BattleTech (book series)

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The BattleTech book series takes place in the BattleTech universe, a science fiction universe that originally became known through a tabletop game, then other games as well. The plot of the series is based on the idea that humanity spreads in the cosmos and colonizes star systems. The time in which the novels are set begins in the 31st century.

background

See main article: BattleTech Story

The action takes place in an interstellar feudal society in the 31st century, with the populated part of space known as the Inner Sphere . At the edge of this core zone around the so-called Sol system is the "outer periphery", the solar systems there are not assigned to any of the five large houses and their populated planets are in most cases under their own management. During the so-called Golden Age , the Inner Sphere was united in the Star League until it went under in the middle of the 28th century. Centuries of conflict ensued between the remaining large houses (Steiner, Davion, Marik, Kurita and Liao) until a new threat emerged in the middle of the 31st century: the clans , descendants of those under command shortly after the collapse of the Star League from General Alexandr Kerensky to the unexplored areas of interstellar space, the legendary Star League army that had returned to recapture Terra, the mother world of humanity.

Massive human-controlled fighting machines have been used in these wars since the 25th century. The most powerful of these monsters, also known as mechs, are 14 meters high and weigh up to 100 tons (in the case of the successor to the original game system, Mechwarrior - Dark Age , which is now known as Classic BattleTech , the mechs can weigh up to 150 tons). They are controlled by so-called “Mech Warriors”, who are not unlike today's jet fighter pilots. One of the main pillars of the book series is the authors' love for the technical details of battlemechs and other technology. Sometimes "ordinary" things, such as firing a weapon or starting a battlemech, are described in comparatively long text passages and embellished accordingly. But the elaboration of the characters, especially those who appear again and again in the course of the entire book series, is conscientious and worked out with great depth. A stark contrast to the passages that deal with war, annihilation and death are the passages that deal with the course of political action.

Battletech book series playlists

Title of the BattleTech book series

The German publications by Heyne-Verlag are listed below.

Gray Death Trilogy

  • 01 Decision at Thunder Rift. Original title: "Decision at Thunder Rift" (1986)
  • 02 The mercenary star. Original title: "Mercenary's Star" (1987)
    • Author: William H. Keith Jr.
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai (1989)
  • 03 The price of fame. Original title: "The Price of Glory" (1987)
    • Author: William H. Keith Jr.
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai (1989)

Single volume

  • 04 The sword and the dagger. Original title: "The Sword and the Dagger" (1987)
    • Author: Ardath Mayhar
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai (1997)
    • Recently reissued by FanPro
    • Framework for action: from 3022

Warrior trilogy

  • 05 En Garde. Original title: "Warrior: En Garde" (1988)
  • 06 Riposte. Original title: "Warrior: Riposte" (1988)
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai (1990)
    • Recently reissued by FanPro
    • Framework for action: from 3027
  • 07 Coupé. Original title: "Warrior: Coupé" (1989)
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai (1990)
    • Recently reissued by FanPro
    • Framework for action: from 3029

Bindings

  • 08 wolves on the border. Original title: "Wolfes on the Border" (1988)
    • Author: Robert N. Charrette
    • Translator: Christian Jentzsch (1991)
    • Framework for action: from 3021
  • 09 A legacy for the dragon. (1989) Original title: "Heir to the Dragon"
    • Author: Robert N. Charrette (1997)
    • Translator: Christian Jentzsch
    • Framework for action: from 3018

Blood of Kerensky Trilogy

  • 10 Deadly Legacy. Original title: "Lethal Heritage" (1989)
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai (1992)
    • Framework for action: from 3049
  • 11 Bloody Legacy. Original title: "Blood Legacy" (1990)
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai (1992)
    • Framework for action: from 3051
  • 12 Dark Fate. Original title: "Lost Destiny" (1991)
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai (1992)
    • Framework for action: from 3052

Jade Phoenix Trilogy

  • 13 clan warriors. Original title: "Way of the Clans" (1991)
  • 14 Blood Law. Original title: "Bloodname" (1991)
    • Author: Robert Thurston
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai (1993)
  • 15 Hawk Watch. Original title: "Falcon Guard"
    • Author: Robert Thurston
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai

Single volumes

  • 16 wolf packs. Original title: "Wolf Pack"
    • Author: Robert N. Charette
    • Translator: Christian Jentzsch
  • 17 Natural selection. Original title: "Natural Selection"
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Framework for action: from 3054
  • 18 The face of war. Original title: "Ideal War" (1993)
    • Author: Chris Kubasik
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai (1994)
    • Framework for action: from 3054
  • 19 steel gladiators. Original title: "Main Event"
    • Author: James D. Long
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Framework for action: from 3054
  • 20 The hour of the heroes. Original title: "Blood of Heroes"
    • Author: J. Andrew Keith
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Framework for action: from 3056
  • 21 Calculated risk. Original title: "Assumption of Risk"
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Framework for action: from 3055
  • 22 Far Land. Original title: "Far Country"
    • Author: Peter L. Rice
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Framework for action: from 3056
  • 23 Black Thorn Blues. Original title: "DRT" (1994) Note: DRT stands for "Dead Right There"
    • Author: James D. Long
    • Translator: Christian Jesch (1994)
    • Framework for action: from 3056
  • 24 An eye for an eye. Original title: "Close Quarters"
    • Author: Victor Milán
    • Translator: Oliver Hoffmann
    • Framework for action: from 3056
  • 25 The warrior caste. Original title: "Bred for War"
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Framework for action: from 3057
  • 26 I am Jade Falcon. Original title: "I am Jade Falcon"
    • Author: Robert Thurston
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Framework for action: from 3057
  • 27 Highlander Gambit. Original title: "Highlander Gambit" (1995)
    • Author: Blaine Lee Pardoe
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai (1996)
    • Framework for action: from 3057
  • 28 knights without fear or blame. Original title: "Star Lord"
  • 29 compulsory exercise. Original title: "Tactics of Duty"
    • Author: William H. Keith Jr.
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Framework for action: from 3057
  • 30 Clever Plans. Original title: "Malicious Intent"
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 31 In the heart of the chaos. Original title: "Hearts of Chaos"
    • Author: Victor Milán
    • Translator: Oliver Hoffmann
  • 32 Operation Excalibur. Original title: "Operation Excalibur"
    • Author: William H. Keith Jr.
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 33 The black dragon. Original title: "Black Dragon"
    • Author: Victor Milán
    • Translator: Oliver Hoffmann
  • 34 The father of things. Original title: "Impetus of War"
  • 35 Flying high. Original title: "No Limits"
    • Author: Nigel Findley
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Note: Published in the US (by ROC-Verlag) outside of the Battletech series.
  • 36 blind game. Original title: "Double-Blind"
  • 37 Loyal to Liao. Original title: "Binding Force"
    • Author: Loren L. Coleman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai

Twilight of the Clans

  • 38 Exodus. Original title: "Exodus Road"
    • Author: Blaine Lee Pardoe
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 39 home worlds. Original title: "Grave Covenant"
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 40 The hunters. Original title: "The Hunters"
  • 41 freebirth. Original title: "Freebirth"
    • Author: Robert Thurston
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 42 fire and sword. Original title: "Sword and Fire"
    • Author: Thomas S. Gressman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 42a shadow of annihilation. Original title: "Shadows of War"
    • Author: Thomas S. Gressman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 43 The warrior prince. Original title: "Prince of Havoc"
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 44 Falcon on the upswing. Original title: "Falcon Rising"
    • Author: Robert Thurston
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai

Cappellan solution

  • 45 Dangerous ambition. Original title: "Threads of Ambition"
    • Author: Loren L. Coleman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 46 The nature of the warrior. Original title: "The Killing Fields"
    • Author: Loren L. Coleman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 47 The tip of the dagger. Original title: "Dagger Point"
    • Author: Thomas S. Gressman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 48 Deceptive Victories. Original title: "Illusions of Victory"
    • Author: Loren L. Coleman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 49 tides of power. Original title: "Patriots and Tyrants"
    • Author: Loren L. Coleman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 50 MechWarrior anthology. Original title: "Ghost of Winter"; "Roar of Honor"; "By Blood Betrayed"
    • Authors: Stephen Kenson ; Blaine Lee Pardoe; Blaine Lee Pardoe and Mel Odom
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Note: This volume contains the Mechwarrior novels previously published by Phoenix Verlag:
    • "Father Frost" (Stephen Kenson), "Roar of Triumph" (Blaine Lee Pardoe) and "Treason" (Blaine Lee Pardoe, Mel Odom) combined.
  • 51 The first civic duty. Original title: "Measure of a Hero"
    • Author: Blaine Lee Pardoe
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 52 Phoenix.
    • Author: Peter Heid
    • Note: German-speaking author. This novel has only appeared in the German Battletech series so far.
  • 53 The way of fame. Original title: "Path of Glory"
  • 54 flames of revolt. Original title: "Flashpoint"
    • Author: Loren L. Coleman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 55 Vengeance is mine. Original title: "Test of Vengeance"
  • 56 Committed . Original title: "Call of Duty"
    • Author: Blaine Lee Pardoe
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 57 A good day to die for. Original title: "The Dying Time"
    • Author: Thomas S. Gressman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 58 Impending doom. Original title: "Imminent Crisis"
  • 59 Storms of Fate. Original title: "Storms of Fate"
    • Author: Loren L. Coleman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 60 operation risk. Original title: "Operation Audacity"
    • Author: Blaine Lee Pardoe
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 61 finals. Original title: "Endgame"
    • Author: Loren L. Coleman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai

Title of the MechWarrior book series

The storylines of the MechWarrior novels take place in the same timeframe as the Battletech franchise books. These books should not with the MechWarrior: Dark Age - novels are confused.

The books in the Mechwarrior series were published in Germany by Phoenix Verlag, which was part of Battletech's German licensee, FanPro Germany. However, the first five books were first distributed by Heyne-Verlag and classified in the Classic Battletech series. Only the latest work was no longer integrated.

The motivation to publish the books was to appeal especially to the players of the MechWarrior computer games. The logo on the books corresponded to the lettering on the computer games of the same name and the actions of the books focused less on interstellar events and many well-known characters, but rather clearly outlined on a young, unknown character (a Mech Warrior) who was involved in global actions.

  • Jack Frost
    • Original title: "Ghost of Winter"
    • Author: Stephen Kenson
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • Roar of triumph
    • Original title: "Roar of Honor"
    • Author: Blaine Lee Pardoe
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • Blood betrayal
    • Original title: "By Blood Betrayed"
    • Authors: Blaine Lee Pardoe, Mel Odom
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • A good day to die
    • Original title: "The Dying Time"
    • Author: Thomas S. Gressman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • Impending doom
    • Original title: "Imminent Crisis"
    • Author: Randall N. Bills
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • Baptism of fire

Title of the Classic BattleTech book series

After dividing the Battletech universe into the timelines of Classic Battletech (supported by the licensee FanPro LLC and FanPro Germany) and MechWarrior: Dark Age (created and distributed by WizKids), more books are available for Classic BattleTech fans in the “Classic BattleTech " published. These were published by the in-house publisher FanPro Germany and are currently only available in German. In addition, the original BattleTech novels, which were published by Heyne-Verlag at the time, are being reissued. Since October 2011 new, originally German novels on BattleTech from various time lines have been published by Ulisses Spiele.

New releases

  • 01 madness and method
    • Author: Michael Diel
    • Note: German author. So far only available in German.
  • 02 Clan founder: move away
    • Author: Randall Bills
    • Note: First novel in the clan founder's trilogy. So far only available in German.
  • 04 Above the law
    • Author: Michael Diel
    • Note: German author. So far only available in German.
  • 05 Clan founder: dream
    • Author: Randall Bills
    • Note: Second novel in the clan founder's trilogy. So far only available in German.
  • 06 The Albatross file
    • Author: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Note: German author. So far only available in German.
  • 10 fruits full of bitterness
  • 11 cat among bears
    • Author: Arous Brocken
    • Note: First novel in the Bear cycle. So far only available in German.
  • 12 clan guards
    • Author: Arous Brocken
    • Note: Second novel in the Bear cycle. So far only available in German.
  • 13 Disgraced
  • 14 Kiamba Mission
    • Author: Arous Brocken
    • Note: Third novel in the Bear cycle. So far only available in German.
  • 15 Shadow War 1: En Passant
    • Author: Michael Diel
    • Note: German author.
  • 16 Duo Infernale
  • 17 karma
  • 18 royal flush
    • Author: Carolina Möbis-Behrends
    • Note: German author.
  • 19 cradle of the basilisks
    • Author: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Note: German author. Released in 2011.
  • 20 Andurian Wars 1st Prelude
    • Author: Bernard Craw
    • Note: The books up to volume 19 always read "BattleTech" at the top of the cover, while volume 20 now says "Succession Wars" below.
  • 21 Anduria Wars 2. Wrath
    • meanwhile in the trade (note: the number 19 in the title on Amazon as a consecutive number is not correct, as 'Andurien Wars 1st Prelude' is already number 20.)
  • 22 First contract
    • Author: Arous Brocken
    • Annotation: Fourth novel in the Bear cycle.
  • 23 Storming of Arc-Royal
  • 24 companions in arms
    • Author: Arous Brocken
    • Note: Fifth novel in the Bear cycle.
  • 25 Anduria Wars 3. Greed
    • Author: Bernard Craw
  • 26 Risky Goals
    • Author: Arous Brocken
    • Annotation: Sixth novel in the Bear cycle.
  • 27 Hunted
  • 28 The cannons of Thunder Rock
    • Author: Bernd Perplies
    • Note: As with the books in the 'Andurien Wars' series, this volume is also labeled as "Succession Wars".
  • 29 Nobility destroyed 1 - The inheritance
  • 30 nobility annihilated 2 - calculated chaos
    • Author: Jochen Hahn, Karsten Kaeb
  • 31 In the shadow of the beast
    • Author: Ingo Eikens
  • 32 Griskan Orlov 1 - soldier and spy
    • Author: Arous Brocken
  • 33 Bloody hunt
    • Author: Stefan Burban
  • 34 Griskan Orlov 2 - slave and mercenary
    • Author: Arous Brocken
  • 35 Griskan Orlov 3 - traitor and defender
    • Author: Arous Brocken
  • Clan founder: gang
    • Author: Randall Bills
    • Note: Third novel in the clan founder's trilogy. When and if the novel will appear is uncertain.
  • Shadows of Faith
    • Author: Loren Coleman
    • Note: Already published as an electronic version for purchase on the BattleCorps website, the first novel in the English-language Classic BattleTech series

New editions of original novels

  • 03 The sword and the dagger
    • Original title: "The Sword and the Dagger"
    • Author: Ardath Mayhar
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Note: New edition of the fourth volume in the BattleTech book series.
  • 07 En Garde
    • Original title: "Warrior: En Garde"
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Note: New edition of the fifth volume in the BattleTech book series. First novel in the Warrior trilogy.
  • 08 Riposte
    • Original title: "Warrior: Riposte"
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Note: New edition of the sixth volume in the BattleTech book series. Second novel in the Warrior trilogy.
  • 09 Coupé
    • Original title: "Warrior: Coupé"
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
    • Note: New edition of the seventh volume in the BattleTech book series. Third novel in the Warrior trilogy.

Title of the book series Mechwarrior: Dark Age

The story of the Inner Sphere continues in Mechwarrior: Dark Age , but there is a time gap of about 80 years between the last BattleTech novel Finale and the first Dark Age novel Ghost War. During this period, another large state emerged, the Republic of the Sphere , which is composed of territories of the five successor states near Terran.

The Wizkids Dark Age novels are published in the English-language original. Your German translations are distributed by Heyne-Verlag, which also had the original BattleTech novels in its range. Heyne has since discontinued the series, probably due to the low sales figures. FanPro would have liked to continue the series, but no agreement was reached with the licensee. The series of novels has been continued in Germany since October 2011 by Ulisses Spiele.

  • 01 ghost war
    • Original title: "Ghost War"
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 02 The fight begins
    • Original title: "A Call to Arms"
    • Author: Loren L. Coleman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 03 ruins of power
    • Original title: "The Ruins of Power"
    • Author: Robert E. Vardeman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 04 The sky is silent
    • Original title: "A Silence in the Heavens"
    • Author: Martin DelRio
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 05 shadow of truth
    • Original title: "Truth and Shadows"
    • Author: Martin DelRio
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 06 Serving the dead
    • Original title: "Service for the Dead"
    • Author: Martin DelRio
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 07 tide of war
    • Original title: "By Temptations and by War"
    • Author: Loren Coleman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 08 Fortress of Lies
    • Original title: "Fortress of Lies"
    • Author: J. St. York
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 09 Soldier Honor
    • Original title: "Patriot's Stand"
    • Author: Mike Moscoe
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 10 The flight of the falcon
    • Original title: "Flight of the Falcon"
    • Author: Viktor Milan
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 11 To the last man
    • Original title: "Blood of the Isle"
    • Author: Loren Coleman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 12 Time of the Hunters
    • Original title: "Hunters of the Deep"
    • Author: Randall N. Bills
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 13 The sting of the scorpion
    • Original title: "The Scorpion Jar"
    • Author: Jason Hardy
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 14 Dangerous Targets
    • Original title: "Target of Opportunity"
    • Author: Blaine Lee Pardoe
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 15 sword of revolt
    • Original title: "Sword of Sedition"
    • Author: Loren Coleman
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 16 daughter of the dragon
    • Original title: "Daughter of the Dragon"
    • Author: Ilsa J. Bick
    • Translator: Reinhold H. Mai
  • 17 The heretic's doubts
    • Original title: "Heretic's Faith"
    • Author: Randall N. Bills
  • 18 Fortress Republic
    • Original title "Fortress Republic"
    • Author: Loren L. Coleman
  • 19 blood avatar
    • Original title "Blood Avatar"
    • Author: Ilsa J. Bick
  • 20 chaos test
    • Original title "Trial By Chaos"
    • Author: J. Steven York
  • 21 Principle of Desolation
    • Original title "Principles of Desolation"
    • Author: Jason M. Hardy

English title of MW: DA book series

The following titles are not yet available in German.

  • 22 Wolf Hunters
    • Author: Kevin Killiany
  • 23 Surrender Your Dreams
    • Author: Blaine Lee Pardoe
  • 24 Dragon Rising
    • Author: Ilsa J. Bick
  • 25 Masters of War
    • Author: Michael A. Stackpole
  • 26 A Rending of Falcons
    • Author: Victor Milan
  • 27 Pandora's Gambit
    • Author: Randall N. Bills
  • 28 Fire at Will
    • Author: Blaine Lee Pardoe
  • 29 The Last Charge
    • Author: J. Steven York
  • 30 To Ride the Chimera
    • Author: Kevin Killiany

Other published books (no game materials)

  • shrapnel
    • Original title: "Shrapnel"
    • Editor: Michael Immig
    • Authors / stories:
      • Ken St. Andre
        • "Mech warriors never age" / "Old Mechwarriors never ..." translated by A. Lucke
      • Tara Gallagher, James Lanigan
        • “Black Cats From Left” / “Black Cats Cross Your Path” translated by A. Lucke
      • William H. Keith Jr.
        • "Bloody Dance" / "Dance of Vengeance" translated by A. Lucke
        • "Legion Team" / "Legion Team" translated by R. Schulze
        • "What is the honor?" / "Where Lies the Honor?" Translated by R. Schulze
      • Bear Peters
        • "The Last Exam" / "The Last Exam" translated by F. Marufke
        • “He who laughs last, laughs best” / “The Race is not to the Swift” translated by M. Hirdes
      • Michael A. Stackpole
        • “Das Judasmanöver” / “Judas Blind” translated by M. Hirdes
      • Elizabeth T. Danforth, Michael A. Stackpole
        • "Reporting" / "Dispatch" translated by R. Schulze
      • Susan Putney
        • “Think like a Liao” / “Think like a Liao” translated by A. Lucke
      • Mark O'Green
        • "Smeared" / "Painting the Town" translated by M. Hirdes
        • "And then there was ..." / "And then there was a time ..." translated by A. Lucke
    • Publisher: Phoenix (FanPro Germany)
  • Battletech - The world of the 31st century
    • Authors: Reinhold H. Mai, Christoph Nick
    • Note: German authors. So far only published in German. Deals with the summary of the events around the Battletech universe up to the game year 3060 and the general phenomenon BattleTech.
    • Published by Heyne

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ News on ClassicBattleTech.com ( memento from September 15, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) from June 27, 2008