Customer Reviews

Star of Damocles (Warhammer 40,000 Novels)

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

 

 

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

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.

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.

It is a rogue trader's duty to go out in to the dark places beyond human controlled space and to exploit what they encountered for profit. That meant trading with alien races rather than destroying them outright. However, Cardinal Gurney and Inquisitor Grand believe that all non-humans should be exterminated upon sight. Patriarch Lucian Gerrit, Heritor of the Clan Arcadius, managed to get a delay to the cardinal's ultimate sanction against the Tau when Space Marine Sarik captured a tau commander.

Lucian and his family soon find themselves voyaging across the Damocles Gulf. Lucian's daughter, Brielle, had attacked Inquisitor Grand and freed all the tau prisoners before disappearing with them. At least, that was what Inquisitor Grand said happened. But Lucian knew that Brielle would never do such a thing unless the chances of vast power or currency were possible.

After weeks of worrying, Lucian found himself with no time to even give his daughter a passing thought. Something from the Warp was on board his ship and stalking the corridors. Lucian must order "protocol extremis", an order none of his line had been forced to issue in over three millennia. "Protocol extremis" was a desperate reaction to a situation few expected to survive. And it did not look as though anyone would be surviving the chaos within the ship's hull.

***** This story is as terrific as its predecessor, Rogue Star! Readers can tell from the beginning that there is something deeply unwholesome about Inquisitor Grand. Also, many would consider Brielle's actions in this book (and the previous one) to be selfish. However, DUH, as I said at the beginning of my synopsis, rogue traders are raised to exploit things they encountered for profit. It is not only totally natural to them, but also considered quite noble. The characters are not as well developed this time around as I would like, but the plot and action are terrific. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

The book inself was a quick read with a story that I thought was pretty good. In no other Warhammer 40K book have I seen better space/navel battles! I liked Rogue Star a bit better, but still and all and all good novel.