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It’s been a long time since I originally read and played in the Battletech universe. However, with a recent membership in Scribd after I cancelled my Kindle Unlimited membership I joyfully came across this series once again. If you’re a fan of reading and audiobooks, I highly recommend Scribd as while I liked Kindle Unlimited, I also disliked it at the same time!
You see, Kindle Unlimited only really offered self-published books through its store and while I really enjoyed reading and getting to know some of these authors, I also wanted to read stuff from some of the big names in the industry. With Scribd, I have this + for the same cost I also have magazines and audiobooks. If you’re interested in giving them a try click here to get two free months to try it out!
Now, these are labeled as Battletech Legends and the reading order seems a bit out of whack. I initially thought it was based around actions happening during the same timeframe in the Inner Sphere but this isn’t really the case.
So this post is going to cover the right way you should read all of the books along with links to the relevant reviews when I finish each book.
This table while it contains all of the books will have additional detail added as I get through them so check back often and click through to the associated reviews for more details!
| Timeline of Events | Correct Reading Order | Legends Order | |
| 3024 | #1 – Decision at Thunder Rift by William H. Keith Jr. A good introduction to the Battletech universe. It provides a good overview without getting caught up in the minutia of things. Starting from simple infantry fighting these awesome war machines and then growing into command of the machines themselves – this book launches the universe well. | 24 | |
| 3025 | The Sword and the Dagger, by Ardath Mayhar. | ||
| 3025 – 3026 | #2 – Mercenary’s Star by William H. Keith Jr. Continuing from the previous book – Decision at Thunder Rift – this book sees the fledgling legion continuing to grow. With the forces of the Draconis Combine working hard to subjugate the citizens of Verthandi, the Legion is called in to help the fledgling rebellion. | 25 | |
| 3026 – 3027 | #3 – Warrior: En Garde by Michael A. Stackpole | 57 | |
| 3027 – 3028 | #4 – The Price of Glory by William H. Keith, Jr. | 26 | |
| 3027 – 3029 | #5 – Warrior: Riposte by Michael A. Stackpole | 58 | |
| 3023 – 3028 | #6 – Wolves on the Border by Robert N. Charrette – This was actually the first book I read in the Legends series but based on my recollection of events from earlier days it was out of sequence which is why I created this list! The story is basically all about the mercenary group the Wolves Dragoons and their experiences with their Kurita paymasters. | 1 | |
| 3029 – 3030 | #7 – Warrior: Coupe by Michael A. Stackpole | 59 | |
| #8 – Heir to the Dragon by Robert N. Charrette | |||
| 3030s | #9 – Way of the Clans by Robert Thurston While we get a couple of hints in earlier books – specifically Wolves on the Border – this is our first real introduction to the Clans. An extremely martial society that has formed from the descendants of Kerensky, the Clan’s goal and ambition is to restore the Star League – regardless of who and what stands in their way. The Jade Falcon’s are one of the most ambitious of the Clan’s and this story tells the birth of one of their greatest leaders. | 2 | |
| 3040s | #10 – Bloodname by Robert Thurston | 11 | |
| #11 – Lethal Heritage by Michael A. Stackpole | |||
| #12 – Blood Legacy by Michael A. Stackpole | |||
| #13 – Lost Destiny by Michael A. Stackpole | |||
| Falcon Guard by Robert Thurston | |||
| Wolf Pack by Robert N. Charrette | |||
| Main Event by James D. Long | |||
| Ideal War by Christopher Kubasik | |||
| Natural Selection by Michael A. Stackpole | |||
| Assumption of Risk by Michael A. Stackpole | |||
| Blood of Heroes by Andrew Keith | |||
| Close Quarters by Victor Milán | |||
| Far Country by Peter L. Rice | |||
| D.R.T. by James D. Long | |||
| Tactics of Duty by William H. Keith | |||
| Bred for War by Michael A. Stackpole | |||
| I Am Jade Falcon by Robert Thurston | |||
| Star Lord by Donald G. Phillips | |||
| Highlander Gambit by Blaine Lee Pardoe | |||
| Hearts of Chaos by Victor Milán | |||
| Operation Excalibur by William H. Keith | |||
| Malicious Intent by Michael A. Stackpole | |||
| Black Dragon by Victor Milán | |||
| Impetus of War by Blaine Lee Pardoe | |||
| Double-Blind by Loren L. Coleman | |||
| Binding Force by Loren Coleman | |||
| Exodus Road by Blaine Lee Pardoe | |||
| Grave Covenant by Michael A. Stackpole | |||
| The Hunters by Thomas S. Gressman | |||
| Freebirth by Robert Thurston | |||
| Sword and Fire by Thomas S. Gressman | |||
| Shadows of War by Thomas S. Gressman | |||
| Prince of Havoc by Michael A. Stackpole | |||
| Falcon Rising by Robert Thurston | |||
| Threads of Ambition by Loren Coleman | |||
| The Killing Fields by Loren Coleman | |||
| Dagger Point by Thomas S. Gressman | |||
| Ghost of Winter by Stephen Kenson | |||
| Roar of Honor by Blaine Lee Pardoe | |||
| By Blood Betrayed by Mel Odom | |||
| Illusions of Victory by Loren Coleman | |||
| Flashpoint by Loren Coleman | |||
| Measure of a Hero by Blaine Lee Pardoe | |||
| Path of Glory by Randall N. Bills | |||
| Test of Vengeance by Bryan Nystul | |||
| Patriots and Tyrants by Loren L. Coleman | |||
| Call of Duty by Blaine Lee Pardoe | |||
| Initiation to War by Robert N. Charrette | |||
| The Dying Time by Thomas S. Gressman | |||
| Storms of Fate by Loren Coleman | |||
| Imminent Crisis by Randall N. Bills | |||
| Operation Audacity by Blaine Lee Pardoe | |||
| Endgame by Loren Coleman | |||
| Ghost War by Michael A. Stackpole | |||
| A Call to Arms (MechWarrior: Dark Age #2) by Loren Coleman | |||
| The Ruins of Power by Robert E. Vardeman | |||
| A Silence in the Heavens by Martin Delrio | |||
| Truth and Shadows by Martin Delrio | |||
| Service for the Dead by Martin Delrio | |||
| By Temptations and by War by Loren Coleman | |||
| Fortress of Lies by J. Steven York | |||
| Patriot’s Stand by Mike Moscoe | |||
| Flight of the Falcon by Victor Milán | |||
| Blood of the Isle by Loren Coleman | |||
| Hunters of the Deep by Randall N. Bills | |||
| The Scorpion Jar by Jason M. Hardy | |||
| Target of Opportunity by Blaine Lee Pardoe | |||
| Sword of Sedition by Loren Coleman | |||
| Daughter of the Dragon by Ilsa J. Bick | |||
| Heretic’s Faith by Randall N. Bills | |||
| Fortress Republic by Loren Coleman | |||
| Blood Avatar by Ilsa J. Bick | |||
| Trial by Chaos by J. Steven York | |||
| Principles of Desolation by Jason M. Hardy | |||
| Wolf Hunters by Kevin Killiany | |||
| Surrender Your Dreams by Blaine Lee Pardoe | |||
| Dragon Rising by Ilsa J. Bick | |||
| Masters of War by Michael A. Stackpole | |||
| A Rending of Falcons by Victor Milán | |||
| Pandora’s Gambit by Randall N. Bills | |||
| Fire at Will by Blaine Lee Pardoe | |||
| The Last Charge by Jason M. Hardy | |||
| To Ride the Chimera by Kevin Killiany | |||
| A Bonfire of Worlds by Steven Mohan Jr. |