Customer Reviews

Battletech #48:: Measure of a Hero

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Okay....strap in, turn off the phone, the tv, and get set for the ride of your life! The Davion/Steiner bloodfeud erupts full force. Caught in the middle is a hero of the clan war, Archer Christifori, who becomes leader of the rebellion on the planet Thorin. News snippets in the front of each chapter give hints about what is happening in the Inner Sphere, looks like bad news for the Lyran Alliance and the Federated Suns, but good news for us!
This is the first book in this series in a long time that I have been seriously amped about after setting it down. Way to go Mr. Pardoe, come back soon!

At first I thought this book would be another "localized" story about specific people and events. Little did I know that the book slowly explodes from Archer Christifori (did I spell that right?) and his rise as a hero for Thorin, to being part of a chain of events which may spell the end of relative peace in the Inner Sphere once more. The news clippings are an excellent "appetizer" to events happening outside of the main character's control.

This book is indeed refreshing compared to the down-and-dirty Cappellan grudge-match stories. Those books really showed how unglamorous and complicated the St. Ives war was. This book sets the tone for the unsettling times ahead. You end the book worried but energized, will the Federated Commonwealth survive? The long awaited answer to the whole Katherine Steiner sham is about to be revealed.

Finally through this book i got a first hand look at the future of battletech.....yes!!! This book is good although it is not nearly as good as Pardo's book on the northwind highlanders.....but i do like the main character...archer. i don't want to tell u too much, but suffice to say this is the book battletech fan are waiting for....because most of us are sick of capellan confed story....we want to know about VICTOR and KAI and that damned Katherine.although this book is not about victor, but once u get through 1/3 of the book u'll know what will happend in future battletech books, and u'll hate Katherine more than u hate her before. Pardo did good with this book. i like the news report at the beginning of every chapter. and it is through the news...most of us learned the later plot of the battletech universe and action else where in the inner sphere...let's just say this book is the quiet wind for the big storm that will come later.

I loved it. I too was tired of the Capellan stuff.

I won't give away the book either, but, the fighting was good and the book even pulled of a nice little suprise move toward the end.

What I really like is that, unlike some other BT books, the enemy commander(the 15th Arcturan Guard's Colonel) was NOT an evil, overreaching idiot, but an Honorable man stuck in a bad situation.

And I liked the sneak peeks into the future of BT provided in the little 'news clips' at the beginning of each Chapter. I can't wait to see Kathrine get what is coming to her lol.

Ever thought what would happen if a Militia-grade unit fought a front-line unit? Well, here is your answer.

Blaine Lee Pardoe brings an excellent addition to the BattleTech universe. Archer Christifori is a decorated soldier of the Clan war. Now living a peaceful life on Thorin with his sister and as the Commander of the local militia, he believes he has everything perfect. When Felix Blutcher and his unit are sent to garrison the planet on a mission to oppress the Davionist-groups growing on Thorin, things finally spike up.

Leaving the reader on edge through the whole story, by developping both sides (good and bad) in an excellent way, Blaine has delivered us the perfect book to start the Commonwealth civil war.

Generally, I liked this novel and recommend it.

As is often the case in BattleTech universe novels, the story involves poorly supplied underdogs who are forced into battling much stronger forces for a planet, federation, inner sphere, or what have you.

In this case we have two decent men who are set against each other. Archer Christifori is a retired war hero, leading a quiet little military reserve unit. Because of increasing tensions, the empress Katherine Steiner sends a military force to Archer's planet under command of a Col. Felix Blucher. These two men are essentially honorable. They start out on good terms.

However, the proverbial worm in the apple is a scheming and self-centered character named Leutenant Luther Fisk. Fisk is a subordinate officer under Blucher's command. Fisk's father is a real big-shot who is quick to run interference for his son. Col. Blucher soon finds himself unable to discipline Fisk. Fisk defies his commander, gets punished, and just calls his dad to get out of it. This happens several times. Blucher is helpless. As Fisk begins to realize he is beyond his commander's control, his behavior gets more and more reckless and violent. Soon civilians are being gunned down in the streets by Fisk's men.

Fisk's wild-card antics soon set Archer at odds with Blucher. In particular, one rash action of Fisk's results in the death of Archer's only remaining relative, his sister. This cannot be forgiven. Before long the autocannons are chewing up armor, and lasers are blazing.

You guessed it. David goes to war against Goliath. Archer with his little rag-tag military reserve unit goes up against as much larger force of regular troops. Archer's old, worn-out hand-me-down battlemechs take on the pride of the Lyran Alliance. Like a Robin Hood of the future, Archer manages through guile and craft to outsmart Col. Blucher, who comes to look like a "Sheriff of Nottingham" buffoon by the end of the book.

The book is fun, and excellently written. It is well plotted, and Mr. Pardoe is an old hand who has turned several fine BattleTech novels in the past. The story has two sequels, also, for those who enjoy this book. Go on to read the next installment, entitled "Operation Audacity."

Patrick J. Callahan

With the introduction of Archer Christifori, hero created by the clan wars, the battletech universe is given one more character that rises to the top. This book gives great insight into Archer, his friends, and his enemies. The news clippings at the chapter breaks also gives us something to compare with and can see how what happens to Archer is related throughout the Federated Commonwealth. This book is action packed and the ending might not be completely unexpected, but it still had it's own surprises.

With the introduction of Archer Christifori, hero created by the clan wars, the battletech universe is given one more character that rises to the top. This book gives great insight into Archer, his friends, and his enemies. The news clippings at the chapter breaks also gives us something to compare with and can see how what happens to Archer is related throughout the Federated Commonwealth. This book is action packed and the ending might not be completely unexpected, but it still had it's own surprises.

This book was amazing!
I made the mistake of reading "Call of Duty" first, so I was a little confused about Christifori (the main character). I was also suprised at the way Christifori treated Colonel Blucher, especialy in the end. And the ending... was AWESOME! What a move!! THIS IS A MUST READ!!!

this is simply one of Pardoes best books. It has a ton of battles, and the plot doesnt just spring up like other books.This is also the start of a civil war folks.i recomend this book to anyone willing to read it.