Bred for War (Battletech, Book 16) by Michael A. Stackpole
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Book Reviews of Bred for War (Battletech, Book 16)
Book Review: Another hard hitting book from Stackpole.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the fourth book that I own. You need to get this book.A plan of deception goes bad, a clan raid,a sister bent on over throwing her brother,a nasty war, just seems to explode in this book.Book Review: Bred for war is the best of the series
Summary: 5 Stars
Going through the Clan civil war, this is probably the best of the battletech series. If you've played Mechwarrior 2 this is a book that is a "must read." Good huntingBook Review: Prince Victor Steiner-Davion runs into trouble in his reign
Summary: 5 Stars
Prince Victor Steiner Davion along with the throne inherits many problemsBook Review: Another excellent chapter in the BATTLETECH saga
Summary: 4 Stars
Michael A. Stackpole continues his tremendous success in the BATTLETECH universe with this exciting and intelligent novel. This time the story centers on the impending death of Joshua Marik and the steps that Prince Victor Steiner-Davion of the Federated Commonwealth is willing to take in order to avoid a war that threatens to tear the Inner Sphere apart. Combine this with the continuation of the battle between the Crusader and Warden factions within the Clans, and the result is a crackerjack novel combining spectacular action sequences and an abundance of political intrigue.Book Review: Great story and intrigue. Classic Battletech.
Summary: 3 Stars
I give Bred For War three stars for being a top-tier novel of the occasionally entertaining Battletech series.
Stackpole squeezes an incredible amount of content into 378 pages. He advances stories and characters at an amazing pace. I could select several other Battletech books that, combined, contribute less to the Battletech story arc than Bred For War does alone. Even casual conversations between civilians cover interstellar war news and detailed theories about Melissa Steiner's death. When characters discuss a leader, they will include his childhood history and the history of his ancestors two generations back. Nearly every major political group has an active role in this book.
Stackpole has a very clear, straightforward writing style. He communicates quickly and efficiently; he does not use flowery language. On a style spectrum with deadpan Tom Clancy on one end and poetic Shakespeare on the other, Stackpole lies close to Clancy. You will find no descriptions of the clouds, or the flowers in bloom, or unbridled love between lonely souls. Feelings are not explicitly stated, but rather inferred through actions.
Stackpole includes a huge number of characters, tied together through a web of feudal oaths, treaties, and ancient hatreds. Through covert operations, frame-ups, betrayals, and lies, human civilization is pulled into an all-out war. Stackpole handles the story threads well considering the breadth of the story. However, many scenes last barely two pages before shifting attention across the galaxy. I think Stackpole found himself rushed to wrap things up.
Victor Davion has inherited a realm that his father Hanse recently enlarged. Victor is Stackpole's major hero, largely due to Victor's focus on uniting with the other Successor Houses and combating their common enemy, the Clans. Unfortunately, the other House Lords are more focused on chipping away at Victor's realm. His sister Katrina seceded with half of his territory. Victor provides medical treatment for Joshua Marik, the heir of the Free Worlds League throne, in exchange for League war material that Victor needs against the Clans. Joshua is dying, and Victor takes a major risk in order to maintain the status quo with the League.
I took more interest in the secondary plot, featuring the conflict between the Wolves and the Jade Falcons. Stackpole obviously enjoys writing for the Wolves. They have a deeply noble character; they risk their lives for high ideals. The Wolf Clan leads the Warden clans and strives to calm the Crusader Clans' zeal. A minority of Crusaders amongst the Wolf Clan challenge the Wolf ilKhan's authority. This setup provides the classic literary theme of an honorable high leader, ilKhan Kerensky, combating dissension in his realm. He earned the Bloodname of the founders of the Clans, and remains true to their principles. I liked how the Wolf leaders remained stubborn and defiant despite overwhelming odds. There's a certain charisma in principled military commanders, and it really comes through with ilKhan Ulric Kherensky, Khan Phelan, and Khan Natasha Kerensky. The Wolves are also apparently the greatest warriors in the galaxy, and their spirit, skill, and pride radiate.
I found the battle scenes exciting and vivid. I wanted to see more; unfortunately they constitute a small portion of the book. This book is all about war, but concentrates mostly on moving the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It has detailed conflict between major star empires with extreme ideologies. Apparently Stackpole was later dropped from the Battletech franchise; this reflects bad judgment on the part of the management. He played an instrumental role in defining the Battletech universe. I recommend Bred For War to all Battletech fans.
-Zach Zelmar
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