Relentless

A very nice novel and gives an interesting look at life aboard ships in the WH40K universe. Only be prepared- its about life within the ship. While it does have its share of fleet action scenes, the focus is about what goes on within the ship. In this sense it is unlike the recent novels in the "Rogue Trader" series. If you bear this in mind than it is a very engaging novel and actually complements other novels like "Execution Hour" or "Shadow Point" which concentrates more on fleet action.

First Officer Tomas Ward, of the space frigate "Relentless", has never seen real battle. The captain died months ago and Commander Ward took his own sweet time reporting the fact. Since then, Ward and his officers have patrolled the sector, but instead of boarding vessels for inspections of illegal items they simply take what they want out of the cargo hold, whether or not the ship boarded really had anything hidden or not. It all comes to a halt when the new captain arrives. Captain Becket and his aide, Officer Samuel Warrant, are two survivors of a previous ship. The two have no idea about any of the corrupt schemes surrounding Ward and his men until it is too late. Unwilling to lose his "collection", Ward has decided that Becket has to die. It is planned during the stop on the planet Pontus. The scheme works out exactly as Ward planned, except that Becket's body is not found. The only mistake made was in assuming Becket is dead. Becket has not only survived, but has also figured Ward for the weasel he is. Before Becket could settle on a plan of action, he finds himself conscripted instead. With all his injuries, no one looks close enough to realize who Becket really is. He, and hundreds more like himself, are forced to toil in the ship's lowest and most dangerous underbelly. And so begins Becket's ruthless campaign to fight his way back up through the ranks to seize back control of the ship and claim his revenge. **** If you are expecting to read of space marines, heroic space battles, and loyalty to the Emperor, then this book is not for you. This story is all about traitors, greed, and mutiny. The character of Ward is well done, in a sleazy way. Readers will hate Ward immediately. The readers will feel the total opposite about Becket. However, I cannot help but feel that Becket, with all his battle experiences, should have seen through Ward and his closest officers much earlier on and done something about them. I would not wish to serve under one so blind about the officers closest to him. Still, ignoring that, the story is very entertaining and the author did a pretty good job on showing the less glamorous aspects of being on a ship. All-in-all, though the ending felt rushed I believe most will thoroughly enjoy this tale set in the W40K universe. **** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Review.