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BattleTech Universe #55
Test of Vengeance
When a renegade faction of the Draconis Combine military invades the Ghost Bear capital of Alshain, the long-time bitter enemies are once again plunged into bitter conflict, a brutal war in which Jake Kabrinkski, an Elemental, a race of genetically engineered warriors equipped with advanced power armor, is destined to play a key role. Original.
278 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 13, 2010
This is like a breath of fresh air - not only is the book from the Clan point of view but the main character is an Elemental. For non-Battletech afficionados and Elemental is genetically engineered to be built like Arnie but 7+ feet tall.
The story follows an Elemental who has risen fast up the ranks through acts of baravado and insane courage. While fighting the Draconis Combine he suffers his first defeat and we follow his path through this unfamiliar territory.
As with most Battletech books this is no great peice of literature but it is great fun and fantastic entertainment.
The story follows an Elemental who has risen fast up the ranks through acts of baravado and insane courage. While fighting the Draconis Combine he suffers his first defeat and we follow his path through this unfamiliar territory.
As with most Battletech books this is no great peice of literature but it is great fun and fantastic entertainment.
April 9, 2008
These books are fluff, but they're fun fluff. :D
March 25, 2016
Giant robots and norse style clansfolk. In space. Whats not to love? Yet another of my guilty pleasures.
July 7, 2020
This book was a little weird for me. I don't want to overly fault a new writer for a first effort just because it was the first effort since I wouldn't want that happen to me should I ever dare to write for a big franchise like this, but from start to finish there was something off about the way he wrote the characters. From start to finish it never truly felt like these were Clan characters we were dealing with and if anything they sounded overly familiar with one another and a lot more like people in the Inner Sphere.
It was rather amusing how because our POV character was an Elemental warrior, then we got a book with a ridiculous amount of Elemental action including the Ghost Bears having a whole Galaxy built around Elementals and a big finale that included an unusual number of different types of battle armor in a single story.
On the whole it was okay but not exceptional and the tone of things just continued to nag at me the whole time and didn't help me really dive into this being a Clan-centric title.
It was rather amusing how because our POV character was an Elemental warrior, then we got a book with a ridiculous amount of Elemental action including the Ghost Bears having a whole Galaxy built around Elementals and a big finale that included an unusual number of different types of battle armor in a single story.
On the whole it was okay but not exceptional and the tone of things just continued to nag at me the whole time and didn't help me really dive into this being a Clan-centric title.
May 2, 2023
Great read
Great read I really liked this story as it's the only one I have read where the main character is an elemental and it was really interesting seeing elementals as the central characters in the battles and the mechwarriors being in support. Great fun.
Great read I really liked this story as it's the only one I have read where the main character is an elemental and it was really interesting seeing elementals as the central characters in the battles and the mechwarriors being in support. Great fun.
October 11, 2013
Like all Battletech novel, it fellow the same recipe: a little political intrigue and war. The main character, Jake, is a top Elemental who never lost a fight so he's a rising star in the Ghost bear Clan. Eventually he will meet a foe he couldn't beat and make him doubt to eventually evolve for the better by the end of the book.
You got a lot of fight in this books (hand to hand, armor, mech, space...), but most of them are brutal and end very quickly so you don't have to much technical or overheating drama.
Didn't like the end, like most book of this format, the author close the story too easily but I'm guessing he need to fit in the mass market 300 page size.
Not the best Battletech novel, but a really good one if you need an action pack story
You got a lot of fight in this books (hand to hand, armor, mech, space...), but most of them are brutal and end very quickly so you don't have to much technical or overheating drama.
Didn't like the end, like most book of this format, the author close the story too easily but I'm guessing he need to fit in the mass market 300 page size.
Not the best Battletech novel, but a really good one if you need an action pack story
November 26, 2020
A rogue unit from the Draconis Combine attack the planet of Alshain, which the Ghost Bears took from them years ago.
This causes the Ghost Bears to retaliate against them. Using a mixed force of Mechs and Elementals they start taking planets from them.
Their commander is an elemental, new to the position and the book shows he he adapts to using mixed forces. He doesn't always win, but learns from his mistakes.
The last third of the book is a bit predictable but the action is good and there are interesting characters.
This causes the Ghost Bears to retaliate against them. Using a mixed force of Mechs and Elementals they start taking planets from them.
Their commander is an elemental, new to the position and the book shows he he adapts to using mixed forces. He doesn't always win, but learns from his mistakes.
The last third of the book is a bit predictable but the action is good and there are interesting characters.
May 15, 2011
Clear, descpritive and simple enough for young children to read. Suspensful with twists throughout
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews