BattleTech: Iron Dawn

BattleTech Universe #YA2

by Jennifer Brozek

GHOSTS IN THE DARK…

Jasper and Nadine Roux are cadets at the Ritza MechWarrior Academy; a dream come true for the orphaned siblings from the war-torn planet of Hoff. For the last six years, Emporia has been their home. Sponsored to the academy by the powerful Vogel House, both cadets are expected to excel in all tasks.

Their dream becomes a nightmare when the Draconis Combine lands at their door.

It’s up to the siblings to stop a renegade Seventh Ghost Regiment warlord when he lays claim to a piece of the Inner Sphere—starting with the Federated Suns’ planet of Emporia. The border world looks like easy prey, but this warrior of the Dragon is about to learn how wrong he is. After the few MechWarriors on the planet are taken hostage, the Sponsored and Blooded cadets of the Ritza Academy fight like they have nothing left to lose.

It’s a fight that will cost them more than they know.

Genres: Science Fiction

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2019

About the author

Jennifer Brozek is a multi-talented, award-winning author, editor, and media tie-in writer. She is the author of the Never Let Me Sleep, and The Last Days of Salton Academy, both of which were nominated for the Bram Stoker Award. Her BattleTech tie-in novel, The Nellus Academy Incident, won a Scribe Award. Her editing work has netted her Bram Stoker Award, British Fantasy Award, and Hugo Award nominations. She won the Australian Shadows Award for the Grants Pass anthology. Jennifer’s short form work has appeared in Apex Publications, Uncanny Magazine, and in anthologies set in the worlds of Valdemar, Shadowrun, V-Wars, Masters of Orion, and Predator. Jennifer is also the Creative Director of Apocalypse Ink Productions.

Jennifer has been a freelance author and editor for over ten years after leaving her high paying tech job, and she’s never been happier. She keeps a tight schedule on her writing and editing projects and somehow manages to find time to volunteer for several professional writing organizations such as SFWA, HWA, and IAMTW. She shares her husband, Jeff, with several cats and often uses him as a sounding board for her story ideas. Visit Jennifer’s worlds at jenniferbrozek.com.

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a mix of standard Battletech/ Mechwarrior fare and some YA. The YA came in with the cadet characters and there interactions. The DC scenes were standard stuff. Skipping between eras in the modern Battletech novels can be a little hard to follow. I kept wondering why they weren't going for a HPG, but I assume this is after the blackout. I also wondered why the drop ship weapons weren't in play during the raid. The story seemed like it was setup as a straightforward good guys vs bad guys. Maybe due to the YA planned audience.

[J.A. Pitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Battletech book. I love the characters and can't wait to see where Jennifer takes them next.

[Tim Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some standard 'Academy' type fare in some ways, but it's nicely done, and the Mech battle scenes work rather well also.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next one.

[J.P. Second · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story different view point intend to buy the rest of trilogy

[Spire Metro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me.

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this is an interesting fusion of YA with a standard Battletech book, which is something new, to be sure. I'm just not entirely convinced these two things meshed.