Star of Damocles (Warhammer 40,000 Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

Andy Hoare (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2007 | Series: Warhammer 40,000 Novels

Rogue trader patriarch Lucian Gerrit and his family get swept up in an Imperial Crusade to track down and exterminate the alien tau. Having crossed the desolate area of space known as the Damocles Gulf, the fleet arrives on the borders of the tau empire. Can Gerrit's resourcefulness save the day when the Imperial forces find themselves outnumbered and outgunned, thousands of light years from home?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Andy Hoare works for Games Workshop as a games designer, where he writes and develops games systems and intellectual property. He lives in Nottingham, UK.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Games Workshop (August 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844164780
• ISBN-13: 978-1844164783
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #389,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rogue Traders! An Interesting Second Chapter!, February 12, 2010

By 

Sean Dooley "wittdooley" (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Star of Damocles (Warhammer 40,000 Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

Star of Damocles, the second installment in Andy Hoare's tale of the exploits of Lucian Gerrit and the Clan Arcadius, follows directly on the heels of Rogue Star. This time, however, Hoare amps up the action while maintaining the development of his characters, spinning a space yarn that is terse and tense, and reads quite well.

The book picks up immediately where Rogue Star leaves off; Lucian and his brood find themselves on the edge of the Damocles Gulf, preparing to launch an Imperial crusade against the newly discovered Tau. However, as a rogue trader, Lucian has his reservations, unwilling to concede to Imperial Cardinal Gurney and Inquisitor Grand's notion that the Tau should simply be exterminated; rather, it is Lucian's belief--no doubt rooted in his exploitative nature as a rogue trader--that the Tau have technologies and knowledge that could further the cause of the Imperium.

Much like Rogue Star, Hoare creates a story dripping with character and political intrigue. A great number of scenes within [I]Star of Damocles[/I take place within the chambers of the military council of the crusade, consisting of Gerrit, Grand, Gurney, and an assortment of other military and strategic heads, including two Astartes captains. These scenes, though devoid of bloodshed or physical action, are well written, tense, and most importantly believable. Though many on the council are minor characters, through Lucian's presence at the council we see that each has a thoroughly distinct character. Further, each council session is teeming with a palpable tension, created by the obvious disdain some characters have for others.

And while this political intrigue and maneuvering takes up a great deal of the book, Hoare presents us with more action than before. As in Rogue Star, Hoare does a commendable job of presenting naval warfare. While I'm no expert on ship-to-ship combat, each naval action is believably written, with Gerrit reminding me of Russell Crowe's turn as Captain Jack Aubrey in the movie Master and Commander (and I mean this is the utmost positive). In addition, we are privy to more visceral action via the boarding actions of the White Scars. While not as lengthy and descriptive as, say, the Horus Heresy novels, the Astartes action is appropriate. The boarding actions are quick in real time, and are represented as such in the novel.

Akin to Rogue Star, Star of Damocles is not without a few warts. While we get to see the growth of both Lucian and Korvane as characters, Brielle is left to her own devices (for good reason though) most of the book. As a result, Brielle's character growth is limited and she deviates very little from the rebellious archetype she is meant to embody. Also, the ending is a bit abrupt and is obviously a place holder for a sequel; sadly, I've yet to find out whether or not one is planned.

Despite those--admittedly picky--shortcomings, in Star of Damocles Andy Hoare has fleshed out the universe he created in Rogue Star and developed a cast of very likeable characters. Additionally, Hoare's story keeps you on the edge of your grav chair...er, seat...and makes you want more. I hope Hoare is allowed to conclude his tale as, for me, the story of Lucian Gerrit and the Arcadius Clan is contending for a "Best of" spot in the expansive Black Library.

The Good

* Continues development of great characters

* Politiking is intense and intriguing, while action scenes are equally involved

The Bad

* Brielle's character stagnates with limited `face time'

* (Sadly) No conclusion on the horizon will leave you wanting

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Poor effort, February 13, 2008

By 

Samuel Flory "Surloc" (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Star of Damocles (Warhammer 40,000 Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book wasn't as bad in terms of writing, grammar, and the like for a warhammer book, but it lacks much of what makes bad warhammer books a good read. There isn't any action. The space battles are few, and not very interesting. The intrigue is poorly done. The characters you can't seem to care about. The plot builds, but never has a pay off. There are a lot better books in the 40k setting you can buy.

1.0 out of 5 stars A wasted opportunity, October 11, 2011

By 

C Watkins (Wales, Great Britain) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Star of Damocles (Warhammer 40,000 Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

Given the Rogue Trader subject matter, I had hugely high hopes for this book - but I'm afraid it was entirely put-downable. Indeed I did so, and couldn't bring myself to finish the book. A giant sci-fi bun-fight in space, ignoring all the romantic possibilities of the roguish-star-farer. I fear it may have killed the product line for Rogue Trader novels.