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BattleTech Universe
BattleTech: Honor's Gauntlet
A TEST OF LOYALTY…
Clan Jade Falcon’s war efforts draw closer to Terra, but to conquer this ultimate prize, the Falcons’ vicious Khan, Malvina Hazen, must be able to trust all of her warriors to carry out her commands without hesitation—no matter how much death or collateral damage they will cause. For Malvina, victory is the only thing that matters, and those who stand in her way suffer swift and brutal elimination.
Star Captain Archer Pryde is an unconventional Falcon MechWarrior who chafes at carrying out his Khan’s terror tactics, but he delivers results in combat, so Malvina has turned a blind eye to his beliefs so far. But when civilians on a conquered world revolt against their Clan masters, innocents are caught in the Falcons’ crosshairs. Archer and his fellow MechWarriors must prove their mettle to Star Colonel Nikita Malthus, the Khan’s vindictive advisor, by carrying out their scorched-earth orders to the letter. But are these orders a betrayal of what it means to be a true and honorable Jade Falcon? With both his loyalty and honor in question, Archer must run the gauntlet between duty and principles, or risk his own destruction.
Clan Jade Falcon’s war efforts draw closer to Terra, but to conquer this ultimate prize, the Falcons’ vicious Khan, Malvina Hazen, must be able to trust all of her warriors to carry out her commands without hesitation—no matter how much death or collateral damage they will cause. For Malvina, victory is the only thing that matters, and those who stand in her way suffer swift and brutal elimination.
Star Captain Archer Pryde is an unconventional Falcon MechWarrior who chafes at carrying out his Khan’s terror tactics, but he delivers results in combat, so Malvina has turned a blind eye to his beliefs so far. But when civilians on a conquered world revolt against their Clan masters, innocents are caught in the Falcons’ crosshairs. Archer and his fellow MechWarriors must prove their mettle to Star Colonel Nikita Malthus, the Khan’s vindictive advisor, by carrying out their scorched-earth orders to the letter. But are these orders a betrayal of what it means to be a true and honorable Jade Falcon? With both his loyalty and honor in question, Archer must run the gauntlet between duty and principles, or risk his own destruction.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2020
24 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Young
121 books157 followersBryan Young (he/they) works across many different media. His work as a writer and producer has been called "filmmaking gold" by The New York Times. He's also published comic books with Slave Labor Graphics and Image Comics. He's been a regular contributor for the Huffington Post, StarWars.com, Star Wars Insider magazine, SYFY, /Film, and was the founder and editor in chief of the geek news and review site Big Shiny Robot! In 2014, he wrote the critically acclaimed history book, A Children’s Illustrated History of Presidential Assassination. He co-authored Robotech: The Macross Saga RPG and has written five books in the BattleTech Universe: Honor's Gauntlet, A Question of Survival, Fox Tales, Without Question, and the forthcoming VoidBreaker. His latest non-fiction tie-in book, The Big Bang Theory Book of Lists is a #1 Bestseller on Amazon. His work has won two Diamond Quill awards and in 2023 he was named Writer of the Year by the League of Utah Writers. He teaches writing for Writer’s Digest, Script Magazine, and at the University of Utah. Follow him across social media @swankmotron or visit swankmotron.com.
Support Bryan on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/swankmotron
Support Bryan on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/swankmotron
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 13, 2020
I’m so glad I took a chance on this book! I’m new to the Battletech world and am not a gamer. However, I caught on quickly and thoroughly enjoyed the ride which felt like Pacific Rim set in space instead of on Earth, with no background of the world needed. Highly recommended for any fans of sci-fi. A quick read that left me anxiously awaiting the next installment.
July 28, 2022
First of all Honor‘s Gauntlet only is an optional book to read before heading to the epic conclusion of the dark age as it doesn‘t advance the main timeline.
However, if you are interested in getting further insights into Malvina Hazen‘s Mongol Doctrine and how it shapes Clan Jade Falcon, this book is a must read!
And it is written very compellingly - it always kept me wanting to read more!
However, if you are interested in getting further insights into Malvina Hazen‘s Mongol Doctrine and how it shapes Clan Jade Falcon, this book is a must read!
And it is written very compellingly - it always kept me wanting to read more!
September 13, 2020
This book continues the Dark Age storyline started in the Mech Warrior Dark Age series which was a continuation of the classic Battletech series. The Mech Warrior Dark Age series consisted of thirty books published by WizKids and ROC. This book is published by Catalyst Game Labs and Topps. The books in this series, like the books in the original Battletech series and the Mech Warrior Dark Age series, are by various authors. This one is by Bryan Young.
In this one Clan Jade falcon lead by Khan Malvina Hazen continue on their path to attack Terra and make Clan Jade falcon the ilClan and make Malvina Hazen the ilKhan. She sends Star Captain Archer Pryde to subdue the planet Seginus so the Falcons can use its resources in their war effort. She doubts that the Star Captain is ruthless enough to employ her Mongol Doctrine against the planet however so she also sends Star Colonel Nikita Malthus to see that the planet and it's population are subdued in the most brutal possible fashion. Star Captain Archer Pryde will have a very fine line to walk between his duty to Khan Malvina Hazen and his honor as a Jade Falcon.
In this one Clan Jade falcon lead by Khan Malvina Hazen continue on their path to attack Terra and make Clan Jade falcon the ilClan and make Malvina Hazen the ilKhan. She sends Star Captain Archer Pryde to subdue the planet Seginus so the Falcons can use its resources in their war effort. She doubts that the Star Captain is ruthless enough to employ her Mongol Doctrine against the planet however so she also sends Star Colonel Nikita Malthus to see that the planet and it's population are subdued in the most brutal possible fashion. Star Captain Archer Pryde will have a very fine line to walk between his duty to Khan Malvina Hazen and his honor as a Jade Falcon.
August 15, 2020
Honor’s Gauntlet skillfully balances political machinations, moral introspection, and blowing stuff up with a well-mixed grab bag of mechanical killing machines. The very first scene will assure you that Young knows how to handle action. His battle scenes are dynamic and high-octane. There is a real sense of danger, even as we assume (hope) that Pryde will win the day. Perhaps more impressive, though, is the slow-winding tension of intra-Clan politics. There are, admittedly, fewer explosions, but just as much danger. Maybe more. Inside his ‘Mech, at least he has armor.
Young could have stopped there. He could have delivered a book filled with clashing philosophies and smashing technologies, and readers would have walked away happy. Smash. Think. Smash. It’s a good story sandwich. You eat that and you’re satisfied. But he didn’t stop there. There’s a secret sauce, something subtle, something you don’t notice sneaking up on you until it hits you in the mouth. A final bite of story so good it makes you realize you didn’t fully appreciate the sandwhich you were reading until… listen, this analogy has gone a little off the rails. Still, the point remains.
Honor’s Gauntlet delivers on everything you expect from good, fun science fiction. But it isn’t paint-by-numbers. It’s smarter than that. If you’re familiar with the world of BattleTech, there’s plenty here to enjoy and you’ll be delighted with the story Young tells and the groundwork he lays for whatever comes next. For my part, I had never read a BattleTech book before, never played the games or watched the cartoon. I went into this novel with a certain amount of anxiety that I wouldn’t be able to follow it. I needn’t have worried. If you’re uninitiated, you’ll find this book to be accessible, with world building layered in, in ways which allows it to be understood in context and will leave you wanting to know more about the characters and the worlds they inhabit.
Young could have stopped there. He could have delivered a book filled with clashing philosophies and smashing technologies, and readers would have walked away happy. Smash. Think. Smash. It’s a good story sandwich. You eat that and you’re satisfied. But he didn’t stop there. There’s a secret sauce, something subtle, something you don’t notice sneaking up on you until it hits you in the mouth. A final bite of story so good it makes you realize you didn’t fully appreciate the sandwhich you were reading until… listen, this analogy has gone a little off the rails. Still, the point remains.
