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BattleTech Universe #52
Flashpoint
One of the few survivors of the First Kathil Uhlans' battle with the Clans, David McCarthy returns to Kathil to join the planetary militia, only to find a planet torn apart by factional strife out to seize control of Kathil's orbital shipyards. Original.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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About the author
Loren L. Coleman
106 books39 followersLoren L. Coleman (born 1968) is a science-fiction writer, born and grew up in Longview, Washington.
He is known for having written many books for series such as Star Trek, Battletech/Mechwarrior, Age of Conan, Crimson Skies, Magic: The Gathering and others. Former member of the United States Navy, he has also written game fiction and source material for such companies as FASA Corporation, TSR, Inc. and Wizards of the Coast.
In early 2010s, he began writing The ICAS Files series, science fiction short-stories. [wikipedia]
He is known for having written many books for series such as Star Trek, Battletech/Mechwarrior, Age of Conan, Crimson Skies, Magic: The Gathering and others. Former member of the United States Navy, he has also written game fiction and source material for such companies as FASA Corporation, TSR, Inc. and Wizards of the Coast.
In early 2010s, he began writing The ICAS Files series, science fiction short-stories. [wikipedia]
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 7, 2020
Another Loren L. Coleman book and this had a rather somber tone to it. There was a serious effort to use the protagonist David as a way to explore the sort of PTSD that the Inner Sphere warriors who had journeyed to the Smoke Jaguar homeworld of Huntress to take the battle to the Clans.
Thus his decision to return home and become part of the planetary militia rather made sense in this context. And they added in the challenge of integrating with a new unit while still dealing with his personal demons.
With this being another book set during the Steiner-Davion civil war, things quickly degenerate into something nasty. It's fortunate that the FedCom forces were more distracted by their personal idiosyncrasies to mount a proper assault against the militia and thus gave our heroes enough time to work through their personal drama.
Some really great battle scenes in this book, which one can come to expect from Coleman books at this point. Even his space battle was pretty interesting despite the unconventional elements involved. Overall writing was a little messy but had good intentions.
Thus his decision to return home and become part of the planetary militia rather made sense in this context. And they added in the challenge of integrating with a new unit while still dealing with his personal demons.
With this being another book set during the Steiner-Davion civil war, things quickly degenerate into something nasty. It's fortunate that the FedCom forces were more distracted by their personal idiosyncrasies to mount a proper assault against the militia and thus gave our heroes enough time to work through their personal drama.
Some really great battle scenes in this book, which one can come to expect from Coleman books at this point. Even his space battle was pretty interesting despite the unconventional elements involved. Overall writing was a little messy but had good intentions.
November 1, 2025
Great action and deeper plot than typical for Battletech stories.
April 24, 2021
Standard Battletech fair describing an important conflict between forces loyal the Katrina Steiner and those loyal to her brother Victor. If you are not a Battletech reader then this story is capable of standing on it's own providing an interesting story with good descriptions of battles between 20ft tall war machines each with enough weapons to level a city. However, to trully appreciate the Battletech universe then you are really advised to read the books chronologically to get a full understanding of this complex and riveting setting.
December 26, 2014
Set in the early period of the civil war, after Task Force Serpent have returned home from taking out Clan Smoke Jaguar.
After his unit is devastated, David McCarthy just wants to go home and join the local militia, but local politics try to paint him as the hero he doesn't feel he is, and troops loyal to Katrina Steiner are trying to score points on the planet.
It soon overflows into force against force as the local militia try to stop the Lyran troops taking over.
Good action and characters, the story can be read as a standalone novel.
After his unit is devastated, David McCarthy just wants to go home and join the local militia, but local politics try to paint him as the hero he doesn't feel he is, and troops loyal to Katrina Steiner are trying to score points on the planet.
It soon overflows into force against force as the local militia try to stop the Lyran troops taking over.
Good action and characters, the story can be read as a standalone novel.
November 7, 2011
The main story points were somewhat predictable and the whole thing lacked the epicness I was hoping for. Maybe it's because the FC Civil War hadn't really started yet.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews