Customer Reviews

Battletech # 53: Call of Duty

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Back when Micheal A. Stackpole wrote the warrior series, he created a storyline for, then FASA, for Battletech. That outline ended with the civil war in the Federated Commonwealth. This book continues with the struggle of the Commonwealth to resolve the civil war, but there are hints that Katherine is losing her grip over the realm that she stole.

That by itself was good info. The question is what is the future of the Inner Sphere? Should Victor win the civil war, will the commonwealth heal to his commands? What of his affair with Omi? Not to mention the St. Ives Compact and the Choas March.

What makes this series such a wonderfull set is that it always makes you wonder what is around the corner. What will the Clans do now that the Inner Sphere has recreated the Star League? Will the Star League continue to stand after the civil war? And what about Marik? They have been chilling out this whole time with a ruler who is an imposter.

See what I mean. Always more questions.

If you like stories with plenty of action and characters that you can get into and love this is the series for you. Enjoy.

This story continues the exploits of Archers Avengers. The Avengers are ordered to the planet Odessa in order to convince Snord's Irregulars not to renew their contract with Katrina Steiner in the hopes of helping Victor regain control of the splintered FedCom. The storyline is predictable and Archer reminds me of the characters from the old BTech novel Ideal War with the introduction of the Knights of the Inner Sphere. We continue to see the growing conflict within the FedCom, but the last few BTech novels seem mostly filler rather than introducing pertinent elements into this storyline. Hopefully, we'll see some more plot development in the next few novels as it appears that the civil war storyline is winding down. Overall, a good read, but nothing too heavy. As always, I recommend some of the earlier Michael Stackpole novels for background of the FedCom

So, the story of Archer Christifori goes on. After a few fights against Katherines forces in the Skye March, he gets a new mission from Victor: His Regiment has to go to Odessa, home of his sisters murder. There he should sign a contract with one of the best mercenary units of know space, Snord's Irregulars. But he does not know that also Katherine and Count Nicholas Fisk of Odessa want the Irregulars to fight for them.
The Book was solid, a quite normal Battletechnovel. A little bit politicen and lots of great fights. And still the Question: How will win this civil war? Read the rest of our Battletech history:
Initiation to War - Robert Charrette
The Dying Time - By Thomas Gressman (dealing with the situation on Hesperus)
Imminent Crisis - By Randall Bills (dealing with situations on New Syrtis)
Storms of Fate - By Loren Coleman
Operation Audacity - By Blaine Pardoe
End Game - By Loren Coleman (Due Sept '02) (Ends the current timeline in 3067)

The book was in better condition than described. I have purchased many used books from Amazon and this was the best one yet.

While the trend for BattleTech books seems to be "get as much fighting crammed into as small a space as possible" Mr. Pardoe is able to tell a great story that has both battles and personal stories. I was a little apprehensive when I began reading that this novel would turn out like Gressman's "Dagger Point" in that it would be too long in the beginning and middle, too short at the end, and leave you scratching your head as to what the whole point of the story was about.
Not here. Mr. Pardoe is an inspiring author and his continuation of Archer Christifori's battle against Archon Princess Katherine is much appreciated. If you have'nt read "Measure of a Hero" yet, please read it first and then give this novel a go.

This book is also my favorite book in the Battletech serises. I would love to own all of the Classic Battletech books. People should really read this book, Call of Duty.

Call of Duty is one of the best battletech books I have and probably will ever read. Pardoe is an execellent writer. General Archer Chistrifori has been assigned by Victor Davion to go to the planet Odessa and recruit the merc unit Snord's Irregulars from the Loyalist Count Fisk's control. But as things progress but Archer's Avengers and Snord's Irregulars are closer than they think to total destruction

Call of Duty, by Blaine Lee Pardoe, is my personal favorite Battletech book, which surprised me, because, as far as Battletech novels are concerned, I have always preferred Stackpole to Pardoe.
This is a very exciting book, and it is never certain what is exactly going on.
Victor Davion has ordered Archer Christofi and his Archer's Avengers to Odessa, to try and sway the famous merc group Snord's Irregulars, led by Rhonda Snord, over to Victor's side against Katrina Steiner-Davion and her Lyran Alliance. However, the ruling party, in association with Katrina (who is my LEAST favorite battletech character) have prepared for the occasion. When the Irregulars do not protect Odessa willingly, the Duke of Odessa will do whatever he can to draw them into the fight.
I would highly reccommend this book to any Battletech fan, whether newbie or veteran.

This is an up in your face book.It is 1 of my favorites out of the many battletech and mechwarrior books.The Whole book is action packed.I read it again and again.

Overall the book is great, with continuity from measure of a hero. One thing that doesn't match up are the dates, measure of a hero concludes in early feb,3063 in the book, but call of duty starts only a few days later (11,feb,3063) on odessa and the author mentions that archer has been there for the pass three weeks. The word count limit is also really killing the stories