Customer Reviews

The Price of Glory (Battletech, No 8)

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

 

 

Okay, I'm a sucker for anything with the Gray Death Legion in it. I've always like Grayson and his band and even the totally formula routine of betrayal, overwelming odds, and final triumph, didn't ruin the fun for me. I must admit that the plot is the same basic one used in the first two books in this trilogy (Decision at Thunder Rift, and Mercenary's Star) but it contains some key elements that are fundamental to how the Inner Sphere "finds" the scientific breakthroughs brought about by Hanse Davion in later Battletech books.

The problem I have with this book is a continuity problem that leaves a hole in the plot you could fly a jumpship through. Ricol had a company of Battlemechs with him, clearly discussed when he and Grayson decide to cooperate and try to retrieve the Star League weapons cache. But in the final showdown when the Gray Death has its back to the wall, outgunned and facing a numerically superior foe, those 12 Mechs would have made all the difference in the world. But to make the final battle more "skin of the teeth" Keith reworks the plot and suddenly Ricol has no battlemechs with no explanation where they went. This error is really annoying but what can you do. Long live the Gray Death!

This book is nice, the action parts are good, but AGAIN? Once more Carlyle is betrayed, once more the Legion suffers, once more they lose their dropships, once more they face unsurmountable odds, just like in " Decision at Thunder Rift" and "Mercenary's Star".

The Gray Death Legion has just finished a year-long campaign for House Marik, but when they return home, they find their reputations destroyed. Accused of killing twelve million civilians, the Legion must prove themselves innocent of the heinous crime. Pursued by the enemy, the Legion flees. In order to survive, they must trust Grayson Death Carlyle's nemesis, Duke Hassid Ricol. The discovery of a Star League treasure raises the stakes, with the victor claiming the spoils, and the loser claiming their graves. Will the Legion survive? I found this book to be interesting, and this new chapter into the Gray Death was very informative. Unfortunately, this book was unable to win a perfect score because of a few dragging parts. This book may be a bad investment for those who have never read a Battletech novel, as there is little to no introduction about the world of 31st century combat, or the history of the wars that grip the Inner Sphere. But if you're a Battletech fan, you won't be disappointed. The interesting story, subplots, and brilliant depiction of the Gray Death will make you put this novel on a bookshelf for treasured finds. A must-read!