“This book is bloody brilliant!”

~The Founding Fields

Note: this is an advanced review. The book will be available for purchase starting October 2011.

Well folks, i’ve finally managed to get another review done. Please forgive the delay.  I was graced with an early look at Dan Abnett’s new book Salvation’s Reach and i have to say, i loved it. Plain and simple.  I could simply save myself the trouble and end the review there but what kind of fan would i be!

Salvation’s Reach is book number 13 in the hallowed Gaunt’s Ghosts series from BL Publishing.  Book 12, better known as Blood Pact saw our favorite regiment of scouts and specialist operatives on a tour of R&R back on the world of Balhaut. Now, there were plenty of things that happened in Blood Pact that effect the way this story plays out, but i won’t really be touching on these. Can’t have spoilers now, can we. lol

Suffice it to say that at the end of Blood Pact the regiment of the Tanith First leaves Balhaut for the planet Menazoid Sigma. 

Menezoid Sigma, we come to find, is a “dispersal point.” Basically a mustering ground for regiments that will be shipping off to war in the near future.  The Tanith First have been drafted into a covert operation, presented by Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt to the Warmaster’s High Command.  Their target? Why, a place called “Salvation’s Reach” of course. )

Our wonderful cast of characters is back in action once again; the knife-edge that is Major Rawne, Gol Kolea, Ban Daur, Elodie Dutana (Daur’s significant other), Commissar Viktor Hark, Junior-Commissar Nahum Ludd, and Tona Criid to name a few.  Together, along with a fresh influx of Belladon troops, our intrepid heroes mount a covert assault on the place known as Salvation’s Reach. 

They have with them a person who is key to the operation. A defector of the Archenemy. His head is filled with secret know-how and information that is vital to the mission and it’s success. Naturally, his safety is of the utmost importance, and likewise, challenged at every turn!  Rawne, and the self-appointed “Suicide Kings” are charged with the safe-keeping of this person after an attempt on the defector’s life.

After much travel through the warp, and one outstanding void battle later, the Ghosts launch a two-pronged attack on Salvation’s Reach. One; straight through the front door, loud, large, and in charge.  The second; two small insertion raids that are carried out behind enemy lines so to speak. Gaunt leads this sneaky attack on key areas of Salvation’s Reach, in order to gather vital intelligence and artifacts that Imperial forces can use to dismantle the Sanguinary Lords and finally win the Sabbat Worlds Crusade!

It’s an action packed story filled with battles, babes and booz, not to mention a new love interest for Gaunt.  Oh yeah, did i mention that two brand new characters hailing from Vervunhive make their Gaunt’s Ghosts debut? No, i didn’t? Ah, well you’ll have to find out who they are for yourself. hehehehe

Salvation’s Reach has proven, once again that Dan Abnett is at the top of his game. And even though authors like Aaron Dembski-Bowden are giving him a run for his money, this book clearly demonstrates his mastery of literature.  A thoroughly engaging read, this book is bloody brilliant!

I give Salvation’s Reach a consummate: 10/10 (something, i’d like to point out, i’ve never done before)

reason: Salvation’s Reach  is an outstanding novel. The characterizations are classic Abnett, in the sense that they are fething superb! The pacing doesn’t slow for one moment and will have you constantly turning pages. Thrilling, truly thrilling!  There’s not a fault in this book, and believe me, i looked… looked very hard.

Should you buy this book? YEEEEESSSSS!

Salvation’s Reach is available from Black Library and these fine retailers below:

Amazon.com
Barnes&Noble.com