Heir Apparent

Battletech Novella #1

by Michael A. Stackpole

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

111 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2017

Reviews

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the canon status of this story is still somewhat in question over at Sarna.net, this has all the feel of classic BattleTech novel. It even follows that old story trope of it being yet another periphery world, so you know that you're not going to get big (read: expensive) BattleMech battles but instead you're going to get some in-depth character stories.

And this book is a unique combination of the largely feudal nature of BattleTech stories, the trope of family-centric corporations controlling the direction of a planet, and a young scion needing to go through an elaborate ritual just to prove himself. But of course, not everything is that simple and it's good that the future head of the corporation was assigned a mercenary to see him through the cakewalk of a ritual.

Now they just have to survive given other factions unknown do not intend to allow him to take the reins so easily.

[Az Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, fun, gritty story. It ends on a cliffhanger and I'm assuming it's part of four books that make up the full story promised in the Kickstarter. If you like BattleTech/MechWarrior stuff I'd suggest getting hold of all of them when they become available because if the rest follow the lead of Heir Apparent you'll have a great time.

As the reader you are pulled quickly into decently-crafted sociopolitical setting. The characters aren't terribly deep but there's enough complexity to the relationships to set the tension that erupts later.

It's light on the MechWarrior action but still places the walking machinations as a central element of the plot and by not making battle scenes or other violence the main priority you're given more time to explore the realities of life for the mercenary and his companion - survival in the field, reconnaissance, evasion.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read set in the BT universe coinciding with the release of the new game. The book feels and reads like the previous Stackpole BT books and takes me back to reading the series when I was younger.

[Jared Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novella is well written by one of the best Battletech authors. I received this as a kickstarter backer and found it to be entertaining. There were some grammatical errors due to the editing but on a whole it was fun.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it! Ready to start the next book!

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable Battletech novella, looking forward to reading the next three.