Once the founding capital and a vital planet in the Lyran Commonwealth, Arcturus has been held by the Clans for more than two decades, most recently by the Jade Falcons. But when the Falcons suddenly abandon the planet in early 3151, Arcturus is left to fend for itself, with no support from Archon Trillian Steiner or former-Commonwealth worlds.
For Hauptmann-General Sarah Regis, commander of the Twenty-Sixth Arcturan Guards, returning home means a chance to free Arcturus from Clan control. However, the planet is not the same one she remembers. Instead, she finds a weary population fractured by internal strife, starvation, and the remnants of Jade Falcon cruelty.
To save Arcturus from itself, Sarah must forge a new path forward, one that offers her people something they haven't known in many hope. But many wish to see her fail, and the space around Arcturus teems with predators seeking to destroy everything she has fought for. Sarah’s last hope to move Arcturus into a brighter future may actually lie in its past…if she can stay alive long enough to make it happen…
So, here we are with another novel of the ilClan era, set in the Hinterlands, this time focusing on the creation of the new Tamar Pact. It moves between a large enough cast, a mix of soon-to-be former LCAF soldiers and nobles and politicians on Arcturus as Sarah Regis takes her RCT rogue and realises that the best way to protect Arcturus is to form a new nation rather than try and re-integrate into the Lyran Commonwealth.
Like many BattleTech novels, the book revolves around the axes of soldiers doing their jobs and political machinations that serve to support or hinder them. In this case the primary antagonists are a pair of nobles who plot against the government and a bloodthirsty Jade Falcon they've allied with, and their plans work away behind the scenes as the new Tamar Jaegers are securing nearby worlds and such. It's a very straightforward plot, more interested in setting up complications for the sequel novels than being complex in and of itself.
Which isn't to say the book is bad, of course. It's enjoyable and has some great moments in there, the relationship between Krit Siripsota and Rebecca is probably my highlight, there's some decent action sequences and it adds more depth to the events of the Tamar Rising sourcebook. I'm definitely looking forward to more stories in this corner of the Inner Sphere
The Tamar Pact is easily shaping up to be one of the most interesting parts of the now-ilClan era Battletech universe. A contested borderland with intermixed cultures, nefarious political players, and plenty of battles to be had. This novel is a perfect companion piece to the Tamar Rising sourcebook and essential reading to know how the lore is shaping up. Reed ain't Stackpole (yet), nor is he Thurston or Charnette. However, he is a solid BT author and definitely works through some great characters. (Shoutout to Kris Sirisposa and former CJF Cadet Rebecca). I hope we get more to advance the plot in this corner of the Inner Sphere!
The title is spot on for the themes of Treason to the state that has given you everything but duty to your home. The story does glamorize a military coup, but I think difficult situations do come up in Battletech fiction often and get passed over. I also realize I didn’t enjoy another story when started to sink into self realization on a related unsavory topic. The action was great. It included multi world campaigns and progression of developments in the universe. This really seems like more of a return to classic Battletech fiction.
This is another great story about the re- founding of the Tamar Pact with some very interesting characters in the mix and you will be wondering where this will lead into the new ilclan era.