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BattleTech Universe #57
Call of Duty
The planet of Odessa is caught between two adversaries whose personal antagonism may cost them much more than their lives.
On one side is Count Nicholas Fisk, ruler of Odessa and a staunch supporter of Katrina Steiner, the ruler of the Lyran Alliance. In an effort to help stamp out the rebellion against Katrina's rule that has sprouted up across dozens of Alliance worlds, Count Fisk hopes to lure one of the more successful rebels to ultimate destruction. On the other side of the conflict are Leftenant General Archer Christifari and his Archer's Avengers, who support Prince Victor and his bid to oust Katrina. Though he knows that Odessa is a trap, the possibility of winning over the famed mercenary unit Snord's Irregulars to the cause is too tempting to pass up.
But where peace is expected, battle ensues. And the black and white of friend and foe quickly turn to shades of gray while treachery abounds.
On one side is Count Nicholas Fisk, ruler of Odessa and a staunch supporter of Katrina Steiner, the ruler of the Lyran Alliance. In an effort to help stamp out the rebellion against Katrina's rule that has sprouted up across dozens of Alliance worlds, Count Fisk hopes to lure one of the more successful rebels to ultimate destruction. On the other side of the conflict are Leftenant General Archer Christifari and his Archer's Avengers, who support Prince Victor and his bid to oust Katrina. Though he knows that Odessa is a trap, the possibility of winning over the famed mercenary unit Snord's Irregulars to the cause is too tempting to pass up.
But where peace is expected, battle ensues. And the black and white of friend and foe quickly turn to shades of gray while treachery abounds.
278 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
14 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Blaine Lee Pardoe
95 books117 followersBlaine Pardoe is a New York Times Bestselling and award winning author of numerous books in the science fiction, military non-fiction, true crime, paranormal, and business management genre's. He has appeared on a number of national television and radio shows to speak about his books. Pardoe has been a featured speaker at the US National Archives, the United States Navy Museum, and the New York Military Affairs Symposium. He was awarded the State History Award in 2011 by the Historical Society of Michigan and is a silver medal winner from the Military Writers Society of America in 2010. In 2013 he was awarded the Harritt Quimby Award as part of the induction ceremony at the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. Mr. Pardoe is also a member of the League of WWI Aviation Historians.
His books have even been mentioned on the floor of the U.S. Congress. His works have been printed in six languages and he is recognized world-wide for his historical and fiction works. He can be followed via Twitter (bpardoe870)
His books have even been mentioned on the floor of the U.S. Congress. His works have been printed in six languages and he is recognized world-wide for his historical and fiction works. He can be followed via Twitter (bpardoe870)
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 9, 2019
Lots of big stompy robot action, as the civil war continues
July 11, 2020
Revisiting our little forces from Thorin made for an interesting little adventure that initially sounded boring but naturally blew up into something worth a book. Sure, the initial premise that kicks things off is a little far-fetched, but stranger things have happened in actual wars where it's easy to jump to the wrong conclusion. And when that conclusion means having people fighting one another in order to get to the bottom of things does result in less than ideal circumstances for proper dialog.
At this point, Blaine Lee Pardoe is clearly comfortable with depicting different battle sequences and he has a lot of great action here. He excels at bringing individual skirmishes and battles to live but doesn't really get to paint a clearer picture of the larger strategy at play just yet. This book also really dove into the nuances of the roles of spies in the Inner Sphere combat beyond assassinations depicted in single chapters of other BattleTech books.
The ending was inevitable and I kind of wish it had happened sooner, but it happened when it happened, so there's that.
At this point, Blaine Lee Pardoe is clearly comfortable with depicting different battle sequences and he has a lot of great action here. He excels at bringing individual skirmishes and battles to live but doesn't really get to paint a clearer picture of the larger strategy at play just yet. This book also really dove into the nuances of the roles of spies in the Inner Sphere combat beyond assassinations depicted in single chapters of other BattleTech books.
The ending was inevitable and I kind of wish it had happened sooner, but it happened when it happened, so there's that.
February 28, 2022
Highly Recommended
The very first novel I’ve ever read. Enjoyed it immensely. Features the Penetrator—main protagonist’s mech. As well as the Highlander, Masakari, Spartan & Axman (in case anyone is wondering if their favourite mechs were covered).
The very first novel I’ve ever read. Enjoyed it immensely. Features the Penetrator—main protagonist’s mech. As well as the Highlander, Masakari, Spartan & Axman (in case anyone is wondering if their favourite mechs were covered).
July 29, 2023
Classic Battletech at it's best
Properly done and fitting the long story. Classic Battletech that invites new readers as well as he trans to keep the faith unlike the new "useless woke" authors.
Properly done and fitting the long story. Classic Battletech that invites new readers as well as he trans to keep the faith unlike the new "useless woke" authors.
October 16, 2019
Very Good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2020
Disliked how the conflict started, because they know they are walking into a trap. The rest of the book and character development and misjudgments are good.
July 2, 2023
A fun read! It was a little wordy in some spots, but, overall, a great book.
April 12, 2014
Awesome book again from Blaine, following the FedCom civil war with Archer's Avengers (A2).
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews