Customer Reviews

For the Emperor

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Commissar Ciaphas Cain asks to be transferred to a regiment - any regiment. Cain thought he would be safer with all the people he could pull rank on and put them between himself and the ammo. Needless-to-say, Cain thought wrong. The reluctant hero is sent to a Valhallan regiment. Problems occur from the instant he sets foot on the hangar bay of the Righteous Wrath.

Two Valhallan regiments have been consolidated from the survivors of 301st and 296th. One is a female regiment, one is a male regiment, and each believe themselves better than the other. Cain has his hands full keeping them from each other's throats and eventually welding them into a single cooperating regiment (597th Valhallan). This is barely accomplished before they are sent to help maintain order on an outpost world on the borders of Tau space. But when the alien ambassador is murdered and the situation quickly spirals out of control, Cain and his new regiment find themselves in the middle of a war.

***** This is the first of a series reporting the archived memories of Commissar Cain. Each is told as written by Cain, after his retirement. It also describes the first time Cain meets Amberley Vail, an agent of the Ordo Xenos, and the Valhallan regiment he spends most of his career with. Vail is the one putting Cain's archives together for her fellow inquisitors to read if they so wish. She has annotated several sections to fill in Cain's gaps.

As the reader, I found many of these footnotes interesting, as they made Cain's campaign seem more realistic; however, some of these footnotes are pointless. This novel covers the Gravalax campaign and will be referred to often in the upcoming books of the series. All-in-all, I believe this novel to have succeeded in creating a solid foundation for the Cain series to build upon. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I really enjoyed this book, as I have many of the Warhammer 40,000 novels, particularly those of Dan Abnett. Although it's certainly in the realm of pulp science fiction, the main character is amusing, and the plot moves along nicely.

I must state however that the author is paying a VERY large, and unattributed homage to the works of both George Fraser and Harry Harrison. Caiphas Cain, the main character in this book, bears an enormous resemblence to Fraser's Harry Flashman, the lovable scoundrel and coward who nonetheless always came out of the brawl looking like a hero. And there is also more than a passing resemblance to Harrison's Slippery Jim DiGriz, the infamous Stainless Steel Rat.

The character of Amberley Veil is a rather unique representation of a character type in the Warhammer 40k universe as well. I won't go into details, so as not to spoil the surprise, but I thought it a refreshing take on an old idea.

The book is funny, fast-paced, and worth a casual read. I recommend it.

For the Emperor by Sandy Mitchell is the first novel in the new Warhammer 40K series starring the amusing, irreverent and, ultimately, heroic Commissar Ciaphas Cain of the Imperial Guard. This new series recounts the adventures and exploits of Ciaphas Cain as he tries to fake and smooth talk his way out of what he thinks are dangerous and life-threatening situations. This sort of behavior is very unusual for a man of his rank and resposibility since as a Commissar of the Imperial Guard he's suppose to be represent a symbol of bravery in the face of danger, especially insurmountable ones. Cain does so through all his adventures, but usually due to his actions of self-preservation actually putting him in danger. And when he gets out of it he's hailed a hero of the Imperium. I like to call him the accidental hero, but he is one nonetheless.

In For the Emperor we're first shown Cain's talent for trying to get out of trouble as he tries to make a newly formed regiment of troops made up of survivors from two decimated Valhallan regiments. One regiment being all-male while the other a rare, but able all-female regiment. Accompanying him is his ever-present and ever-loyal aide Jurgen whose personal appearance and hygiene doesn't conform to the most minimum of standards of what a soldier is suppose to look. But Jurgen's administrative talent makes him a valuable sidekick to Cain, and whose more secret talent Cain later finds out through another companion makes him even more invaluable in keeping him alive. As Cain works to make the newly formed 597th Valhallan become a well-drilled and proper Imperial Guard force he and his men soon become part of a diplomatic delegation between Imperium diplomats negotiating with Tau counterparts in the Damocles Gulf sector. One thing leads to another and soon Cain and his men must solve the mystery that is putting the Imperium and the Tau Empire in the path to war.

It is through his investigation that Cain first meets Amberley Vail. A woman who seems to be nothing more than a political hanger-on and courtesan, but whose outward appearance hides a much more dangerous personality. It is actually through Vail's recollection and annotations throughout the novel that Cain's exploits are told. From the get go there's a mutual respect and attraction between Cain and Vail. This is a new one in the series of novels released about the Warhammer 40K universe. Though the romance is minimal it is hinted at early on and given mention as something that both pursue as they get to know each other throughout their lives.

The whole novel is a very good start to a new character for the Warhammer 40K and at times the pacing of the story shows this. There's less of the intense battle scenes that makes another series about a Commissar very good and intense. But the unveiling of Cain, Jurgen, Vail and the 597th more than makes up for the smaller amount of action. The foundation laid down in For the Emperor by Sandy Mitchell shows that bigger and better things await those who have the patience to stick with Ciaphas Cain. Here's to hoping that Amberley Vail picks the right volume from Cain's memoirs for us readers to read through.

This was a great novel - it was witty, fast-paced, and action packed. The author, Sandy Mitchell, scored a real winner with this novel.

I really liked the way he developed the main characters - Cain, Amberly, etc. His irreverent treatment of the Commissariat is wonderful. We're so used to the fear inducing Commisars that Cain's self-deprecating manner, the way he critiques himself is like a cold splash of water. It really makes you sit up & say, "What?!?"

Even though Cain is continually belittling his own abilities & justifies his action by his "cowardice," he always seems to end up in the right place; at the right time; with the right equipment & people to get the job done.

Im a huge Gaunts Ghosts fan,i was use to the quote"normal"commisar view of commisars,Cain has not only made me laugh but also shows versitilty in characters and writing styles.Hes another special type hero of the emperor,he might not want to be a hero,but fate has it to make him one.

Also im a fan of Jurgen,how can you not be:)
All the books are written well,im waiting for more ofc,i also like how they are written as from a view of a Librarian of the emperire.

All i can say is relax and enjoy these novels,they read easy and are enjoyable.

To tell the truth I didn't want to like this book. You see, I am a Imperial guard player and the idea of a commissar not wanting to be commissar just didn't sit well with me, but I sucked it up and gave the book a try. I then opened the book and was even more irritated because the book was written in a first person point of view, which I obviously don't like, but then again I sucked it up and read it. And I am glad I read it too! This book is such a wonderful book, filled with action, humor, mystery and the most usually commissar, Commissar Cain. Being a guy who is supposed to instill morale and courage when in the mists of battle, doesn't ever want to be there and will do anything to get out of action makes a pretty usually character. For the Emperor, is a must read for fans of the 40k range in the black library. It's one of my favorites, right up there with Gaunt and his Ghost!

This is one of the most enjoyable WH40K novels I have read to date, and I have read quite a few.

The character of Ciaphas Cain is instantly endearing and always amusing. A scoundrel and bon vivant given the post typically reserved for the most stern and dour of officers, he strikes the reader as a very plausible person thrust into extreme circumstances.

Along with Dan Abnett, Sandy Mitchell has become one of my favorite WH40k authors.

While the Ciaphas Cain books written by Sandy Mitchell lack much of the depth found in the 'Tanith' series by Dan Abnett, it is nonetheless an amusing read. If you do not take the exploits of the main character too seriously, and can read the book from the perspective that it is the memoirs of the main character (and as such prone to exaggeration), then you will enjoy it.

Mitchell's main character Commissar Cain is one of the most unique, original and thoroghly entertaining in the 40k books I have read so far. This self proclaimed scoundrel's knack for looking out for himself while somehow managing to end up looking like one of the Imperiums mightiest hero's is, while a stretch, quite enjoyable. plenty of action and 40K goodness for all you hard core fans and just a good enjoyable fast paced read for any sci-fi fan.

The Ciaphis Cain series is in general a departure from the normal gritty WH40k universe. It features a very unique and likeable character (Cain of course) and has a general great cast of characters. While the build-up of other characters is kind of a weakness (many are forgettable) Sandy does a decent job of it. The first novel really sets the tone for the character and the fact that he always seems to get himself into grave situations at his hardest attempt to avoid them. Highly recommended novel for Imperial Guard WH40k fans or for any WH40k fan that wants a break from all the seriousness.