Way of the Clans (Battletech: Legend of the Jade Phoenix, Volume 1) [Paperback]

Robert Thurston (Author)

Book Description

Series: Battletech | Publication Date: August 6, 1991

In the 31st century, the BattleMech is the ultimate war machine. Thirty meters tall, and vaguely, menacingly man-shaped, it is an unstoppable engine of destruction. In the 31 century, the Clans are ultimate warriors. The result of generations of controlled breeding, Clan Warriors pilot their BattleMechs like no others. Aidan aspires to be a Warrior of Clan Jade Falcon. To win the right to join his Clan in battle, he must succeed in trials that will forge him into one of the best warriors in the galaxy, or break him completely.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Roc (August 6, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451451015
• ISBN-13: 978-0451451019
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #863,666 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to the Universe of Battletech, June 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Way of the Clans (Battletech: Legend of the Jade Phoenix, Volume 1) (Paperback)

I found this book to be a great "hook" to get people interested in the Battletech Universe; especially "clan" life. The story does contain a lot of violence but show you the clan lifestyle in depth, especially the "true born" (a gene milkshake of great warriors). This is the first Battletech book I read and I recomend it to anyone interested in, fantasy sci-fi type books

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An illuminating look at the making of a Jade Falcon warrior, July 12, 2004

By 

Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Way of the Clans (Battletech) (Paperback)

The Battletech Universe can seem a little complicated for those new to the series; there are so many books covering different historical eras and personalities, almost all of which are related in one way or another, that one hardly knows where to begin. You basically have to study Battletech history in order to fully understand each book's place in that history. I speak from personal experience here, as I'm still new to these books myself. I don't know if Way of the Clans is a good starting point in terms of the timeline, but it's certainly a good starting point in the sense that it draws the reader right into the world of Battletech with a fascinating story. Not only does Way of the Clans introduce you to the clan structure of the outer worlds of the Sphere, it takes you all the way through one young man's training to become a MechWarrior.

Back in the twenty-eighth century, Aleksandr Kerensky took all of his supporters and established his own society outside the Inner Sphere; with the intention of one day returning and re-establishing the old government, Nicholas Kerensky began developing the most dangerous soldiers possible. The society is built almost solely upon the central importance of warfare, and it is the dream of every child to become a warrior. Some are bred for the task, and the highest honor a warrior can achieve is the acquisition of a Bloodname and inclusion in the genetic warrior pool. The trueborn are artificially created via genetic engineering from the bloodlines of the most accomplished warriors, and these youngsters are all raised and trained together from birth. Each sibko may only produce one or two warriors, however - only the very best succeed, while the others are killed or assigned to work among the lower castes. Freeborns, those born by natural means, also can earn warrior status, but their lower caste forbids them from fighting on the front lines.

Aidan Pryde is a trueborn who wants desperately to earn warrior status in the Jade Falcon clan (which numbers among the mightiest of all the clans) to which he was born, but he is a little different from the other members of his genetic grouping, or sibko. We follow him all the way through the warrior training program, which culminates in the Trial that determines whether or not he will earn the right to lead a monstrous Battletech in battle. The way of the clans makes for an almost unendurable struggle to earn one's place among the warrior caste; here, the individual is stressed over the group mentality, and a true warrior is expected to do anything to reach his/her objectives. Alongside the story of Aidan's perilous journey into adulthood we get insightful journal entries from the camp commander enlightening us on the theory and practice of the mysterious ways of the clan. This coming of age story is bursting at the seams with action and remarkable insights into clan society, making it a truly compelling addition to the Battletech Universe. Those eager to learn what happens to Aidan Pryde following the rather remarkable events chronicled here are in luck, as this is just the first of three novels in the Legend of the Jade Phoenix Trilogy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, excellent series, March 15, 2004

By 

Michael (Westerville, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Way of the Clans: Legend of the Jade Phoenix Vol 1 (Battletech) (Paperback)

This is a great book for veterans of the Battletech universe, or general sci-fi fans alike. The reader is introduced to a strange culture where genetic engineering is favored over natural birth, and where being a warrior is the pinnacle of existance.

Unlike some Battletech novels, character interaction and development is not sacrificed for action. Aidan, Joanna, Horse, and Marthe have complex feelings and relationships that are deep enough to hold up over the sequels and other stories that they appear in. The book also is a good stand-alone read, although the whole Jade Phoenix series is reccomended. Definately one of the crown jewls of the Battletech novel series.