Customer Reviews

The Dying Time (Mechwarrior, No. 5)

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

 

 

If Thomas Gressman had written this about some little known mercenary unit I wouldn't have minded. A dedicated and long term follower of the Gray Death Legion, I expected Caryl Grayson to die after more than forty years of his tough life style.

Once again Skye separatists attack the Gray Death Legion, this time with outside support, where they manage to systematically eradicate the entire unit including Lori Caryle and all the supporting officers and staff.

The battle scenes are well done but relay too much on aging equipment. In addition, the Gray Death Legion fails to show the tactical high-risk innovation we've some to expect from this band of heroes.

In the end only Alex remains with fewer connections, equipment, or tenacity than his father was left with on Trell after his Grandfather died.

I'd give the story 3 stars, but the meaningless death of this most celebrated unit weakens the entire Battle Tech Series and leaves me hollow.

***Spoiler***

Perhaps the best combat unit in the current Battletech setting, the Gray Death Legion, was focal to the story line of the whole setting by starting a technology rebirth that allowed fans of the Battletech and MechWarrior RPGs to get a whole new set of toys. I say was because this is where they meet their end. A Rather unglorius end at that. Longtime fans will be saddened by turn of events in this book. It is done in a compentent manner and with all due respect to Thomas S. Gressman he had a very daunting task to pull off, but it left me with a bitter taste, like I imagine it did most fans. Pick this up if you want to read about one of the signs of the end of the current Battletech storyline and cherish the characters you loved.

***End Spoiler***

***For Everyone Else***

Longtime fans will not like the conclusion to this book. Some longtime heros face impossible odds and they don't all come out alive. If you are a new fan, sorry about you luck. Battletech (at least the current storylune) is wrapping up with the closure of FASA Corporation and the buyout of Battletech/Mechwarrior by WizKid Games (Mage Knight anyone?). Of all the last novels, they all seem poorly done and rushed, as the best authors have went on to other projects or are working on the new Battletech Setting which will be called Mechwarrior: Dark Ages. Do yourself a favor and go back and buy all the books about the Gray Death Legion by William H. Keith Jr. You will enjoy it a lot more than the conclusion for of the settings most important set of heros.

The Gray Death Legion is summoned to protect Hesperus II and it's factories in the ongoing civil war between Victor and Katrina. When the cover blurb admits "even legends must die" it isnt a good omen for the book.
The Grey Death Legion is sacrificed one member at a time upon the altar of war, and at the books' end I wasnt sure why. Perhaps ..., to show no one is safe. The story is tight and well written, but very very depressing at the end. One can only hope that the Legion will share the fate of the phoenix and be reborn. But that doesnt even seem to be on the near horizon.
Goodnight Grey Death Legion, my first initiation to the universe of Battletech, and long time companions on the road. It wont be the same without you.

The first time I picked up a Battletech book it was Decision at Thunder Rift...where the Gray Death started. William H. Keith was the author that brought them all together, Grayson, Lori, McCall, Vargas,..all of them. Needless to say I was shocked what this bozo Gressman, did to the Gray Death. This was the first book of Gressman I've read, and probably the last.

First, Mr. Gressman's writing, I think, is very good. It seemed like he was issued marching orders by Whizkids, to just kill off the Legion. They all seemed to die so pointlessly, and had none of the tactical flair that they showed in the past.

I think this is the first step in ending ties to the classic battletech game. I imagine we'll be seeing other famous units and people killed off before the new version of the game is launched, and the stories which will accompany it.

I knew going in that it was a different author than William H Keith Jr or even Andrew Keith. Thomas Gressman has done some other good books so I knew he'd make another one. The story itself is pretty good although at times very depressing. The focus of the book shifts to a different character from the older books, not to mention continuity out the wazoo.

Only problem I had with the book was that it had a pretty depressing ending although those looking for a change of pace will like that part.