This book could not have been better written, nor could there have been a better finish to what has to be my favorite trilogy of novels. Robert N. Charrette has a great perspective on the Shadowrun world and should be held in high esteem if you are a player in the RPG. I would recommend the reading of this series to anyone who is interested in the Shadowrun universe.

Charrette is a fantastic writer. He builds up the plot until it bursts with surprising plot twists and good characters

How much fun was that?! I havn't enjoyed a book that much since reading the field manual for my own brand spanking Mad Cat...
Though they could have done more with Zeta Battalion. Wasted their brilliance slightly...
Oh, by the way, anyone remember what Jamie Wolf's 'Mech was again?

The BEST Battletech book that I've read to date. Started playing/reading Battletech in '93 and this was the first book and I've collected and read EVERY book.

It was hard to put this book down. It kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. This quality of writing is what other writers should strive for!! Not set word limits by the publishers.

Not much bad to write about this one.
I but I never expected the end, at least not the the
person of whom you least expect it.
Even though it only took me a little over 8 hours to finish, I
would definitely read this one again for the sake of the author ;)
He did one heck of a job. Characters aren't shallow and are
well thought out. Can hardly wait to get my hands on Wolf Pack.

In a nutshell, I highly recommand this one to all Battletech Fans who still don't know how the Dragoons and Draconis Combine
got set against each other.

Robert N. Charrette's science fiction story about warriors who operate mobile machines of war and destruction, Battletech: Wolves On The Border is the abridged audiobook version and based on the famous science-fiction role-gaming campaign setting. MechWarrior Minobu Tetsuhara is bound by loyalty and the strict code of bushido to serve a manipulative warlord, yet when his commands pit him against an honorable foe he is trapped between duty and conscience. An exciting story that perfectly captures the far-flung and technology-heavy feel of the pencil-and-paper roleplaying game, Battletech: Wolves On The Border is dramatically narrated by Christopher Graybell, resulting in a 3 hour, 2 cassettes audiobook which is enthusiastically recommended listening for fans of mechanoid and robotech scifi.

This book, which is probably one of the best Battletech novels out there, gives us a look at how House Kurita and Wolf's Dragoons became enemies. Minobu Tetsuhara is the Combine's liason officer with the Dragoons after House Kurita hires the vaunted mercenaries. Tetsuhara must learn from the Dragoons as the Coordinator of the Draconis Combine, Takashi Kurita, orders him to create a unit that mimics the Dragoons' style. Events come to a head when the Coordinator arranges to keep the Dragoons contract and Tetsuhara must choose between facing off with the Dragoons or dishonoring himself as a samurai of the Draconis Combine. Set before the coming of the Clans and the just-finished FedCom civil war, this is Battletech still at its best (before major word limits cut out the legs of many novels). Highly enjoyable, especially if you read the Warrior Trilogy, Blood of Kerensky Trilogy, Heir to the Dragon, and Wolf Pack, a sequel to this novel also by Mr. Charrette.

I've never bought a book on tape before, but I had some idea of what it was. It's not just someone reading out loud to you but more like an old fashioned radio show with sound effects expressing the story that before you could only conjure in your mind. The "Heir to the Dragon" version contains 2 cassettes with a 3 hour playtime. The story is about Theodore Kurita's rise and the relationship between himself and his father the Coordinator Takashi Kurita. Starting with Theodore's command in the Legion of Vega and continuing through the War of 3039 the audiobook follows the original novel very well. The Narrator Christopher Graybill does a good job representing each of the characters his only fault was in his pronunciations of the various locations. One example that made me cringe everytime he said it was "Dieron". Maybe its just me but I've always pronounced it "Dear-ron". He would say it as "Die-ron". If you know which way is correct let me know.
Very few important scenes were cut out of the audiobook. There's one scene in the paperback where Theodore is meeting with Comstar to broker a deal on gaining some mechs. In that scene he presents Frederick Steiner, who was captured back in the 4th Succession War and who would later become Precentor Martial Focht, to them as a gift. That was the only major scene I thought should have been kept in but if you hadn't read the Warrior books then it would have made no sence. So I understand why it wasn't there. Overall I really enjoyed this audiobook. This would make a perfect companion to any roadtrip or just when you need to keep yourself entertained while painting your miniatures. The complete "Return of Kerensky" trilogy is also available.

Are you sick and tired of that endless praise on Davion-Steiner holy crusade against the Evil Everybody Else? Do you hate to see the greatest concept in the science fiction history being spoiled by infantile moral preachments? Do you end up asking over and over again: WHY DO THE DAVION BASTARDS ALWAYS WIN??? Why are the authors so panicked about different ways of thinking that they cowardly refuse to give the other side even a slightest chance?

Well, if you feel that way, 'Heir of the Dragon' is the book you need. For the first time, some fairness is brought into the Battletech series. Mr. Charrette shows you the universe from inside of the Draconian empire. The book's written with a deep understanding of Japanese way of life and the Kuritas are actually described as human beings rather than mindless animals that must be exterminated at any price.

Before you read this book, it is absolutely necessary that you read the previous volume - 'Wolves on the Border'. If you haven't read 'Wolves...' (I made that mistake), many things that happen in 'Heir...' will be difficult to understand. In fact, it's a good idea to keep 'Wolves...' at hand while reading 'Heir...' to refresh your memory occasionally. Even if you don't like 'Wolfes...', don't let it keep you from reading 'Heir...' It's much better, I promise!

'Heir of the Dragon' is the book that awoke the fascination about Japan in me. And it helped me hold through the Battletech series until my patience was rewarded by the Clan wars.

Michael Stackpole may have a talent for intrigues and fast action,but Robert Charette is the better author.His novel is very well written and its got atmosphere,depth and realism. "Heir.." describes the life of Theodore Kurita as son of the Coordinator of the Draconis Combine. The novel provides you with an in-depth look at the inner workings,the philosophy and the life in House Kuritas realm and its still the best source for anyone interested in the Draconis Combine, especially for Battletech Game Masters. In addition to that,it covers the time from Theodores birth til the 3040s,and so it gives you an overview of the Inner Sphere history of the whole era too.You should note that this book is also the only source in novel-form for the war of 3039,a very interesting chapter in the history of struggling between the houses Davion and Kurita.

I am a great fan of the Shadowrun univers and found the book Never Deal With a Dragon to be interesting. The plot line was difficult to follow at times and didn't begin to come to gether till the end. The thing that bothered me the most was Sam Verner's (protagonist) constent state of ambevolence. Though his ambevolence was understandable he would atamatically disagree with every situation, then acquiesce without argument. It made for a somewhat paper thin protagonist. Sam's group didn't have any realistic motavation to help him to achive his goals. The characters acted out of unreasonable philanthropy for the dark and dangerous setting of Shadowrun. Some of the redeeming values of the book (one inperticular) was it's interesting plot "Twist" involving magic. The overall story concept was also good. The novel was an OK read though with its flaws it does contain some high points.

this book is the only shadowrun book ive read and it was one of the best books ive ever read anyone who likes shadowrun should read it

This was the first (and in my opinion the best) book I have read from the ShadowRun series. If you ever read William Gibson (if not, you should read his works), the universe should be familiar to you. It is the same world where corporations control the information but includes freelancer hackers, cybernerically beefed up street samurai, and returning mythical creatures such as elves and goblins. Highly recommended.

This book is a nice read for those who are looking for nasty mech fights. This isn't all about war and death though, it also tells about how a man loses his love and gains her back again, only to have her nearly taken from him again. I wont spoil any more though, just get the book!

I am not a person who reads books alot, but when I started the Mechwarrior Series, I was enjoying every word. This book is no exception. The storyline is straight and to the point. The romance is, as always, a twisting relevance to the plot line. The best parts, are of course, the drama of leading up to the fights, and the fights themselves.

Currently on Chapter 26, of a 39 chapter book. I am up late, having to work in the morning, but can not put it down!
If you want to look into the mechwarrior series, start with this!

I have been a fan of the Mechwarrior series ever since FASA launched Mechwarrior 2 in 1995. Once I found out that books were being published about the the Battletech universe, I just had to buy a few so I could see how the story was progressing. "Initiation To War" was my first book to read and I just have to say that it blew me away. This book really rocks! It starts out slow but it heats up pretty quick. I love this book because it causes the reader to think a lot and anaylize situations. After reading "Initiation To War" It reminded me of one of the most acclaimed movies of all time "ZULU". "Initiation To War" has a plot slightly similar to "ZULU" in that it deals with the aspect of respect, honor, and loyalty. The author did a good job writting this book though somehow I wish it would have been longer so I could find out what happened between Kelly and Sam because that was left hanging. Overall I loved this book, it has suspense, drama, and of course action. So get it, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

~I thoroughly enjoyed this, the second book in the trilogy. I liked the dwarfs depicted herein very much, and I found the first person view of the evil Quetzal very chilling. Strong writing, original ideas. I am act

A cool tale about an average runner trying to stay alive. A good story all around.

it seems to me that the story was written to be a follow-up to his first story arc secrets of power. The characters seem to have developed and grown between the stories. It was nice to see a shadowrun author " stretch" out a story and show a different side of the characters. Hope he writes another story to continue the past four.

The main character, an Ork, is excellent. He really gives you can idea of how life is for the poor and down-trodden in Seattle. The storyline was a bit lacking.

I really like the way the news stories are inserted into the story. I thought that was very well done. Otherwise the book was average. Not a bad read and certainly better then most RPG books, but it's no Burning Bright or Headhunters (excellent SR novels IMHO).

I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. In a line of books that on a whole seem to be of decent quality, this book stands above the others I have read. It dealt with current events in the Shadowrun world and not just a self contained one. Just Compensation also captured the incredible complication of running and living in the UCAS of the 2050s, with bureacratic government entanglements on one side and megacorporate power on the other. The conflict over North Virginia is well done and not found in Shadowrun accessories.

This book was absolutly SLOW! Compleatly different from the first, it features random violence and contrived romance. Not worth more than a buck.

I am going to start by saying that I like Charrette's books, but not on account of this one. Almost no convincing attempt is made to explain why the characters act and feel the way they do. Sam's reaction to Dodger's "betrayal" makes no sense, he was acting in Sam's best interests. Coincidentally, the lies he betrayed Sam with turn out to have the same effect in the end as if they were truth. Hart, the exotic elf and top knotch shadowrunner, who betrayed and tried to kill Sam, for some reason falls in love with him. Sam is constantly labeled to be average looking, but he becomes the lover of two beautiful women in this trilogy. I found the magical scenes boring, the best parts of this book were the Matrix runs, which Charrette does well in all of his books that I have read. This book has rushed feel to it, as middle books of trilogies sometimes do.

This book has to be one of the best I've read since I finished the previous book in the seiries. An interesting plot (though all the threads do not join together at the end) and good characters. All around a good book.