<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=157975.msg7683323#msg7683323">Quote from: KaylaM on 06-02-2013, 23:27:00</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">I've never been able to quite figure out <em>Freebirth</em>. Near as I can tell, it was a "filler" novel to bulk out the series or because Thurston was under contract or the like. Otherwise, it's got nothing to do with the rest of the series and can be skipped without affecting the overall plot.<br/><br/>With that being said, I have an odd relationship with Thurston. I like his characters... just not when he writes them. Yes, that includes Joanna. And while he's pretty crap, he's not the worst writer ever to grace a <em>Battletech</em> novel<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>I am fairly certain that the Worst Writer to ever fall under the Battletech Umbrella of 'Beer and Pretzels Strategy' is James D. Long, creator of the Black Thorns Duology. (Aka; Mary-sue Sociopath in charge of a dozen cardboard cutouts somehow hemmoraging money left right and centre by remaining 'unknown' after capturing a full Star of Clan 'mechs)<br/><br/>As for Joanna, yes, her character is comparatively flat, But she's at least tolerably flat.