Andrew
As a long time fan of the Battletech/Mechwarrior game franchise, I was looking forward to learning more about the expanded universe. While The Sword and the Dagger does cover an important period of in-universe lore, it is unfortunately a bit of a slog to get through.
The conspiracy at the heart of the plot is convuluted and the characterizations are paper-thin...but thankfully, House Totally Noble Good Guy, with the help of House Unquestiongly Loyal Ally, is able to triumph over House Nefarious Evildoer.
I know that the series gets better as I read some other random Battletech novels when I was (much, much) younger. If this were my first experience with Battletech lore I don't think I'd be inspired to read further.
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
As a long time fan of the Battletech/Mechwarrior game franchise, I was looking forward to learning more about the expanded universe. While The Sword and the Dagger does cover an important period of in-universe lore, it is unfortunately a bit of a slog to get through.
The conspiracy at the heart of the plot is convuluted and the characterizations are paper-thin...but thankfully, House Totally Noble Good Guy, with the help of House Unquestiongly Loyal Ally, is able to triumph over House Nefarious Evildoer.
I know that the series gets better as I read some other random Battletech novels when I was (much, much) younger. If this were my first experience with Battletech lore I don't think I'd be inspired to read further.
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.