Reviews

Battletech - Wolves on the Border by Robert N. Charrette, Christopher Graybill

heikieesmaa's review against another edition

5.0

Military sci-fi can make some really infuriating villains by placing them upwards in the chain of command and constantly displaying their lack of commendable qualities. Never have I felt it done as strongly as in this book.

I have read it fits well between books 2 and 3 of Warrior trilogy, which is pretty good as well. I think Charrette in general is a better writer than Stackpole though. Strictly not necessary, if you know something about that era Battletech, you'll be able to figure out that

Spoiler

Wolf's Dragoons are part of Clan vanguard / reconaissance. Or something.

I don't think the book ever states it that explicitly but there are a lot of clues.

I had a blast reading it.

isd's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

Moderate: Death and War

Minor: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Alcohol

eddyfate's review against another edition

5.0

Such an excellent use of an intertwined series of books. Although a great standalone novel, this also acts as a kind of coda to the previous Warrior trilogy, explaining one small scene in book two of that trilogy, while also paralleling the plots of those books. I can certainly see why many Battletech fans rave about these early novels.

mistersplog's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

1.5

vincent_coles's review against another edition

adventurous sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

kavinay's review against another edition

5.0

I'm generally interested in BT for the Clans and their psycho-culture. The 3025 and Succession War campaigns generally are just grist for the Kerensky mill for me (i.e. this is why you needed Operation Revival).

That being said, Charrette's depiction of Minobu Tetsuhara is deceptively good. The novel isn't really about Wolf's Dragoons. It's actually a really good take on the noblest of Inner Sphere warriors set against the Game of Thrones style politics of the Successor Lords and pretenders. Even when you know how the book will end, it's still a very compelling read and develops so much of the DCMS culture beyond the otaku-ness of Stackpole's novels.

murdertrees21's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

jeremiah_mccoy's review

4.0

A solid game tie in novel

If you are not a battletech fan already, this may not work for you but it is solid military fiction from that world

brian's review against another edition

4.0

Covering the period when Wolfs Dragoons were hired out to the Draconis Combine (3021 to 3028), it shows how a Kuritan warrior, Minobu Tetsuhara gets to know and befriend them, while still staying loyal to his Samurai code.

Lots of internal factions within the Kuritans, especially from the Warlord of the system and his aide who have a grudge against Tetsuhara.

Plenty of mech action, set against loyalty and duty to ones friends and rulers.

hlreasby's review against another edition

5.0

Absolutely amazing! The characters are really complex and wonderfully written. I can't recommend this book highly enough!