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Robotech #2
Battle Cry
Henry Gloval is in command of the Super Dimensional Fortress. But a massive enemy force led by Khyron the Backstabber is hot on his trail . . .
180 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 6, 2016
Best militay sci-fi saga that I have read
MAYHEM AND RE-CONSTRUCTION
In the first book, The Super Dimensional Fortress One (SDF-1) was attacked during its maiden ceremony.
Zentraedi Battle Pods were engaging against the RDF Veritechs but also against the civilian population of Macross City.
The SDF-1, still on Macross Island, activated its main weapons on automatic, without consent of the crew, and destroyed two Zentraedi ships in orbit, surprising the aliens that humans had been able to know how to use the "Robotechnology".
However, when the SDF-1 tried to rise using its anti-gravity systems, they literally get unattached of the fortress making it to land hard again.
On space, Zentraedi Battlewagons destroyed without effort the orbital defense platforms of the United Earth Government, and then they centered its fire against the SDF-1 still barely above Macross Island now having to use conventional engines to lift off.
So, Captain Gloval made a polemic decision, ordering a space fold maneuver, when the SDF-1 is still near above of Macross Island. The idea was to make a “jump” to the dark side of our moon and then be able to attack from behind to the enemy fleet.
However, the Fold Systems were still in the process of being understood how they work.
The "Fold Field" engulfed the entire Macross Island, taken away along with the SDF-1, but even worse, they didn’t “jump” to our moon’s orbit, but they appeared in orbit of Pluto, in the middle of space along with the island, tons of frozen water and even several UEG Navy sea vessels, and if all that wasn’t bad enough, the Fold Systems didn’t reappear along with the SDF-1 making impossible to do any other Fold “jump”.
Obviously this can’t be more a nightmare scenario, but the worst part is that the Zentraedi Fleet wasn’t interested in the SDF-1 per se but in the “Fold System” that it’s actually an unique machine in the universe known as “The Protoculture Matrix”, a technology that was crucial to charge all Zentraedi battle technology created by the mysterious Robotech Masters.
So, a peace solution won’t be possible now, since Humankind didn’t have anymore what the alien enemy force was looking for, and they won’t just accept that.
The SDF-1’s crew has to make desperate rescue operations to save the population of Macross Island from the emergency shelters before they would get out of air. Also, to salvage any supplies from the now useless UEG Navy vessels and even to attach to the SDF-1, two UEG Navy aircraft carriers, the Daedalus and the Prometheus, that they will serve as new support attack “arms” to the massive fortress. Even the rescued Macross Island population will rebuild again the Macross City inside of the SDF-1 (yes, the fortress is real big, in case, you haven’t pictured it yet).
Now, the only course of action is to get back to Earth, using conventional engines and to hope that there would be still a home when they’d be able to return to it. They estimate that the journey would take them like a year to make the trip back.
And the Zentraedi fleet starting to look for them. The SDF-1’s first engagement was against the fleet of Commander Breetai, a mature warrior and one of the most respected leaders in the Zentraedi fleet. Breetai is a formidable enemy but also with a hard code of honor. However, during the trip back to Earth, the SDF-1 will have to deal with Commander Khyron, the Backstabber, a ruthless, unpredictable and psychotic leader with his own battle fleet that he will stop to nothing to get his goals and being able to escalate in the chain of command of the Zentraedi fleet.
In this book, you will read about the hard journey of the SDF-1 travelling back to Earth, where they will have to battle for their lives in such places like Saturn and Mars.
DIFFERENCE IN CHARACTERS
Robotech is a saga where you don’t the usual expectations on characters. The ship’s captain, while relevant, he is more like a support character. The main character isn’t the best pilot, not even the second best, and he can be even kinda jerk sometimes and make mistakes. The main romance is a triangle that you wouldn’t expect where hardly (not even close) was a love at first sight, and even when they would be together, hardly they will be happily ever after. A spoiled civilian girl can be the key to win a war against an enemy fleet of a million vessels. Hardcore trained warriors can be affected by the power of music and love. A story so rich that female characters are given relevant roles in the narrative in the same way as the male characters.
Rick Hunter
The main character of the First Robotech War. He was a young civilian pilot in an aerial circus, that he made a visit to his “big brother”, Roy Fokker, for the ceremony of the maiden voyage of the SDF-1, but he is caught in the middle of the first attack by Zentraedi forces and he is mistaken for a Military Fighter Pilot and he took a Veritech where he saved (by sheer luck) the life of a young girl, Lynn Minmei. And they got trapped in an isolated section of the SDF-1 for several weeks, until rescue parties are able to find them. The hot headed Rick Hunter decides to join the RDF and become a Veritech Pilot.
Lt. Cmdr. Lisa Hayes
She is the First Officer of the SDF-1. She is also the Operations Manager where she is in charge to coordinate all Veritech squadrons, Reflex units and all battle systems of the fortress. Lisa is smart, by-the-book, and she is easily one of the best officers in the entire Robotech Defense Force.
(Oh, and I am totally in love with her!!!)
Lt. Cmdr. Roy Fokker
He is CAG (Commander, Air Group) of all Veritech squadrons, and also he is leader of the Skull Team, which is the main Veritech squadron of the SDF-1. His fighter craft is designed with the codename of Skull One, the insignia Veritech of all of them. He is having a loving relationship with Claudia Grant.
Lynn Minmei
She is a young civilian girl who was visiting her uncles in Macross Island when it was attacked by the Zentraedi incursion. After being saved by Rick Hunter, she convinced her uncles to re-open their restaurant in the “new” Macross City, now inside of the SDF-1.
Lt. Cmdr. Claudia Grant
She is Second Officer of the SDF-1. She is also the Communications Officer where she is in charge of all outer and inner communications of the SDF-1. She is confident, calm under fire, mature and usually she is trying to convince to Lisa to have a life outside of the military. Claudia is in a loving relationship with Roy Fokker.
Lt. Vanessa Leeds, Lt. Kim Young and Lt. Sammie Porter
These lovely “terrible trio” are the remaining bridge crew of the SDF-1. (Along with Lisa Hayes and Claudia Grant, all SDF-1’s bridge crew is female with the exception of Captain Henry Gloval)
Captain Henry J. Gloval
An “old sea wolf” which was a relevant role during the WWIII and now he is with the RDF and got the promotion to be the commanding officer of the SDF-1.
There are other main characters but I will comment on them on the review of the next book.
MAYHEM AND RE-CONSTRUCTION
In the first book, The Super Dimensional Fortress One (SDF-1) was attacked during its maiden ceremony.
Zentraedi Battle Pods were engaging against the RDF Veritechs but also against the civilian population of Macross City.
The SDF-1, still on Macross Island, activated its main weapons on automatic, without consent of the crew, and destroyed two Zentraedi ships in orbit, surprising the aliens that humans had been able to know how to use the "Robotechnology".
However, when the SDF-1 tried to rise using its anti-gravity systems, they literally get unattached of the fortress making it to land hard again.
On space, Zentraedi Battlewagons destroyed without effort the orbital defense platforms of the United Earth Government, and then they centered its fire against the SDF-1 still barely above Macross Island now having to use conventional engines to lift off.
So, Captain Gloval made a polemic decision, ordering a space fold maneuver, when the SDF-1 is still near above of Macross Island. The idea was to make a “jump” to the dark side of our moon and then be able to attack from behind to the enemy fleet.
However, the Fold Systems were still in the process of being understood how they work.
The "Fold Field" engulfed the entire Macross Island, taken away along with the SDF-1, but even worse, they didn’t “jump” to our moon’s orbit, but they appeared in orbit of Pluto, in the middle of space along with the island, tons of frozen water and even several UEG Navy sea vessels, and if all that wasn’t bad enough, the Fold Systems didn’t reappear along with the SDF-1 making impossible to do any other Fold “jump”.
Obviously this can’t be more a nightmare scenario, but the worst part is that the Zentraedi Fleet wasn’t interested in the SDF-1 per se but in the “Fold System” that it’s actually an unique machine in the universe known as “The Protoculture Matrix”, a technology that was crucial to charge all Zentraedi battle technology created by the mysterious Robotech Masters.
So, a peace solution won’t be possible now, since Humankind didn’t have anymore what the alien enemy force was looking for, and they won’t just accept that.
The SDF-1’s crew has to make desperate rescue operations to save the population of Macross Island from the emergency shelters before they would get out of air. Also, to salvage any supplies from the now useless UEG Navy vessels and even to attach to the SDF-1, two UEG Navy aircraft carriers, the Daedalus and the Prometheus, that they will serve as new support attack “arms” to the massive fortress. Even the rescued Macross Island population will rebuild again the Macross City inside of the SDF-1 (yes, the fortress is real big, in case, you haven’t pictured it yet).
Now, the only course of action is to get back to Earth, using conventional engines and to hope that there would be still a home when they’d be able to return to it. They estimate that the journey would take them like a year to make the trip back.
And the Zentraedi fleet starting to look for them. The SDF-1’s first engagement was against the fleet of Commander Breetai, a mature warrior and one of the most respected leaders in the Zentraedi fleet. Breetai is a formidable enemy but also with a hard code of honor. However, during the trip back to Earth, the SDF-1 will have to deal with Commander Khyron, the Backstabber, a ruthless, unpredictable and psychotic leader with his own battle fleet that he will stop to nothing to get his goals and being able to escalate in the chain of command of the Zentraedi fleet.
In this book, you will read about the hard journey of the SDF-1 travelling back to Earth, where they will have to battle for their lives in such places like Saturn and Mars.
DIFFERENCE IN CHARACTERS
Robotech is a saga where you don’t the usual expectations on characters. The ship’s captain, while relevant, he is more like a support character. The main character isn’t the best pilot, not even the second best, and he can be even kinda jerk sometimes and make mistakes. The main romance is a triangle that you wouldn’t expect where hardly (not even close) was a love at first sight, and even when they would be together, hardly they will be happily ever after. A spoiled civilian girl can be the key to win a war against an enemy fleet of a million vessels. Hardcore trained warriors can be affected by the power of music and love. A story so rich that female characters are given relevant roles in the narrative in the same way as the male characters.
Rick Hunter
The main character of the First Robotech War. He was a young civilian pilot in an aerial circus, that he made a visit to his “big brother”, Roy Fokker, for the ceremony of the maiden voyage of the SDF-1, but he is caught in the middle of the first attack by Zentraedi forces and he is mistaken for a Military Fighter Pilot and he took a Veritech where he saved (by sheer luck) the life of a young girl, Lynn Minmei. And they got trapped in an isolated section of the SDF-1 for several weeks, until rescue parties are able to find them. The hot headed Rick Hunter decides to join the RDF and become a Veritech Pilot.
Lt. Cmdr. Lisa Hayes
She is the First Officer of the SDF-1. She is also the Operations Manager where she is in charge to coordinate all Veritech squadrons, Reflex units and all battle systems of the fortress. Lisa is smart, by-the-book, and she is easily one of the best officers in the entire Robotech Defense Force.
(Oh, and I am totally in love with her!!!)
Lt. Cmdr. Roy Fokker
He is CAG (Commander, Air Group) of all Veritech squadrons, and also he is leader of the Skull Team, which is the main Veritech squadron of the SDF-1. His fighter craft is designed with the codename of Skull One, the insignia Veritech of all of them. He is having a loving relationship with Claudia Grant.
Lynn Minmei
She is a young civilian girl who was visiting her uncles in Macross Island when it was attacked by the Zentraedi incursion. After being saved by Rick Hunter, she convinced her uncles to re-open their restaurant in the “new” Macross City, now inside of the SDF-1.
Lt. Cmdr. Claudia Grant
She is Second Officer of the SDF-1. She is also the Communications Officer where she is in charge of all outer and inner communications of the SDF-1. She is confident, calm under fire, mature and usually she is trying to convince to Lisa to have a life outside of the military. Claudia is in a loving relationship with Roy Fokker.
Lt. Vanessa Leeds, Lt. Kim Young and Lt. Sammie Porter
These lovely “terrible trio” are the remaining bridge crew of the SDF-1. (Along with Lisa Hayes and Claudia Grant, all SDF-1’s bridge crew is female with the exception of Captain Henry Gloval)
Captain Henry J. Gloval
An “old sea wolf” which was a relevant role during the WWIII and now he is with the RDF and got the promotion to be the commanding officer of the SDF-1.
There are other main characters but I will comment on them on the review of the next book.
June 20, 2009
Having been attacked on earth, the crew of the Super Dimensional Fortress-1 used an untested spacefold technology to transport themselves beyond the moon, but miscalculated and reappeared beyond Pluto - with an entire Pacific island along for the ride. The 50,000 civilian inhabitants of the island were brought aboard, two aircraft carriers were welded onto the SDF-1, and the crew begins their long journey back to earth fighting the Zentradi invaders all the way. In this volume, the crew makes it to Mars and restocks supplies left behind by a failed colony, is infiltrated by alien spies with no concept of our emotions, and protagonists Rick and Lisa begin to form a relationship that isn't based solely on argument. Simultaneously, Minnmei's singing career takes off and enemy commander Breetai calls in the forces of the evil Khyron and Azonia. A LOT of interesting relationship drama and space combat could have fit into this book since the SDF-1 travels from beyond Pluto to Mars in one novel, but the authors had only the source material to go on and they did an excellent job with it.
June 24, 2017
Two novels in and I'm enjoying this re-read a lot. I kinda hate to say it but the books are better than the cartoon. He puts in so much extra characterisation and back story to make it all make much more sense. He also lost Rick's terribly misogynistic line from the cartoons which was a relief, as I did wonder when watching it how my teenage self could ever have had a crush on him after he said that, no matter how spiky his hair was. Volume two had Lisa's trip to Mars, the Miss Macross pagent (which made much more sense about how it came about) and the capture of Rick, Lisa and Ben and Max by the Zentradi. Rick and Lisa talked much more and sounded much more grown up. The cartoon is great. But the books are where my heart lies. Definitely going to read the rest of Macross.
October 21, 2018
I read these books many years ago when I was a teenager. The stories are quite simple and do not seem to hold my interest any longer. I still have fond memories of reading this set of books but will not be able to reread them.
February 6, 2020
I have read this one a few times over the years. While capturing the flavor of the Anime. The weaknesses of the Anime also show through. Lots of action, but there are plot holes and parts that son't seem to make sense.
October 4, 2023
I love it! Blowing threw these books... So much better than the series, especially at my age.
July 20, 2025
Episodes 6-12
January 27, 2014
“Protecting the Secret of Protoculture!"
Second in a quartet featuring the First Generation of humans
to battle the gigantic Zentraedi, BATTLE CRY continues the romantic saga of Rick Hunter, a daredevil flyboy, and Minmei, the teenage singing idol. Rick's seemingly cool commander, Lisa Hayes, is ashamed of developing a hate-love relationship with him--which further confuses the cocky hero. Promoted to Lt. with his own two subordinates in tow, Rick has more serious issues as the evil aliens plot to trap the ships of earth and destroy our home planet.
The action is fast-paced, as diabolical schemes are cleverly foiled and clever countermeasures cause confusion on both sides. These Micronians are unpredictable, which makes things even more interesting for Breetai and the Zentraedi warlords. The mighty SDF-1, which had crashed on earth at Macross Island, has been retrofitted for its new human-sized crew and the unexpected 50,000 civilians aboard this floating city. But the Zentraedi live in terror that the Micronians will discover the secret of their size and technology: protoculture! This sacred element remains hidden somewhere in the traveling fortress. Of course all the ships can reconfigure in various forms, if you remember Transformers--those popular toys of the 1980's.
This is pure escapist reading, with no redeeming moral message,
but it is fun! Seek the misising links between opposing forces; the plotting is much easier to enjoy in book form, as the Japanese cartoon animation is painfully crude.
April 6, 2013. I welcome dialogue with sci fi fans!
