The Mad Lancers: A Powder Mage Novella

Loved Styke in the second trilogy. I really enjoyed this backstory. Wish it were longer! McClellan’s characters are always great fun.

Interesting characters were always popping up. There was a lot of action and tension that kept you wondering how is this going to work out? I thought novellas were short stories but was glad that this book was longer than expected. I enjoyed the authors writing and I look forward to reading more of his work

A thoroughly good backstory for the Ben Styke character. Although it takes place years before "Sins of Empire", I think it should be read after "Sins", once we actually care about Styke's character.Unlike many novellas or short stories, which often seem to be scraped together from the author's cutting room floor, this is a cohesive, solidly written piece with the same flavor and cadence as the main novels. It could easily be a hundred pages longer and no less enjoyable. Recommended for any fans of the Blood and Powder series.

This is a very enjoyable read. I would suggest NOT reading this until you are done the main books, otherwise some of it won't make a lot of sense.The Mad Lancers were not originally main characters at all, but they are becoming my favorites in this world. It was really fun learning where the name came from and where the armor came from :)

big fan of the powder mage series and so forth. this was a good story for those who are fans and want more background on Ben.one complaint: it should have been an entire novel about Ben as he deserves it. not just a short story. but if the intent was to leave you craving for more, then it did its job.

This is an excellent back story of the intensely interesting Powder Mage Series/Sins of Empire character Colonel Ben Styke and how he came to form and lead his Mad Lancers.You don't actually have to have read any of the other books to read and enjoy Ben's story in The Mad lancers so if you have never read The Powder Mage series or the new Gods of Blood and Powder series, this would be a very good introduction to the excellent writings of Brian McClellan.

Seems mad Ben Styke dutifully earned his reputation long ago and this is that story. For those that had read or are reading Sins of Empire or Wrath of empire get to see some of the start of the mad lancers. Very interesting to see the real pull that Ben has when it comes to others. Certainly shows his attitude has not changed so much over the years.. Just the people around him.

Extremely good, took a little for me to get used to the prose, but I've been reading a lot of non-fiction lately so it was just a transitionary thing. Definitely looking forward to reading more of McClellan's work.

Cette nouvelle entièrement consacrée à Ben Styke se situe l'univers des Powder Mages. Elle est censée être lue avant la deuxième trilogie Gods of Blood, mais je l'ai lue plus tard, après Wrath of Empire, et c'est très bien également.Evidemment l'histoire est assez sanglante, Ben Styke ne faisant pas dans la dentelle, mais elle décrit bien le personnage, mélange de force brute et de type bien avec des convictions morales. C'est vraiment intéressant et bien rythmé. Très sympa.

Good story - did want more but novellas are that way.

A really good detailed back story into Ben Styke and the Mad Lancers.Answers a lot of questions raised in the first book.

Mad Ben Styke is such a great character, reminiscent of David Gemmel's Druss the Legend. Excellent novella setting up some of the characters that feature in the second Powder Mage Triligy. Definitely recommended.

Love all his books