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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Plot Thickens, April 25, 2005
Ravenor Returned opens with Inquisitor Gideon Ravenor and his retinue surreptitiously returning to Eustis Majoris to further probe the activities of an illicit trade cartel dealing in narcotics and forbidden technology. Believed dead by their enemies, Ravenor and his compatriots choose to proceed undercover, thus forsaking the official assistance typically afforded an Imperial Inquisitor. The group soon begins to question the wisdom of this decision, however, as it discovers that the trade cartel has very powerful friends in very high places. Compounding the problem is the unexpected appearance of previously unknown third parties, each with its own cryptic agenda. Left to their own devices and facing a variety of foes, Ravenor and crew struggle to identify the architect behind the smuggling operation and the reason for the importation of the warp tainted technology.
Unlike Abnett's earlier Eisenhorn series which featured frequent intense action sequences, Ravenor Returns progresses at a somewhat slower pace and relies more heavily upon clandestine detective work than it does on open conflict and combat. Abnett is one of those rare Black Library authors who always seems to make the "grim darkness of the far future" feel almost within the readers' reach. We remain engaged even as Abnett escorts us to such "mundane" settings as a vast Administratum data center, drowning in bureaucratic minutia, or a dreary Ministorum office staffed by overworked and underappreciated gumshoes. Personally, I think Abnett's overwhelming success as a 40K writer is due in no small part to his ability to make the alien and exotic seem strangely familiar and Ravenor Returned certainly does not disappoint in that regard.
Despite the measured pace of the book, those readers looking for riveting actions scenes will not be disappointed as the snooping and prying of Ravenor and his confederates ultimately leads to several violent clashes with seemingly unstoppable foes. Rather than simply throwing stock antagonists at our heroes, Abnett instead continues to surprise with inventive and nuanced opposition. Along the way, an old adversary returns to the fray and several members of Ravenor's entourage begin to grow and evolve in ways that neither they nor the readers could have imagined. Overall, a gripping account through the very last page which leaves the reader eager for the next installment.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Compelling "Connector", November 3, 2005
It virtually goes without saying by now that M. Abnett is the most talented writer in the Black Library stable of authors. His works have had a formative effect on the game universe, and much of his writings have become canon in the 3rd and 4th editions of Games Workshop's Warhammer 40K game, much in the same way that M. Watson's writings did for the 1st and 2nd.
Ravenor Returned, the sequel to Ravenor, is clearly a middle tale, in much the same way The Empire Strikes Back was a middle tale in the "first" three Star Wars films. This is not to say that it doesn't have an engaging storyline of its own, but it clearly leaves space for the next book in the series as it concludes.
M. Abnett clearly has a talent for immersing the reader in his world, making the background come alive, and helping the reader "see" the words. His characters are bigger than life in many ways, and yet they each have frailties to match their strengths. This contrast makes them seem much more real, even though they are all clearly "heroes" in some form of the mold. His villains act intelligently, having believable motivations of their own, and there are virtually no abominable "belief in the Emperor somehow turns the tide" plot devices (excepting one on a thankfully very minor matter).
Warhammer 40K "fluff" fanatics will love the book, as it's chalk full of background material from the aforementioned immersive world, but even non-gamers will enjoy it on its own merits, though I highly recommend reading Ravenor prior to this one to get the most out of the tale.
In short: a highly entertaining tale; I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dan Abnett's Ravenor Returned, a step up., April 14, 2005
If you read Ravenor (1st book of the trilogy), like me you might of found it above the WH40K novels average, but below expectations from the master Dan Abnett. When you compared Ravenor with the Eisenhorn trilogy or the Gaunt's Ghosts, to my taste, it fell short of expectations. It was still a strong 4 stars novel, and great on so many levels, but it was a little slow to pick up momentum, and a first from Dan Abnett, where the book was cut off at end, no conclusion, right after the culminating actions, the book was over, no conclusion at all. Now after reading Ravenor Returned (2nd book of trilogy), I understand why, it's not a trilogy like Eisenhorn, Draco or StarWars, it's one story, one book divided in 3 books (dare I say it.. like the Lord of the Rings). Now I got a new appreciation for Ravenor, now I understand it's place in the trilogy, only as introduction and raising action, nothing else, it's the beginning of the story, not the whole story, and as that, it's a fantastic composition, a well deserve 4 ½ to 5 stars.
*** Spoilers section ahead ***
Now, it's hard to evaluate the books differently from one to another, in the Ravenor trilogy one must review each novel within the one story, as in Lord of the Rings, it's hard to review The Two Towers by itself, it has no introduction and no conclusion, it sits in the middle, as in Ravenor Returned. But so far, Dan Abnett know what he is doing, he is moving the story, from simple drug dealing problem (flect) to the use of forbidden technology and machines in a sinister cartel that goes to the top of the sub sector administration, and beyond.
*** Spoilers section over ***
The Novels are well written and lush in details, as always Dan Abnett give credibility to the world of WH40K (Science & Fiction) and that's hard to do especially in that WH40K universe. Then he paint a lavish world filled with details and a rich history and drops his evolving and richly detailed character on it, the end result, you live the story with the character on exotic and fascinating worlds that you can see in complete details. Add a edge of your seat story, that has some un-expected twist and turns, and you got a master piece. I dare anyone to take more then a few days to read these books, it's impossible, you just can't put the book down, I can't wait for the third installment on this trilogy.
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