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BattleTech Universe #37
Exodus Road
The Clans, for generations, bided their time waiting for the right opportunity to appear from the Periphery and conquer the Inner Sphere. They risked all at the Battle of Tukayyid - only to be soundly defeated. The results were deadlier than they could ever imagine.
For one devoted warrior of Clan Smoke Jaguar, the disgrace of Tukayyid has scarred him for life. And it is this tragedy that will change the universe forever, a treachery hidden beyond the Exodus Road.
For one devoted warrior of Clan Smoke Jaguar, the disgrace of Tukayyid has scarred him for life. And it is this tragedy that will change the universe forever, a treachery hidden beyond the Exodus Road.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1997
38 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Blaine Lee Pardoe
95 books117 followersBlaine Pardoe is a New York Times Bestselling and award winning author of numerous books in the science fiction, military non-fiction, true crime, paranormal, and business management genre's. He has appeared on a number of national television and radio shows to speak about his books. Pardoe has been a featured speaker at the US National Archives, the United States Navy Museum, and the New York Military Affairs Symposium. He was awarded the State History Award in 2011 by the Historical Society of Michigan and is a silver medal winner from the Military Writers Society of America in 2010. In 2013 he was awarded the Harritt Quimby Award as part of the induction ceremony at the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. Mr. Pardoe is also a member of the League of WWI Aviation Historians.
His books have even been mentioned on the floor of the U.S. Congress. His works have been printed in six languages and he is recognized world-wide for his historical and fiction works. He can be followed via Twitter (bpardoe870)
His books have even been mentioned on the floor of the U.S. Congress. His works have been printed in six languages and he is recognized world-wide for his historical and fiction works. He can be followed via Twitter (bpardoe870)
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 29, 2024
Well written: great plot, deep character with complex insights, some twist (nothing too big), action, and intrigue. I really enjoyed this one. More editorial errors than should ever be present, but the story is excellent!
October 5, 2025
"Politics is always the foe of true warriors," says the Walrus to the Carpenter.
This is Trent. He is a Smoke Jaguar. He fought at Tukayyid. The Smoke Jaguars lost Tukayyid. All the Smoke Jaguars blame Trent, largely because one of his bosses has it out for him, (who seems to escape the blame, despite being functionally in the same circumstances as he is). Trent spends the rest of the book being kicked around from Jaguar to Jaguar, until an opportunity arises to redeem himself through exquisite damnation.
Reading this book felt like watching someone climb a greased pole, where the quality starts low, slowly rises, then falls, only to start creeping up again. It is the best Pardoe book so far, but it reflects the same problems. The core idea of a loyalist in tension of his beliefs is very Battletech. The writing is fine. The mech combat is average, at least one good battle, but mostly it feels rushed.
But there is no tension. The dramatic conflict never feels all that dramatic. The stakes never feel reflective of how high the stakes are.
The book wants to draw a distinction between True Warriors, who represent the noble Clan ethos, and everyone else who fails to live up to that. It does a good job of establishing sympathy for its protagonist, who never can catch a break. It does a less good job of the romance plot, which effectively gets eaten by this philosophical take, resulting in a love story as skeevy as the love-is-torture from Mercenary's Star. The weird thing is how those two mesh up.
I often reflect on how close these books are to romance books, and here is no exception. The setup between the protagonist and the love interest has it all the tropes. But the resolution to it does not resolve any of those tropes so much as burn them away. I can write off the violence as kink (or could, if the text was less prudish). But the answer to the romantic plot is the same as the answer to the main plot, which is that the warrior ethos is superior. Honor is fuckability, which is strange because up to this point the Clan ethos has been the fuckability is fuckability.
Where this is annoying is where it is incoherent. The ethos that the protagonist exhibits feels largely self-serving. At points it feels a bit dril tweet, someone shouting "FIGHT ME" whenever your opponent refuses to accept your terms of battle, which Sun Tzu might have some things to say about. Others, it feels like it presents fighting as more important than politics, which Clausewitz might have some things to say about.
Where this gets bad in terms of storytelling is that it feels like the protagonist is always right and everyone else is always wrong. Whatever the protagonist decides as necessary to abide by the Warrior Ethos is the correct choice and the actions of the others are wrong...which all the previous (good) books about the Clans might have something to say about. The protagonists there are constantly using the Clan rules of warfare as an additional tool in their arsenal alongside the actual warring and fighting. In this book, that is the malignancy the protagonist is fighting against.
I mean, the initial quote is said in the book by Anastasius Focht. The whole point of Focht as a character is someone who lost so badly that it put him on the path to understanding how to beat the Clans on their own terms. I am forced to the headcannon that Foct is playing into the protagonist's beliefs, as I think that that Foct would not just have lost at Tukayyid, but never have fought Tukayyid in the first place.
I keep the author's politics to the fringes due to the lack of relevance, but here it feels eerie. This is the current Secretary of War's philosophy in fictional form. Expect the defeats that the U.S. then suffers from rejecting the Periclean ethos to be sold in the terms of this book: we lost because we were better fighters. They only knew how to win a war. If they did it right, which happens to be the literally idiotic way that we alone do things, we coulda won. In context it is sad. Out of context, it is okay, but not up to the standard of some of the other writers.
And yet, I am still relatively favorable on the book. The framework is there and better realized than in the author's other books. It ends strong, which is important for the overall sense of a good read. But again, I am left with the feeling of how much better it could have been if done with more care.
This is Trent. He is a Smoke Jaguar. He fought at Tukayyid. The Smoke Jaguars lost Tukayyid. All the Smoke Jaguars blame Trent, largely because one of his bosses has it out for him, (who seems to escape the blame, despite being functionally in the same circumstances as he is). Trent spends the rest of the book being kicked around from Jaguar to Jaguar, until an opportunity arises to redeem himself through exquisite damnation.
Reading this book felt like watching someone climb a greased pole, where the quality starts low, slowly rises, then falls, only to start creeping up again. It is the best Pardoe book so far, but it reflects the same problems. The core idea of a loyalist in tension of his beliefs is very Battletech. The writing is fine. The mech combat is average, at least one good battle, but mostly it feels rushed.
But there is no tension. The dramatic conflict never feels all that dramatic. The stakes never feel reflective of how high the stakes are.
The book wants to draw a distinction between True Warriors, who represent the noble Clan ethos, and everyone else who fails to live up to that. It does a good job of establishing sympathy for its protagonist, who never can catch a break. It does a less good job of the romance plot, which effectively gets eaten by this philosophical take, resulting in a love story as skeevy as the love-is-torture from Mercenary's Star. The weird thing is how those two mesh up.
I often reflect on how close these books are to romance books, and here is no exception. The setup between the protagonist and the love interest has it all the tropes. But the resolution to it does not resolve any of those tropes so much as burn them away. I can write off the violence as kink (or could, if the text was less prudish). But the answer to the romantic plot is the same as the answer to the main plot, which is that the warrior ethos is superior. Honor is fuckability, which is strange because up to this point the Clan ethos has been the fuckability is fuckability.
Where this is annoying is where it is incoherent. The ethos that the protagonist exhibits feels largely self-serving. At points it feels a bit dril tweet, someone shouting "FIGHT ME" whenever your opponent refuses to accept your terms of battle, which Sun Tzu might have some things to say about. Others, it feels like it presents fighting as more important than politics, which Clausewitz might have some things to say about.
Where this gets bad in terms of storytelling is that it feels like the protagonist is always right and everyone else is always wrong. Whatever the protagonist decides as necessary to abide by the Warrior Ethos is the correct choice and the actions of the others are wrong...which all the previous (good) books about the Clans might have something to say about. The protagonists there are constantly using the Clan rules of warfare as an additional tool in their arsenal alongside the actual warring and fighting. In this book, that is the malignancy the protagonist is fighting against.
I mean, the initial quote is said in the book by Anastasius Focht. The whole point of Focht as a character is someone who lost so badly that it put him on the path to understanding how to beat the Clans on their own terms. I am forced to the headcannon that Foct is playing into the protagonist's beliefs, as I think that that Foct would not just have lost at Tukayyid, but never have fought Tukayyid in the first place.
I keep the author's politics to the fringes due to the lack of relevance, but here it feels eerie. This is the current Secretary of War's philosophy in fictional form. Expect the defeats that the U.S. then suffers from rejecting the Periclean ethos to be sold in the terms of this book: we lost because we were better fighters. They only knew how to win a war. If they did it right, which happens to be the literally idiotic way that we alone do things, we coulda won. In context it is sad. Out of context, it is okay, but not up to the standard of some of the other writers.
And yet, I am still relatively favorable on the book. The framework is there and better realized than in the author's other books. It ends strong, which is important for the overall sense of a good read. But again, I am left with the feeling of how much better it could have been if done with more care.
May 23, 2025
This was really a very interesting read. I am not that much into the lore of the Battletech, so for anyone with more knowledge of the lore story given here might be old news. But if you are casual reader of Battletech novels and RPG materiel this book will definitely be a very interesting read. And if you are into Smoke Jaguar Clan (after Wolverines they are favorite of mine) you are in for a treat.
This is story of what happens when you maltreat loyal and capable people. Trent is warrior of Smoke Jaguar clan. Very capable he really quickly starts to attract hostility from other ambitious fellow warriors and commanders. Reason for this is not just warrior ethos and culture of the Clans in general but generally Smoke Jaguar Clan pretty hard view of only the hardest need to survive.
Trent is present at the battlefields of Tukayyid and witnesses first hand the Clan politics that are for all means and purposes running against the (very weird to be honest) Clan warrior rules and values. Trent is someone who values the Clan warrior culture (which he also shows by taking ComStar mech-warrior Judith on the very fields of Tukayyid, after he is more than impressed by her skill while fighting Smoke Jaguar forces), so all of this politicking (especially after Tukayyid disaster, where all big shots want to offload any wrongdoings to operational elements) wounds him very hard. He starts to see Smoke Jaguar Clan as corrupted, and needing change. But considering the rigidness of Clan structure. only way is to work from the outside, and this will mark him as a traitor to the Clan's cause.
Book is full of very vivid mech fights. Mechwarrior actions, from targeting, suffering from the hits received, claustrophobia when temperature starts going up and combat systems start to fail, to brutal hand to hand mech combat - this is presented in such a dynamic, and cinematic way.
I also like how people act in this story. Very realistic, especially when one considers this is SF. When spies and covert forces are involved it is always question who can be trusted. Not to mention the myopia of Clan command structure, mark of the rigid social strata and division, where they cannot even fathom possible dangers from within.
Considering the love of mechs I was pleasantly surprised with mentions of elite infantry (especially ComStar) and of course Clan Elementals. They are always mentioned as part of the greater set pieces but man, these units are far from impotent against mechs (again for those knowledgeable in lore this is not surprise, but for me this was new).
I am a little bit not sure how will Paul Moon (Trent's commander and nemesis here) become a relatively normal guy from Devlin's times. I am looking forward to shedding more light on how this character progresses, because if I remember correctly he will become friends with the Trent before the end.
All in all, excellent start of chain of events leading to Inner Sphere striking back.
Highly recommended to fans of military SF, giant combat mechs and Battletech in general.
This is story of what happens when you maltreat loyal and capable people. Trent is warrior of Smoke Jaguar clan. Very capable he really quickly starts to attract hostility from other ambitious fellow warriors and commanders. Reason for this is not just warrior ethos and culture of the Clans in general but generally Smoke Jaguar Clan pretty hard view of only the hardest need to survive.
Trent is present at the battlefields of Tukayyid and witnesses first hand the Clan politics that are for all means and purposes running against the (very weird to be honest) Clan warrior rules and values. Trent is someone who values the Clan warrior culture (which he also shows by taking ComStar mech-warrior Judith on the very fields of Tukayyid, after he is more than impressed by her skill while fighting Smoke Jaguar forces), so all of this politicking (especially after Tukayyid disaster, where all big shots want to offload any wrongdoings to operational elements) wounds him very hard. He starts to see Smoke Jaguar Clan as corrupted, and needing change. But considering the rigidness of Clan structure. only way is to work from the outside, and this will mark him as a traitor to the Clan's cause.
Book is full of very vivid mech fights. Mechwarrior actions, from targeting, suffering from the hits received, claustrophobia when temperature starts going up and combat systems start to fail, to brutal hand to hand mech combat - this is presented in such a dynamic, and cinematic way.
I also like how people act in this story. Very realistic, especially when one considers this is SF. When spies and covert forces are involved it is always question who can be trusted. Not to mention the myopia of Clan command structure, mark of the rigid social strata and division, where they cannot even fathom possible dangers from within.
Considering the love of mechs I was pleasantly surprised with mentions of elite infantry (especially ComStar) and of course Clan Elementals. They are always mentioned as part of the greater set pieces but man, these units are far from impotent against mechs (again for those knowledgeable in lore this is not surprise, but for me this was new).
I am a little bit not sure how will Paul Moon (Trent's commander and nemesis here) become a relatively normal guy from Devlin's times. I am looking forward to shedding more light on how this character progresses, because if I remember correctly he will become friends with the Trent before the end.
All in all, excellent start of chain of events leading to Inner Sphere striking back.
Highly recommended to fans of military SF, giant combat mechs and Battletech in general.
July 5, 2024
I read this book in a little under 6 hours or so. I tore through the thing and I haven't done that in quite a long time.
There's enough here that sets the stage for the downfall of a major faction presiding in the Inner Sphere and harkens back to events and personnel mentioned in previous installments in the Battletech franchise, so it would be best to hold off on reading Exodus Road until you have read several of the previous books in the Battletech universe or you might feel a little lost here.
The book has several 'Mech engagements throughout the story and fleshes it out with personal intrigue and subterfuge that is absorbing from front to back. It never lacks engagement and I was turning pages wondering what would happen next! The balance of menial tasks with action is well done and have quickly put Pardoe near the top, if not the, top of my list for Battletech authors.
To avoid spoilers, the story follows a disgruntled Mechwarrior that decides to switch sides due to personal grievances caused by his peers and superiors. He is the chink in their armor, the thorn in their side and they will rue the day they viewed him less than.
There's enough here that sets the stage for the downfall of a major faction presiding in the Inner Sphere and harkens back to events and personnel mentioned in previous installments in the Battletech franchise, so it would be best to hold off on reading Exodus Road until you have read several of the previous books in the Battletech universe or you might feel a little lost here.
The book has several 'Mech engagements throughout the story and fleshes it out with personal intrigue and subterfuge that is absorbing from front to back. It never lacks engagement and I was turning pages wondering what would happen next! The balance of menial tasks with action is well done and have quickly put Pardoe near the top, if not the, top of my list for Battletech authors.
To avoid spoilers, the story follows a disgruntled Mechwarrior that decides to switch sides due to personal grievances caused by his peers and superiors. He is the chink in their armor, the thorn in their side and they will rue the day they viewed him less than.
December 16, 2024
A man encounters a workplace so toxic that he decides to dismantle his people’s entire war effort.
This was a book I bought years ago, in the height of my nerd awakening. Battletech was one of my first gaming loves, and I was excited to begin my journey into the extensive collection of novels and stories.
This (plus one other) is as far as I got. The Battletech lore can be convoluted and overwhelming; there’s a lot to absorb and understand. It’s a big universe, and this book is just one small part of it.
Is this part good? That’s hard to answer. As a kid, I loved this book. It was my first foray into this universe, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. But being aware of the rose-colored glasses doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be easy to overcome. Therefore, I will simply say that this book remains special to me, despite its flaws. It’s a nostalgic reread that I enjoyed quite a bit, and I suspect I’ll be back again years from now.
This was a book I bought years ago, in the height of my nerd awakening. Battletech was one of my first gaming loves, and I was excited to begin my journey into the extensive collection of novels and stories.
This (plus one other) is as far as I got. The Battletech lore can be convoluted and overwhelming; there’s a lot to absorb and understand. It’s a big universe, and this book is just one small part of it.
Is this part good? That’s hard to answer. As a kid, I loved this book. It was my first foray into this universe, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. But being aware of the rose-colored glasses doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be easy to overcome. Therefore, I will simply say that this book remains special to me, despite its flaws. It’s a nostalgic reread that I enjoyed quite a bit, and I suspect I’ll be back again years from now.
October 5, 2025
Exodus Road delivers a gripping entry into the BattleTech universe, full of intrigue, honor, and betrayal. Pardoe explores the fallout of the devastating Battle of Tukayyid through the eyes of a haunted Clan Smoke Jaguar warrior. The story dives deep into loyalty and vengeance, revealing a treachery that could change the fate of the Inner Sphere forever. Fans of military sci-fi and mech battles will appreciate the detailed world-building and intense action. It’s a solid addition to the series, blending personal conflict with large-scale political intrigue in a futuristic war-torn galaxy.
June 3, 2025
Really enjoyed my first novel length foray into the Battletech Universe. For whatever reason I have avoided this game and universe since the 80s. Got a couple box sets on clearance and I am in. I think the book does a good job of drawing you in and explaining enough of the universe to make the book enjoyable without beating you over the head explaining. I am expanding more into this adventure of Battletech.
November 3, 2020
A few editing and proof-reading problems like typos The main Character “Trent” is called “Kent” a few times. A few times the characters are referred to by the incorrect rank. And at one point there’s a big reveal that wasn’t actually a big reveal because it was revealed at the start of the book... but is still treated as a big reveal as if it hadn’t been revealed at the start of the book.
April 22, 2024
During my read of this, I continuously called it a "boy" book. Simply because it's giant fighting robots and warrior castes that dominate societies. But, overall it was still a good book. The plot was still engaging, the world building was subtle and allowed for a new readers to jump in without being overwhelmed.
September 10, 2021
BattleTech Series 37 and Twilight of the Clans Book 1. Trent is a Smoke Jaguar who sees how his clan has lost their way.
Read
June 1, 2025This book has its problems, and plenty of them. But it is an excellent yarn. Recommended to anyone who's into Battletech.
November 10, 2019
This book is a very quick read. I was able to pick it up and finish the book within about 48 hours. The action is fast paced. This is the beginning of the end of the Clans in the Inner Sphere. The premise is just one ComStar ROM (their intelligence agency) is needed to be captured by the Clans and convince one Clansman to defect.
This is the second time that I have read it and it seemed to be different the second time. Now that I have read more or and studied more, the premise is not much different from an East German Stasi agent crossing the Iron Curtain and seducing some unsuspecting secretary that works for NATO during the Cold War to get NATO war plans. Just put that in the BattleTech world and take out the blackmail. Rather, play on the Clansman's sense of honor after seeing his own side betray him.
I found some of the scenes to be a little stilted but Pardoe does a good job creating believable Smoke Jaguar characters after Stackpole created many other characters. Stackpole focused mainly on the the Steiner-Davion family, Phelan Kell/Ward, Ulric Kerensky, and Vladimir Ward. Everyone else was kinda "just there". Pardoe expanded the Smoke Jaguars.
It's been a while since I read any BattleTech novels so this is a good refresher on just what the Inner Sphere and Clans were like.
This is the second time that I have read it and it seemed to be different the second time. Now that I have read more or and studied more, the premise is not much different from an East German Stasi agent crossing the Iron Curtain and seducing some unsuspecting secretary that works for NATO during the Cold War to get NATO war plans. Just put that in the BattleTech world and take out the blackmail. Rather, play on the Clansman's sense of honor after seeing his own side betray him.
I found some of the scenes to be a little stilted but Pardoe does a good job creating believable Smoke Jaguar characters after Stackpole created many other characters. Stackpole focused mainly on the the Steiner-Davion family, Phelan Kell/Ward, Ulric Kerensky, and Vladimir Ward. Everyone else was kinda "just there". Pardoe expanded the Smoke Jaguars.
It's been a while since I read any BattleTech novels so this is a good refresher on just what the Inner Sphere and Clans were like.
June 4, 2013
Battletech #37. Exodus Road: Twilight of the Clans #1 by Blaine Lee Pardoe.
Re-read this 90s Sci-Fi gem for fun that I first read in High School (some ten years ago). I loved the Battletech/Mech Warrior series and this was always my favorite. The book kick starts the "Twilight of the Clans" series and the post Battle of Tukayyid universe. It follows Star Captain Trent of the Howell Bloodline; Trueborn warrior of the infamous Smoke Jaguar Clan. As a survivor of the Battle of Tukayyid, he is left with a scarred body and reputation. As he creeps closer to the age where warriors are cast aside and constantly sabotaged by his own clan mates; the feelings of betrayal by his entire world keep pressing down on him. He is torn between is blood oath to the clans and the desire to turn away from all the lies and corruption. His only refuge is in his bondsman Judith; an Inner Sphere warrior he has taken capture and forced into the clan life. They develop a strange relationship of trust and respect that leads Trent to the most important and possibly catastrophic event the Inner Sphere has ever seen... What will become of the legendary Exodus Road?
Re-read this 90s Sci-Fi gem for fun that I first read in High School (some ten years ago). I loved the Battletech/Mech Warrior series and this was always my favorite. The book kick starts the "Twilight of the Clans" series and the post Battle of Tukayyid universe. It follows Star Captain Trent of the Howell Bloodline; Trueborn warrior of the infamous Smoke Jaguar Clan. As a survivor of the Battle of Tukayyid, he is left with a scarred body and reputation. As he creeps closer to the age where warriors are cast aside and constantly sabotaged by his own clan mates; the feelings of betrayal by his entire world keep pressing down on him. He is torn between is blood oath to the clans and the desire to turn away from all the lies and corruption. His only refuge is in his bondsman Judith; an Inner Sphere warrior he has taken capture and forced into the clan life. They develop a strange relationship of trust and respect that leads Trent to the most important and possibly catastrophic event the Inner Sphere has ever seen... What will become of the legendary Exodus Road?
July 27, 2022
Internal politics and striving for personal glory have watered down the intent of the Clans.
Trent is a Smoke Jaguar warrior, after saving the life of his clan mate during the battle of Tukkayid but taking massive injuries himself, he discovers she has twisted the truth of the matter during his recovery.
Other clan members start to shun him and treat him as though he was personally responsible for the failure of the whole battle.
A prisoner taken during the battle helps him see that the clans are at fault rather than him.
A daring plan is hatched to help him escape with something the Inner Sphere desparately need if they want to start taking the fight to the Clans.
This is a really good start to the Twilight of the Clans arc, plenty of mech action and also a good cast of characters to keep the story moving at a good pace.
Trent is a Smoke Jaguar warrior, after saving the life of his clan mate during the battle of Tukkayid but taking massive injuries himself, he discovers she has twisted the truth of the matter during his recovery.
Other clan members start to shun him and treat him as though he was personally responsible for the failure of the whole battle.
A prisoner taken during the battle helps him see that the clans are at fault rather than him.
A daring plan is hatched to help him escape with something the Inner Sphere desparately need if they want to start taking the fight to the Clans.
This is a really good start to the Twilight of the Clans arc, plenty of mech action and also a good cast of characters to keep the story moving at a good pace.
July 8, 2012
I've read the vast bulk of the Battletech novel line over the years (in both BT and MWDA forms) and this stands as one of my absolute favorites. Surely my favorite of the CBT era. Why? Character. Most BT books are heavily plotted fun that put "stuff happening" in front of everything else. But Exodus Road really gets the reader inside of its main character, Trent. Even after 15 years, I can still remember Trent distinctly as a character, his actions, his motivations and his feelings. Pardoe clearly cared about his character here, and it made for a memorable read, even for a guy who usually was pretty "meh" about clan related books. A hidden gem in the little regarded RPG-tie-in sub-genre.
February 19, 2015
The Clans have ravaged the Inner Sphere and have pushed the leaders of the great Houses to the brink. Some of the Clans have decided that the Crusader mentality is an abomination of the ideals of Alexander Kerensky and that the Inner Sphere should be protected.
This novel begins setting the stage for one of the most ambitious and politically charged operations in the history of the Inner Sphere. Anyone that has a passing interest in the state of Battletech politics and the Clan Invasion should read this series.
This novel begins setting the stage for one of the most ambitious and politically charged operations in the history of the Inner Sphere. Anyone that has a passing interest in the state of Battletech politics and the Clan Invasion should read this series.
July 31, 2011
Great book!
March 25, 2016
Tragic-ish story of a guy selling out the clans. I not-so-secretly love battletech and its hammy epicness.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews