40k - Gaunt's Ghosts

[Mikey]

OK, so I finally got my lazy ass in gear and started. I devoured the first two omnibuses (omnibi?) and I have to say, even though these are earlier than Abnett's other 40k work, they cement my opinion of him as far and away the best Black Library author. I read a lot, and it is rare for me to put a book down and still have a lingering emotional reaction. I literally went to bed very upset when

Try Again was murdered,

and cheered when

Kolea's personality was restored.

While I thought some of the supernatural element would detract from the character of the story, I found that Abnett just used it as set dressing, and didn't let it interfere with his storytelling.

So, obviously I'm en route to pick up the last omnibus plus Blood Pact. Anyone have any thoughts on the spin-off novel Double Eagle?

[Aaron]

Double Eagle is the Battle of Britain in space/the future, so be prepared for that. I enjoyed it, minus the obviously frakked in the head newbie and was happy to get a look at there aircraft. I'm hoping for a similar novel from the perspective of Vulture and Valkyrie crews.

[Mikey]

Weren't some of the Pardus tankers from Sabbat Martyr (I think) in it as well?

[Sionnach Glic]

The Gaunt's Ghosts series is great. Abnett's great at creating great characters and really grasps the full scale of 40K nicely.

Be warned, the death toll for the next few books just goes up. Which is another thing I love the series for. Character shields, for the most part, don't exist. It's a war, and characters that we both like and hate die, often in inglorious ways.

While I thought some of the supernatural element would detract from the character of the story, I found that Abnett just used it as set dressing, and didn't let it interfere with his storytelling.

Aye, he's good at bringing in the supernatural parts of the universe into play. It's particularly prominent in Only In Death. In which

Soric returns.....and dies. In a rather depressing bit, actualy.

So, obviously I'm en route to pick up the last omnibus plus Blood Pact. Anyone have any thoughts on the spin-off novel Double Eagle?

Double Eagle was pretty good. It's basicaly WW2 air combat in a 40K setting. It actualy took me a couple of tries to really start properly reading the book, but once I got into it I couldn't put it down. There's also a few minor characters from the GG series that make some small appearances. Including one character who you'll swear is Ayatani Zweil's long lost brother.

And yeah, Kendall. The new guy (Marcus, or something like that, right?) seemed a little too eager to want to kill someone.

[Mikey]

Be warned, the death toll for the next few books just goes up. Which is another thing I love the series for. Character shields, for the most part, don't exist. It's a war, and characters that we both like and hate die, often in inglorious ways.

True - even with the characters that you know have to be around, Abnett convinces you that they might die as easily as anyone else. I won't read the spoiler, because I haven't picked up The Lost omnibus yet, but I know at least of Larkin's injury and how Hark "helps" Soric when they meet again.

BTW, how great of a character is Hlaine Larkin?

On another note, am I correct in thinking that the original Tanith are based on Scottish regiments?

[Aaron]

Weren't some of the Pardus tankers from Sabbat Martyr (I think) in it as well?

I'm not sure, I never really got into the Ghost series. I find Gaunt to dour, should have read him before Cain.

[Sionnach Glic]

Yeah, not a good idea to jump from the Cain series to a more dark series.

True - even with the characters that you know have to be around, Abnett convinces you that they might die as easily as anyone else. I won't read the spoiler, because I haven't picked up The Lost omnibus yet, but I know at least of Larkin's injury and how Hark "helps" Soric when they meet again.

Yeah, he's very good at making everyone seem all too mortal. I won't say which book it was (you'll know when you hit it), but I was honestly convinced Gaunt was truly dead at one point.

As for Soric's re-appearance......well, let's just say that it's one seriously depressing scene.

BTW, how great of a character is Hlaine Larkin?

Larkin is indeed awesome.

On another note, am I correct in thinking that the original Tanith are based on Scottish regiments?

Dunno. There's certainly some similarities, but not enough to determine conclusively whether or not Abnett drew more than vague influence from them.

[Mikey]

Dunno. There's certainly some similarities, but not enough to determine conclusively whether or not Abnett drew more than vague influence from them.

The blue tattoos, the "ruffian" image they have when viewed by regiments like the Bluebloods, and the surnames (Mkoll, MkVenner, etc.) - along with the use of bagpipes! - kind of gave me that impression.

[Aaron]

I got the impression that his inspiration was the Rifle Regiments but they use pipes IIRC as well. He probably smashed a couple different inspirations together.

[Mikey]

OK, I just got His Last Command, The Armour of Contempt, and Only in Death. (And read them all in four days. ) I haven't gotten Blood Pact yet - I'm hoping for a softcover soon. Here's my question: does anyone know how to get their hands on a copy of The Iron Star? I know it was only released as a chapbook for a GW promotional day, and I think only 1200 copies were pressed. I can't find it anywhere.

[Tyyr]

Odd, you'd think someone would have scanned it and uploaded it.

[Sionnach Glic]

Given GW's fanatical opposition to even fan made websites, I don't find it at all surprising that it can't be found.

[Aaron]

OK, I just got His Last Command, The Armour of Contempt, and [/i]Only in Death.[/i] (And read them all in four days. ) I haven't gotten Blood Pact yet - I'm hoping for a softcover soon. Here's my question: does anyone know how to get their hands on a copy of The Iron Star? I know it was only released as a chapbook for a GW promotional day, and I think only 1200 copies were pressed. I can't find it anywhere.

I have a friend on another board that might have it/know where too, I'll ask.

[Mikey]

Hmmm - update. Apparently, Traitor General, His Last Command, The Armour of Contempt, and The Iron Star have been released as an omnibus in March... and even better, word is that Abnett's working on a new novel: rumor has the working title as Salvation Reach. Anybody else hear anything?

[Reliant121]

If it's true, then I am very very very very very eagerly anticipating it.

My school's new librarian is interested in updating the stock of the black library....OH YEAH!