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BattleTech Universe #90
Pandora's Gambit
On 25 October 3069, t he extremist Word of Blake attacked the capital of the Free Worlds League and declared the League's leader, Captain-General Thomas Marik, a fraud. House Marik fell into disgrace, and after eight centuries of existence, the Free Worlds League shattered.
Three captains-general now vie to reunite the realm: Anson Marik of the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth prides himself on possessing Marik blood and seeks to rule on its strength. Lester Cameron-Jones of the Regulan Fiefs knows the Marik bloodline is defunct; only a new royal house can resurrect the League. Jessica Marik of the Oriente Protectorate is on a mission to redeem her father's name: the false Thomas Marik, the man who helped destroy the League. The world of Marik becomes a battleground as the three contenders prove that they will go to any lengths to further their causes. Only Jessica Marik appears to remember that the Free Worlds League was forged not through military might alone, but also through alliances of trust. They will all find the price for their ambitions is higher than they could ever have imagined. Who will be willing to pay?
Three captains-general now vie to reunite the realm: Anson Marik of the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth prides himself on possessing Marik blood and seeks to rule on its strength. Lester Cameron-Jones of the Regulan Fiefs knows the Marik bloodline is defunct; only a new royal house can resurrect the League. Jessica Marik of the Oriente Protectorate is on a mission to redeem her father's name: the false Thomas Marik, the man who helped destroy the League. The world of Marik becomes a battleground as the three contenders prove that they will go to any lengths to further their causes. Only Jessica Marik appears to remember that the Free Worlds League was forged not through military might alone, but also through alliances of trust. They will all find the price for their ambitions is higher than they could ever have imagined. Who will be willing to pay?
- GenresScience FictionFiction
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 7, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 20, 2019
This is the twenty seventh book in the Mech Warrior Dark Age series. This series is a continuation of the Battletech series. The books in this series, like the books in the original Battletech series, are by various authors. This one is by Randall N. Bills. The Republic of the Sphere has known a long period of peace and prosperity. Then the interstellar communications network a.k.a. the HPG net is destroyed by terrorists and many planets in the Republic find themselves cut off from the rest of the galaxy with communications taking weeks or even months. Unrest leads to several factions on several planets trying to overthrow the local governments and seize power for themselves.
In this one after the collapse of the Republic of the Sphere several former governments of the shattered Free Worlds League want to see them reunited under the Marik name. Anson Marik of the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth wants to accomplish this through military conquest. Lester Cameron-Jones of the Regulan Fiefs believes that the days of Marik rule should be over and wants to establish a new royal house to unite the various kingdoms. Jessica Marik of the Oriente Protectorate is a Marik in name only and knows that her only hope of reuniting the kingdoms and becoming the new ruler is by making deals with the various star systems and using force only as necessary. With the help of her adult children she is on a path to accomplish just that. Another great read in this series.
In this one after the collapse of the Republic of the Sphere several former governments of the shattered Free Worlds League want to see them reunited under the Marik name. Anson Marik of the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth wants to accomplish this through military conquest. Lester Cameron-Jones of the Regulan Fiefs believes that the days of Marik rule should be over and wants to establish a new royal house to unite the various kingdoms. Jessica Marik of the Oriente Protectorate is a Marik in name only and knows that her only hope of reuniting the kingdoms and becoming the new ruler is by making deals with the various star systems and using force only as necessary. With the help of her adult children she is on a path to accomplish just that. Another great read in this series.
January 25, 2019
A short review of this one. Like a lot of genre fiction, this one just goes through its paces. It's pretty pedantic and even boring. It does give some insight into the power struggles going on in the Dark Age between the different Marik factions, but that's not enough to recommend. What little action there is is tedious and not exciting. I do give it three stars, because it's not that bad and the information is useful to some extent; it's just not great.
March 26, 2023
The Free World's League is more disjointed than ever. The 3 main factions hate each other and the League likely won't survive the Clan that way.
This book focuses on Jessica Marek and the political machinizations she puts her family through to gain control. She comes across as cold and calculating as she is willing to sacrifice anything, including her children to facilitate her rise to the top.
There isn't a lot of action in this book which typically would put me off, but the intrigue was enough to keep my interest.
This book focuses on Jessica Marek and the political machinizations she puts her family through to gain control. She comes across as cold and calculating as she is willing to sacrifice anything, including her children to facilitate her rise to the top.
There isn't a lot of action in this book which typically would put me off, but the intrigue was enough to keep my interest.
November 19, 2022
Very good story
Very good story, Game of thrones Free World's League style not much battlefield action more strategic manoeuvring with various elements of house Halas and various branches of house Marik manoeuvring to rebuild the Free World's League in their own image using all sorts of methods. While outside influences like the Lyran commonwealth and Capellan Confederation with Clan Spirit / Nova Cat and the ever present Clan Sea Fox added to the mix.
Very good story, Game of thrones Free World's League style not much battlefield action more strategic manoeuvring with various elements of house Halas and various branches of house Marik manoeuvring to rebuild the Free World's League in their own image using all sorts of methods. While outside influences like the Lyran commonwealth and Capellan Confederation with Clan Spirit / Nova Cat and the ever present Clan Sea Fox added to the mix.
May 6, 2012
Not bad for a Battletech novel. Needed more mech battles though. =)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews