The Armour of Contempt

In this installment of the Gaunts Ghost novels Dan Abnett show again that he is the best auther writting stories in the 40K universe. His characters are believable (or at least as believable as they can be in a far future universe) and interesting. The book is filled with action, but it also makes you cheer for the characters. I would recommend any book that Abnett writes.

i remember reading the first gaunts ghost novel several years ago. since its famed review, the series has developed greatly. the newest book, amour of contemp, isnt the overal greatest book, but it is definetly among the best as the regiment of the tanith first and only is reorganized and shipped back to gereon to liberate it. those who have read, traitor general will love this book, and i cant wait to read the next one.

This represents the 10th novel in Dan Abbett's popular 'Gaunt's Ghosts' series: as such familiarity with the prior books will lend appreciation and quick understanding of the ongoing saga. Gaunt and Tanith discover the liberation's brutality is pitting them against their own commanders who believe victory is worth cruelty. Gaunt and his men thus find themselves on no side, fighting with all. Fans of military science fiction will appreciate the fast-paced drama and highly-charged energy here. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

Dan Abnett has, since the first Gaunt's Ghosts book, been a good writer with a gift for creating compelling characters and perhaps an even greater gift (which surely comes from his background as a comicbook writer) of telling stories paced, framed, and laden with the kind of potent imagery that normally comes only from film or graphic novels. He began climbing the list of my favorite authors with the second Eisenhorn book, the Ravenor books, Double Eagle and the fantasy novel Riders of the Dead. With The Armour of Contempt, Abnett completes the ascent, and -- though my degree is in English and I'm supposed to live for the Carvers and O'Conners of the world -- he has become my favorite writer. Why? Because he delivers the escapist fare I prefer, but has matured to a level where that's no longer all he is doing. This book, more than any other he has written, is more than just a story to be enjoyed on the surface level. There's an underlying message, and dare I say commentary here that shows that Dan Abnett hasn't removed himself from the grim darkness of the contemporary world he lives in. He's always done exceptionally well in conveying the unforgiving, brutal nature of war. This book continues that, in better crafted, more visceral fashion than any attempt so far. But nestled in the tale, there are nuggets like this that seem to powerfully reflect events in our own war-scarred world: "[Cirk] stared at her boots. 'It's such a bloody mess, isn't it, Ibram? 'It's not exactly as a I imagined it. I thought I'd be proud. I'm not proud of this. High Command didn't initiate this operation for the benefit of the people of Gereon. They're only bothering with Gereon because they think there's something valuable here.' " With this book Dan Abnett has graduated from merely being an author who weaves a good tale wrapped around richly drawn characters. There's something real and important being conveyed here, and I don't think it's a preachy message. It simply adds a deep resonance to an already enjoyable story. Well done. I shall look forward to his next effort.

Once again Mr. Abnett has given a great book with his equally great character, Gaunt. The book begins almost right off the bat with the ending of his last book, "His Last Comand", and throws the reader into the middle of the liberation for Gereon. It begins the gaurd training of Dalin Criid and the formation of the movement by the crusade to take back worlds that were lost to Chaos. I will only point out that Mr. Abnett is a superior author because, in his own words, he is an "equal fatalist." Thanks Dan, another great book.