Service for the Dead: Book Three of the Proving Grounds Trilogy

BattleTech Universe #69

by Martin Delrio

The world of Northwind has been decimated in the battle between the Highlanders and the Steel Wolves - and now the Clan warriors set their sights on Terra. The fate of the planet rests in the hands of three MechWarriors:

Ezekiel Crow: betrayer of the Highlanders - and on the run from both political and military enemies.

Anastasia Kerensky: ruthless ruler of the Steel Wolves - and if she has her way, the next Conqueror of Terra.

Tara Campbell: leader of the Northwind Highalnders - and Terra's only hope in its most desperate hour.

The explosive conclusion to The Proving Grounds Trilogy, which includes A Silence in the Heavens and Truth and Shadows.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Ebooks

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published November 4, 2003

About the author

A pseudonym used by Debra Doyle and James D. Macdonald.

Reviews

[Grantcorp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Third and last in the "Proving Grounds"-trilogy, "Service for the Dead" concludes the confrontation between the Northwind Highlanders and the Steel Wolf clan-wannabes (at least for the time being).

What started out as a fairly engaging read in the first volume gradually began to slide into melodrama where I found it quite hard to engage the suspension of disbelief engine. Once again the plot enters spy novel territory with some ludicrous agent subplots and the type of brainless political wrangling which is so common in this type of stories.

This time the Highlanders arrive on Terra to assist in (or actually, pretty much, take care of the entire) defense of the planet, as Steel Wolf clan dropships descend on the core world of the Republic. The ensuing battle is anything but satisfying and the hopeless antics of Paladin Crow continue to drag the book into the mud.

At this point I was a bit disappointed in the Proving Grounds trilogy as a whole. While the books are alright on their own, as a dedicated three volume epic they should have been able to provide a much more dramatic and grandiose turn of events. Instead we now have an anthology of jumping-around-from-place-to-place-without-ever-really-accomplishing-anything in its place. There are single volume books in the Dark Age saga which accomplish all that and more, so it can absolutely be done.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the Mech Warrior Dark Age series. This is also the third book in the Proving Grounds Trilogy. 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 Martin Delrio. 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 the Steel Wolves have devastated the capital of Northwind and have now left to attack Terra and effectively take control of the Republic of the Sphere. Prefect Tasa Campbell isn't defeated yet however. She gathers the remaining Highlanders and makes for Earth to stop the attack by the Steel Wolves and also to get revenge against the one who betrayed her. This is a grand conclusion to the trilogy and a great addition to this entire series. I recommend it to all fans of Military Science Fiction.

[Joby Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, but it is entirely unbelievable that a planet of billions has almost no defense and could be taken by a few battlemechs and companies of tanks...

[Richard Tran · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a few issues with this book. In particular with how undefended Terra seemed if the Highlanders were the main force used against the Steel Wolves.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

While reading the books kerensky is a strong woman with a plan. By this book she's an average bandit who's been nerfed. The fights are quick and the clans seem like uneducated barbarians. I loved this book when I was younger but the older I get the less I want to read it.

[Josh Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

"So You've Decided to Read Battletech: Dark Age" - Review 6

Third book in the Proving Grounds Trilogy and best book in the Proving Grounds Trilogy.

DA Callbacks

All main and secondary characters from the previous book return. Bannson, mentioned many times, finally makes an appearance.

Review:

The best of this trilogy. The pacing and tension are well balanced. The various plot threads pull together neatly. The characters are given a little more space to breathe. The chapters are short which helps keep momentum. We get a variety of action, from cloak and dagger to fisticuffs to battlefield maneuvers to mech duels. The medic's arc remains compelling and I'm hopeful I'll get to see him again in future BT books. And most importantly, the author attempts to address/resolve/gloss-over a number of weaker plot points from the two earlier books.

I enjoy Martin Delrio's prose. He's succinct.

Assessment:

Liked it.

Lasting Impressions
In this section, I return long after reading to give my remembered impressions. Did this book stand the test of time?

No. I don't remember this book at all.

DarkAge Tier List
from best to worst

Scorpion Jar
Service For the Dead
A Silence in the Heavens
Target of Opportunity
A Call to Arms
Truth and Shadows
Ghost War
The Ruins of Power

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Love Battletech books. =)

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glad to be done with these characters in their contrived interactions with each other. On with the next in the series. Never to look back again.