I Am Jade Falcon (Battletech 17) (Bk. 17) [Mass Market Paperback]

Robert Thurston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1995

Star Commander Joanna fights to recapture the glory of her victory at Tukkayid, but her age could work against her and she wonders if the status of Jade Falcon will prove enough for her to overcome the legendary Black Widow in a repeat battle.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Roc (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451453808
• ISBN-13: 978-0451453808
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #373,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gotta love Star Commander Joanna, January 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I Am Jade Falcon (Battletech 17) (Bk. 17) (Mass Market Paperback)

Star Commander Joanna is back! That "loveable" character from the Jade Phoenix Trilogy again graces the Battletech universe with her disdain for authority and bitter cynicism. This time, she has to become a spy in order to unravel a puzzle that could threaten the Clans breeding system. Top that off with a one on one fight with the legendary Natasha Kerensky of the Wolves, and you've got a great book.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I think it was the best book I've ever read, April 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I Am Jade Falcon (Battletech 17) (Bk. 17) (Mass Market Paperback)

I thihnk the battle between Star Commander Johanna and the infamous Khan of the Wolves Natasha Kerensky was excellent. I loved the book, although I wish the battle ended the the opposite person as its victor. My best friend would love to read the book, for I've told her how great I think it was. And I think the people who read this and really liked this book should bring it back through petitions and popular demand!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Indomitable human spirit, passionate warriors, February 3, 2005

By 

Zachary Zelmar (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Am Jade Falcon (Battletech 17) (Bk. 17) (Mass Market Paperback)

I really liked the Legend of the Jade Phoenix trilogy. In this sequel, Thurston continues to flesh out the Jade Falcon clan. This is a great book, though I found it a little weaker than the original trilogy, which had a more focused plot and atmosphere.

Now that Aidan Pryde has met a heroic death, Joanna takes center stage. Joanna was always a wonderful character and she deserves more attention. She has an unconquerable spirit. Despite being - if I recall - in her 30s, incredibly fit, and a seasoned fighter, her clan considers her old and weak, unfit for honorable duty. They consider her contemptible for even being alive, as a true warrior should have died in battle by now. She is almost universally hated and despised. Of course, Joanna never worries about how others perceive her. She returns their hatred in greater measure. She hates her commanders, authority in general, the younger Falcon generation, the Wolves, the other Clans, and the Inner Sphere. She hates her lack of a bloodname, she hates the shame she holds after Twycross, she hates witnessing affectionate feelings, she hates her age, and she hates her miserable future. Her hatred is so strong that it is something pure. It allows her to win against daunting odds. Her pride and stubbornness are unmatched, and she never admits weakness. Joanna will take cheap, underhanded attacks in order to win.

Joanna is now the Old Guard, a proud Falcon watching her clan deteriorate. Her new commander is frail and refuses her challenges for trials. Young warriors show romantic attachment to each other. They chant, "Praise Aidan Pryde," in a ritualistic fashion. The scientist caste is defying the warrior caste. Joanna remains a purist, raging against the changes occurring around her.

This passage reveals a lot about Joanna's personality:

Diana: "Stop it, Joanna. You are spooking me. You will not die. You will go on forever. Mean people do."
Joanna: "Yes, I am mean and I hear that it is the miserable fate of mean people to die in bed."

Joanna has two friends, though she would never admit it. Like Joanna, they are pariahs among the Falcons. Diana is mildly interesting. Horse has a great cynical dry humor, is diversely educated in the midst of narrow-minded warriors, and is an unappreciated warrior.

Pay attention to Star Colonel Ravill Pryde. He is a short, frail warrior who refuses challenges, tries to win the admiration of his troops, borrows from Aidan's glory, uses devious tactics, and relies more on wits than warrior rage; by Joanna's standards, he is a deviant Falcon, yet he is amazingly successful. He is dislikable and admirable at the same time.

All four of these characters reveal something about Aidan Pryde, who left behind a legendary legacy.

The writing quality, while solid, has declined after the Jade Phoenix trilogy. For instance, observe these weak insults:
Joanna: "Castilla."
Castilla: "My name is ugly in your mouth."
Joanna: "Your mouth is ugly."
...
Castilla: "Your breath is foul."

Also, parts of the story proved weak. Joanna is asked to solve a mystery, and she uncovers secrets with ridiculous alacrity and ease.

Some readers complained about the ending. I believe it works very well; consider Joanna's spirit and methods.

I recommend I Am Jade Falcon for any Battletech fan. It features indomitable human spirit, refusal to accept mediocrity, fierce competitiveness, and stubborn pride.

-Zach Zelmar