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BattleTech Universe #76
The Scorpion Jar
Exarch Damien Redburn has called for the election of his replacement. Paladins assemble from all corners of The Republic, and those vying to be elevated are creating a lively nomination process. But machinations behind the scenes threaten to turn the election into a bloodbath.
Paladins Heather GioAvanti and Jonah Levin are both conducting investigations into suspicious activities swirling around the edges of this high-level gathering. The leads they follow repeatedly intersect, and it becomes clear that more than one group intends to disrupt the election of the exarch. Through political influence, association, or rebellion, each of these cabals ultimately seeks to place its own man or woman on the exarch's seat - and whoever controls the exarch controls The Republic.
But Damien Redburn refuses to allow his successor to be a puppet. He is willing to throw a few 'Mechs and a secret agent or two at the situation to get the result he wants - even if what he wants may be a surprise to his operatives.
Paladins Heather GioAvanti and Jonah Levin are both conducting investigations into suspicious activities swirling around the edges of this high-level gathering. The leads they follow repeatedly intersect, and it becomes clear that more than one group intends to disrupt the election of the exarch. Through political influence, association, or rebellion, each of these cabals ultimately seeks to place its own man or woman on the exarch's seat - and whoever controls the exarch controls The Republic.
But Damien Redburn refuses to allow his successor to be a puppet. He is willing to throw a few 'Mechs and a secret agent or two at the situation to get the result he wants - even if what he wants may be a surprise to his operatives.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
314 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 3, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 1, 2019
This is the thirteenth book in the Mech Warrior Dark Age series. This series is a continuation of the Battletech series. The books in this series, like the books in the original Battletech series, are by various authors. This one is by Jason M. Hardy. The Republic of the Sphere has known a long period of peace and prosperity. Then the interstellar communications network a.k.a. the HPG net is destroyed by terrorists and many planets in the Republic find themselves cut off from the rest of the galaxy with communications taking weeks or even months. Unrest leads to several factions on several planets trying to overthrow the local governments and seize power for themselves.
In this one Exarch Damien Redburn has decided it is time for him to step down as Exarch. A new Exarch will be elected from the seventeen Paladins. But as the Paladins assemble from all corners of the Republic to elect a replacement for Exarch Damien Redburn, politics behind the scenes threaten to turn the election bloody. When Paladins Heather GioAvanti and Jonah Levin are tasked to investigate the sudden death of Paladin Steiner-Davion they soon discover that more than one group intends to disrupt the election to place one of their own in the Exarch's seat. This book is a must read for Battletech fans old and new alike!
In this one Exarch Damien Redburn has decided it is time for him to step down as Exarch. A new Exarch will be elected from the seventeen Paladins. But as the Paladins assemble from all corners of the Republic to elect a replacement for Exarch Damien Redburn, politics behind the scenes threaten to turn the election bloody. When Paladins Heather GioAvanti and Jonah Levin are tasked to investigate the sudden death of Paladin Steiner-Davion they soon discover that more than one group intends to disrupt the election to place one of their own in the Exarch's seat. This book is a must read for Battletech fans old and new alike!
February 15, 2009
My brother, who is totally AWESOME, wrote this book. I have to congratulate him on keeping me interested when I was reading a genre that I never, ever read.
June 13, 2022
An enjoyable light suspense/whodoneit/mechwarrior/conspiracy/political intrigue story that has so many ideas and probably would have been better as one of those things (I really enjoy the flashback of young Jonah and Sgt. Turk. Could have been an entire book there.) but it was still quite enjoyable and better than a lot of the previous books in this series. A Paladin gets killed and a riot happens on the eve of a big election. So we follow two paladins trying to solve their cases before the election.
August 2, 2018
Having only recently coming back to the Dark Age novels of Battletech, I am pleasently surprised by this book as it made the era and what happens in The Republic much more accessible. With CGL finally going forward with the timeline beyond 3145, reading this stuff makes it easier to put everything into context.
November 2, 2010
Quite enjoyable
November 5, 2018
Politics and intrigue abound! Thoroughly enjoyable.
May 3, 2023
"So You've Decided to Read Battletech: Dark Age" - Review 13
By FAR my favorite BT reading experience to date.
DA Callbacks
My favorite Paladin, Jonah Levin, and his PI, Horn, make a spectacular return. Both played secondary roles in Service For the Dead. Other returns (who also all debuted in Service For the Dead): Exarch Redburn, Crow (only by mention), Madam Flambard of the Pension, and the front desk concierge of the Duquesne.
Review:
A page-turning mystery/political intrigue thriller. Excellent pacing and clear, crisp prose kept me invested. My only complaint is the author, J.M. Hardy, only wrote three books in the BT line.
Assessment:
Thoroughly engaging.
Lasting Impressions
In this section, I return long after reading to give my remembered impressions. Did this book stand the test of time?
Yes! Still fondly think of this book as the first really fun reading experience I had in Dark Age. The main plot is still firmly in my head as well as the intrigue and excitement I felt while reading it. I feel like Jonah's character shifted away from how he was portrayed here, which is too bad.
DarkAge Tier List
from best to worst
Scorpion Jar
Service For the Dead
A Silence in the Heavens
Target of Opportunity
A Call to Arms
Truth and Shadows
Ghost War
The Ruins of Power
By FAR my favorite BT reading experience to date.
DA Callbacks
My favorite Paladin, Jonah Levin, and his PI, Horn, make a spectacular return. Both played secondary roles in Service For the Dead. Other returns (who also all debuted in Service For the Dead): Exarch Redburn, Crow (only by mention), Madam Flambard of the Pension, and the front desk concierge of the Duquesne.
Review:
A page-turning mystery/political intrigue thriller. Excellent pacing and clear, crisp prose kept me invested. My only complaint is the author, J.M. Hardy, only wrote three books in the BT line.
Assessment:
Thoroughly engaging.
Lasting Impressions
In this section, I return long after reading to give my remembered impressions. Did this book stand the test of time?
Yes! Still fondly think of this book as the first really fun reading experience I had in Dark Age. The main plot is still firmly in my head as well as the intrigue and excitement I felt while reading it. I feel like Jonah's character shifted away from how he was portrayed here, which is too bad.
DarkAge Tier List
from best to worst
Scorpion Jar
Service For the Dead
A Silence in the Heavens
Target of Opportunity
A Call to Arms
Truth and Shadows
Ghost War
The Ruins of Power
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews