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Chaos Irregulars #1
BattleTech: Chaos Born
The battlefields of the 31st century are commanded by the BattleMech, twelve-meter-tall, 100-ton bipedal engines of destruction. Fought by MechWarriors, commanded by neo-feudal officers, owned by national governments and band of mercenaries, loyal to one of the interstellar Successor States or the martial Clans, these ’Mechs make every other ground combat vehicle obsolete.
This is the warfare of fusion-powered giants.
This is BattleTech.
The Chaos Irregulars are mercenaries, born on the battlefields of the planet Acamar at the dawn of the Word of Blake’s horrific Jihad. Orphans of shattered mercenary battalions, they were forged in the crucible of combat into one of the most reliable mercenary battalions in the Inner Sphere.
Chaos Born: Book One of the Chaos Irregulars chronicles the battalion’s formation and first few contracts, battling intrigue, betrayal and other BattleMech mercenaries. First published on the BattleCorps fiction site, these stories comprise the first half of a duology that will culminate in Chaos Formed: Book Two of the Chaos Irregulars.
This is the warfare of fusion-powered giants.
This is BattleTech.
The Chaos Irregulars are mercenaries, born on the battlefields of the planet Acamar at the dawn of the Word of Blake’s horrific Jihad. Orphans of shattered mercenary battalions, they were forged in the crucible of combat into one of the most reliable mercenary battalions in the Inner Sphere.
Chaos Born: Book One of the Chaos Irregulars chronicles the battalion’s formation and first few contracts, battling intrigue, betrayal and other BattleMech mercenaries. First published on the BattleCorps fiction site, these stories comprise the first half of a duology that will culminate in Chaos Formed: Book Two of the Chaos Irregulars.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2013
17 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 19, 2016
In Kevin Killiany’s sci-fi novel, “Down to Dirt,” mom and dad have decreed that daughter Mara, born in space, must spend her vacation with relatives on Dirt (that would be the future planet Earth). Mara, her cousin Beth and best friend Jael, tell the story through their individual diary entries. As an African-American girl, Jael is among the lowest of the low denizens on Dirt. In this future world, blacks suffer indignities beyond what people of this race suffered in years past. Still, she’s Beth’s best friend and Mr. Killiany capitalizes on the positive and negative themes such a friendship would create. Mara, with multiple prejudices concerning Dirt, tries to fit in to her new environment and Killiany adeptly weaves each of these strands together with a critical look for how our world could look in the future. As Mara works through issues concerning a new school, developing a relationship with Beth and Jael, along with the typical boy/girl ups and downs; she also has to learn to handle weather changes and the ever present gravity. The three teenage girls soon develop a bond and work together to make their lives and the lives of the citizens of Dirt better.
There are wordsmiths who craft amazingly accurate sentences that read like a delicious chocolate mousse on the tongue and then, there is Kevin Killiany. There are great storytellers who succeed despite their reversal of the “show, don’t tell” rule and then again, there is Kevin Killiany. I generally have a hard time reading stories where events are more told than shown, but “Down to Dirt” was such an entertaining and effortless read, that I am pleased to admit I’ve seldom read a novel this close to perfection. Everything you could want in a YA, coming of age, sci-fi, dystopian world drama is here, put together for your reading pleasure by a talented and masterful writer. Do yourself a favor and read “Down to Dirt” by Kevin Killiany.
There are wordsmiths who craft amazingly accurate sentences that read like a delicious chocolate mousse on the tongue and then, there is Kevin Killiany. There are great storytellers who succeed despite their reversal of the “show, don’t tell” rule and then again, there is Kevin Killiany. I generally have a hard time reading stories where events are more told than shown, but “Down to Dirt” was such an entertaining and effortless read, that I am pleased to admit I’ve seldom read a novel this close to perfection. Everything you could want in a YA, coming of age, sci-fi, dystopian world drama is here, put together for your reading pleasure by a talented and masterful writer. Do yourself a favor and read “Down to Dirt” by Kevin Killiany.
August 9, 2017
Mara was born and raised on Tombaugh, a space station inhabited only by the brightest and best humans and where these humans live uncontaminated by earth’s gravity, sun, and polluted atmosphere. So she’s very unhappy when her parents force her to spend time with her aunt, uncle, and cousin on Earth, or Dirt, as it’s called on Tombaugh.
Mara, her cousin Beth, and Beth’s best friend Jael take turns narrating the story of their adjustment to the new school they all attend, new relationships, and each other. Their perspectives are different-Mara scornful, Beth idealistic, and Jael pragmatic. The author is male but he is able to voice each girl’s perspective distinctly and realistically for the most part. It’s often touching, occasionally funny, and always entertaining. The story is complex but not complicated as it touches on themes of acceptance, relationships, date rape, self image, racsism, and more.
This is a science-fiction, subtly dystopian YA novel, but like all good novels, it’s ultimately about the characters and readers who are not huge science fiction fans will find much to enjoy in the story.
There are a few missteps but overall it's a very interesting read.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Mara, her cousin Beth, and Beth’s best friend Jael take turns narrating the story of their adjustment to the new school they all attend, new relationships, and each other. Their perspectives are different-Mara scornful, Beth idealistic, and Jael pragmatic. The author is male but he is able to voice each girl’s perspective distinctly and realistically for the most part. It’s often touching, occasionally funny, and always entertaining. The story is complex but not complicated as it touches on themes of acceptance, relationships, date rape, self image, racsism, and more.
This is a science-fiction, subtly dystopian YA novel, but like all good novels, it’s ultimately about the characters and readers who are not huge science fiction fans will find much to enjoy in the story.
There are a few missteps but overall it's a very interesting read.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
January 15, 2019
In a fun way, this book is about culture clash. We read entries in the journals of three very different teenage girls. From the first few words, there is a lot of understated humor. For example, “child abuse” very quickly turns out to be inoculations, because a girl born on space station is made to visit relatives on Earth.
The reality this story is set in has a different history. The USA has monopoly in space. Its colonies there were established at a time of out and out racial discrimination. While that has eased down in the “dirt,” the Space Agency is thoroughly racist, and brainwashes its children accordingly.
The other two girls are “twins” within their hearts, although one is a freckled redhead, the other “carob color.” The theme is how the visitor from space learns the truth about “dirt,” and about people different from herself. This is a story most youngsters will enjoy, and perhaps they won’t even notice that they are taught lessons.
The only thing I object to is that the baddie is approximately from my part of the world, but I won’t do a spoiler by explaining.
The reality this story is set in has a different history. The USA has monopoly in space. Its colonies there were established at a time of out and out racial discrimination. While that has eased down in the “dirt,” the Space Agency is thoroughly racist, and brainwashes its children accordingly.
The other two girls are “twins” within their hearts, although one is a freckled redhead, the other “carob color.” The theme is how the visitor from space learns the truth about “dirt,” and about people different from herself. This is a story most youngsters will enjoy, and perhaps they won’t even notice that they are taught lessons.
The only thing I object to is that the baddie is approximately from my part of the world, but I won’t do a spoiler by explaining.
December 25, 2022
A wonderful young adult science fiction novel with an underlying social moral.... Down to Dirt addresses social issues via a fictional alternate timeline world to create a story which is both engaging and entertaining.
Read my full review on my blog, "Writing to be Read":
https://writingtoberead.com/2022/11/1...
Read my full review on my blog, "Writing to be Read":
https://writingtoberead.com/2022/11/1...
March 27, 2025
Great read
Great read very interesting stories and interesting characters all set on different worlds and different factions forcing the mix of mercenaries into some very interesting situations.
Great read very interesting stories and interesting characters all set on different worlds and different factions forcing the mix of mercenaries into some very interesting situations.
February 3, 2019
The Space Service runs everything relating to outer space, from shuttles to colonizing Mars and such. Those that live on the Tombaugh Space Station are the elite. They are strong, have no illnesses mentally or physically, and are essentially perfect. Those that are born with any problems are deemed unfit for space and sent to live on Earth (Dirt).
Mara was born on Tombaugh and looks down her nose at those on Dirt. Until her parents decide to send her down to Dirt for her break. Mara is throwing a fit and NOT happy about this development. She stays at her uncle, aunt, and cousin’s place. But life on Dirt is completely different from life on Tombaugh.
This story rotates narration between Mara, her cousin Beth, and Beth’s friend Jael. Each had their own way of looking at this world and conveys their opinions beautifully. I admit that I was not too impressed by Mara when we first meet her throwing a fit about vaccinations and how being sent to Dirt was going to ruin everything for her and how it was child abuse. But I love how all three come together to fight prejudice, typical teenage issues, and better Dirt.
This is a great story for teens and adults alike. It is well written and was so easy to get into. I think that most people that read it will enjoy it and suggest everyone checking it out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Mara was born on Tombaugh and looks down her nose at those on Dirt. Until her parents decide to send her down to Dirt for her break. Mara is throwing a fit and NOT happy about this development. She stays at her uncle, aunt, and cousin’s place. But life on Dirt is completely different from life on Tombaugh.
This story rotates narration between Mara, her cousin Beth, and Beth’s friend Jael. Each had their own way of looking at this world and conveys their opinions beautifully. I admit that I was not too impressed by Mara when we first meet her throwing a fit about vaccinations and how being sent to Dirt was going to ruin everything for her and how it was child abuse. But I love how all three come together to fight prejudice, typical teenage issues, and better Dirt.
This is a great story for teens and adults alike. It is well written and was so easy to get into. I think that most people that read it will enjoy it and suggest everyone checking it out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
June 18, 2018
Mara was furious with her mother – she was actually going to send her to Dirt (Earth) to get to know the relatives down there! This ruined all of her plans and probably her whole life! Mara lived on Tombaugh Station in space where no disease-infested people were allowed. Sitting in the doctor’s room right now, she was undergoing more of the vaccinations and preventive stuff to help her survive her trip to Dirt! This, to her, amounted to gross child abuse!
Beth, Mara’s cousin, was shopping for clothes with Jael, her best friend. Jael spent a ton of money which Beth might have been jealous about – except she knew she would probably be borrowing most of the clothes. For Jael, her darker skin color usually meant a hassle from sales people, but her mom’s being there made the process go much faster.
The story is told from the POV of these three girls and shines a spotlight on friendship, self-image, prejudice, and many other issues in a coming of age tale. The story is done well, and the characters are good representatives of the types of problems young people would experience, even if they do come from a space station! There is much to be learned if you read between the lines. A very interesting book.
Beth, Mara’s cousin, was shopping for clothes with Jael, her best friend. Jael spent a ton of money which Beth might have been jealous about – except she knew she would probably be borrowing most of the clothes. For Jael, her darker skin color usually meant a hassle from sales people, but her mom’s being there made the process go much faster.
The story is told from the POV of these three girls and shines a spotlight on friendship, self-image, prejudice, and many other issues in a coming of age tale. The story is done well, and the characters are good representatives of the types of problems young people would experience, even if they do come from a space station! There is much to be learned if you read between the lines. A very interesting book.
August 20, 2018
Esta novela de ciencia ficción para adultos jóvenes es de lo mejor que he leído en el género; no se concentra en los temas clásicos de la ficción juvenil que se sienten ya demasiado manoseados, sino que presenta una visión fresca de valores indispensables para el mundo contemporáneo, entre ellos y como tema principal, la tolerancia. Lo recomiendo muchísimo tanto a jóvenes como a adultos que busquen una lectura amable, ligera, pero no por ello superficial ni irrelevante. Definitivamente es un gran inicio para una serie prometedora y que en poquísimo tiempo se ganó mi corazón.
August 28, 2015
Bit formulaic, but fun and interesting read.
The story itself had a very noticeable flow to it, which makes sense given how it was written and published. However, the stories themselves made up for it with great action scenes, lore, and interesting locales. All in all, a fun read.
The story itself had a very noticeable flow to it, which makes sense given how it was written and published. However, the stories themselves made up for it with great action scenes, lore, and interesting locales. All in all, a fun read.
January 25, 2016
Have not read a Battletech book since the paperbacks stopped - nice to get back to the groove. Metal mayhem and warrior spirit. Lock and Load.
October 27, 2016
Chaotic writing
Overall it was pretty good. Some nice characters. However, he uses some writing tricks that not a big fan of. Thus the rating of three.
Overall it was pretty good. Some nice characters. However, he uses some writing tricks that not a big fan of. Thus the rating of three.
January 1, 2019
this was interesting.. it had mystery and intrigue and a lot of fun things happening. kept me curious to see.. its not genre of choice ill admit but it was well written. i enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews