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Highlander Covenant #1
BattleTech: Grey Watch Protocol
SURROUNDED BY THE ENEMY…In the 32nd century, the Republic of the Sphere is beset on all sides, its enemies seeking the most important weapon in the Inner Sphere: interstellar communication. As the forces of the Capellan Confederation advance toward the heart of the crumbling Republic, they are laser-focused on the one goal that will give them the upper hand and destroy the Republic once and for all: the planet of Northwind. Homeworld of the famed Northwind Highlanders mercenaries, Northwind is not only the site of a century-old betrayal, it also boasts the only working hyperpulse generator along the line of the Confederation’s advance. Sang-shao Lindsey Baxter and the Fourth McCarron’s Armored Cavalry have been tasked with taking Northwind at all costs, and the besieged Republic is unable to lend further support to the defending XII Hastati Sentinels. Northwind will be easy pickings, and other sharks smell blood in the water. The Highlanders’ honor remains strong, but will it be enough to survive the coming storm?
- GenresScience FictionFiction
188 pages, Paperback
Published July 24, 2020
32 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 8, 2020
Grey Watch Protocol is the first book in the Highlander Covenant by Michael J. Ciaravella. This book continues the Dark Age storyline started in the Mech Warrior Dark Age series which was a continuation of the classic Battletech series. The Mech Warrior Dark Age series consisted of thirty books published by WizKids and ROC. This book is published by Catalyst Game Labs and Topps. The books in this series, like the books in the original Battletech series and the Mech Warrior Dark Age series, are by various authors.
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 Capellan Confederation decides to invade Northwind because it has one of the few remaining working HPG stations and Northwind can be used as a staging point for the eventual invasion of Terra (Earth). Standing in their way, however, are the Northwind Highlanders and unknown to them and the Highlanders a secret Mech unit known as the Grey Watch Protocol.
This book is action-packed with many Mech battles and some surprises in the storyline. It also sees the return of Tara Campbell who is one of my favorite characters in the Mech Warrior Dark Age storyline.
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 Capellan Confederation decides to invade Northwind because it has one of the few remaining working HPG stations and Northwind can be used as a staging point for the eventual invasion of Terra (Earth). Standing in their way, however, are the Northwind Highlanders and unknown to them and the Highlanders a secret Mech unit known as the Grey Watch Protocol.
This book is action-packed with many Mech battles and some surprises in the storyline. It also sees the return of Tara Campbell who is one of my favorite characters in the Mech Warrior Dark Age storyline.
September 17, 2020
As a Battletech fan, and an avid reader I wanted this book to be better. It just wasn’t. This book should serve as a cautionary tale to CGL to slow down, take your time, and do one more edit. The over abundance of errors, mis-tensed sentences, and incomplete sentences or thoughts are shameful. I do not blame Mr. Ciaravella for these errors, but lay it at the feet of an editing staff more interested in pumping out product than worrying about the quality of that product.
The good: I did enjoy certain scenes in the book as they felt genuine and not forced. The end scene were the Highlanders gathered in the midst of their dead was absolutely heart wrenching and well written. Mr. Ciaravella is definitely a fan of the game and understands those mechanics. His ability to convey battle scenes and how mechs move and fight are on par with the expectations of the Battletech community. As a first novella his execution was above average and I look forward to watching Mr. Ciaravella grow as a writer in the Battletech universe.
The bad: Wooden characters. Declan never became a real person for me but rather just a name. His grandfather Seamus felt more real and lifelike. There are way to many “it just so happens” moments. It just so happens that Declan is also an ex-intelligence officer. It just so happens that Declan’s ex-girlfriend works at the HPG station. Also way to tropey at times with secret meetings out in the woods, throwing two knives that stick in the same place, a meeting in a pub to discuss secrets. Definitely needed some more originality here.
The ugly: Countless misspelled words, unfinished sentences, and sentences missing words. There are enough to make me wonder if CGL uploaded the wrong copy of this book and there is a more edited version misplaced in the shadows of the editors office. Mr. Helfers should be ashamed of this product and provide and update to the electronic format as soon as possible.
In summary: There were parts and characters in this book I enjoyed, however, the lack of professional editing gives me serious pause. Lack of attention to detail has become a cornerstone of CGL’s production process that continues to concern me with each passing day. I hope to see improvements made. Only time will tell.
The good: I did enjoy certain scenes in the book as they felt genuine and not forced. The end scene were the Highlanders gathered in the midst of their dead was absolutely heart wrenching and well written. Mr. Ciaravella is definitely a fan of the game and understands those mechanics. His ability to convey battle scenes and how mechs move and fight are on par with the expectations of the Battletech community. As a first novella his execution was above average and I look forward to watching Mr. Ciaravella grow as a writer in the Battletech universe.
The bad: Wooden characters. Declan never became a real person for me but rather just a name. His grandfather Seamus felt more real and lifelike. There are way to many “it just so happens” moments. It just so happens that Declan is also an ex-intelligence officer. It just so happens that Declan’s ex-girlfriend works at the HPG station. Also way to tropey at times with secret meetings out in the woods, throwing two knives that stick in the same place, a meeting in a pub to discuss secrets. Definitely needed some more originality here.
The ugly: Countless misspelled words, unfinished sentences, and sentences missing words. There are enough to make me wonder if CGL uploaded the wrong copy of this book and there is a more edited version misplaced in the shadows of the editors office. Mr. Helfers should be ashamed of this product and provide and update to the electronic format as soon as possible.
In summary: There were parts and characters in this book I enjoyed, however, the lack of professional editing gives me serious pause. Lack of attention to detail has become a cornerstone of CGL’s production process that continues to concern me with each passing day. I hope to see improvements made. Only time will tell.
June 16, 2022
This book offers a very compelling mix between realistic and believable combat sequences as well as a well thought through plot and character development.
The book definitely makes me excited for the second part! You really get the feeling that the events happing have larger implications for the upcoming finale of the Dark Age era!
The book definitely makes me excited for the second part! You really get the feeling that the events happing have larger implications for the upcoming finale of the Dark Age era!
November 20, 2020
Strap on your neurohelmet, knock back your single malt, play the bagpipes and kill Capellans. It's that simple. The Northwind Highlanders have been my favorite Inner Sphere faction. What is not to love about them? I've been a fan since I read Highlander Gambit by Blaine Lee Pardoe as a wee lad.
Now, let's get into the new book.
Let's be honest, there is a tried and true formula for how you write a Battletech book. Introduce your opposing characters. Have a briefing with a superior officer who provides exposition about the present situation or specific mission. Maybe some cryptic hints that one or more of the characters have a different agenda. Then a quick battle exercise to spice up the character introduction. One or two character establsihing moment, then we jump to the action. The action ebbs and flows. Early battles where the bad guys get the upper hand, then a clever twist or battle strategem, and then a glorious last stand and denounement about the costs of war.
It's a set formula, and a comforting one for a long time fan. Ciaravella really nails the story beats and tries to add in some fun twists with the hidden agenda bit. I don't know if those quite stick the landing but come on...we're reading a book about giant mechs smashing each other into scrap metal.
If I was to find a fault with it, it would have to be with Declan Casey, one of the main POV characters. He wasn't also fully fleshed out as I'd have liked but may be he'll have time to grow in the inevitable book 2. I would have like more scenes with the ComStar HPG tech (and Casey's vague love interest.) A post-Jihad, athetistic ComStar is an interesting part of the post-Dark Age timeline and I'd love to see that theme worked into more books.
Being book one of a set, Protocol ends with the promise of battles to come and the war for Northwind continues with more players on the board.
Now, let's get into the new book.
Let's be honest, there is a tried and true formula for how you write a Battletech book. Introduce your opposing characters. Have a briefing with a superior officer who provides exposition about the present situation or specific mission. Maybe some cryptic hints that one or more of the characters have a different agenda. Then a quick battle exercise to spice up the character introduction. One or two character establsihing moment, then we jump to the action. The action ebbs and flows. Early battles where the bad guys get the upper hand, then a clever twist or battle strategem, and then a glorious last stand and denounement about the costs of war.
It's a set formula, and a comforting one for a long time fan. Ciaravella really nails the story beats and tries to add in some fun twists with the hidden agenda bit. I don't know if those quite stick the landing but come on...we're reading a book about giant mechs smashing each other into scrap metal.
If I was to find a fault with it, it would have to be with Declan Casey, one of the main POV characters. He wasn't also fully fleshed out as I'd have liked but may be he'll have time to grow in the inevitable book 2. I would have like more scenes with the ComStar HPG tech (and Casey's vague love interest.) A post-Jihad, athetistic ComStar is an interesting part of the post-Dark Age timeline and I'd love to see that theme worked into more books.
Being book one of a set, Protocol ends with the promise of battles to come and the war for Northwind continues with more players on the board.
July 20, 2023
Despite playing the game literally since the day it was released as Battledriods, I generally don't read fiction based on the game world. And to be honest I only read this one because I know the author. But despite that, my 5-star rating is completely legitimate.
A great story, well-paced, and made me very happy the second book of the series is on my shelf so I don't need to wait to continue the series. I've had these two books on my shelf for a long while, I'm kicking myself for not starting them earlier.
A great story, well-paced, and made me very happy the second book of the series is on my shelf so I don't need to wait to continue the series. I've had these two books on my shelf for a long while, I'm kicking myself for not starting them earlier.
June 28, 2020
Awesome read.
Awesome read . Cannot wait for book 2. Love the Highlanders and their history and lore. Good to see them fighting again.
Awesome read . Cannot wait for book 2. Love the Highlanders and their history and lore. Good to see them fighting again.
July 30, 2020
Great read!
Solid action story lots of combat , but be ready to get punched emotionally a couple times. Great mix of old & new tech .
Solid action story lots of combat , but be ready to get punched emotionally a couple times. Great mix of old & new tech .
October 6, 2020
An entertaining bit of Battletech fiction - who doesn't love classic battlemechs?
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews