Customer Reviews

The Scorpion Jar (Mechwarrior: Dark Age, No. 13)

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

 

 

I am new to the BattleTech universe, but a couple of people in my Jane Austin book group recommended this title. I was hesitant, as I am not normally into Science Fiction, but once I started reading, I couldn't put the book down!

My main problem with SciFi is that character development and thematic construction are usually sacrificed in favor of technological mumbo-jumbo, frenetic action, and buxom women. I was pleasently surprised to find that Jason Hardy is able to keep the pace fast and furious, but, with great economy of words, develop characters that I really cared about. In addition, I was intrigued and, frankly, quite moved by Hardy's underlying thesis about technology's effect on interpersonal relationships vis a vis the many and exciting battles that make up this work. Also, Hardy does an excellent job of juxtaposing the violence and action with some "laugh-out-loud" humor. Hardy must have sat at the knee of some seriously funny people growing up to have learned to write like this. I would love to meet his inspiration, be it some comedian, or possibly an older brother.

My only quibble with the book is the underuse of one of the most fascinating characters, "Brigham". I felt that, were his role expanded, he had the heroic qualities to be a major protaganist, sort of an "Atticus Finch in the 25th Century".

All in all, I thought this was a fine work by one of our up and coming young writers. I would encourage everyone to read it. I am currently learning German so I can read the rest of Hardy's works.

Do you know what's wrong with the Inner Sphere of 3134? Well, Victor Steiner-Davion, ancient Paladin of the Sphere, certainly has an idea. As he prepares to break the dire news to his fellow Paladins when Exarch of the Sphere Damien Redburn calls for the election of his own successor, Victor's life of semi-retirement gets interesting once more. Unfortunately, two nightly assassins are a bit much to take on for an old warrior well past his 100st birthday. But then, Victor Steiner-Davion never really expected to die peacefully of old age anyway ...

Fans of classic BattleTech have to give credit to author Jason Hardy for not letting Victor just pass away in his sleep. Actually, the entire story is based on the question what dark secrets Victor had discovered that someone wanted him dead. And who?

Jason Hardy is a newcomer to writing BattleTech - but you won`t notice. Known perhaps for his two excellent, action-packed novels set in the Crimson Skies™-roleplaying universe, his Mechwarrior-debut couldn't have been much better - although the story doesn't allow for a lot of battlefield-action, as Paladin Jonah Levin investigates the prospect of corruption and murder at the highest levels of The Republic. But that's just fine. It's about high time to learn something about what's really going on in the The Republic, considering this is volume #13 of the Mechwarrior Dark Age series already. Of childish, petty faction leaders and their pointless bickering we have had about enough recently, thank you!

Jason Hardy's writing style and skills are fully up to the task, making The Scorpion Jar a nice change after the total failure of volume #12 „Hunters of the Deep", that really brought the series deep down, so to say. 313 pages (in finer print than usual, but also with ultra-short chapters) provide sufficient quantity. Believable characters, a storyline worth following, well-written and brief dialoge scenes and enjoyable - if rare- battle sequences make this book a page-turner. The fact that Hardy's sense of humor hits home and fits like an Atlas` foot on a scout vehicle doesn't exactly hurt, either. The layout of the story reminds me on some of Michael Stackpole's books, especially the cloak-and-dagger stuff, which takes up most of the plot. But Jason Hardy's protagonists are much less talkative than Stackpole`s, which gives the story a healthy pace. Easily one of my favorites beside #8 „Fortress of Lies" and a strong buy!

I gave up on Mechwarrior after trudging through the 1/2 dozen novels following Stackpole's "Ghost War". Two years later, I picked up where I left off with "Fortress of Lies", which I actually found to be quite good. My joy was short-lived and I died a little on the inside when I read what I believe to be the worst book in the series - "Patriot's Stand". Even though the writing got better after that atrocity, I was on the verge of giving the serie up for dead. Fortunately, "Hunter's of the Deep" caught my interest, not because it was great, but because it was different and I found it interesting, if not inconsistent with what we should expect. "The Scorpion Jar" was definitely the light at the end of the tunnel and has helped to reassert my intnerest in the Mechwarrior series. Granted, there is VERY little mech combat in this book, but it is packed full of the back-stabbing politics that made Battletech so engrossing. I would say, without reservation, that this is BY FAR the best book in the series so far and has me looking forward to what's to come (even though I see a lot of what's to come has gotten terrible reviews). Thanks, Jason Hardy, for restoring my faith in the Mechwarrior series!

First off, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My reviews of Hardy's other works have been much more somber, but I'm more than pleased to give credit where credit is due; The Scorpion Jar stacks well against past entries in the overall Battletech universe, which is an extremely rare thing in the forward and back quality of Dark Age.

First off, props to Hardy for handling Victor's situation with poise and professionalism. I'm a dyed in the wool fan of this fictional giant among men, and instead of writing him off (or simply using him as a prop in his narrative), this author addressed him with the respect he deserved. Good on ya, Jason Hardy.

Combine this with an extremely compelling protagonist, rich side characters, and a long-overdue look inside the politics and Paladins of the Republic, and you have yourself a recipe for success. Each individual in this prestigious council is given a distinct voice, and while some were emphasized more than others, none felt like a prop to me; tough thing to pull off, and again, well done.

Although this novel still warrants a solid four and a half stars, I just can't slide it to five on account of a recurring theme for this author; the combat. While this book's sequence of such is much more solid than that found within his other works, it still strikes me as just not having been properly researched or portrayed. Add to that a ridiculous premise for the sequence itself, and it does stand as an unfortunate handicap.

All in all, I was not disappointed with The Scorpion Jar by any means. It was a well executed entry into the lagging story arc of MW:DA, but unfortunately, this book does leave me with a lingering question; after this solid novel, how did Hardy's work decline so badly?

I usually don't enjoy books like this, as I find them boring and slow to develop. However, The Scorpion Jar is an excellent novel that everyone will enjoy. With the fast-moving plot, boredom is nearly impossible. Often times I stayed up into the night reading it; I couldn't put it down. The only downside was bloodshot eyes in the morning. This book is a necessity for everyone's bookshelf.