Top critical review
1.0 out of 5 starsThe worst of the series by far.
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2018
This is by far the worst book of the Gaunt's Ghost saga.
I'd like to start off after saying such a thing by pointing out that i've been a rabid fan of the series. I always recommended it as a go-to series to get people interested in Warhammer 40k for the fact that it so easily depicts how tragic life is for the average soldier of the setting. Each character is fleshed out and made a fascinating little figure to love or loathe alike, even the smallest "main" characters are well described and given enough time that even someone such as myself that doesn't like having to juggle dozens of figures of major focus can admire or absolutely hate them. It is a trait few authors truly do so well.
On top of this, Dan Abnett's grasp of combat (especially science-fiction combat) is second to none. His attention to detail is equally second to none in the fine points as he rarely gets into the guts and gore so much that I find it unappealing to read yet plenty graphic enough that you can truly envision how genuinely horrific the cast's struggle to survive truly is.
That is why I'm giving this such a low score. Because I know Dan Abnett is capable of SO MUCH more than this book puts on display. The ending's "Cliffhanger" was absolutely lousy, we recieve absolutely 0 closure on any of the major questions or subplots brought up in this book (of which there are at least a half-dozen I counted). I was genuinely rendered speechless in all the worst ways when I realized the book had ended.
