Customer Reviews

Ravenor (Warhammer 40,000 Novels)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At the risk of sounding like a broken record (particularly if one has read any of my other reviews of 40K novels), M. Abnett is easily the most talented writer in the Black Library stable of authors. His works often become canon in the game universe, and much of his writings have formative effects on the latter editions of Games Workshop's Warhammer 40K game, much in the same way that M. Watson's writings did for the earlier editions.

Ravenor, is an excellent action-adventure that utilizes many of the characters introduced in the Eisenhorn Trilogy: Inquisitor Ravenor, Kara Swole, and Harlon Nayl to name a few. M. Abnett also adds a wealth of entirely new cast-members for our entertainment. Ravenor himself is a fascinating character, essentially limited to the realm of his psychic abilities by his physical restrictions. This book clearly delves more into the background of psykers, their abilities, and the interesting physical consequences thereof than any other penned so far.

One of M. Abnett's chief talents lies in creating a vivid, believable setting. The locations sing with the gothic feel of the universe, but from the vibrant view of the privileged and powerful, rather than the teeming, hopeless masses. His characters are bigger than life, but he ensures that there are equally capable antagonists who can match them blow for blow. This contrast provides dynamic tension throughout the work. Unlike some, his villains act intelligently and have believable motivations of their own. Unlike some less capable 40K authors, he makes very little use of dues ex machina and creates resolutions that don't destroy suspension of disbelief.

If M. Abnett has a weakness, it's his endings, during which his plot devices can become a little too abrupt and a little less believable, but this is a minor annoyance in an otherwise excellent whole. It is also clearly the first book in a series, and though it comes to a conclusion of sorts, it leaves most of the bigger questions unanswered, and the characters make plans for future operations in the "last" chapter.

"Fluff"-ologists will love the book, as it covers new ground for psykers and has an abundance of other background material. General science fiction readers will enjoy it on its own merits. There is a worthy sequel already out, Ravenor Returned (which I have also reviewed).

In short: an excellent action thriller which promises to be the start of another trilogy for a fine writer.

This book is another great addition to the growing list of fiction set in the "Warhammer 40,000 Universe," the setting of the "Warhammer 40,000" miniatures game and other related games by Games Workshop. Dan Abnett does his usual great job with the story, as well, providing a good mixture of action and character development in the story line. Well worth reading, especially if you're a fan of the shadowy servants of the Imperium of Man known as the Inquisition!

Despite my enjoying this book immensely, I just couldn't bring myself to give it a full five stars, for two reasons:

First and foremost, I think it very likely that readers who haven't yet read Dan Abnett's "Eisenhorn" trilogy will be at least somewhat confused by this novel. There are many references to people and events that won't make much sense without the background provided in those three books. Not to say that readers won't enjoy "Ravenor" without reading the "Eisenhorn" books first.... just that they might enjoy it more if they do so.

Second, and less significantly, this book is clearly the beginning of a series: the ending of the book is a "very-near-cliff-hanger" that leaves much unsettled business hanging.... great for sales of the next installment, but pretty tough on readers left to impatiently await that next installment's arrival!

Some friends of mine who've read the book have mentioned the frequent cuts from scene to scene and changes in narration from first-person to third-person as being distracting or confusing. I myself didn't find them to be so, but then I've been known to read books by the likes of Tom Clancy, who not only is a master of the frequent scene change but writes a *much* longer book most of the time, as well!

All in all, a very enjoyable read..... but do yourself a favor, and read the three books about Inquisitor Eisenhorn ("Xenos," "Malleus," and "Hereticus") first!

I've read almost every Warhammer 40k novel out there, and I have to say that this ranks as the most in-depth experience a reader can ever take into the Warhammer 40k universe. Abnett has reached a new level in his writing style, making it virtually impossible to put this book down. It has all of the action of the Eisenhorn Trilogy and presents it in a way that makes the reader feel as if he or she is walking alongside the characters. For readers familiar with Abnett's previous Eisenhorn novels, Ravenor takes place several decades after Hereticus and follows the exploits of Inquisitor Ravenor as he investigates the spread of a new type of drug called 'flects'. Several favorite characters from the Eisenhorn series have also been included in this novel, which is a big plus. I suggest reading the Eisenhorn Trilogy before this novel but even first time readers can get an appreciation for this incredible tour through the Imperium of Mankind.

