The Inquisition War (Warhammer 40,000 Novels) [Paperback]

Ian Watson (Author), Marc Gascoigne (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Warhammer 40,000 Novels

Forty thousand years in the future, the human Imperium struggles for survival against its relentless enemies. Ruthless Inquisitor Jaq. Draco uncovers a plot that threatens the very future of Mankind. Can he unravel the trail of conspiracy before he himself is destroyed by its deadly clutches? This awesome omnibus edition collects together the three novels in this seminal series - Draco, Harlequin and Chaos Child! Also included are two short stories, which delve deeper into the dark and dangerous worlds of the inquisitor!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Highly recommended. RPG United"

About the Author

Ian Watson started writing science fiction while teaching in Tokyo years ago. His books have appeared in 13 languages so far and he has won a slew of awards for his work. Currently Ian is coediting an anthology to help save the Asian Elephant from extinction.

Product Details

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Games Workshop; First Edition edition (October 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844161382
• ISBN-13: 978-1844161386
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #414,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mostly Holds Up Over The Years, October 25, 2004

By 

Sean B. Schoonmaker (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Inquisition War (Warhammer 40,000 Novels) (Paperback)

I'd first read this series of 3 books when they first came out in the late 80s and early 90s. At the time, especially as it was the only 40K fiction in existence, I enjoyed them thoroughly.

When I heard that a collected 3-in-1 edition was on the way, I was overjoyed that I'd have a chance to reread something from my early adult years, but also a little nervous, as some of the things I enjoyed back then don't necessarily stand up well to a decade or two of more discriminating tastes and learning. This omnibus edition also includes 2 "linking" short stories in addition to the original 3 books.

The author's introduction says a lot about the work, especially his intent to "go completely over the top in style and also in content - to be lurid and brooding and hyperbolic and generally crazy, although in an elegant, ornate way where a dark beauty pervades the atmosphere as in a painting by Gustave Moreau."

The characters (which include Captain Lex D'Arquebus, Imperial Fists Space Marine; Grimm, Squat warrior; Meh'Lindi, Callidus assassin; Jaq Draco, Malleus Inquisitor; and a host of smaller, supporting roles) are well thought out, with believable motivations. The narration mirrors the state of mind of the individual.

So, how does it hold up? Surprisingly well, with a few exceptions: [1] Reading all 3 books at once exposes some repetition in M. Watson's descriptions and writing tools. [2] The history of the 40K universe has diverged fairly significantly over the last 20 years from M. Watson's vision (but that's hardly his fault). [3] The finale of the plot is weak.

The pros: [1] Well written, with consistent style and engaging narrative. [2] Illuminates aspects of the 40K universe that typically lay untouched in many of its fiction works. [3] M. Watson's imagination is phenomenal, and has driven Games Workshop's development for years after his departure. [4] One of the few "canon" references to the Illuminati, Sensei, and Star Child, as they pertain to 40K.

In conclusion: not flawless, but well worth reading if you're interested in 40K fiction.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Warhammer 40,000., March 27, 2006

By 

C. S. Holt (Seattle, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Inquisition War (Warhammer 40,000 Novels) (Paperback)

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 run with its own madness and follow with no expectations

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original WH40K literature. Very different than most, but excellent nonetheless., March 20, 2008

By 

C. T. Hunter "chips_books" (Gainesville, FL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Inquisition War (Warhammer 40,000 Novels) (Paperback)

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 series diverges significantly from the first two. In Chaos Child, the primary focus switches to Jaq's obsessions and away from the overall plot presented in the previous volumes of the Hydra conspiracy and such. This is the book that has disappointed the most people, who feel that Watson should have done a better job of concluding all the various plot threads previously introduced. Instead, it turns out the entire story is about Jaq Draco, and only Jaq Draco. Events that impact the entire galaxy are left for others to relate, as Watson follows his intentions and focuses on the story of Draco's fate and his trials with Chaos. To me, this last book is the best and most important of the trilogy.

The Inquisition War is a non-stop, action-packed thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat with brutal battles and intriguing riddles. Death and brutality are widespread throughout the books, with entire worlds being destroyed and characters coming and going quite frequently. Nearly every aspect of the WH40K universe is somehow involved in the tale, with Eldar, Tyranids, Space Marines, Imperial guardsmen, Titans, and all sorts of chaos beasts and demons playing roles throughout. Ian Watson has received a lot of criticism from fans of WH40K because of his somewhat lofty writing style and his slightly altered view of the WH40K universe, but I'd recommend giving him a try.