Battletech 51: Test of Vengeance

Test of Vengeance is the tale of a Ghost Bear Elemental, Jake Kabrinski, and his Clan's war with the Draconis Combine. After the Alshain Avengers raid their homeworld (the Ghost Bear Dominion's capitol), the Clan retaliates against the Combine (it would be helpful to read Path of Glory before lunging into this book). Jake feels disgraced by his lackluster performance during the war; this provides the emotion crux of the novel. Although the characters can feel a bit flat at times, Nystul shows the camaraderie of the warriors more than other writers. Humor occasionally surfaces in the Clanners' dialogue, providing a welcome respite from most writers' very mechanical and unimaginative Clan speech. The plot maintained my interest throughout, something many Battletech novels utterly fail to do (especially the MechWarrior series). My only complaint is the ending. It's not that I didn't enjoy it (which I did), it's just that it seems to drag on for a bit (a chapter or three too many). All in all, this is an excellent addition to the Battletech canon.

John Gardner, the great creative writing instructor, said that once the "spell" is cast it must not be broken. This little novel passes that test! I had read through over half of it without realizing it! The pace is perfect. The characters, lifelike. Everything works. In the "About the Author," Nystul gives clues to his age. I think he is a generation Xer. What amazes me is that he could write so darn well for a "kid." Given, I found probably no more typos and little grammatical goofs than you could count on one hand, but that's forgivable all things considered! He is a natural storyteller, especially if you just want to indulge in macho action, but he even balances that with the kind of chick characters guys love. The worst criticism I might offer is based on my never having read anything in the "Battletech" series before. I had a little trouble keeping all the characters sorted out all the time. It's not a deep story, but it is continuously full of action yet not plodding. If you are a guy and just want a fun diversion, get it!

This is the first book by Bryan Nystul that i have had the pleasure of reading, he cleverly ties the adventures of a young Ghost Bear Elemental by the name of Jake Kabrinsky in with the current near-civil war of the Draconis Combine.Jake Kabrinsky is a ristar Elemental of clan Ghost Bear, who in his earliest days makes enemies with one of the deadliest warriors in the clans, Khan Malavai Fletcher of clan Hells Horses!!The fact that the Main story focuses around elementals ((there is only one star of mechs in the star)), just makes it that more action packed.Well i do not wish to spoil it for you, so i will say nothing more, but if your a B-Tech, and especially a Clan fan, get this book!!

Honestly, the Fed-Com Civil War would be good read, as it will be finally of focus in Patriots and Tyrants. However, the BattleTech Universe does not revolve around the Inner Sphere. The events chronicled in Test of Vengence describe events unfolding in the Clan Sphere, and the impact that it has on the Steiner vs. Davion conflict. All the last few books released has been "setting up" events that led to the outbreak of Civil War. Will it destroy the fledgling Star League and throw humanity back into the dark ages? Well, you'll have to read the books and follow the chain of events to get to the "meat" of the matter. Last comment: the Crusader Wolf Clan is kicking themselves in the ...by rubbing the Ghost Bears the wrong way. Soon we'll have a united Rasalhague people if they are lucky...don't know what I'm talking about? Where have you been the last 14 years (3049-3063)? This book is a good read...one of the best tales about new Clan life in the Inner Sphere. But do read all the books...to get a better understanding of the universe. Go Clanners! Go Kerensky's hope!

If you never read a BattleTech novel before this one is a good start. Bryan Nystul's first novel is a good one. The action is fast and never disappoints. For experienced BattleTech fans this book is a joy. The overview of the history of the Clans and the Inner Sphere maybe a little short for the new but it is not a major short coming. It is good to read a book from the perspective of an Elemental. For those who don't know imagine Arnold as he appeared in Conan make him 8 feet tall and the fighting skills displayed in the movie 'the Matrix' and you got you an Elemental. The Clan infantry grunts of the 32nd century.