Randall N. Bills

In Heretic's Faith, Randall Bills's second MechWarrior: Dark Age novel, Bills continues to explore some of the less-important factions in the current setting. Previously, he brought us a look at live in Clan Sea Fox; in Faith, he returns to the subject of his first BattleTech novel, Clan Nova Cat.

Faith follows up on the events of Daughter of the Dragon, the previous book in the series. Katana Tomark, a newly-made Kuritan warlord, decides to recruit the Spirit Cats in order to supplement her rather woeful forces. This sets Kisho, Nova Cat mystic and the titular heretic, down a path of reconciliation.

It's tempting to compare Faith to Daughter. Both are character-driven novels, by authors who like to get the readers into the characters' minds. But it's hard to do so fairly; Daughter focuses on two characters who are all too human. Kisho, as a Clanner, is for all intents and purposes an alien.

Faith was an enjoyable read. However, the book didn't so much end as it did stop. Kisho's personal journey reaches a turning point, one that would have made a good end; however, the plot isn't actually resolved. Threads are left hanging, and it's stated that Kisho will be involved—but we're left there.

In the end, Bills leaves the reader wanting more, and not necessarily in a good way. But that doesn't detract from the fact that it's an excellent character piece well worth reading.… (more)