Second in a quartet featuring the First Generation of humans
to battle the gigantic Zentraedi, BATTLE CRY continues the romantic saga of Rick Hunter, a daredevil flyboy, and Minmei, the teenage singing idol. Rick's seemingly cool commander, Lisa Hayes, is ashamed of developing a hate-love relationship with him--which further confuses the cocky hero. Promoted to Lt. with his own two subordinates in tow, Rick has more serious issues as the evil aliens plot to trap the ships of earth and destroy our home planet.
The action is fast-paced, as diabolical schemes are cleverly foiled and clever countermeasures cause confusion on both sides. These Micronians are unpredictable, which makes things even more interesting for Breetai and the Zentraedi warlords. The mighty SDF-1, which had crashed on earth at Macross Island, has been retrofitted for its new human-sized crew and the unexpected 50,000 civilians aboard this floating city. But the Zentraedi live in terror that the Micronians will discover the secret of their size and technology: protoculture! This sacred element remains hidden somewhere in the traveling fortress. Of course all the ships can reconfigure in various forms, if you remember Transformers--those popular toys of the 1980's.
This is pure escapist reading, with no redeeming moral message,
but it is fun! Seek the misising links between opposing forces; the plotting is much easier to enjoy in book form, as the Japanese cartoon animation is painfully crude.
April 6, 2013. I welcome dialogue with sci fi fans!
March 20, 2013
Book 2 covers some great moments from the Macross Saga. The Attack on Mars Base Sara, Infiltration by Zentraedi spies, Miss Macross; however the best is the introduction of Khyron the Backstabber - probably my favorite antagonist in SF. No one else is as ruthless, conniving, egotistical, and obsessive in his pursuit of the destruction of his enemies. The novels have an added element to his character that doesn't exist in the show. While not necessary, it does make sense and does add to the overall narrative of the novels.
I'm already well familiar with the source material, so I enjoy the novels on a fan level. I do wonder what someone never exposed to the original story would make of them.
These books were insanely popular back in the late 80's and early 90's. I think my copy is the 8th printing and I seen some 18th printings as well.
I'm already well familiar with the source material, so I enjoy the novels on a fan level. I do wonder what someone never exposed to the original story would make of them.
These books were insanely popular back in the late 80's and early 90's. I think my copy is the 8th printing and I seen some 18th printings as well.
March 29, 2011
Great series of books for kids that enjoy or are interested in science fiction. I read these books in middle school (I'm now in my 30s) and loved each one. The stories are fun, engaging and relatively fast paced. I'd be tempted to reread them now just for old time's sake if I didn't have so many new books on my to-read list.
I knocked it down a peg because, in retrospect, there are some aspects that are a bit too cheesy. I'm sure when my kids are old enough, they'll get thier own copies.
I knocked it down a peg because, in retrospect, there are some aspects that are a bit too cheesy. I'm sure when my kids are old enough, they'll get thier own copies.
August 26, 2015
This book is even more exciting then the first one!Because the people in the ship get even harder problems and this book has even more pages then the first one.They also need to stop in Mars.Their they get in even more trouble and they all almost die and the ship can get destroyed.Some of the soldiers inside the ship get captured and they can die.
November 30, 2011
Starts off slow, picks up towards the end. Macross (And the Macross portions of Robotech) has three pretty distinct acts; this is the end of the first act/ beginning of the second and not too much interesting is going on just now. Still, not a boring read, and worth it to get to the good stuff!
May 24, 2009
Godawful. Skip these adaptations, just watch the shows. Hard to believe Brian Daley was parially responsible for this tripe.
May 16, 2024
Battle Cry (Robotech)
by Jack McKinney
how does earth respond to the invasion of an alien species
by Jack McKinney
how does earth respond to the invasion of an alien species
August 19, 2011
Fun, quick read. I could easily imagine scenes from the anime as I read the book. Soon, I will pick up a few more of this series.
June 2, 2013
More Veritech's and Battlepods ooh childhood reads rock! The book took a point for the whole love Rick, Lisa and Minmei love triangle.
July 25, 2022
A good book but for fans only.
May 12, 2015
Great SiFi series. Giant battlesuits battling outer space monsters, what more can you ask for. Very recommended
Read
November 26, 2016The story continues, the Zentraedi capture and have contact with the Micronians, The kiss is the most horrific I've ever seen - Breetai.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews