The Inquisition War

This was easily one of the best 40K books I've read. It is not too involved with inquisitor vs inquisitor combat but more behind the scene with one inquisitors quest to save the galaxy for mankind. I mention the age of the book, since there are squats in the book (think space dwarves), which as far as I know used to be in the game but have since been completely removed. It's a little odd seeing an inquisitor working with a non-human. There is some great backstory on the assassin involved in the story that shows training and recruitment.

Love him or hate him, you have to admit Ian Watson's genius and his testicular fortitude. This novel was not written in current 40k standard and I dearly wish Black Library would throw out more of its type. It is one of the most gruesome titles ever produced (the worst being Space Marine by the self-same author), yet at the same time it is the most compelling. I must say, the last novel seems to be a huge letdown until you finally get the great cosmic joke that Ian Watson has played in it. Mini-spoiler alert: It is a love story; not a war story. I can only admire the courage it takes to do something like that and find it a bit refreshing that an author would go so far as to write about an actual human being as opposed to a meat marionette whose goals are entirely one-dimensional.

This is one of the first (if not the very first) WH40K series. This is also one of the most mature, almost high-brow, WH40K books I've come across. Ian Watson writes using sometimes very obscure adjectives and adverbs that might considerably slow down your reading speed, but succeeds in casting the world of WH40K in an even more dark and disturbing light than usual. That being said, this is still an action-packed and fun novel that you'll want to read when you should be doing your errands. The story is told as a narration (in the third person) by Inquisitor Jaq Draco. This is a story about him and his personal trials. Even though major Universe-altering subjects are brought up in this series, keep in mind that the story is really only about Draco. His character reminds me in some ways of Abnett's Eisenhorn, but being much more melancholy and doubting of his ideals. Both Draco, his companions (Meh'Lindi, Grimm, and Lex), and the antagonists are extremely compelling characters that each hide their own secrets but are easy to fall in love with. They are, in my opinion, the best part of this series. Ian Watson's view of the WH40K universe differs in many aspects from that of most other authors, and while it upsets many die-hard 40K fans, you have to keep in mind that these books were written when the universe was really underdeveloped (especially when compared to the present). His version is even darker than most, and the near-total despair and miserableness he portrays casts the universe in a very grim light. Grotesque piercings, tattoos, and scars seem nearly universal in these books, with every character having severe bodily alterations. Personally, I don't like this vision as much as those of Abnett and King, who tend to make the WH40K universe a lot more livable. Draco is the first book of the trilogy. Here, you are introduced to most of the cast of characters as well as the beginnings of the extremely bizarre and complicated Hydra Conspiracy. Jaq and Co. doggedly follow the mysterious Harlequin Man, eventually becoming wrapped up in a plot within the Inquisition itself that threatens the very future of mankind. This is the only WH40K novel that I know of that actually gives the reader a peak into the very heart of the Imperium. In the Emperor's palace on Terra, you get a rather disturbing glimpse of the Emperor himself as an almost Wizard of Oz type character. The second book of the series, Harlequin, delves into some of the most obscure aspects of the WH40K universe. Probably the first book to provide a good look at the Eldar, HARLEQUIN gives some detail to the ancient enigmatic race. A significant part of the book takes place within the Eldar interdimensional Webways, where the heroes face unstoppable-seeming adversaries as they travel to discover the mysterious Black Library. Also, some of the inner workings of the Inquisition are uncovered, revealing the shadowiness of the galaxy's secret police. The concluding volume of the

A collection of the three most difficult and atmospheric Warhammer 40,000 (or, `40k') novels, the Inquisition War series echoes the creative energy of the original 1987 setting. For those unfamiliar with 40k, this series may prove interesting. Readers who enjoy a thematically heavy, if loosely written fable (echoing Moorcock) will find this book to be evocative and rampantly creative. As with the first few years of 40k game products, the setting takes strong cues from Heinlein's "Starship Troopers"; the Elric saga's amoral, supernatural, Chaos; and a legion of other inspirations, fantastic, historical, and literary. In the tradition of good sci-fi and fantasy these disparate concepts are digested and become a unique, complex whole, all glued together with a healthy dose of particularly British black humor. The Inquisition War series is just as much about this setting as it is the main characters, weaving a hypnotic tale of 40k's unique brand of facism, warfare, and absurdity. Watson's work is also quite ambitious here, as the series is written as a story within a story (as an example, it's somewhat similar to Conrad's "Heart of Darkness"), with the protagonist, Jaq Draco, recording his personal account in a "less egotistical" (as he puts it) third-person fashion. The end result is a narration without all the "I's" and "My's" that creates a sort of in-story "fourth wall". As Draco's situation and mind evolve, so does the writing, giving a unique layer of insight into his character. It does make for a somewhat difficult read as the narration becomes much less coherent by the climax. While this does lend the series a rushed or unfinished feeling, it sets it well apart from the 40k novel or sci-fi bunch, and makes for an interesting second or third read. For 40k fans, this book is just as challenging. It stands at the opposite of the "Abnettization" of the setting; rather than making it more digestible to our modern mind, it paints a bizarre picture of a galaxy gone mad. While Dan Abnett is a fine author, his vision (and, to be fair, that of most mid-nineties and later 40k material) greatly simplifies the setting. His Chaos, the great enemy, isn't a personification of man's flaws, it's the Evil Villain. His Guardsmen aren't executed by a totalitarian Imperium for witnessing dark truths and supernatural beings. His 40k universe isn't straining at the seams in a reality gone insane, material Law bending under bloated Chaos. It's simply an epic war story of Good and Evil. Not bad, but I certainly prefer the older vision. Overall, this is a series as challenging as it is rewarding for fans of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, or not. I would recommend it for anyone interested in the roots of the 40k setting or rich, thematic fantasy. For everyone else I'd urge caution; if you're not into dissecting the story, characters, and background, this may prove a long, nonsensical, and ultimately frustrating read. Quite rewarding if you let it

Of all the Warhammer 40,000 stories, The Inquisitor War is unquestionably the best. Ian Watson, as a writer, is head and shoulders above Ben Counter, Graham McNeill and yes, even Dan Abnett (the only other GOOD 40k writer). But be forewarned, these stories are not intended for fans of the decidedly low brow actionfests produced by the aforementioned authors. Fans of Michael Moorcock and Gene Wolfe are the intended audience. Ian Watson takes his time developing the plot and his characters. For once, they aren't generic faceless Marines chasing after yet another galaxy changing, Imperium threatening THING. And no, Watson doesn't produce any over-the-top cheesiness so common in 40k fiction either. The story itself is compelling, only made more enjoyable by Watson's thoughtful use of the rich 40k background. Though originally written over 15 years ago, this still remains the best 40k fiction to date.