Best book to introduce my wife to the Battletech Universe?

[TSignus]

So I need some advice. I've been playing Battletech and reading the novels since the mid 1990's. My wife has never been interested in the game, but has noticed my intense interest in it. We have a longstanding tradition of taking turns reading a book to the other as a bedtime story over the course of several days or weeks (based on the book's length). She told me that for Christmas, she'll let me choose a Battletech novel to read to her as our next "bedtime story" and if it captures her interest, she'll consider joining my next campaign. I've been running through the novels in my head to try and figure out the best one to capture her interest and show her that it's more than just a bunch of mindless robots blasting each other. I only have one book so I'm not sure that the Warrior Trilogy or Blood of Kerensky are the right choice (those are normally the starting points I recommend to someone getting into Battletech). What would you say is the best book to win her over? Thanks!

-TS

[Frabby]

Wolves on the Border.

[Greatclub]

'Decision at thunder rift,' the rest of that trilogy, or, yes, 'wolves on the border' are the best intro to the universe.

Depending on if her tastes are towards the pulp end of the spectrum, 'Close quarters' might work. 'Initiation to war,' 'heir to the dragon,' and 'wolf pack' are pretty good too. 'natural selection' isn't for everyone, but IMHO the best of Stackpole's novels.

[SteelRaven]

+1 for Wolves on the Boarder, tells us allot about the 3rd SW and drops a ton of hints regarding the Clans.

[Col Toda]

Second Wolves at the Border

[Daryk]

+1 more for Wolves on the Border... I'm not a huge fan of the fiction, but that one was good.  :thumbsup:

[Orwell84]

Another vote for Wolves on the Border. Best intro to the BT universe and the first novel that Hollywood should film IMHO. I've not read it in years but from what I remember

- Minobu Tetsuhara and Jaime Wolf's friendship and eventual conflict is a great personal story and clash of two cultures.
- The scene with Takashi and his warlords gives a window to the wider universe and puts the Minobu/Jaime story into context, without overwhelming the reader with details.
- The mystery and hints of the Dragoons' background presage the Clans entry into the setting.
- ComStar's tech-worship and machinations feature in the plot.
- The Black Widow
- Last but not least - the BattleMech action! Just the right balance between 'Mech combat and exploring the 'Game of Thrones'-esque setting.

[Rick88]

Decision at Thunder Rift :thumbsup:

[glitterboy2098]

Another vote for Wolves on the Border. Best intro to the BT universe and the first novel that Hollywood should film IMHO. I've not read it in years but from what I remember

- Minobu Tetsuhara and Jaime Wolf's friendship and eventual conflict is a great personal story and clash of two cultures.
- The scene with Takashi and his warlords gives a window to the wider universe and puts the Minobu/Jaime story into context, without overwhelming the reader with details.
- The mystery and hints of the Dragoons' background presage the Clans entry into the setting.
- ComStar's tech-worship and machinations feature in the plot.
- The Black Widow
- Last but not least - the BattleMech action! Just the right balance between 'Mech combat and exploring the 'Game of Thrones'-esque setting.

same. my suggestion would be:
1st: Wolves on the border
2nd through 4th: The Warrior Trilogy
3rd: Heir to the Dragon.

those five familiarize you with the 4 most commonly used factions in the setting (sorry FWL) as well as give you a pretty broad view of the late succession war era politics and conflicts (good for when you later go back and read the grey death trilogy), with heir to the Dragon setting up (in its later chapters) the basic info needed to make the leap to the Clan Invasion era and later works.

[HyperionCormyr]

I would certainly suggest Wolves on the Border. It's encapsulated and a good stand alone book for a variety of reasons.

Heir to the Dragon is a little too "spread out" and it helps to know what's actually going on in the mega plot to follow that book easily.

If she wants to read more on her own after WotB, THEN give her Warrior Trilogy.

[nerd]

Later on, I'd go with Measure of a Hero for the FCCW era. Sympathetic characters, and the big names have supporting roles.

[Hellraiser]

I'd say this depends on the type of books your wife likes to read.

The whole "Man in the Iron Mask" feel of the original "Sword & Dagger" might be something she likes.

Its also a stand alone novel v/s a trilogy & it focuses mostly on 3 houses so you get some early FedCom alliance insight & the plot from Max that lead to the 4th SW.

[I am Belch II]

Thanks, I'm also trying to find one also for my wife.

[Ruger]

If she likes action adventure and colorful characters, the Cammacho’s Cabaleros series might be good.

Ruger

[BoloMKIV]

Wolves on the Border!  The Warrior Trilogy would also be great
  Well written, wide cast of characters.  Always feel a step above other books in BT.

[Colt Ward]

I'd say this depends on the type of books your wife likes to read.

The whole "Man in the Iron Mask" feel of the original "Sword & Dagger" might be something she likes.

Its also a stand alone novel v/s a trilogy & it focuses mostly on 3 houses so you get some early FedCom alliance insight & the plot from Max that lead to the 4th SW.

I will support this approach . . . my wife is a Game of Thrones fan, so I explained the IS that way- Game of Thrones in space.  She likes certain aspects of the Japanese culture and so we have discussed the Draconis Combine.  Discussed the Clans, b/c she thought about getting the toddler a t-shirt with a Wolf Clan logo . . . she enjoys telling me as the maternal line, she determines which Clan he is in.

Basically . . . if she likes action & adventure, you have a lot of suggestions to include most of the early books up to Initiation to War.  Any of the well done battlefront POV books will work.

IF she is more into the intrigue and plotting type stories- my wife loved the Tudors show where they got into court politics- then the meta or spine novels would be more important IMO.  They will not have much mech action compared to the battlefront/perspective books, but they will get into the struggles for power.  Wolves on the Border, Warrior Trilogy, or the Capellan Solution duology might be the best options as they deal with a lot of the politics and functions of the states outside of the battleground.