Heretic's Faith

BattleTech Universe #80

by Randall N. Bills, Roc Books (Manufactured by)

Centuries ago, Minoru Kurita abandoned his noble name and heritage when he was adopted by Clan Nova Cat, who utilized Minoru's psychic abilities to create a powerful new breed of warrior: the Mystic Caste, a secretive spiritual branch of the Clan led by their exalted Oathmaster...

From the moment Kisho left the Iron Womb, he has been trained in the Mystic Caste with one goal in mind: to forge his entire being into a tool - not simply as a weapon to fight the Clan's enemies, but as an instrument of strength to bring glory to Clan Nova Cat through his visions. Now he has been chosen by the Oathmaster himself to be his protégé and possible successor. But Kisho's great pride masks a greater deception: He does not believe any of it. He has walked the path all his life, yet he has no faith in the gifts the Mystic Caste supposedly possesses and he is running out of time.

For Kisho is about to be sent into battle with his warrior brethren to fight alongside the forces of the controversial Warlord Katana Tormak - and the faith he has so long denied may be the only thing that can save them...

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 2, 2005

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the seventeenth 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 Randall N. Bills.
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 the story focuses on Kisho Nova Cat, a Mystic that was introduced in "Sword of Sedition". Kisho has been trained from the womb to be a "Mystic" of Clan Nova Cat. Even after all his training however he has many doubts about his abilities. The author goes a little overboard on the inner turmoil content, pushing Kisho's behavior slightly beyond believable. This book doesn't so much end as it does stop. Kisho's personal journey reaches a turning point, one that would have made a good end, however, the plot isn't actually resolved. Threads are left hanging, and it's stated that Kisho will be involved, but we're left there. There are several Mech Warrior battles but the story line is very convoluted to the point that it isn't as good of a read as many other books in this series. Well on to the next book in this series, Fortress Republic.

[Josh Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

"So You've Decided to Read Battletech: Dark Age" - Review 17

Started it. After 3 chapters, wasn't feeling drawn in. Skipped to the next book. Hope to come back to this one after finishing up the rest of Dark Age.

DarkAge Tier List
from favorite to least favorite

Scorpion Jar
Service For the Dead
A Silence in the Heavens
Flight of the Falcon
Sword of Sedition
Target of Opportunity
Blood of the Isle
Fortress of Lies
By Temptations and By War
A Call to Arms
Truth and Shadows
Ghost War
Heretic's Faith
The Ruins of Power
Daughter of the Dragon

In a special list all its own for being the absolute worst:
Hunters of the Deep

Skipped:
Patriots Stand

[J Murdock · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just shut..... Up....

Painful to read. So uninteresting it's hard to follow. A new Clan Caste to make the innersphere neurotic, pointless and miserable.
The Clans would have killed everyone involved with this "story".

[Walter Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story

Interesting story on the creation of the nova cat mystics and Nova Cat involvement in Draconis Combine politics with the ever watchful ISF watching and pulling strings from the shadows.