Ravenor

A highly skilled team working for the Imperial Inquisition roots out illegal dug smugglers. Sound overdone except the drugs are tainted with an evil supernaturall power and it's Dan Abnett writing the story. Truly one of the most underrated SF authors around. If you like military Sf,read this book. If you like adventures of Richard Sharpe, read this book. If you like Star Wars, read this book. Heck, if you like SF read Ravenor, then do yourself a favor and read the Eisenhorn trilogy. Forget the cheesy covers and find the hidden treasure of an adventure inside.

The only thing keeping this from being the further adventures of Eisenhorn is his absence, not that this is a bad thing. The pacing is excellent and the plot is imaginative and enjoyable. The world of Warhammer 40k isn't bent to fit the writers vision. All in all I'd say this is an excellent read for any sci fi fan.

If you read Ravenor (1st book of the trilogy), like me you might of found it above the WH40K novels average, but below expectations from the master Dan Abnett. When you compared Ravenor with the Eisenhorn trilogy or the Gaunt's Ghosts, to my taste, it fell short of expectations. It was still a strong 4 stars novel, and great on so many levels, but it was a little slow to pick up momentum, and a first from Dan Abnett, where the book was cut off at end, no conclusion, right after the culminating actions, the book was over, no conclusion at all. Now after reading Ravenor Returned (2nd book of trilogy), I understand why, it's not a trilogy like Eisenhorn, Draco or StarWars, it's one story, one book divided in 3 books (dare I say it.. like the Lord of the Rings). Now I got a new appreciation for Ravenor, now I understand it's place in the trilogy, only as introduction and raising action, nothing else, it's the beginning of the story, not the whole story, and as that, it's a fantastic composition, a well deserve 4 ½ to 5 stars. *** Spoilers section ahead *** Now, it's hard to evaluate the books differently from one to another, in the Ravenor trilogy one must review each novel within the one story, as in Lord of the Rings, it's hard to review The Two Towers by itself, it has no introduction and no conclusion, it sits in the middle, as in Ravenor Returned. But so far, Dan Abnett know what he is doing, he is moving the story, from simple drug dealing problem (flect) to the use of forbidden technology and machines in a sinister cartel that goes to the top of the sub sector administration, and beyond. *** Spoilers section over *** The Novels are well written and lush in details, as always Dan Abnett give credibility to the world of WH40K (Science & Fiction) and that's hard to do especially in that WH40K universe. Then he paint a lavish world filled with details and a rich history and drops his evolving and richly detailed character on it, the end result, you live the story with the character on exotic and fascinating worlds that you can see in complete details. Add a edge of your seat story, that has some un-expected twist and turns, and you got a master piece. I dare anyone to take more then a few days to read these books, it's impossible, you just can't put the book down, I can't wait for the third installment on this trilogy.

This was my first Warhammer 40,000 book - I've been an off-and-on afficiando of the game for some time, and finally took the plunge back into the stand-alone fiction, after being turned off by some of the less-capable authors. Dan Abnett, however, delivers. While being a very fast read, it was quite satisfying; especially for someone familiar with the background material. As a caveat, someone coming into the WH40K setting for the first time might be a touch confused. Given what it is, and what Mr. Abnett set out to achieve, it's a superb book.It -is- a violent book, but that's in line with the setting. It -isn't- just blood and gore, however; the depth he gives his characters far surpasses almost every other realm of 'game fiction'.

I've read almost every Warhammer 40k novel out there, and I have to say that this ranks as the most in-depth experience a reader can ever take into the Warhammer 40k universe. Abnett has reached a new level in his writing style, making it virtually impossible to put this book down. It has all of the action of the Eisenhorn Trilogy and presents it in a way that makes the reader feel as if he or she is walking alongside the characters. For readers familiar with Abnett's previous Eisenhorn novels, Ravenor takes place several decades after Hereticus and follows the exploits of Inquisitor Ravenor as he investigates the spread of a new type of drug called 'flects'. Several favorite characters from the Eisenhorn series have also been included in this novel, which is a big plus. I suggest reading the Eisenhorn Trilogy before this novel but even first time readers can get an appreciation for this incredible tour through the Imperium of Mankind.