Double Blind
BattleTech: Double-Blind
Author: Loren L Coleman
Era: Clan Invasion
Audiobook? Yes
Overall Impression:
Double-Blind is a fast‑paced, tightly focused BattleTech novel that delivers exactly what fans might expect: mercenary grit, political intrigue, and escalating danger. Loren L. Coleman uses Avanti’s Angels—one of the more colorful mercenary outfits in the setting—to explore the murky tensions of the Periphery and the rising threat of the Word of Blake. It’s not the biggest or most sweeping BattleTech novel, but rewards readers who enjoy small‑unit tactics and covert operations.
—
Plot & Premise
– The story follows Marcus GioAvanti and his mercenary company, the Avanti’s Angels, known for their hit‑and‑run expertise and hard‑earned reputation.
– They’re hired by a Periphery state to investigate and counter a series of mysterious high‑tech raids along the border.
– What begins as a straightforward contract spirals into a confrontation with the Word of Blake, a fanatical cult whose hidden agenda threatens to destabilize the region.
– The novel spans 3057–3058, placing it squarely in the Clan Invasion era’s political aftershocks.
—
What it Does Well
Tactical Action:
Coleman excels at writing small‑unit engagements. The Angels’ hit‑and‑run style gives the combat a kinetic, improvisational feel. Readers who enjoy mech‑scale skirmishes rather than massive planetary battles will find a lot to love.
Mystery & Intrigue:
The “double‑blind” concept is woven into the narrative:
– The Angels don’t know who’s really pulling the strings.
– Their employers aren’t telling them everything.
– The Word of Blake is operating in the shadows.
This layered uncertainty keeps the tension high.
Character Dynamics:
Marcus GioAvanti is a grounded, likable commander—professional, pragmatic, and loyal to his people. The Angels themselves feel like a real mercenary outfit: competent, scrappy, and always one bad contract away from disaster.
Periphery World‑Building:
The novel highlights the Periphery’s political instability and cultural diversity, giving readers a break from the Inner Sphere’s usual power blocs.
—
Where It Falls Short
Pacing Can Be Uneven:
Some may find the setup a bit slow before the real threat becomes clear. I’ve seen multiple reviews complain about this aspect of the book. The middle third is strongest; the opening and closing sections move more predictably.
Limited Character Depth:
While the Angels are fun to follow, the book prioritizes action over deep emotional arcs. This is typical for most BattleTech nevels, but worth noting for readers seeking character‑driven sci‑fi.
Word of Blake as Villains:
The Word of Blake is menacing, but here they’re more shadowy than fully explored. Granted I feel the story would have been better with stronger villains.
—
Final Verdict:
Double-Blind is a solid, action‑heavy BattleTech novel that blends tactical mech combat with covert operations and rising ideological threats. It’s especially appealing if you enjoy:
– Mercenary‑focused stories
– Small‑unit tactics
– Periphery politics
– Early hints of the Word of Blake’s growing influence
It’s not the most epic or emotionally complex entry in the line, but it’s a tight, satisfying read. I really wish they would have went into more detail about the Angels and I would love to see more stories with them heading up the action.
If you don’t want to read double blind, they also have an audiobook that I highly recommend.
Author: Loren L Coleman
Era: Clan Invasion
Audiobook? Yes
Overall Impression:
Double-Blind is a fast‑paced, tightly focused BattleTech novel that delivers exactly what fans might expect: mercenary grit, political intrigue, and escalating danger. Loren L. Coleman uses Avanti’s Angels—one of the more colorful mercenary outfits in the setting—to explore the murky tensions of the Periphery and the rising threat of the Word of Blake. It’s not the biggest or most sweeping BattleTech novel, but rewards readers who enjoy small‑unit tactics and covert operations.
—
Plot & Premise
– The story follows Marcus GioAvanti and his mercenary company, the Avanti’s Angels, known for their hit‑and‑run expertise and hard‑earned reputation.
– They’re hired by a Periphery state to investigate and counter a series of mysterious high‑tech raids along the border.
– What begins as a straightforward contract spirals into a confrontation with the Word of Blake, a fanatical cult whose hidden agenda threatens to destabilize the region.
– The novel spans 3057–3058, placing it squarely in the Clan Invasion era’s political aftershocks.
—
What it Does Well
Tactical Action:
Coleman excels at writing small‑unit engagements. The Angels’ hit‑and‑run style gives the combat a kinetic, improvisational feel. Readers who enjoy mech‑scale skirmishes rather than massive planetary battles will find a lot to love.
Mystery & Intrigue:
The “double‑blind” concept is woven into the narrative:
– The Angels don’t know who’s really pulling the strings.
– Their employers aren’t telling them everything.
– The Word of Blake is operating in the shadows.
This layered uncertainty keeps the tension high.
Character Dynamics:
Marcus GioAvanti is a grounded, likable commander—professional, pragmatic, and loyal to his people. The Angels themselves feel like a real mercenary outfit: competent, scrappy, and always one bad contract away from disaster.
Periphery World‑Building:
The novel highlights the Periphery’s political instability and cultural diversity, giving readers a break from the Inner Sphere’s usual power blocs.
—
Where It Falls Short
Pacing Can Be Uneven:
Some may find the setup a bit slow before the real threat becomes clear. I’ve seen multiple reviews complain about this aspect of the book. The middle third is strongest; the opening and closing sections move more predictably.
Limited Character Depth:
While the Angels are fun to follow, the book prioritizes action over deep emotional arcs. This is typical for most BattleTech nevels, but worth noting for readers seeking character‑driven sci‑fi.
Word of Blake as Villains:
The Word of Blake is menacing, but here they’re more shadowy than fully explored. Granted I feel the story would have been better with stronger villains.
—
Final Verdict:
Double-Blind is a solid, action‑heavy BattleTech novel that blends tactical mech combat with covert operations and rising ideological threats. It’s especially appealing if you enjoy:
– Mercenary‑focused stories
– Small‑unit tactics
– Periphery politics
– Early hints of the Word of Blake’s growing influence
It’s not the most epic or emotionally complex entry in the line, but it’s a tight, satisfying read. I really wish they would have went into more detail about the Angels and I would love to see more stories with them heading up the action.
If you don’t want to read double blind, they also have an audiobook that I highly recommend.
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