As for the book itself. Patriots and Tyrants was ok. It had some action and plot development. If you're a long time fan of the series, then you should pick it up.


A good read but too short.   September 26, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I could hardly wait to read Patriots and Tyrants. As a continuation of the main BattleTech storyline, I was curious to see if Loren Coleman would prove to be a worthy successor to Michael Stackpole. While a good read, the book suffers from its shortness. Stackpole was able to write at length about not only the mech battles but the personal side of the BattleTech universe. Now the two are squeezed into less than 300 pages.
Still the book is very good. I especially enjoyed the conflicting scenes played out by Victor and Omi against Katherine at Christmas. Coleman did a fantastic job in portraying the siblings as polar opposites.
Although too short for my taste, Patriots and Tyrants is a very enjoyable read. I only hope the word limit placed on authors is seen for the folly it is and is removed soon.


The Last of the Era   September 7, 2001
 1 out of 4 found this review helpful

I have to say that Coleman are just one of the remaining few good novelists after Stackpole in the old late-FASA team. (Stackpole left sometime earlier) Heard that Stackpole had been advising Coleman on this book so it is effectively 2 in 1. Anyway, FASA is no more and it's WizKids turn, so this is the last of the FASA's BattleTech era and enter WizKids' Battletech era. Wizkids is going in another direction with Battletech leaving the current era to Fantasy to complete. At least you know that Stackpole is on Wizkids team. I'm not so sure about Coleman. (I think so and sure hope so!) As I said, this is The Last of the Era so go get it!!!


Not a bad book but on the short side   September 21, 2001
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Compared to the previous books that have made up the main story behind BattleTech this book is lightweight. For example, the Stackpole classic "Bred for War" it literally twice the size. This is mostly the fault of ROC in their stupid word count limitations that drove Stackpole away from writing BTech fiction in the first place. Suffice to say I finished this book in no more than two or three hours.

That aside, Loren Coleman has done a good job picking up from where Stackpole left off. The characters pick up well from previous novels. The plot moves forward, albeit not with the same depth as might have been desired. Also the battle scenes are good, if somewhat brief. I just feel that I've been left hanging with the story only half done. I very much enjoy BTech fiction and this book was good, I would have just liked something deeper. I'm sure that Loren Coleman has the ability to do more, it's just that he's being artifically limited.

So while not a bad read, there's just not enough depth to give it a better review.


The story continues... The blood flows as the saga unfolds..   October 9, 2001
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

The saga that was started back in the early 90's continues. Loren's book is a worthy contribution to the Battletech novels. He has seamlessly woven his book from where Michael Stackpole left off with his outline for "Tide of Tyrants" which was never to be. Even with the number of words restricted by the publisher could not diminish the significance of this new installment. Many of the characters that Battletech fans have loved are there... along with the usual twists and turns and surprises.
The story unfolds with the continued building of civil unrest and discontent throughout the former Federated Commonwealth. Katrina (Katherine) is still causing problems and is increasing being more ruthless in her displays of power. Victor, the new Precentor Martial of Com Star has been monitoring the increasingly alarming situation and looking for the necessary evidence to prove that Katrina was behind their mother's assasination.
The book is worthy successor to the Battletech traditions and will prove to be an easy read and a great way to be clued-in on the latest happening in the "Inner Sphere".
Get It and Read It!