

UNITED STATES AUTHOR · FICTION · SCIENCE FICTION
Michael A. Stackpole
Also known as: Michael Stackpole, Michael A Stackpole
Michael Austin Stackpole (born November 27, 1957) is an American science fiction and fantasy author best known for his Star Wars and BattleTech books. He was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, but raised in Vermont. He has a BA in history from the University of Vermont. From 1977 on, he worked as a designer of role-playing games for various gaming companies, and wrote dozens of magazine articles with limited distribution within the industry. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Gray smoke cloaked the dark ocean, hiding Kai Allard as his head broke the surface of the water.
— from Battletech 22
Most acclaimed

Assumption of risk
A sci-fi adventure novel based in the Battletech universe. Kai Allard-Liao has returned to the world that made his father famous, the gaming planet of Solaris VII. But being the Gaming World's Champion is the least of his worries as conflicts abound, from the arrival of a former lover to the assassination plot of a political leader.

Talion
Justices – the select of the Talion, endowed with fearsome magick and lethal martial skills – roam the Shattered Empire, crushing the lawless and championing the oppressed. Their word is law and their judgment binding on highborn and low. Nolan is a Justice born in what once was the free nation of Sinjaria. Orphaned in the war of conquest with the nation of Hamis, he traveled to far Talianna and secured the right to become a Justice. Now, years later, the Master of all Talions has a dangerous assignment for Nolan: he is to guard the life of the king who destroyed Sinjaria and slaughtered his family. Alone, Nolan ventures into the political maelstrom that is the court of Hamis to stop an assassin even his Masters think cannot be slain . . . (from the back cover)

The Grand Crusade
In this incredible conclusion to the epic fantasy saga, continuing from When Dragons Rage, New York Times bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole returns to a world of mystery, prophecy, and magick, where dreams-for better or worse-can come true...The Grand CrusadeThe hope of the future, Will Norrington, prophesied to bring down the northern tyrant Chytrine and redeem the world, is said to be dead, lost in the heart of a fiery volcano. The news has thrown the Council of Kings into a furor and drained the spirit from once united factions. As questions swirl about as to Will's legacy, and even his identity, one thing is clear: a divided alliance lacks power. And this may be exactly the opening Chytrine needs to seize control-and capture the empowering artifact, the DragonCrown-once and for all. Still, Will's friends and comrades remain true to his cause, preparing to continue the fight. Among them is the Vilwanese hero, Kerrigan Reese, and Alyx, groomed to lead an army. Sayce, pregnant with Will's child, must remain behind as the new custodian of the Norrington future in case they fail. But even as they draw up battle plans, with the enemy nearer than they think, a shattering betrayal-and a stunning revelation-may change the course of everything.From the Trade Paperback edition.