BattleTech

Hour of the Wolf

By: Blaine Lee Pardoe

Narrated by: Tren Sparks, Sierra Taft

MORE THAN A CENTURY IN THE MAKING…

Since the Clan Invasion of 3050 ended in failure, there have been those who have not forgotten Nicholas Kerensky’s ultimate goal: The conquering of Terra, and the rise of one clan above all others…to become the ilClan, and rule over both the rest of the Clans and the Inner Sphere…regardless of what the Great Houses may say about it…

THE BATTLE THAT WILL RESHAPE THE INNER SPHERE BEGINS…

Now, in 3151, two Clans make the final jump into the shattered remains of the Republic of the Sphere. Their target: the cradle of humankind…and the ultimate symbol of the Inner Sphere…Terra. But Clans Jade Falcon and Wolf will face a powerful, tenacious enemy in the remaining forces of the Republic, led by their resurrected leader, Devlin Stone. The impending battle will engulf the entire planet, and when it is over, only one shall stand supreme...

©2021 Topps, Inc. (P)2025 Topps, Inc.

Good but not great

Overall the novel isn’t bad. The first half of the novel was a bit disappointing. Even when it was just Clan Wolf invading the Republic of the Sphere, it felt like a foregone conclusion. There was little danger the Wolves would lose and dispute the Republic having had years to prepare for this kind of engagement, developing new technologies and building up their armies, they seemed to get steamrolled by a Wolf clan that had been at constant war for the last several years. Even the assassination attempts on the two clans leaders failed miserably. If a dropships could fly right over Alaric in the middle of a battle and wasn’t going to make it out anyway, why not just plow the thing right into him, no chance to survive.

The most insulting part was that Tara Campbell allowed Alaric to monologue for several minute while she had him in her grasp and then just gave up to save her highlanders. He already gave his batchall so she knew going in what she was up against, if she wasn’t ready to commit the highlanders to the battle win or lose why go at all? She gave up good ground for sentiment and then gave up her freedom because she was afraid for her Highlanders? That makes no sense at all.

The Ilclan trial and afterward were much more enjoyable with some odd caveats. The jade falcons were battered as much as the wolves bear the end when the Dragoons and Wolves-in-Exile entered the fight, that’s 5 fresh regiments in the Dragoons alone. If anyone should have been steamrolled it should have been what was left of the Jade Falcons, but the put up enough of a fight to destroy 80% of the Dragoons? How was that possible? 5 regiments of elite warriors fresh entering a fight and the falcons having fought all day and low on munitions? Why was Gen Brubaker upset about having to pull back and how does an elite force get chewed up by an opposing force you are beating by withdrawing? Also, Alaric was wrong about the Dragoon betrayal and he should have known that. Natasha gave testimony to that when she returned.

The narrating was also mixed. Sparks did a fine job as usual but please stop using Sierra Taft, she can’t even pronounce the main characters first name correctly or the capital of Canada (not to mention other common words) and her accents all sound the same.

the fidelis

this book is mostly about battles where alot of other books may have 3 or 4 battles. its a really good inteanse listening experience.

storyline

enjoyed very much, was a much anticipated continuation of the story. hope to see more in the future

Amazing and immersive

Another great listen between the writer and narrator it's unimaginable that catalyst made this one of their last works in this franchise...long live Land and Sea

nice!

the book was great narrators did a wonderful job I highly recommend it as well as the rest of the battletech universe.

Two narrators.

I think having two narrators for the male and females parts of the book was a great choice. Best audiobook so far.

Really Well Done

My first Battletech "read", ever, this really set the bar. They did a fantastic job bringing dozens of characters to life. The segues are good. The whole production is, just, top-notch.

MASTERPIECE! BENCHMARK!

The season finale of season finales! Great writing, great story, and devotion by Mr Pardoe, narrated by Tren Sparks and his superb voice acting. Money well spent.

The end

The book was powerful and descriptive with a combat scenes given an excellent picture that aligned with the game mechanics. The storyline and politics within it was fantastic, and the conclusion had an excellent twist the end.

Solid but not great

It is hard to enjoy a book when the antogonists are so utterly full of themselves ie clan wolf and jade falcon. I went from loving the clans to despising them and their endless arrogance. Clan Wolf is made to be holier than thou, Jade Falcon comically evil. The book is worth a credit but not a relisten. Down with the clans. Long live the Republic.