Ravenor: The Omnibus (Warhammer 40,000)

Started off a bit slow but picked up quick. Loved the cast of characters and lots of non stop adventure. Somewhat of a sad ending but it is the warhammer universe. Almost as good as eisenhorn.

I read Eisenhorn (A Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus) a long time ago and then proceeded to read all kinds of Warhammer 40k books but I never got around to Ravenor. I have to say that I missed out. Ravenor is definitely fantastic. I will tell you that the book is considerably darker, grittier, and more gothic dystopian than Eisenhorn. It's not for the faint of heart. I still think that Eisenhorn is probably the best starter novel for anyone looking at dabbling with Warhammer 40k but I think it's Ravenor where Dan Abnett truly delves into the dystopian aspects of society in the Imperium of Man. This is a dark and opressing book. By now I've read a lot of Warhammer 40k books. I have to say that Eisenhorn is still my #1 book but Ravenor has immediately eclipsed all other works and taken it's place as the solid #2. Both Eisenhorn and Ravenor are not just my two favorites, they're my favorites by a very long long way. This book is set in the Warhammer 40K Universe -- it's vast, rich, dystopian and on a scale as big as Star Wars, Star Trek, LOTR. I've been throwing a generic Warhammer40k Universe overview into my WH40K reviews for new reader. Here it is if you're interested: GENERIC WARHAMMER 40K OVERVIEW I'm adding a Warhammer 40K overview to this review to help newcomers get a sense for the Universe. (Warhammer 40K pros, go easy on me - I'm also somewhat of a newcomer to the Universe, hope I got the broad brushstrokes right). Review for book at bottom. HOW I GOT HOOKED I got this through vine and put it directly on my nightstand. Although I've never gamed Warhammer (Warhammer 40k Space Marines Combat Squad) or any of their many other games, I became a fan of Warhammer 40,000 after a friend in college introduced me to the Warhammer 40k universe back in 1990 I want to say. While browsing through Amazon, I came across Eisenhorn probably the best "starter" novel to get anyone started into the Warhammer Universe. I have to admit, I've gotten hooked on the stories. THE BLACK LIBRARY From a company standpoint there is a British company called the Black Library that owns and manages Warhammer 40K. They have some great writers on staff like Dan Abnett and Graham McNiell who write many of the stories. The common thread of the writers is that in my opinion they are very literary people who manage the capture the dark, dystopian, almost opressing vision of this far future. Many of their stories have foundations and parallels in real world history...for example The Flight of the Eisenstein (Horus Heresy) is very similar in my opinion to The Battleship Potemkin. I think the company was founded in 1989 to provide advanced hobbyist game pieces (Games Workshop Space Marine Devastator Squad Box Set) that gamers could paint and decorate and then play in competition based on some rule books called codexes (Warhammer 40K (40,000) Codex Space Marines) very similar to dungeons and dragons. THE SERIES Warhammer 40K takes place about 40,000 years in the future in a neogothic dystopian Universe where the entire galaxy has been colonized. During the 40,000 year history humanity discovers that hyperspace (the mechanism they use to travel faster than light) is filled with ghostly demons and other lifeforms that will not hesitate to invade and infest the real universe. Add to that alien Elves, Orks, intergalactic insectoid invaders, parasites and every other conceivable menace, this makes for a tormented universe that only knows War and suffering for its untold trillions or quadrillions of denizens. In this Universe there is an Empire based on Earth with an Emperor and and a gigantic bureaucracy that manages the Imperium. I'll outline some of the story lines to help you make sense of this (if you're not a pro already): SPACE MARINES - Genetically and Cybernetically augmented warrior monks that form the front line of defense for the Empire. Space Marine novels generally build on the mythology of the space marines and generally describe a chapter of space marines (a monastery) and tell some story of how they fight for the Empire or how they fell from grace. Space Marines are almost not human, they've been augmented genetically stand at 8 to 12 feet tall and wear giant powered armour. They fight in space and in some horrible conditions. For this reason, you don't get much of a feel for the denizens of the Empire (generally) in these novels. Space Marines are Monks and celibate (I think) so you don't get any flavor for interpersonal relationships. Although in a few stories you do get some political intrigue and in one space wolf novel, you even get to see Earth. Expect lots of fighting with these novels in very novel settings. The Ultramarines Omnibus (Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus) TITANS - The giant Mechwarriors (giant walking two legged tanks) that form the heaviest of assault machines of the empire. Titanicus is the only Warhammer 40K novel that I know of that is based on Titans. Because Titans stand at 40 stories and are crewed by a very select group of very religious people, you don't get much of the flavor for the citizens of the Empire although you do get dazzling descriptions of the cities, planets, and how the war machines fight. Expect lots of fighting with these novels. Titanicus (Warhammer 40,000) IMPERIAL GUARD - The Army of the Empire (untold billions serve and die regularly) -- CADIAN BLOOD is an Imperial guard novel. Expect down and dirty grunt fighting and warfare in these novels with a healthy does of intrigue and plot machinations. Because Imperial Guard are human, you get more of a sense for the Empire than you do with Titan or Space Marine novels. Cadian Blood (Imperial Guard) INQUISITORS - The Emperor's inquisition carries the Empire's complete support as they go out and seek out evil in any form (Einsenhorn, Ravenor, and Innocence Proves Nothing are Inquisition novels). Expect more intrigue and deceipt in these novels and expect to see some of the more opulent aspects of the Empire because many times Inquisitors walk among the citizens of the Empire. I find that I get a better flavor for the Warhammer Universe from Inquisitor Novels. They are my personal favorites. Eisenhorn (A Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus) Ravenor: The Omnibus (Warhammer 40000) Innocence Proves Nothing (Warhammer 40000) MECHANICUM - The Mechanicum is almost like a pseudoreligion based on Mars who has a very close alliance with the Emperor (although sometimes you wonder). The Mechanicum makes most of the technology for the Empire. So many things have been invented and forgotten in the 40K universe that technology is more of technomagic and technology use is almost ritual-like. Mechanicum (Horus Heresy) HORUS HERESY NOVELS - When the Warhammer 40K Universe was invented (mostly for gaming purposes), a backstory was developed that tells how the Galaxy was brought under the Emperor. It used to be a fairly short story but has been expanded broadly now that Warhammer 40K is so popular. Here are some Heresy books in no particular order but there is an order (there are too many of them for me to track and I haven't read them all). Horus Rising (The Horus Heresy) The Flight of the Eisenstein (Horus Heresy) False Gods: The Heresy Takes Root (The Horus Heresy) This is a Warhammer 40K book so it takes place in the 41st millenium, just FYI.

I waited a few years after reading the excellent Eisenhorn triology to try this series as I wasn't sure Abnett could do it again. In-between books again I decided to give it a try and I was very pleased I did. This is classic Abnett and just as good as the Eisenhorn triology. It is certainly different than that, but just as entertaining and true to the 40k universe. The best way to read this triology is in the Omnibus and the preface was interesting and was in the back of my mind as I read the rest of the book.

Well, I have read the Eisenhorn series before, and I find this book to be a natural progression to read. It is interesting how the book made a man inside a box so interesting and believable. However, at times I feel that the book jumps from scene to scene a little awkwardly and thus this made it a little frustrating for me to understand some of the interactions between the characters at times.

Fantastic sequel! I did like Eisenhorn a bit more though, but that's like saying it's the second prettiest Diamond next to The Hope Diamond.

Excellent work! After first reading Eisenhorn by the Dan Abnett, I read this. Absolutely love the author and the gritty future he describes. You'll love the detail and the action is very well balanced with plot progression. Sci-Fi and Mystery combine to a series of adventures that never go as you predict. As soon as you think you figured out the plot and try to tie a bow on it, a Chain-Sword or Las-Pistol rips the story right back open. Boys notice girls, but nothing more than PG-13. The violence and gore are shockingly well done and aren't a distraction, but scare the heck out of you and makes you really worry about the safety of your band of heroes. I'm really not the kind of guy who likes gore and such, but this is awesome! You can "see" the action as...just buy it already!

Excellent print quality, delivered mint condition

I am an avid & unabashed reader. Every day, I relax with a book. Over the past 2 years, I've been on a fiction kick, and probably read 80% fiction now. At this point, I've read about 50 Black library (Games Workshop's says all their books come from there or something, I haven't tried to figure it out yet.) I've been enjoying the world of Warhammer 40,000 for the most part and even started getting heavily into the board game. Personally, I prefer to read books in order, so I'd recommend reading these books in order. Einsenhorn is the first and Ravenor is the 2nd in the series. From what I can tell, Dan Abnett, the author, is considered the Steven King of the Warhammer/Black Library writers. My favorite aspect of his writing is the incredibly vivid characters, worlds, and battle scenes he creates. This book brings one aspect of the Warhammer world, I had not seen yet: Psychic powers. This was meant to be a quick review, so I didnt carefully consider every aspect, but I hope it was helpful.

