Robert N. Charrette

I'm generally interested in BT for the Clans and their psycho-culture. The 3025 and Succession War campaigns generally are just grist for the Kerensky mill for me (i.e. this is why you needed Operation Revival).

That being said, Charrette's depiction of Minobu Tetsuhara is deceptively good. The novel isn't really about Wolf's Dragoons. It's actually a really good take on the noblest of Inner Sphere warriors set against the Game of Thrones style politics of the Successor Lords and pretenders. show more Even when you know how the book will end, it's still a very compelling read and develops so much of the DCMS culture beyond the otaku-ness of Stackpole's novels. show less

This was really good. Surprisingly so, in fact.

To be quite honest, I picked this book up and read it because it had been sitting at the very bottom of my to-read list with such a godawful rating that it might have languished there forever.

Instead of a poorly written, poorly plotted, shallow book deserving a 2.82 average rating, instead I found a unique book with interesting, flawed characters in a fast paced space adventure with military overtones. It took a bit of a left turn and focused on show more something I wasn't expecting and ended up focusing more on anthropology rather than military threats, but it may end up back there in the second book. We'll see.

Overall, I'm glad I picked it up. Suggested for those who like the overarching story lines of Peter F. Hamilton, but who would like a significantly smaller bite of a book. show less

Wow! This is everything I love in a Battletech novel! Charrette's second Battletech novel is loads better than Wolves on the Border. It's got interesting characters, political subterfuge and, of course, a good amount of mech battles as well. Where Wolves on the Border left me feeling like the Draconis Combine is ruled by a bunch of dimwits, Heir to the Dragon gave me a real insight into why the Draconis Combine is the powerhouse that it is. I particularly enjoyed learning about the various show more powers in the Combine (Order of 5 Pillars, nekogami, etc) and it's cool to see how they work with and against each other - all for the glory of the Dragon. If I had reservations about Charrette as a Battletech author, they're gone now.

Like other Battletech novels, it helps if you've read the earlier books first, but it isn't necessary. I think this would be a great read on it's own - a solid introduction to the Battletech universe. show less

Sweet Jesus, this was a hard one to get through.

I love the world of Shadowrun. LOVE. But this book read like the author took a glance at a rules book, skimmed the classes for the key facts about them all, then went about creating the most non-dimensional characters he possibly could.

The worldbuilding was amazing and immerse... The characters had me shaking my head. There were several points where I felt like I was supposed to empathize with big, bad events... But I just never cared enough show more about them. And I never understood anyone's motivations, let alone Sam who is the theoretical main character. One of the many villains, Crenshaw, never made a damn bit of sense to me. Why did she hate Sam so much? We know her from the moment she meets him and it never makes any sense. And don't get me started on those dragons. Not one of them had an actual reason to be in this book.

By the time we get to the climactic finale battle-royale, I have no idea what anyone's motivations are, the plot focus is hanging my a thread, and I really couldn't care less if they all got taken out by one of the many dragons that make an appearance. show less