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BattleTech Universe #122
BattleTech: In the Shadow of the Dragon
A DARK WAR FOR THE THRONE…
Yori Kurita, the Dragon, Coordinator of the Draconis Combine, rules her nation with an even hand and is reveling in her victories over the hated Federated Suns. Though the Dragon’s troops occupy the Suns’ capital for the first time in history, her own reign rests on a shaky foundation. Due to her checkered ancestry, many detractors call her a puppet ruler, a pretender to House Kurita’s throne, and some will stop at nothing to end her rule and take back the Combine—including eliminating anyone who gets too close to the truth.
Russell Blaylock, a detective for the Civilian Guidance Corps, has seen plenty of murder cases throughout his distinguished career. When his investigation of a murder with ties to the Palace puts him in the crosshairs of the Internal Security Force and their shadowy war of brinksmanship with agents from the rival Order of the Five Pillars, he soon draws the attention of the Coordinator herself. In a quest for the truth, Yori reactivates a long-dormant bureau, the Office of Special Investigations, and tasks Blaylock and his team of investigators and security with solving this case before the conspirators’ deadly plans can be carried out.
But the Combine’s capital brims with visitors for the celebration of the Coordinator’s anniversary, Yori’s well-equipped, well-prepared enemies could be anyone, anywhere, and they could strike when least expected. Can Blaylock and his team hunt them down before they eliminate the Coordinator and bring the Combine to its knees?
Yori Kurita, the Dragon, Coordinator of the Draconis Combine, rules her nation with an even hand and is reveling in her victories over the hated Federated Suns. Though the Dragon’s troops occupy the Suns’ capital for the first time in history, her own reign rests on a shaky foundation. Due to her checkered ancestry, many detractors call her a puppet ruler, a pretender to House Kurita’s throne, and some will stop at nothing to end her rule and take back the Combine—including eliminating anyone who gets too close to the truth.
Russell Blaylock, a detective for the Civilian Guidance Corps, has seen plenty of murder cases throughout his distinguished career. When his investigation of a murder with ties to the Palace puts him in the crosshairs of the Internal Security Force and their shadowy war of brinksmanship with agents from the rival Order of the Five Pillars, he soon draws the attention of the Coordinator herself. In a quest for the truth, Yori reactivates a long-dormant bureau, the Office of Special Investigations, and tasks Blaylock and his team of investigators and security with solving this case before the conspirators’ deadly plans can be carried out.
But the Combine’s capital brims with visitors for the celebration of the Coordinator’s anniversary, Yori’s well-equipped, well-prepared enemies could be anyone, anywhere, and they could strike when least expected. Can Blaylock and his team hunt them down before they eliminate the Coordinator and bring the Combine to its knees?
- GenresScience Fiction
521 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2024
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10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 25, 2026
Shadow of the Dragon Review: caa 250126
Tl;dr: Fantastic book by the always Great Craig Reed Jr. A worthy spiritual successor to Heir to the Dragon.
Great battles, political intrigue and Craig shows a great understanding of Japanese culture. Man did his research lmao.
Long version: (some minor spoilers!)
Things I loved:
1. Love the use of Japanese Culture and language throughout the novel, gives it a much needes "Asian" feel rather than the typical North American perspective we are used too in modern novels. From the culture mentions of the Asian Zodiac, use of asian proverbs, and even simple actions such as snapping a sword to flick the blood of it, Craig really did his research and put effort to immerse you into the World of the Draconis Combine
Today's word of the day is, " 雌犬 " (Meinu)!
2. Finally a novel with the new coordinator, Yori Kurita (descedent of Franklin Sakamoto from the animated series!), we get to see the tensions between her and the Gunjin no Kanrei Matsuhari Toranaga as they disagree over the invasion of the Federated Suns. Yomi is worried about being over stretched while the Kanrei only cares about the impending victory over their hated ancestral foe.
3. Intriguing murder mystery involving bascially every clandestine Draconis faction, from the Order of Five Pillars to the Civillain Guidance Corps, and of course the ISF.
4. Great secondary characters who each have their own standout moments, humour from the elemental lol. Kaiken is interesting as an antagonist. Who is Isoruku Tazawa? Craig is able to use subtley to gently build up characters, e.g., former Elemental Taeko snaps at the other characters as they engaged in small talk during a thrilling chase, highlighting the Clans disapproval for unneccesary dialogue.
5. Lots of action interspaced between the intrigue; assassins, monks, mechs, yakuza and grizziled detectives, oh my! And at least the operatives are written in a believable and professional manner instead of, for example, throwing themselves off a building once they were exposed, in another novel I read.
6. Very reminiscent of the shadow conflict between the Tokugawa shogunate and Emperor Meji's Imperial forces as they struggled for modern Japan. Lots of back alley subterfuge that then explodes into the occasion open conflict. LOVE IT. This all leads to Palace intrigue, a staple for Asian cultures and history, which really nails the feel of the Draconis Combine in lore.
7. A cacophony of chaos ensues as every faction races to the endgame in a frentic cat and mouse chase, with the advantage being passed back and forth with all the urgency of a live grenade lol
8. Appreciate the fact that Craig took the time and effort to write believable reasons for why the various characters would make mistakes, arrogance, the lack of time, serendipity and the unexpected valour of a brave women all play a part. Much better than being expected to accept every fantastical scenario without question.
9. Fricking hilarious this book is, with an elderly kensei sighing at the messy and impatient sword strokes of his former student as them come across the bodies during a chase.
Also Kaiken's exasperation at his fellow co conspirators unprofessionalism as their plot gets continously derailed is unintentionally funny, I really identify with his frustrations dealing with obviously incompetent superiors.
Tl;dr: Fantastic book by the always Great Craig Reed Jr. A worthy spiritual successor to Heir to the Dragon.
Great battles, political intrigue and Craig shows a great understanding of Japanese culture. Man did his research lmao.
Long version: (some minor spoilers!)
Things I loved:
1. Love the use of Japanese Culture and language throughout the novel, gives it a much needes "Asian" feel rather than the typical North American perspective we are used too in modern novels. From the culture mentions of the Asian Zodiac, use of asian proverbs, and even simple actions such as snapping a sword to flick the blood of it, Craig really did his research and put effort to immerse you into the World of the Draconis Combine
Today's word of the day is, " 雌犬 " (Meinu)!
2. Finally a novel with the new coordinator, Yori Kurita (descedent of Franklin Sakamoto from the animated series!), we get to see the tensions between her and the Gunjin no Kanrei Matsuhari Toranaga as they disagree over the invasion of the Federated Suns. Yomi is worried about being over stretched while the Kanrei only cares about the impending victory over their hated ancestral foe.
3. Intriguing murder mystery involving bascially every clandestine Draconis faction, from the Order of Five Pillars to the Civillain Guidance Corps, and of course the ISF.
4. Great secondary characters who each have their own standout moments, humour from the elemental lol. Kaiken is interesting as an antagonist. Who is Isoruku Tazawa? Craig is able to use subtley to gently build up characters, e.g., former Elemental Taeko snaps at the other characters as they engaged in small talk during a thrilling chase, highlighting the Clans disapproval for unneccesary dialogue.
5. Lots of action interspaced between the intrigue; assassins, monks, mechs, yakuza and grizziled detectives, oh my! And at least the operatives are written in a believable and professional manner instead of, for example, throwing themselves off a building once they were exposed, in another novel I read.
6. Very reminiscent of the shadow conflict between the Tokugawa shogunate and Emperor Meji's Imperial forces as they struggled for modern Japan. Lots of back alley subterfuge that then explodes into the occasion open conflict. LOVE IT. This all leads to Palace intrigue, a staple for Asian cultures and history, which really nails the feel of the Draconis Combine in lore.
7. A cacophony of chaos ensues as every faction races to the endgame in a frentic cat and mouse chase, with the advantage being passed back and forth with all the urgency of a live grenade lol
8. Appreciate the fact that Craig took the time and effort to write believable reasons for why the various characters would make mistakes, arrogance, the lack of time, serendipity and the unexpected valour of a brave women all play a part. Much better than being expected to accept every fantastical scenario without question.
9. Fricking hilarious this book is, with an elderly kensei sighing at the messy and impatient sword strokes of his former student as them come across the bodies during a chase.
Also Kaiken's exasperation at his fellow co conspirators unprofessionalism as their plot gets continously derailed is unintentionally funny, I really identify with his frustrations dealing with obviously incompetent superiors.
October 6, 2024
OMG not again.
Battletech is not a place for bad long winded detective novels. This was tried a year ago and failed miserably with the last detective novel Center I g around a cereal killer. Its NOT BATTLETECH, GO START YOUR OWN SERIES if you think you write that well. Big thumbs DOWN!!!! One star because they don't allow a 1/2 Star.
Battletech is not a place for bad long winded detective novels. This was tried a year ago and failed miserably with the last detective novel Center I g around a cereal killer. Its NOT BATTLETECH, GO START YOUR OWN SERIES if you think you write that well. Big thumbs DOWN!!!! One star because they don't allow a 1/2 Star.
July 7, 2025
This was a stellar book with a great cast which does a lot to introduce readers to mid 3st century Draconis Combine politics. I found the detective mystery angle quite refreshing, and the stakes keep getting higher all the way to a very well written and explosive final act. I would like to read more with these characters, maybe an Inspector Blaylock series?
July 27, 2024
Now I always love a good House Kurita novel, and whilst I worried at first I might only get a detective story (albeit one I enjoyed) this book also delivered on sword fights and Mech battles.
October 9, 2024
Great story.
Great story. Cannot wait to see what happens next. Gives a different perspective of the Draconis Combine through the eyes of a police officer.
Great story. Cannot wait to see what happens next. Gives a different perspective of the Draconis Combine through the eyes of a police officer.
October 9, 2024
An excellent political thriller set in the heart of the Combine. This book is stand-alone good, and an exceptional book in the Battletech line.
August 12, 2024
great book
I enjoyed this book from the crime solving to the Battletech battles. As a Davion fan I do like Yori Kurita as a character.
I enjoyed this book from the crime solving to the Battletech battles. As a Davion fan I do like Yori Kurita as a character.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews