Customer Reviews

Malleus (Eisenhorn Trilogy)

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

 

 

This book was delayed time and again, but it is well worth the wait. This is by far one of the best Black Library releases. Malleus takes place nearly 100 years after the first book Xenos. The novel is plotted and executed in the fashion of Xenos and works just as well. The plot of Malleus deals more with the machinations of rival inquisitors and shows the reader why the inquisition is so feared. Malleus is especially interesting to those familiar with his other books. Abnetts first book First and Only is referenced several times (inquisitor Heldane is a villain of sorts in First. the Mechanicus ship Mons Olympus is too.)The book is also noticably longer than other Black Library releases, but it still feels rushed, especially the final battle which is ridiculously short and dissapointing, these two factors alone drop the rating. And judging by the titles of the first two books the next and final book will be titled HERETICUS.

Malleus is the second book of the Eisenhorn Trilogy. Malleus isn't as good of a story as Xenos but still a very good read. If you have not read Xenos then definitely read that book first. Also if you are not already a fan of Warhammer 40,000 be prepared to slug through the first 50-100 pages as the book throws a lot of names and events at you that could be tough to deal with if you are not already familiar with the 40K universe. Overall a good, well written sci-fi yarn.

Abnett has written an excellent follow up to his first book "Xenos". The plot of this novel is very well woven together and surprisingly intricate but as a previous reviewer points out it does feel rather rushed especially at the end. I've read this is because of the restrictions by the Black Library on story length but I can't confirm this. I liked this book better then "Xenos" because it gives a glimpse into the inner life of the Inquisition and all its many problems. I only gave it 4 stars because the story line is rushed. It sets up nicely for the 3rd book. Bring it on Mr Abnett!

Malleus, the second book of the Eisenhorn trilogy, probably the best story to come out of WH40k so far. It's the story of the Inquisitor Eisenhorn and his staff. The book is rich, lavish and vivid in details, and it brings the book to a "reality feel" (and that's hard to do in a fiction). But I gave Malleus a 4 stars, since it is less detailed and the story is much to predicable compared the Xenos, maybe a little more time spent on it prior to release, would of solved that issue, and won it's 5th star, but sadly not. The book will please anyone from a new fan to a old WH40K expert. It should be noted that a minimum, or basic knowledge of the WH40K universe and the previous book Xenos is required for a full appreciation of this book.

While I enjoyed reading this book very much, it just didn't quite live up to my expectations after reading Xenos. Malleus just didn't seem put together as carefully as Xenos, seeming a bit forced to me the whole way through. Parts of the book were rushed by with hardly any explanation and other parts seemd included just as an attempt to get some immediate action. At the same time some things about this book were better than the first one. The interactions between Eisenhorn and Cherubael, as well as the unfounded(?) accuasations against Eisenhorn by rivals in the Inquisition develop the overall story nicely and begin to change Eisenhorn's character in subtle ways. The final volume of the trilogy is sure to be gratifying.

As usual with 40K books, this one is full of action. Death and destruction abound and great battles are fought. Another exciting read by Abnett.

This is by far the best book to come out of the Black Library. Mr. Abnett has crafted well a deep dissectomy into the life, personae and personal demons of an Imperial Inquisitor, arguably the most interesting phenomena in the WH40K setting. If only the battles of the first book had been less caricature-ish and some of the action in the third less idiotic, then the series as a whole would have earned a place among mainstream superlative science fiction, alongside Heinlein, Reynolds, et al.
As is, I will re-read these books, specifically the second, and skip the - even for the diehard WH40K fan - somewhat unrealistic battles and concentrate on the interplay b/n Eisenhorn, his two women, beloved Aemos and magnificent Cherubael. The relationship b/n the Inquisitor and his demons and memories are worthy of emulation, and the overall prose beats the [stuffing]... out of the Draco books. In short, Abnett's masterpiece.