Mechwarrior Books

[Aurora Paradox]

I've known for some time that there is some mechwarrior/battletech literature out there.  However i'm not sure where to start.  Are the books written in any particular order or are they completely separate story lines?

Aurora Paradox

[darktimes]

there all others
i read one

think of it ehm..
that mechwarrior/battletech is a universe
like pern or dragonlance

single books tell only things about a short timeline

one tell something in 2999
another in 3402
not sure

[Aurora Paradox]

there all others
i read one

think of it ehm..
that mechwarrior/battletech is a universe
like pern or dragonlance

single books tell only things about a short timeline

one tell something in 2999
another in 3402
not sure

OK that answers part of my question. However I'm still confused as to whether or not the books should be read in any certain order or which one I should start with.

Aurora Paradox

[Perigren]

here is the most complete list of bt novells i have seen any where thanks to Nytmare who posted this on mekteks forums:
Battletech book list FYI....

Battletech Novels

FASA Originial Novels

1. Decision at Thunder Rift (William H. Keith, Jr., (09/1986), ISBN 0-931787-69-6)
2. The Sword and the Dagger (Ardath Mayhar, (04/1987), ISBN 0-931787-77-7)
3. Mercenary's Star (William H. Keith, Jr., (1987), ISBN 1-55560-030-1)
4. The Price of Glory (William H. Keith, Jr., (1987), ISBN 1-55560-038-7)
5. Warrior: En Garde (Michael A. Stackpole, (06/1988), ISBN 1-55560-046-8)
6. Warrior: Riposte (Michael A. Stackpole, (08/1988), ISBN 1-55560-068-9)
7. Wolves on the Border (Robert N. Charrette, (1988), ISBN 1-55560-087-5)
8. Warrior: Coupé (Michael A. Stackpole, (04/1989), ISBN 1-55560-073-5)
9. Heir to the Dragon (Robert N. Charrette, (08/1989), ISBN 1-55560-095-6)
10. Lethal Heritage (Michael A. Stackpole, (1989), ISBN 1-55560-091-3)
11. Blood Legacy (Michael A. Stackpole, (12/1990), ISBN 1-55560-092-1)
12. Lost Destiny (Michael A. Stackpole, (09/1991), ISBN 1-55560-094-8)

Classic Battletech Series (Published by Roc)

1. Way of the Clans (Robert Thurston, (1991), ISBN 0-451-45101-5)
2. Bloodname (Robert Thurston, (10/1991), ISBN 0-451-45117-1)
3. Falcon Guard (Robert Thurston, (12/1991), ISBN 0-451-45129-5)
4. Wolf Pack (Robert N. Charrette, (04/1992), ISBN 0-451-45224-0)
5. Natural Selection (Michael A. Stackpole, (07/1992), ISBN 0-451-45172-4)
6. Decision at Thunder Rift (William H. Keith, Jr., (09/1992), ISBN 0-451-45184-8)
7. Mercenary's Star (William H. Keith, Jr., (11/1992), ISBN 0-451-45194-5)
8. The Price of Glory (William H. Keith, Jr., (01/1993), ISBN 0-451-45217-8)
9. Ideal War (Christopher Kubasik, (03/1993), ISBN 0-451-45212-7)
10. Main Event (James D. Long, (05/1993), ISBN 0-451-45245-3)
11. Blood of Heroes (William H. Keith, Jr., (07/1993), ISBN 0-451-45259-3)
12. Far Country (Peter Rice, (10/1993), ISBN 0-451-45291-7)
13. Assumption of Risk (Michael A. Stackpole, (1993), ISBN 0-451-45283-6)
14. D.R.T. (James D. Long, (05/1994), ISBN 0-451-45366-2)
15. Close Quarters (Victor Milán, (09/1994), ISBN 0-451-45378-6)
16. I am Jade Falcon (Robert Thurston, (03/1995), ISBN 0-451-45380-8)
17. Highlander Gambit (Blaine Lee Pardoe, (06/1995), ISBN 0-451-45381-6)
18. Tactics of Duty (William H. Keith, Jr., (08/1995), ISBN 0-451-45382-4)
19. Lethal Heritage (Michael A. Stackpole, (09/1995), ISBN 0-451-45383-2)
20. Blood Legacy (Michael A. Stackpole, (11/1995), ISBN 0-451-45384-0)
21. Lost Destiny (Michael A. Stackpole, (12/1995), ISBN 0-451-45385-9)
22. Bred for War (Michael A. Stackpole, (12/1995), ISBN 0-451-45379-4)
23. Star Lord (Donald G. Phillips, (02/1996), ISBN 0-451-45386-7)
24. Malicious Intent (Michael A. Stackpole, (03/1996), ISBN 0-451-45531-2)
25. Wolves on the Border (Robert N. Charrette, (05/1996), ISBN 0-451-45388-3)
26. Hearts of Chaos (Victor Milán, (06/1996), ISBN 0-451-45523-1)
27. Operation Excalibur (William H. Keith, Jr., (08/1996), ISBN 0-451-45526-6)
28. Heir to the Dragon (Robert N. Charrette, (09/1996), ISBN 0-451-45527-4)
29. Black Dragon (Victor Milán, (11/1996), ISBN 0-451-45528-2)
30. Impetus of War (Blaine Lee Pardoe, (12/1996), ISBN 0-451-45529-0)
31. Double-Blind (Loren L. Coleman, (04/1997), ISBN 0-451-45597-5)
32. Binding Force (Loren L. Coleman, (07/1997), ISBN 0-451-45604-1)
33. Exodus Road (Blaine Lee Pardoe, (08/1997), ISBN 0-451-45612-2)
34. Grave Covenant (Michael A. Stackpole, (09/1997), ISBN 0-451-45613-0)
35. The Hunters (Thomas S. Gressman, (12/1997), ISBN 0-451-45624-6)
36. Freebirth (Robert Thurston, (02/1998), ISBN 0-451-45665-3)
37. Warrior: En Garde (Michael A. Stackpole, (04/1998), ISBN 0-451-45683-1)
38. Warrior: Riposte (Michael A. Stackpole, (06/1998), ISBN 0-451-45685-8)
39. Sword and Fire (Thomas S. Gressman, (08/1998), ISBN 0-451-45676-9)
40. Shadows of War (Thomas S. Gressman, (09/1998), ISBN 0-451-45707-2)
41. Warrior: Coupé (Michael A. Stackpole, (11/1998), ISBN 0-451-45702-1)
42. Prince of Havoc (Michael A. Stackpole, (12/1998), ISBN 0-451-45706-4)
43. Falcon Rising (Robert Thurston, (03/1999), ISBN 0-451-45738-2)
44. Threads of Ambition (Loren L. Coleman, (05/1999), ISBN 0-451-45745-5)
45. The Killing Fields (Loren L. Coleman, (08/1999), ISBN 0-451-45754-4)
46. Ghost of Winter (Stephen Kenson, (10/1999), ISBN 0-451-45760-9)
47. Roar of Honor (Blaine Lee Pardoe, (10/1999), ISBN 0-451-45761-7)
48. By Blood Betrayed (Blaine Lee Pardoe, Mel Odom, (11/1999), ISBN 0-451-45766-8)
49. Dagger Point (Thomas S. Gressman, (04/2000), ISBN 0-451-45783-8)
50. Measure of a Hero (Blaine Lee Pardoe, (07/2000), ISBN 0-451-45794-3)
51. Path of Glory (Randall N. Bills, (12/2000), ISBN 0-451-45807-9)
52. Illusions of Victory (Loren L. Coleman, (2000), ISBN 0-451-45790-0)
53. Flashpoint (Loren L. Coleman, (04/2001), ISBN 0-451-45824-9)
54. Test of Vengeance (Bryan Nystul, (06/2001), ISBN 0-451-45836-2)
55. Patriots and Tyrants (Loren L. Coleman, (09/2001), ISBN 0-451-45845-1)
56. Call of Duty (Blaine Lee Pardoe, (10/2001), ISBN 0-451-45856-7)
57. Initiation to War (Robert N. Charrette, (11/2001), ISBN 0-451-45851-6)
58. The Dying Time (Thomas S. Gressman, (01/2002), ISBN 0-451-45866-4)
59. Imminent Crisis (Randall N. Bills, (03/2002), ISBN 0-451-45872-9)
60. Storms of Fate (Loren L. Coleman, (04/2002), ISBN 0-451-45876-1)
61. Operation Audacity (Blaine Lee Pardoe, (06/2002), ISBN 0-451-45885-0)
62. BattleTech: Endgame (Loren L. Coleman, (08/2002), ISBN 0451458931)
63. Classic BattleTech: The Legend of the Jade Phoenix Trilogy (Robert Thurston, (10/2003), ISBN 0-451-45951-2)

MechWarrior: Dark Age Novels

1. Ghost War (Michael A. Stackpole, (12/2002), ISBN 0-451-45905-9)
2. A Call to Arms (Loren L. Coleman, (02/2003), ISBN 0-451-45912-1)
3. The Ruins of Power (Robert Vardeman, (04/2003), ISBN 0-451-45928-8)
4. A Silence in the Heavens (Martin Delrio, (06/2003), ISBN 0-451-45932-6)
5. Truth and Shadows (Martin Delrio, (08/2003), ISBN 0-451-45938-5)
6. Service for the Dead (Martin Delrio, (11/2003), ISBN 0-451-45943-1)
7. By Temptations and By War (Loren L. Coleman, (12/2003), ISBN 0-451-45947-4)
8. Fortress of Lies (J. Steven York, (02/2004), ISBN 0-451-45963-6)
9. Patriot's Stand (Mike Moscoe, (04/2004), ISBN 0-451-45970-9)
10. Flight of the Falcon (Victor Milán, (06/2004), ISBN 0-451-45983-0)
11. Blood of the Isle (Loren L. Coleman, (08/2004), ISBN 0-451-45988-1)
12. Hunters of the Deep (Randall N. Bills, (10/2004), ISBN 0-451-46005-7)
13. The Scorpion Jar (Jason M. Hardy, (12/2004), ISBN 0-451-46020-0)
14. Target of Opportunity (Blaine Lee Pardoe, (02/2005), ISBN 0-451-46016-2)
15. Sword of Sedition (Loren L. Coleman, (04/2005), ISBN 0-451-46022-7)
16. Daughter of the Dragon (Ilsa J. Bick, (06/2005), ISBN 0-451-46034-0)
17. Heretic's Faith (Randall N. Bills, (08/2005), ISBN 0-451-46040-5)
18. Fortress Republic (Loren L. Coleman, (10/2005), ISBN 0-451-46053-7)
19. Blood Avatar (Ilsa J. Bick, (12/2005), ISBN 0-451-46074-X)
20. Trial by Chaos (J. Steven York, (06/2006), ISBN 0-451-46072-3)
21. Principles of Desolation (Jason M. Hardy, (08/2006), ISBN 0-451-46081-2)
22. Wolf Hunters (Kevin Killiany, (11/2006), ISBN 0-451-46095-2)
23. Surrender Your Dreams (Blaine Lee Pardoe, (12/2006), ISBN 0-451-46120-7)
24. Dragon Rising (Ilsa J. Bick, (02/2007), ISBN 0-451-46141-X)
25. Masters of War (Michael Stackpole, (04/2007), ISBN 0-451-46137-1)
26. A Rending of Falcons (Victor Milán, (06/2007), ISBN 0-451-46159-2)
27. Pandora's Gambit (Randall N. Bills, (08/2007), ISBN 0-451-46165-7)


while ive not read any of the DA novels im sure they follow a specific time line. i do know though that you should read from the oldest to newest where possible because even though many bt novels are stand alone stories they still are based on previous bt history covered in earlier books or series of books.

hope this helps.

[AoP]

Michael Stackpole all over the place, wow. That guy must be the most productive writer in the last 15 years or so, as he also wrote quite an amount of Star Wars novels.

[Aurora Paradox]

Thank you that helps quite a bit.  Now I just have the find the time to read all of these.

Aurora Paradox

[Hellfire]

A lot of people think Wolves on the Border and Heir to the Dragon are the best books in the series.

You forgot the Founding of the Clans Trilogy and the books that are still German only.
FALL FROM GLORY
VISIONS OF REBIRTH
FORGING OF BLOOD

Phoenix Peter Heid 2001
Wahnsinn und Methode (Madness and Method) Michael Diel 2004
Über dem Gesetz (Above the Law) Michael Diel January 2005
Die Albatros-Akte (The Albatross File) Reinhold H. Mai November 2005
Früchte voll Bitterkeit (Fruits (full) of Bitterness) Hermann Ritter 2006
Katze unter Bären (Cat among Bears) Arous Brocken 2006
Wiege der Basilisken (Cradle of the Basilisks) Reinhold H. Mai 2006
In Ungnade (In Disgrace) Chris Hartford 2006 Titled Fall from Grace in English and set in the Free Worlds League during the early Star League era (2571-2616).

From what I've heard all of the German ones are pretty mediocre, but that last one is of great interest because it's the only one set entirely during the Star League and only what, the third Free Worlds League book (and a lot of people prefer to forget Star Lord).

[Aurora Paradox]

A lot of people think Wolves on the Border and Heir to the Dragon are the best books in the series.

You forgot the Founding of the Clans Trilogy and the books that are still German only.
FALL FROM GLORY
VISIONS OF REBIRTH
FORGING OF BLOOD

From what I've heard all of the German ones are pretty mediocre, but that last one is of great interest because it's the only one set entirely during the Star League and only what, the third Free Worlds League book (and a lot of people prefer to forget Star Lord).

Now I really wish I could read German.  Why are the books still in German in the first place I thought battletech started in America or am I mistaken.

Aurora Paradox

[Iron Brain]

just because they were wirten in German and havent been translated.

Ive picked up a few randon DA books. They make it pretty easy to just pick up and start reading from any old place.

[thomas]

The three main place's I've gotten the novel's from is ebay, barnes and noble.com & Amazon.
Barnes and noble & Amazon have listings for books from used book store's around the country(USA). You just buy them through there site.
Thats where I have gotten almost all of mine. I got a few at a local chain called Half Price Books.
After reading the book list. I see that I have only five books to go & I'll have them all.

And if you go to Battlecorps.com you can get new Classic Battletech fiction. It is a subscription service.
Battlecorps is tied to ClassicBattleTech.com

[zaha]

I recommend sticking to the order Perigren provided. You could just pick one and read it (though there are some continous trilogies), but if you stick to the order the greater political events will be more comprehensible.

[Aurora Paradox]

I recommend sticking to the order Perigren provided. You could just pick one and read it (though there are some continous trilogies), but if you stick to the order the greater political events will be more comprehensible.

So I should start off with Decision at Thunder Rift. Correct?

Aurora Paradox

[zaha]

Right, this would be a really good start
Decision at Thunder Rift, Mercenary's Star and The Price of Glory form the trilogy of the Gray Death Legion which is really worth reading!

It also starts around the year of 3025 and slowly evolves towards 3060 and later, introducing the clans and everything else on the way.

[Aurora Paradox]

I doubt I'll be able to find a copy of The Sword and the Dagger unless I wanted to buy a copy off Amazon.com for $70 or more.

Aurora Paradox

P.S.  Thanks for the starting point suggestion.

[Sean Lang "Phil"]

Aurora Paradox,

Figured you would like this picture, I own every old series Battletech novel. Most were purchased off amazon years ago, I got most of the one's I could not fine locally used, but paid a little more for good quality rather then junk. I also started collecting the DA novels, but need to catch up on that. As far as reading order, what he posted is a good start. The Gray Death Legion series is top notch, but all of the battletech novels to me are quality. The biggest thing is to try and get the books and read them in the proper order, like someone said, they sometime share information on an event/past or present that you may not catch if your out of order. My fav character of course is Phelan Kell, which I go by in most online MW/Btech games. The 'Kerensky trilogy' is awesome, but that is imo. Let us know how your collecting goes!