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isd's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The third Gray Death Legion novel has a new main faction of interest, the Marik's Free Worlds League. In all the CBT novels I've read the FWL has been a side note at best, so it was a nice change. I guess the GDL could not be always fighting only the Draconis Combine...
Also, the Big Story of the BT universe is touched on, the first two GDL novels (the Decision at Thunder Rift; Mercenary's Star) were pretty much standalones in that sense. In short: there's much more grand-scale worldbuilding here, in addition to the wonderful and "usual" BT worldbuilding.
Grayson D Carlyle is a bit of a "I succeed in everything I ever try" character, but not in a way that actually annoyed me. He does grow a bit as a character over the three novels, so that's good.
Also, the Big Story of the BT universe is touched on, the first two GDL novels (the Decision at Thunder Rift; Mercenary's Star) were pretty much standalones in that sense. In short: there's much more grand-scale worldbuilding here, in addition to the wonderful and "usual" BT worldbuilding.
Grayson D Carlyle is a bit of a "I succeed in everything I ever try" character, but not in a way that actually annoyed me. He does grow a bit as a character over the three novels, so that's good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Minor: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Suicidal thoughts
jeremiah_mccoy's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
stromson's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
teancom's review
1.0
I tried, but I couldn't do it. I've been reading some of these Battletech books because I loved (still love!) playing the computer, tabletop and role-playing games, and it's a nostalgia trip.
But the writing! It's so bad. So, so, so bad. I got 40% of the way through, set it aside for a long time, tried to pick it up again and couldn't make it through the chapter.
I'm not going to give up on Battletech books in general - heck, they just came out with some new ones. And they have a bunch of different authors. But I think William H. Keith Jr. is on my "don't even try" list now.
But the writing! It's so bad. So, so, so bad. I got 40% of the way through, set it aside for a long time, tried to pick it up again and couldn't make it through the chapter.
I'm not going to give up on Battletech books in general - heck, they just came out with some new ones. And they have a bunch of different authors. But I think William H. Keith Jr. is on my "don't even try" list now.
brian's review
4.0
Another episode in the saga of the Gray Death legion. Betrayal and secrets abound in this one,as the Gray Death find themselves marked as outlaws.
This was a good story, the subject matter has been alluded to in several other Battletech novels, it was nice to see the story behind it.
Davis McCall (one of the most annoying characters in the whole BT universe) thankfully manages to keep his mouth shut for most of this one, although he does get a few lines of gibberish to show he's still alive.
This was a good story, the subject matter has been alluded to in several other Battletech novels, it was nice to see the story behind it.
Davis McCall (one of the most annoying characters in the whole BT universe) thankfully manages to keep his mouth shut for most of this one, although he does get a few lines of gibberish to show he's still alive.
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