What do you think?
Rate this book
Legend of the Jade Phoenix Trilogy #3
BattleTech Legends: Falcon Guard
In 2786, the elite Star League Army fled the Inner Sphere, abandoning the senseless bloodshed ordered by the Successor Lords. Now, almost three hundred years later, the Clans, heirs of the Star League Army, turn their eyes back upon their former home. Nothing will stop them from raising the Star League banner over Earth once again.
For two years, the Clans BattleMech war machines have overwhelmed the armies of the corrupt Successor Lords. Now, at the gates of Earth the Clans must fight one final battle, a battle that will decide the fate of humanity for all time.
For Star Colonel Aidan Pryde of Clan Jade Falcon the battle is more than a question of military conquest. It is an affirmation of the superiority of the Clan way, a way of life that he has sworn to uphold despite his fear that the noble crusade has fallen prey to the lust and ambition of its commanders.
For two years, the Clans BattleMech war machines have overwhelmed the armies of the corrupt Successor Lords. Now, at the gates of Earth the Clans must fight one final battle, a battle that will decide the fate of humanity for all time.
For Star Colonel Aidan Pryde of Clan Jade Falcon the battle is more than a question of military conquest. It is an affirmation of the superiority of the Clan way, a way of life that he has sworn to uphold despite his fear that the noble crusade has fallen prey to the lust and ambition of its commanders.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1991
38 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 31, 2021
I've finally made it to the end of Thurston's trilogy in this series. It was very slow going compared to the other books/authors I've read in this series. This was, by far, the best novel of Thurston's in this series and it still took me a very long time to read. Even though the content in this book was markedly better, I still couldn't get through it quickly. It would take me a few days to tear through a Stackpole novel, but Thurston takes me a month. I know a lot of people liked this series, but I will never re-read these books.
Falcon Guard brings the story of Aiden Pryde to a close. I liked the general idea of this whole series. Michael Stackpole's trilogy told us of the Clan invasion from the perspective of the Inner Sphere, whereas Thurston's trilogy tells us the story from the perspective of the Clans. So, Aiden's story ends with the climatic invasion of the Inner Sphere. Since Stackpole's story sort of filled in a bit of the details already, Thurston kind stayed more focused on what Clan Jade Falcon was doing this, seeing as how Stackpole rather sufficiently handled what Clan Wolf was up to. In Stackpole's novel Lost Destiny it was mentioned after the Battle of Tukayyid that the Jade Falcon's had been one of the few clans to eek out a draw. Falcon Guard is primarily the story of that battle and Aiden Pryde's involvement in that battle.
As with the other stories in BattleTech this is about a legendary MechWarrior, so they are reckless yet luckier than most. So, while the events can seem over the top, if you've made it this far into the world of BattleTech, you've come to expect it. If you further remember in one of Stackpole's other books, you'll recall that Kai Allard destroyed a large amount of Clan 'Mechs by deceiving them and then blowing up a gorge and burying them. That unit was the Falcon Guards and it turns out that Joanna was still alive and well from that battle. However, in the Falcon Guards shame for the loss Aiden was put in charge of that particular unit, since he was a tainted warrior. Once the Battle of Tukayyid is announced, Aiden is presented with an opportunity to achieve ultimate honor and the Falcon Guards are given an opportunity to redeem their shame. Amidst all this we are introduced to Aiden's daughter, Diana, who winds up serving in the same unit.
I think Thurston did a pretty good job of conveying Clan life, in all of it's strangeness. He did a pretty decent job of showing how alien their society is compared to the Inner Sphere, which is more like human life today, just in the future. I think some of the weird things that the Clans do, such as not using contractions, and anyone who does is viewed as low born, is kind of a weird detail. But that is more from the game designers end of things. I think they were trying to project faddish obsessions some cultures can really lock onto, so maybe it's not too weird. The way you talk in classist societies has always been presented as important historically as well... so I guess they're on point.
In the end the story was pretty good, the battle of Tukayyid is as exciting and epic as you'd expect it to be. The total close of the story was somewhat surprising, but I think it was a good ending overall. I do wonder what will happen to some of these characters in the future, but I also hope that will not be written by Thurston, because I have so many BattleTech books to read and his take me forever to read. Historically, Thurston's trilogy is probably a must read for BattleTech fans, unfortunately, for me, it's a read once kind of thing. Stackpole though... I'll probably re-read his books multiple times in my life.
Falcon Guard brings the story of Aiden Pryde to a close. I liked the general idea of this whole series. Michael Stackpole's trilogy told us of the Clan invasion from the perspective of the Inner Sphere, whereas Thurston's trilogy tells us the story from the perspective of the Clans. So, Aiden's story ends with the climatic invasion of the Inner Sphere. Since Stackpole's story sort of filled in a bit of the details already, Thurston kind stayed more focused on what Clan Jade Falcon was doing this, seeing as how Stackpole rather sufficiently handled what Clan Wolf was up to. In Stackpole's novel Lost Destiny it was mentioned after the Battle of Tukayyid that the Jade Falcon's had been one of the few clans to eek out a draw. Falcon Guard is primarily the story of that battle and Aiden Pryde's involvement in that battle.
As with the other stories in BattleTech this is about a legendary MechWarrior, so they are reckless yet luckier than most. So, while the events can seem over the top, if you've made it this far into the world of BattleTech, you've come to expect it. If you further remember in one of Stackpole's other books, you'll recall that Kai Allard destroyed a large amount of Clan 'Mechs by deceiving them and then blowing up a gorge and burying them. That unit was the Falcon Guards and it turns out that Joanna was still alive and well from that battle. However, in the Falcon Guards shame for the loss Aiden was put in charge of that particular unit, since he was a tainted warrior. Once the Battle of Tukayyid is announced, Aiden is presented with an opportunity to achieve ultimate honor and the Falcon Guards are given an opportunity to redeem their shame. Amidst all this we are introduced to Aiden's daughter, Diana, who winds up serving in the same unit.
I think Thurston did a pretty good job of conveying Clan life, in all of it's strangeness. He did a pretty decent job of showing how alien their society is compared to the Inner Sphere, which is more like human life today, just in the future. I think some of the weird things that the Clans do, such as not using contractions, and anyone who does is viewed as low born, is kind of a weird detail. But that is more from the game designers end of things. I think they were trying to project faddish obsessions some cultures can really lock onto, so maybe it's not too weird. The way you talk in classist societies has always been presented as important historically as well... so I guess they're on point.
In the end the story was pretty good, the battle of Tukayyid is as exciting and epic as you'd expect it to be. The total close of the story was somewhat surprising, but I think it was a good ending overall. I do wonder what will happen to some of these characters in the future, but I also hope that will not be written by Thurston, because I have so many BattleTech books to read and his take me forever to read. Historically, Thurston's trilogy is probably a must read for BattleTech fans, unfortunately, for me, it's a read once kind of thing. Stackpole though... I'll probably re-read his books multiple times in my life.
August 16, 2021
It's a bit frustrating that the goodreads scale doesn't allow for half stars as honestly this isn't that big a step down from the previous two entries, but it does feel like some of the issues that plagued the other two books (namely a lot of redundancy and the confused social commentary) continue here, without the same degree of compelling action to balance things out. It feels like the book is trying to delve into some heady themes, but when your rebuttal to slavery is to have the opposite side represented by a despicable raving loon, it reads less like a moral quandary and more like lazy "both sides"-ism. There's also some weird "be happy with your place" stuff with the freebirth characters that just seems...questionable. Still, we're here for the mech action, and what we do get is generally enjoyable. There's one very inventive bit involving a river crossing that is both clever in own its own right and an excellent example of the strengths of protagonist Aidan as a leader, but its not enough to carry the rest of the story. It just feels like the balance isn't quite there. Worth reading if you're already two books in (because again, it's not that far off), but not the rousing conclusion you might be hoping for.
December 12, 2025
The same a few novellas problem of the previous book, made worse by them being further scattered and with a lot of context missing.
I think that I understand what is so unsatisfying with some of the writing of the Clans, which is the interiority of the characters. The Clans are alien - that was the red herring about them to begin with - but there is a need to re-explain that alien-ness due to how it pushes up against...well, human culture. Therefore, there is a sense of a constant need to explain the meaning of what is going on in someone's mind, and it results in an enormous wall of abstraction.
Anyway, the main event is relegated to the last chapter and insufficiently detailed, I do not understand really what Diana is supposed to be, and the author seems to treat Elementals as sub-humans.
I think that I understand what is so unsatisfying with some of the writing of the Clans, which is the interiority of the characters. The Clans are alien - that was the red herring about them to begin with - but there is a need to re-explain that alien-ness due to how it pushes up against...well, human culture. Therefore, there is a sense of a constant need to explain the meaning of what is going on in someone's mind, and it results in an enormous wall of abstraction.
Anyway, the main event is relegated to the last chapter and insufficiently detailed, I do not understand really what Diana is supposed to be, and the author seems to treat Elementals as sub-humans.
September 25, 2024
Aidan Pryde takes over a disgraced unit and leads them into battle.
The end of the trilogy about a warrior moving up the ranks, this book was mostly action and some inner clan dynamics. The world building was interesting enough, but I think it would be more impactful for players of the game. Overall a scene military sci-fi series.
The end of the trilogy about a warrior moving up the ranks, this book was mostly action and some inner clan dynamics. The world building was interesting enough, but I think it would be more impactful for players of the game. Overall a scene military sci-fi series.
August 1, 2019
Classic Battletech. I love this book and the clanner storyline.
November 18, 2021
More action and less story in this one.
May 21, 2018
I honestly don't remember a ton about these books. At the time (back in Middle School) we were playing Battletech regularly and these stories fleshed out a bit of the world beyond the paper maps and plastic mechs.
A mix of military novel, samurai tale, and twisting political narrative with betrayals and intrigues.
I'll add them to my ever growing "To-reread" list to hopefully give them a more thorough review.
A mix of military novel, samurai tale, and twisting political narrative with betrayals and intrigues.
I'll add them to my ever growing "To-reread" list to hopefully give them a more thorough review.
February 24, 2023
Meh. I'll take it.
April 18, 2013
Falcon Guard by Robert Thurston is the final in the Jade Phoenix trilogy. Aidan Pryde has won his Bloodname and is now a Star Colonel. The invasion of the Inner Sphere is in progress but Aidan and his unit is not on the front line because of his history. That is all about to change though.
This is a good ending to the trilogy. For those who have read the Blood of Kerensky trilogy you get to see events on Twycross and Tukayyid from a different point of view. Aidan finally matures and finds his place within the Jade Falcons.
This is a good ending to the trilogy. For those who have read the Blood of Kerensky trilogy you get to see events on Twycross and Tukayyid from a different point of view. Aidan finally matures and finds his place within the Jade Falcons.
July 29, 2014
This book wraps up the Jade Phoenix Trilogy. Aidan Pryde earned his bloodname but is still shunned by much of the Jade Falcon Clan. He is relegated to command of a low level group of mechwarriors doing mostly guard duty and not a front line command. Finally he gets his chance during the Clan invasion of the inner sphere. Huge battlemech battles in this book and a satisfying ending to the trilogy. I don't know which Trilogy I like more, this one or the The Saga of the Gray Death Legion. You decide!
September 27, 2014
My first venture into fiction set in the Battletech universe. Surprisingly good. A good mix of insight into the inner-workings of the Clan and ComStar factions. Some fun scenes detailing the practicalities of fights involving 100-ton mechs, with a good mix of brilliant tactics, cool weapons, and individual heroics. Star Colonel Aidan Pryde's standing improves, and his daughter Diana is introduced, along with the history of her conception. A quick, fun read.
January 5, 2017
The final book of the Jade Phoenix trilogy sees Aidan Pryde heading out to Twycross as the Clans invasion of the Inner Sphere gets under way.
Lots of mech action, and a good cast of characters make this the best book in the trilogy.
Lots of mech action, and a good cast of characters make this the best book in the trilogy.
July 20, 2021
Now Aidan Pryde, Aidan works to not only clear the taint on his name, but to also clear the taint on the Falcon Guard from Twycross. This is the battle of Tukayyid from the Jade Falcon's Point of View. Book 3 of the Jade Phoenix trilogy, and book 15 of the BattleTech Series.
July 31, 2020
Some threads took forever to resolve. The Battle of Tukyyad from the Jade Falcon perspective was worth it.
March 25, 2016
Conclusion of the Jade Phoenix trilogy. Entertaining and a fitting end to the saga, but still suffers from some tedious battle sequences.
September 24, 2016
Not nearly as engrossing as the first two, but the logical conclusion to the Saga of Aidan Pryde. I'm pleased with the overall arc, and I'll keep going with the BT universe.
October 17, 2012
I love the jade falcons :)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews