Fortress Republic (Mechwarrior: Dark Age, No. 18)

As always, Loren Coleman brings us back to the things that matter in this universe. This one picks up directly after Sword of Sedition (the ending of which left us thirsting for more) and successfully advances the metaplot (or macroplot?) of the BattleTech universe by detailing startling new developments in the Republic and the Federated Suns. In addition, he's weaving the threads that tie the Dark Age back to the original series (in case you thought they forgot about that time period). Coleman's prose is crisp and always exciting. The ending, once again, leaves us in agony, but I fear we'll have to wait another year to see how this one resolves.

I refuse to go into detail and spoil any of this book for you, but I am on my second read, and it is excellent reading, even as it was the first time. A book that draws you into the grand schemes and petty details of the Inner Sphere even further, an excellent link in the series, providing a delicious mix of intrique, character and action. As varied, dense and full of different flavors as a three-inch-deep pizza!