Battletech 15: Close Quarters

Milan in _Close Quarters_ gives perhaps the first best characterization of those people living in the Battletech era. The similes and metaphors are totally in-character to the setting, not relying upon contemporary comparisons to make the reader understand. However, while this might normally prevent a reader unfamiliar with the setting and some of the major characters, I think that the preentation is such that even a newcomer could understand without trouble. My beef is with the characters. The main character is entirely too superhuman in her abilities. Not only is she the best scout and tactician of the regiment, she is also the best hand-to-hand fighter and the fastest runner and everything else. Her only flaw is a lack of emotion, which is the only aspect of her character that might be considered to change during the course of the novel. She becomes friends with people she normally would not, but her growth I feel is very limited. Also, the other characters are either two-dimensional or cliches, like the unit commander grief-stricken over a family-member's death and unable to function to the commander's son desperate to earn pop's approval. Those elements reduce the quality of the overall work. There is the standard combat scenes which are not as good as others in the Battletech series. Also, the story does not really seem to impact the big picture, just those involved directly in the story. In that respect this is not really a "core" novel in the series and is not terribly essential to the overall comprehension. However, as noted above, the perspective of the characters and setting in this might be the best to this point in the series.

Are you a woman who wonders, what is all this about. Need some insperation for that female character and you don't want to follow the basic great looker mech warrior. Read this book. It was one of the first B-Tech books I read and it was great. The story kept me waiting for more. Infact, if your reading this Keith, when is the sequal. Well written with a good storyline, interesting characters and lots of action.

The first time you read this book , you may feel that it is yet another Battletech novel with lots of combat and nothing that makes it stand out from the rest of the crowd other than it is told from the perspective of a non-mechwarrior. Read it again. I did'nt get it the first time but 'Close Quarters' has a deep inner meaning . It is a story about duty.Cassie's duty to the regiment , Lainies duty to the Oyabun and so on. It is similar to Bob Charrette's 'Wolves on the Border' in it's Ninjo / Giri focus . I would recommend this to anyone , even someone who was not a Battletech fan.

This book follows the great traditions started by Keith and Stackpole. The characters are well developed and the action is good. This is a great stand alone book and its two sequels are also good. I recommend this book to all who love great SciFi action novels.

This must be one of the very best Battletech books I've encountered, and I have read eight or nine. Cassie Suthorn is a scout for a mercenary mech battalion. The Camacho's Caballeros find themselves in a no-win situation, pinned down in the heart of a large city, with all forces turned against them. Cassie must bring off a mission to save them. This writer has an unusual gift for description. His characters come alive on the page. The pace is excellent, keeps drawing you in. Plenty of hot battles, realistically described. A real winner