Honor’s Gauntlet delivers on everything you expect from good, fun science fiction. But it isn’t paint-by-numbers. It’s smarter than that. If you’re familiar with the world of BattleTech, there’s plenty here to enjoy and you’ll be delighted with the story Young tells and the groundwork he lays for whatever comes next. For my part, I had never read a BattleTech book before, never played the games or watched the cartoon. I went into this novel with a certain amount of anxiety that I wouldn’t be able to follow it. I needn’t have worried. If you’re uninitiated, you’ll find this book to be accessible, with world building layered in, in ways which allows it to be understood in context and will leave you wanting to know more about the characters and the worlds they inhabit.
January 31, 2021
Honor’s Gauntlet is a fun read. I went through the book quickly as I found myself pulled forward with the pacing and anticipation of what would happen next. There are battle scenes, which are expected, along with strong sections of character and world building. I got to know the places and people I was introduced to, even as they were being destroyed underfoot by the ‘Mechs facing off against each other.
Honor, and how it can have different meanings, was a solid underlayment to the story from beginning to end. This provides a solid framework for what Young presents.
I enjoyed BattleTech: Honor’s Gauntlet, as it reintroduced me to the BattleTech universe and what is most likely contained in the newly released edition of the RPG. I know I will be adding more of the BattleTech books to my reading list.
I recommend BattleTech: Honor’s Gauntlet to existing fans of the clans and to those readers who are wondering what the BattleTech universe feels like. This is a good representation of what I remember from over thirty years ago. I would also recommend Honor’s Gauntlet to readers of other military sci-fi. I don’t think it is as heavy into the military aspects but provides the intrigue that is present behind the scenes and in the chain of command that has to be dealt with when the battles aren’t raging.
You can read the full review at
https://guildmastergaming.blogspot.co...
Honor, and how it can have different meanings, was a solid underlayment to the story from beginning to end. This provides a solid framework for what Young presents.
I enjoyed BattleTech: Honor’s Gauntlet, as it reintroduced me to the BattleTech universe and what is most likely contained in the newly released edition of the RPG. I know I will be adding more of the BattleTech books to my reading list.
I recommend BattleTech: Honor’s Gauntlet to existing fans of the clans and to those readers who are wondering what the BattleTech universe feels like. This is a good representation of what I remember from over thirty years ago. I would also recommend Honor’s Gauntlet to readers of other military sci-fi. I don’t think it is as heavy into the military aspects but provides the intrigue that is present behind the scenes and in the chain of command that has to be dealt with when the battles aren’t raging.
You can read the full review at
https://guildmastergaming.blogspot.co...
August 27, 2022
As someone completely new to the Battletech universe, HONOR’S GAUNTLET was an excellent entry point that puts the reader at a pivotal moment just before everything changes for Clan Jade Falcon and the Battletech universe as a whole. Bryan Young presents us with characters that are deeply flawed and ethically questionable but still feel complex and sympathetic within the colonizing and planet-stomping system they work in. I loved the ethical complexity of this short book and the battle mechanics and found family dynamics in Clan Jade Falcon, along with the way characters try to do what they think is right within a system that allows for little in ways of moral gray zones definitely kept me hooked. I’m looking forward to what Bryan Young does next!
September 21, 2022
My re-introduction to Battletech novels after many years and Young has done an incredible job in following the tradition of high-quality writing that is a hallmark of the BT books.
Brisk, flavourful and packing a punch, Honor's Gauntlet drags the reader kicking and screaming out of the Dark Age and into the ilClan era, a perfect reuniting with the series for an old mechwarrior like myself.
Brisk, flavourful and packing a punch, Honor's Gauntlet drags the reader kicking and screaming out of the Dark Age and into the ilClan era, a perfect reuniting with the series for an old mechwarrior like myself.
August 8, 2022
It's fine, though still runs into the problem of not really being able to square the spectacular cartoon villain stupidity of the Mongol doctrine.
December 17, 2023
Quick, fun read focusing on Jade Falcons.
April 8, 2025
An in-depth look at Jade Falcon culture prior to the invasion of Terra.
I highly recommend reading this novella before Hour of the Wolf.
I highly recommend reading this novella before Hour of the Wolf.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews