Draco (Inquisition War Trilogy) [Import] [Paperback]

Ian Watson (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Black Library; 2Rev Ed edition (August 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841542547
• ISBN-13: 978-1841542546
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,261,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My first!, May 24, 2003

By 

invictus (Lawrenceville, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Draco (Warhammer Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

This was the first Warhammer 40K novel I ever read---something about the cover art resurrected strange dark emotions in me which had been repressed for too long. After reading this book, I've never looked back---I now try to read every Warhammer novel I can find. As for those who didn't like it, I can't imagine why. It reads like a movie. It is loaded with action, an endless variety of Imperial, Chaos and alien-filled worlds---and since it is an Inquistion novel, the action doesn't consist entirely of repetitious Vietnamesque battle scenes like you find in some Warhammer novels. It's more like comparing a James Bond film to a 1950's war flick. If you like tank-filled battle scenes then stay away. If you like conspiracies, strange alien worlds and magical artifacts, then this may be more your style. This trilogy and Dan Abnett's Eisenhorn trilogy are still the best Warhammer books I've read so far. Don't pass this one up!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent addition to the Warhammer 40k bookline, October 18, 2002

By 

dean majka (Shreveport, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Draco (Warhammer Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

I, too, am an avid reader and miniture gamer in the Warhammer 40k realm. The book introduces well-thought characters and keeps with the "fluff" of the game. It's a great start to a trilogy and I personally can't wait for the release of the next 2 books.

My only complaint is that the author gets a little too wordy and descriptive as you become overly bombarded by adjectives and adverbs near the end. But for those new to Warhammer 40k and the "when's and where's" of the story line, this is a great start.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Return of a classic, September 3, 2002

By 

Jeph Gord - See all my reviews

This review is from: Draco (Warhammer Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

I first read this book (then called "Inquisitor") about nine years ago, when I was 11. I was (and am) fascinated with the Games Workshop's numerous gaming products, so I thought I'd give it a try. I loved it at the time, and after many years, many re-readings, and hundreds of other novels, it remains one of my favorite speculative fiction novels ever.

Many bizarre events occur in this novel, and it would be impossible to describe them all. It is set in the universe of Warhammer 40,000, probably the most successful science fiction wargame ever. It will particularly appeal to GW fans, but even those not familiar with the game should have no trouble reading it, as Ian Watson describes the setting in considerable detail.

The protagonist, Jaq Draco, is an agent of the galaxy-spanning Human Imperium. It is his job to root out all who would oppose the Emperor, an unspeakably ancient and powerful being who is both head of the Imperial government and god of the Imperial religion. Draco is trained to be absolutely ruthless in the destruction of his enemies, even if he must kill millions or billions of innocent people to achieve his goals. His job, already enormously stressful, becomes even more difficult when he stumbles across the Hydra plot. This massive conspiracy has enormous plans for the human race-- but whose side are they really on? In order to answer this question, Draco and his several companions travel all over the galaxy, from a hideously mutated world at the heart of Chaos to the legendary, grossly-overpopulated homeworld of Ancient Terra.

Along the way, Ian Watson manages to ask a surprising number of philosophical questions. In a time when humanity is surrounded by enemies and absolute evil is an everyday reality, is absolute tyranny justified? Can the zealous agent of such a tyranny rise above his station in life to become a true hero? In a society built upon intolerance and hate, is love even a possibility?

Such questions are there for those who wish to consider them, but they are by no means the only aspect of the novel. The story is one of adventure on a massive scale, covering just about every aspect of speculative fiction. For science fiction fans, there are spaceships, alien beings, and truly fascinating worlds. For fantasy lovers, there are magical powers and arcane secrets galore. For horror buffs, there are bizarre cults, hideous demonic entities, and brutal witch hunts.

This book works on every level. There are fascinating characters, terrific (and often terrifying) atmosphere, ethical conundra, and darn good adventure. Whether you're looking for post-modern morale ambiguity or just an enormously entertaining read, you can't go wrong with this one.

NOTE:This is the first book in a trilogy, books 2 and 3 of which are "Harlequin" and "Chaos Child." By early next year, all will be back in print.