Traitor General: Dan Abnett

Please note this book is now part of a four book omnibus entitled "The Lost," and cannot be purchased on Black Library as a single book. I brought it as part as an Omnibus. With that in mind, enjoy the review.

Traitor General: Dan Abnett

A Gaunt’s Ghosts Novel

“Whilst Reading The Lost I was reminded why Abnett is the King of 40K.”

The forces of Magister Sek have captured a high raking Imperial Lord General and Commissar Ibram Gaunt and a team of men have been tasked with the re-capture of this vital officer. Dropped onto the world of Gereon, Gaunt and his Ghosts witness first hand, the horrors of a world being enslaved by Chaos. Can the Ghosts track down and save the lost General before his resolve is broken or will they have to silence him?

~http://www.blacklibrary.com/all-products/Traitor-General-Softback.html

Well, here’s my first Gaunt’s Ghost Review, and it’s the opening novel in The Lost story arc, and puts Colonel Commissar Gaunt back in the spotlight in Dan Abnett’s most popular series. It’s also been a long time since I’ve journeyed to the Realm of Space known as the Sabbat Worlds, and now I wish I’d picked The Lost Omnibus up instead of the Three Ultramarines books.

Because Dan Abnett isn’t just better than McNeill. He runs rings around him, and whilst reading The Lost I was reminded why Abnett is the King of 40K. And 30k, and I have to say that was a weekend well spent.

Unlike other books published by Black Library, Traitor General lacks the epic battle between Loyalist and Chaos forces. However, what it lacks is made up in writing quality. The book wasn’t rushed, and was paced out to give us a great read that’ll drag you in on a hook and keep you there.

There is a fantastic scene in Traitor General, where we see Gaunt’s Ghosts (of which there are only twelve on this assassination mission), take on five Chaos Space Marines. It’s a great moment, and one of my highlights whilst reading this book.

Also for the first time, Abnett puts in humour, which he has avoided in the last two Omnibuses as of the more serious background. I mean, how can you crack a joke after your planet has been destroyed by the Ruinous Powers?

Rather than focus on several of the Gaunt’s Ghosts, Abnett has put them in a situation where there is only twelve, Gaunt, Rawne, Feygor, Cridd, Curth and more come together for this all star line-up of a well paced book which is one of the best of the Gaunt’s Ghosts that I’ve read. Although, I have to say, If there’s one thing which stops it from getting a ten out of ten, it’s the rather sudden ending.

Rating out of 10: 9/10 – Great Read, easily worth it.

Should you buy this book? Yes especially if you’re a Gaunt’s Ghosts fan.

The Blood Angels Omnibus: James Swallow (Part Two: Deus Sanguinus)

Okay, here's the second part in the Blood Angels Omnibus. Having spent the whole afternoon reading Deus Sanguinius, I reckon I should review it before I forget anything. But, I don't think I'm forgetting anything from this book, though.

Blood Angels Omnibus: James Swallow

Part Two: Deus Sanguinius

In this two-book sequence, author James Swallow brings the Blood Angels chapter to life. In an epic story of heroisim, corruption and betrayal, battle-brothers Rafen and Arkio find themselves pitted against each other in a battle for the very soul of the Chapter.

When Brother Arkio claims to be a reincarnation of Sanguinius, the Blood Angel's spiritual father, the message is clear: Follow me or die. Rafen kneels before Arkio and swears an oath of devotion - but the words are ashes in his mouth, and in his heart, he knows that he and his brother will have a reckoning that only one of them will surrive...

Okay, as mentioned above, this is the second part in the Blood Angels Omnibus, which follows the exploits of Brothers (not just because they are Space Marines, mind you) Arkio, who now claims to be the reincarnation of Sanguinius, and Rafen, who's seemingly alone against his former brother, who he has believed has beent tainted by chaos.

As a sequel to an already fantastic book, I had high expectations for this one, and I wasn't dissapointed. Although I worked out what would happen midway through Deus Encarmine, reading the book was still an enjoyment, as it continues the fast pace from the first book, and features an epic showdown at the end and plenty of sweet Dante and Mephiston action.

We also see a Lord of Change, who appears at the hieght of the grand finale to what could mean doom to the Blood Angels force, and plenty of cunning means used to turn the Blood Angels against each other.

High Point: The final showdown between Arkio and Rafen, in a fantastic brother vs brother duel.

Low Point: It was a shame that there was no major twist at the end, as mentioned above it seemed a tad bit predictable.

Rating: 9 / 10

Should you buy this book: Well, If you haven't already got the Omnibus and are buying the books individualy, then defiantly buy this book.

The Blood Angels Omnibus: James Swallow (Part One: Deus Encarmine)

Blood Angels Omnibus: James Swallow

Part One: Deus Encarmine

In this two-book sequence, author James Swallow brings the Blood Angels chapter to life. In an epic story of heroisim, corruption and betrayal, battle-brothers Rafen and Arkio find themselves pitted against each other in a battle for the very soul of the Chapter.

When Brother Arkio claims to be a reincarnation of Sanguinius, the Blood Angel's spiritual father, the message is clear: Follow me or die. Rafen kneels before Arkio and swears an oath of devotion - but the words are ashes in his mouth, and in his heart, he knows that he and his brother will have a reckoning that only one of them will surrive...

Okay, here's my first review of an Omnibus and I'm going to do it in two parts. Having spent the last day reading Deus Encarmine, the first part in the Blood Angels omnibus, I decided to review it. Now, back to the story. Being the first Blood Angels novel, and I being such a fan of the Blood Angels, I had to read it.

It's a tale of two brothers, Rafen and Arkio, Rafen being the older brother, and the more experienced, but after a battle on Cybele and the invasion by the Word Bearers, Arkio leads a stirring counter attack to drive the Chaos Marines from their homeworld.

Shortly after there are whispers. Whispers that Arkio may be a incarnation of the Primarch, Sanguinius. But I'm not going to give you away everything, you'll going to have to read and find out yourself. When I read This omnibus, It was easy to spot the differences that the Blood Angels had from another chapter, rather than in some other books, as they've got a lust for battle and it shows a great example of the Black Rage.

This book also introduces the bad-ass Inquisitor Stele, ally of the Blood Angels, and a whole host of memorable charachters. Unlike when I reviewed Battle for the Aybss, I couldn't remember the charachters names after the novel. However, in this, I can. I can even name a Sergeant who's a secondary charachter: Sergeant Koris, who plays the role of Rafen's mentor.

High Point: Seeing Blood Angels in fiction, the charachters being memorable and Rafen's choice: Loyalty to the Blood Angels or his brother. If you were in that position, what would you choose?

Low Point: Too action packed, If I might say. Even though it was a fantastic book, there seemed to be lots of fighting in the first half of Deus Encarmine, but I'm only nitpicking, as I like action.

Rating: 9/10 Great book, and enjoyed it a lot.

Should you buy this book: Yes, If you want to see some Blood Angel action!