Für potentielle Käufer, die mit Abnetts Protagonisten Gregor Eisenhorn und Gideon Ravenor nicht vertraut sind, folgende Kurzinformation: Die Romanfigur Gregor Eisenhorn ist Mitglied der Inquisition und damit im Warhammer-Universum mit den höchsten Machtbefugnissen - nahezu gleich dem God-Emperor - ausgestattet. Eisenhorn dürfte unter den Brett-/Rollenspielern von Warhammer 40k eine legendäre Figur sein, so dass die Romane um Eisenhorn mit Spannung erwartet wurden und seit einiger Zeit als Omnibus vorliegen. Eisenhorn war der Mentor Ravenors, der seinen Schützling als außergewöhnlich begabten jungen Mann beschrieb, der als Inquisitor noch Karriere machen würde. In Eisenhorns Omnibus kann man nachlesen, wie Ravenors steiler Aufstieg durch einen Angriff des Chaos je gebremst wird. Ravenor kommt durch diesen Anschlag fast ums Leben und bleibt schwerst behindert. Gideon Ravenor ist aber kein normaler Sterblicher. Dan Abnett verleht im ein unheimlich großes Potential als Psyker. Diese mentalen Kräfte werden durch/nach dem Unfall bzw. Ravenors Behinderung freigesetzt, und Ravenor wird zu einem der besten Inquisitoren des Warhammer-Universums. Der vorliegende Omnibus beginnt Jahre nach dem Unfall und der letzten Begegnung Ravenors mit Eisenhorn, der seit damals verschollen ist. Es wird vermutet, dass Eisenhorn den dunklen Kräften Warps verfallen ist (Stichwort: Eisenhorns Beziehung zu dem Dämonenwesen Cherubael). Genaueres weiss man (=wir) nicht, und so warten wir gespannt, ob uns Abnett noch mit weiteren Eisenhorn Romanen überraschen wird. Zurück zu unserem Helden Ravenor - in drei Romanen und zwei Kurzgeschichten haben wir es mit einem konkreten Kriminalfall zu tun, in dem es um illegale Beschaffung von Warp-verseuchten Artefakten und Technologieteilen geht. Da scheinbar die Regierungsspitzen eines Planeten/Sektors involviert sind. Durch Zufall schaltet sich die Inquisition ein. Ravenor und sein eingespieltes Team kämpfen gegen hartgesottene, raffinierte Kriminelle, gegen eine Warpsekte und mit der eigenen menschlichen Schwäche. Abnett schenkt seinen Helden nichts, so dass diese einiges einstecken müssen, Verluste erleiden und ganz in der dystopischen Tradition des Warhammer-Universums nicht die strahlenden, unfehlbaren Helden von 08/15-Romanschnulzen sind. Abnett versteht es, wie immer, dem Warhammer-Universum eine Detailfühle zu verleihen, die ziemlich gruselig ist. Wer will schon auf einem überbevölkerten Planeten dahinvegetieren, auf dem die Wirtschaft am Boden ist, der extrem saure Regen Hautkrebs verursacht und nur auf 500.000 Menschen ein Arzt kommt!? Neben der eigentlichen, äußerst spannenden Handlung lernen wir wieder einmal durch Abnett, wie verrottet das Imperium der Menschheit eigentlich ist - düster, dunkel, depressiv....! Herrlich! Zum Abschluss eine Anmerkung: Im Gegensatz zu einigen Bekannten habe ich zuerst den Omnibus Eisenhorn gelesen und danach erst Ravenor. Während Dan Abnett bei Ravenor die Handlung in den Vordergrund stellt, zeichnen sich die Romane um Eisenhorn durch eine Charakterstudie des Protagonisten aus. Wir erleben, wie Eisenhorn älter wird, und wie sich dessen Einstellungen und Denkweisen im Laufe der Jahre ändern. Die Geschichte der Person Eisenhorn hat etwas von Goethes Faust an sich, so dass sich Abnett spätestens mit Eisenhorn ein literarisches Denkmal gesetzt hat. Bei Ravenor erleben wir dagegen im vorliegenden Omnibus nicht die Entwicklung seines Charakters, sondern wir sehen Ravenor in seiner vollen Inquisitoren-Blüte der mit seinen menmtalen Kräften und einem hervorragenden Team aktiv einen Fall "bearbeitet". Die Omnibuse von Eisenhorn und Ravenor lassen sich somit schwer vergleichen. Eines haben die Geschichten von Eisenhorn und Ravenor aber gemeinsam - Dan Abnett beweist, dass er der Meister des Warhammer-Universums ist! Fünf Sterne!

My son loves this

Dan Abnett is always a good read.

Great follow up to original omnibus

Ich hab's gefressen. Super Unterhaltung. Cooler plot. Gute Schurken, gute "Helden". 1A! Ich bin echt versucht, Eisenhorn nochmal zu lesen (schon deutlich länger her als Ravenor).