Battletech.
The first half is by no means a write off (pun-tastic!), but it is a little below Mr. Stackpole's high standard. It is almost completly, a combat scene. Now I realise that the same can be said of the brilliant volume 3 of "The Blood of Kerensky", "Lost Destiny", but this time, it is all just a little too familiar.
Anyway, I still rate this a 5 star, as it is yet another stepping stone in the BTech Uni, a uni which is an absolute masterpiece in sci-fi.
Get this.
But get this last, after you have worked your way up through his others. Start with "The Blood of Kerensky" trilogy, if you're unsure. Then lock your door, throw out the phone, and enjoy...
Rating: 
Summary: Guns and Politics
Review: The Smoke Jaguar clan faces certain doom in this novel, with the combined might of the Inner Sphere bearing down on them. The clan's homeworld is lost, and with it all existence of the clan except for the the surviving Ikhan Osis. Guns and politics sums this thrilling novel up very nicely. The beginning of the books throws you into the mix of a Trial of Refusal for the clan's right to invade the Inner Sphere. Victor Davion, supreme commander of the Inner Sphere task force now faces the finest warriors the clans have to offer, but will he and his warriors survive the confrontation? The latter part of the book you learn of Victor's evil sister and that she has annexed his realm and stripped him of his power. The following politics further the story beyond belief but sometimes bore the reader with it's long winded speeches and hidden meanings, and complex anaolgies. Long time readers will like this book than first timers, but this book still proves the mastery of storytelling the Battletech authors have. I reccomend this book to anyone who a slight intrest or any intrest at all in Mech Warrior and Battletech to read this book. There are plenty of combat sequences that do not always favor the good guys. In closing, this book does deserve the 5 stars but the one star I took off is for the lengthy politics near the end, sometimes boring the reader. " A Warrior needs a war"
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but dull at the same time
Review: The story was good, but aside from wondering what happened since the last book there wasn't much to keep me reading. Their is little combat and it's slow to get to the point. The ending chapters are really good, but the rest of the book is a drag. Anyway Victors sister is really starting to tic me off, he'd better kill her quick. If you want to know what happened since shadows of war, this is a good book, but after the first time, i doubt you'll read it again
Rating: 
Summary: The BT universe is dead! Long live the BT universe!
Review: This abomination truly would deserve nothing more than -5 stars. Stackpole and FASA have apparently decided, that the only way to advance the plot is to shake it up, each time with more "surprising twists". Their latest bungling has resulted in neutralizing the clans, recreating the STAR LEAGUE (for gods sake... The whole mythical "grail" of BT accomplished with few cheap words.) and virtually eliminating all conflict between houses Davion and Kurita. The whole TOTC-series was yet another colossal mistake on FASAs part, the final one for me. I give up. BattleTech is dead and buried.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not up to snuff.
Review: This book culminated with a very surprising and well-written turn of events but early on I found it to be tedious. Michael Stackpole is a master at character development and intrigue as apparent in his first (and in my opinion better written) foray into the Twilight of the Clans Series and the second half of this book, but he should really try to minimize the combat scenes in his novels. The battle scenes almost put me to sleep. I felt like I was reading a play-by-play of two guys playing the Battletech board game. It seemed like every laser and missile hit was discussed. Definantely uncalledfor. It had a remarkable second half, once it got into politics and intrigue. The second half of the book deserves 4 stars, the first deserves 2. The average is 3...that's why I gave it that.
Rating:
Summary: This Book is good.
Review: This book definiatly is a grat topping for the Twilight of teh Clans series. It not only deals with the halting of the Smoke Jaguars, but with the recnt deaths of Morgan Hasek-Davion and Melissa Stiener-Davion. However, if want to see Stackpole's best, dont read this book. I liked but his other trilogies are better, Blood of Kerensky and the Warrior Trilogies are better. However this is still one the best series I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Hard hitting storyline.
Review: This book has what I call a hard hitting storyline, that kind of leaves the reader wanting more but the books ends on a note of continued in next book feeling.This book is just what I like from Stackpole.It hits you hard between the eyes and says take that because I have more to beat you with.
Rating:
Summary: Ok. but not the best.
Review: This book is certainly not the best science fiction novel on market, but there are certainly worse books as well. The main characters are well-developed, especially those that are a part of the military, instead of the "let's kill everything in sight" variety that all too often make up the majority of the cast in many science-fiction novels. They make valid decisions appropriate to their intellect and are of varying shades of gray, instead of the also common and worn out concept of black and white. Another one of the better elements of the book is the technology. Many science fiction authors make the mistake of not researching the technology, making it unrealistic and taking a lot of the enjoyment out of the book. Things must make sense! Things like atomic bombs blowing up asteroids, aliens that have the same physiology as people and can easily be operated on by any surgeon. The list is very long and I not going to go further than that. In this book, however, they simply divert asteroids. The faster than light travel element is accomplished through worm-holes, one of the three ways of going faster than light thought possible by physicists. The plot, although resting on the solid foundation of good characters, is lacking. Many of the plot elements are apparently driven by undeveloped side characters, such as Tsun-Zhu Laio and the Precentor Marshall. The main characters do react well to things, but some of the events just make no sense. Katrina supposedly seizes Victor's realm through polling the populace. How can someone possibly invade by asking questions? The worst part of the book is definitely the combat sequences. The novel is written in the universe of Battletech, a board game developed in 1984 and the combat sequences sound like a play log from said game. They are dull, with no hint of excitement whatsoever. To recap, while the characters are well written and human, the rest of the book is dull and predictable. So if you read Battletech novels, or really need something to read, go ahead and read this. But otherwise, don't bother.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent addition to the Battletech universe.
Review: This book was awesome, but is hard to completely explain without giving away what happens. For those of you who follow the Battletech series, you'll love this book and will be surprised by the ending. (Especially if your "loyalties" lie to Victor Davion.) All I can say is that it's a great book worthy of Stackpole's reputaion.
Rating:
Summary: Too much politics, not enough action
Review: This book was extremely disappointing. Besides being the typical Michael Stackpole style of 1% mech action and 99% boring politics of the inner sphere, this book felt like somebody said "I'm bored with the Clans, let's get rid of them and start something else". The casual way that the inner sphere defeats the Clans to stop the invasion left me thinking that Stackpole or maybe FASA just want to end it. So what are the Clans to do now??? Their whole reason for being has melted away, and with barely a tremble from the khans. This book just doesn't jib with the BattleTech universe. Skip it!
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