Well, Dan Abnett has once again produced a winner. Ravenor contains the same great characterization as his many other Warhammer 40k novels, as well as a solid amount of carnage.

However, there are a few things I found to detract, unfortunately. The narrative viewpoint switches back and forth from third person to first (Ravenor himself). While not terrible, I think that a complete work in third person would have been acceptable. Also, as a number of the main characters also appeared in the Eisenhorn trilogy, there are allusions to some of their pasts which were detailed in that series but which will be unfamiliar to readers of just this book. There were a number of typos as well, not the usual case for Abnett's works in my experience.

Nevertheless, the story moves fast, with good action and progress. The plot revolves around Ravenor and company attempting to locate the source of a chaos-inspired drug in use on Imperium worlds. It leads them to lawless regions in which they are accosted by aliens, traitors, and renegades. It was clear pretty early on that this was to be the first book in a series, as there were a number of loose ends left unaddressed.

This was still a great book. It was really enjoyable to read again of some of the compatriots of Eisenhorn. There are some fond mentions of him from those who knew him, tying this new series to that one even more than the inclusion of returning characters. This book continues the high-quality that Abnett established in that trilogy, and I look forward eagerly to the next installment. This book was worth the hardcover price!

In my opinion, Dan Abnett is far and away the most accomplished author in the current Black Library fold. He has an uncanny ability to whisk his readers away to futuristic, alien settings that are both delightfully wondrous and yet utterly convincing at the same time. A master of character-driven "low fantasy", Abnett never permits these exotic locales to either overwhelm his rich, three dimensional characters or to overshadow the captivating adventures upon which they lead us. Ravenor is yet another Abnett success.

Ravenor picks up some years after the events chronicled in the Eisenhorn trilogy and takes us along as Inquisitor Gideon Ravenor and his retinue investigate the spiraling use of a hallucinogenic drug with possible xenos origins. As the primary protagonist, Inquisitor Ravenor is perhaps even more compelling than his irascible mentor, Eisenhorn. Disembodied and entombed in a forbidding block of seemingly impenetrable ceramite armor, Ravenor is nonetheless eminently human and oftentimes strikingly vulnerable. Perceptive yet fallible, confident yet conflicted, compassionate yet unforgiving, Ravenor is the very best that humanity has to offer in a time of desperate struggle.

If the novel falls somewhat short of the author's best work, same is due in large part to the fact that the antagonists are for the most part not the ruthless, terrifying villains that we have come to expect from an Abnett offering. And while the elusive drug at the center of the story is nothing short of brilliant in terms of its nature and origins, its potential nonetheless remains largely unrealized. These two admittedly minor criticisms lead me to suspect that this book is but the first in a series that will further explore the full extent of the dangers posed by mankind's foolish attempt to harness xenos technology irrevocably corrupted by the pernicious effects of the Warp.

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.

This book is the first in the Ravenor trilogy and I thought it was a good beginning to an excellent series.
Gideon Ravenor is an Imperial Inquisitor sworn to purge chaos in all it's forms. He and his team are acting in the name of the god emperor himself and their power and reach knows no bounds.
This was the first book I read in the Warhammer 40K Universe and it was an excellent start for me. With just my limited knowledge of WH40K I really enjoyed the story and Dan Abnett's writing style. I had heard that he was an excellent story teller and I can say after reading this book and the rest of the series that he is!
If I could just offer a few words of advice to new readers in the WH40K Universe that are interested in the Inquisition maybe you should start with the Eisenhorn omnibus, because it comes chronologically before the Ravenor books. It is not necessary but, you could read them in order unlike me!
However, in order or out I still recommend this book and trilogy highly to any readers of sci-fi fantasy who want to enter the Warhammer Universe! Enjoy!!!

I came to Ravenor after really enjoying Eisenhorn. This led to me having several incorrect assumptions about what Ravenor would be like. It's set in the same universe, by the same author, also a trilogy, about another Inquisitor and titled after the main character's last name-- but there are some key differences that, had I been aware of them, would have probably allowed me to enjoy this book more.

1) The book Ravenor has an ensemble of characters. Whereas Eisenhorn had a well-defined central character-- Eisenhorn-- with a few strong supporting characters. Ravenor does not. Ravenor gets some first person voice, but is pretty much on equal footing with the key members of his band. I was sixty or so pages in before I really picked up on this; I had been skimming over some of what I thought were introductions of minor characters, only to realize they were getting more time than Ravenor himself. And the band is quite large, 7-9 at any one point, with four vying with Ravenor for focus in the story.

2) The book Ravenor is the first part of a trilogy. Eisenhorn was a great trilogy, but you could have read any one book without reference to the others. Not so, Ravenor. The first (and second) book of the Ravenor trilogy ends not necessarily in a cliffhanger, but with obviously unanswered questions. In fact, I was getting a little irritated towards the end of the first book, as it began to look to me like a police procedural dedicated to busting a drug ring, only to have a much wider scope open up in the end, to be wrapped up in the sequels.

Anyway, I really did enjoy the book, I just wish I had started it without these preconceptions.

.....I just complete part 1 and ran right out to buy parts 2 and 3. i really like Dan's wriging style and the intro to this universe. I have not read other warhammer stories but I get a real feel for the characters, people behave believably and I have been introduced to the universe and its queasy claustrophobic feel. I love how there is a "dead" emperor even if I don't know much about him yet, I enjoy the Inquisition aspect to check chaos, mutants and perhaps alien races. I love the large inexplicable object left by a long dead race that is just thrown in for back ground giving it all a very dark feel.
.....I held back on 5 stars as I have not read parts 2 and 3 so I am not sure all this build up will be worthy of that. Unfair maybe but I can always go back and edit this.
......I have that giddy feeling when you personally discover a new to you really good writer. We'll see how it goes but he potential to run through his books and maybe test the waters within this particular universe is a nice rush.

Ravenor expands the 40K experience by introducing us to the inner workings (dysfunction) of the Empire, rather than the battle of space marines on the edges of civilization. On one hand, Abnett shows in excruciating detail how the Empire entertains itself, feeds itself, and self-medicates itself; on the other, he illustrates the effects of corruption and entropy on the decaying Empire, and the valiant attempt of a few to stave off anarchy. So, in effect, it is a story of order verses chaos, with a subtext of Chaos and the Warp verses the representatives of the Inquisition.

In a nutshell the story (the first part of three) follows Inquisitor Ravenor's investigation of an illicit drug ring in Petropolis to a conspiracy expanding through known and unknown space.

In the process, Abnett introduces a multitude of interesting characters-bounty hunters, psykers, rogue traders, kroots (woot), and other xenos (known and unknown), not to mention Ravenor's team of operatives.

This is a rich, multi-layered novel, with a couple of dozen story lines running through it. Consequently, although it could stand along, there are so many loose ends at the end that you know that a sequel is barreling down the tracks right behind it and probably another after it.

It is also full of fluff, which I am sure will reappear in the 40 K canon, just as other Abnett creations like bodyglove, microbead, and feth are now required in any self respecting 40K novel.

So why four stars rather five, you ask? Some of the novel's strengths and attraction are also the source of its impediments. There are multiple points of view--some clear, some not so clear--popping up maybe two and three to a page. There are story lines that begin and simply hang. Yes, we know a sequel is on the way but how about a little closure. There is a plethora of detail that seemed hackney at times because we have seen it before, as if a decaying Rome is the only matrix for 40k novel.

Irrespective of my criticism, Abnett is very good writer on the cusp of greatness. Ravenor expands the Intellectual Property and takes the canon away from the board games and the table tops and into mainstream science fiction. A very worthy novel.