Mechwarrior: Dark Age #20: Trial By Chaos (A BattleTech Novel) [Paperback]

J. Steven York (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mechwarrior | Publication Date: June 6, 2006

The bestselling saga continues

The Raging Bears have begun their occupation of the planet Vega with the hope of restoring order on a planet beset by violence and civil ruin. But their bold move to stabilize Prefecture I for the Republic of the Sphere may prove to be the chance their enemies have waited for...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J. Steven York is the national best-selling author of over fifteen books and many short stories.  In his career, he's been privileged to write in such fantastic fictional universes as "Star Trek," "X-Men," "Conan the Barbarian," and "Transformers," but his favorite universes are the ones he creates himself.

   In his spare time, he creates a weekly web-comic called "Minions at Work."  He is married to fellow writer Christina F. York (who in addition to working under her own name, also writes mysteries under the names Christy Evans and Christy Fifield).  

   They live together a few blocks from the Pacific on the Oregon coast.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Roc (June 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451460723
• ISBN-13: 978-0451460721
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,233,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steve York is the national best-selling author of over a dozen books and many short stories published in anthologies, magazines, and as Kindle books. In addition to his original fiction, he's written adventures in the worlds of Star Trek, the X-Men, Conan, the Transformers, and MechWarrior.

In his spare time he produces the weekly web-comic "Minions at Work" (www.MinionsAtWork.com)

He's married to fellow-writer Christina F. York (Who also writes mystery as Christy Evans and Christy Fifield), with whom he sometimes collaborates. They live on the Oregon coast with their two cats Sydney and Oz.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well-written story..., June 15, 2006

By 

A. D. Asher (Orlando, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mechwarrior: Dark Age #20: Trial By Chaos (A BattleTech Novel) (Paperback)

There is so much that I would like to say here, but I will be brief and to the point. I have read fifty books in the Battletech series, all of the books in the previous Mechwarrior series, and all of the Mechwarrior Dark Age books.

This book is one of the best that I have read in any Battletech series. I look forward to the next one this author writes in this series.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slow start, Fantastic Finish, July 21, 2006

By 

Lee F "RangerLee" (Pa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mechwarrior: Dark Age #20: Trial By Chaos (A BattleTech Novel) (Paperback)

The only thing keeping this book from 5 stars for me is the slow start. It is very well written and Steven York does a good job in building your interest in the characters. Understanding that a bit of back history is needed to understand why the Ghost Bears Galaxy named Raging Bears are on Vegan; the beginning is slow but informative.

Midway through the book the story really picks up, and it never slows down. With a very strong finish you are left wanting to know what will happen next to this world. If you are a fan of the Mechwarrior/Battletech novels this is worth picking up.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Entry Overall, February 15, 2010

By 

The Cop Who Reads - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mechwarrior: Dark Age #20: Trial By Chaos (A BattleTech Novel) (Paperback)

This was a surprisingly solid work of fiction in an extremely unpredictable story arc concerning the quality of its authors. I've always been a fan of the Ghost Bears themselves, and their progressive adaptation in the face of changes across the Inner Sphere was well addressed throughout this novel. Solid characterization, an able grasp of the social aspects of a very liberal element in what's regarded as an already liberal clan...Mr. York definitely did his homework.

My only (albeit minor) issue with the work itself is one that's been a common theme for most of the Dark Age authors; the Mech combat. This aspect has ranged from 'completely-missed-the-mark/watched-episodes-of-Go-Bots-for-research' to 'just-a-little-funky'. There was nothing major in this novel, but there were a number of odd quirks that indicated to me that the author likely could've paid a little more attention to this aspect of his work. There were also a couple of minor pacing issues, but all and the same, these weren't heavy enough to me to detract from a full five star rating.

All in all, Mr. York has created a seriously compelling element within the Dark Age universe, which after some completely inadequate entries, could use all of said element it can get. I truly hope that this individual is retained for further work in the Battletech universe as a whole.