Ghost War (Mechwarrior: Dark Age #1) [Paperback]

Michael A. Stackpole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 3, 2002

Sam Donelly is the best LumberMech jockey on the planet, wielding his fifteen-foot chainsaw with the skill of a surgeon. But if Sam's true identity is discovered, he won't be just another rebel recruit-he'll be an all-out Republic-wrecker.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Roc (December 3, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451459059
• ISBN-13: 978-0451459053
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,006,527 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael A. Stackpole is the New York Times bestselling author of over 40 novels, including I, Jedi and Rogue Squadron. He's won awards in the realms of podcasting, game designer, computer game design, screenwriting, editing, graphic novel writing and novel writing. He lives in Arizona and frequently travels the United States attending conventions and teaching writing workshops. His website is www.stormwolf.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vintage Stackpole - but different from "usual" Battletech, January 14, 2003

By 

DHONDT Ann (my wife) (Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ghost War (Mechwarrior: Dark Age #1) (Paperback)

For those who've read a lot of books by Michael Stackpole, they will be pleased to see him go back to a first person narrative and a brash, active, go-for-it type of hero (easily compaired to Wolfgang Kies). For those who've read tons of Battletech-novels, this one might seem very different from Stackpole's other books in the series. There are hints of the larger picture in this universe, the so-called center-thread Stackpole used to "own" before ... but the events are not of the same magnitude: the plot is about single planets (perhaps indicative of the communications problems that define this new era) instead of star-spanning realms or even the whole Inner Sphere. Then again, as it was probably intended, it is a good jumping-on point for new readers (new players of the new game) with only minimal referals to all that happened a century before.
My only real "beef" with the book, is that 95 % of the story could just as easily have been set in another story- or game-universe (heck, it would've been a good Wolf & Raven story) ... with only a few Mech-battles thrown in.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stackpole's Return to Mechwarrior Is Fulfilled, November 23, 2002

By 

D. Konig "NYCWD" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ghost War (Mechwarrior: Dark Age #1) (Paperback)

Oh how death does walk again... Stackpole's maiden novel in the new Mechwarrior Dark Age Era is, in my honest opinion, the fourth best book in the entire Battletech/Mechwarrior series (the first three being the Blood of Kerensky Trilogy, also by him). Although written in the first person, a new point of view for the series, Sam Lubin is compelling as a mech jockey for hire w/ a penchalant for bad luck and the narrator of the story... his story. The character of Mason Dunne provides an anti-Sam, and Janella Lakewood rounds out the compilation with both a strong authority, and a soft tenderness only a Knight-Errant could provide. The opposition of course is not only portrayed as ruthless, cunning, and abominable... but also beautiful and attractive in this time of crisis. Their true identity is of course part of the guessing game that draws you into the book. The energy Stackpole spends here is not wasted... he does not give Lubin the invincible Victor trait he has been highly criticized for. In fact, it literally looks as if Victor is on his last legs... but his legacy is already present to carry on for him. While much has been revealed, there is still much to be revealed but this is as good a start as anyone could ask for. This is a book for everyone... for old CBTers this is a good way to look at the new era... for new MWDAers this is a bold entry into their new world... and for people who just like a good story with intrigue this is the book for you... or someone you like.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent Stackpole product, December 10, 2002

By 

G. Swift "97jedi" (Southwestern Missouri) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ghost War (Mechwarrior: Dark Age #1) (Paperback)

Welcome to the Dark Age, courtesy of Michael Stackpole. After a leap of several decades into the future from the last Battletech novel, things have changed far more, perhaps, than during the entire succession wars period. Nearly all the familiar characters from the past are dead, leaving only a very limited tie to the past; in fact there is really only one returning character from the old days.

Humanity is still fractured with regards to any single galactic government, but there has been an inroad to peace, if only in a limited region of space. Unfortunately, though this new principality has been around for a while, it is not so secure as its residents might hope. The initiation of the Dark Age concept actually occurs several months before the book begins, with the centuries-old, high-speed interstellar communications network being sabotaged by unknown conspirators. This has forced all the interdependent worlds to begin fending for themselves for the first time in a long time. The results are frightening, with power being seized by very unsavory individuals.

Writing in the first person, a first for any of the Battletech/Mechwarrior series, Stackpole shows the same brilliant prose and excellent action and intrigue that his readers have come to expect from him. While the game line might not appeal to all the old fans, I think that the new storyline will. Except for a few re-drawn political lines, the universe is still recognizable. And for new readers to the game universe, Stackpole does a good job in bringing the reader up to speed on the past 60+ years of the Inner Sphere. I highly recommend this book.