Eisenhorn: The Omnibus (Warhammer 40,000)

This compilation was the 'last chance' read for dan abnett in my book, after what I considered contrived or overt insertion of coincidences to introduce plot items or devices/resolutions in First and Only and Fell Cargo. I particularly felt first and only was entirely too contrived in the introduction of elements of gaunt's background, each as needed for the plot. Maybe he was limited in space or had strict outlines there, but in any event....this series had none of those flaws. First-person narrative read well, and usually quickly, with no sense of contrived coincidences just to move the plot along, and few if any of the cliche plot turns that I disliked in the books i mentioned above. Furthermore, Abnett shows his tremendous ability to describe enviroments, worlds, cities, through language. When he describes a Hive-city, a small village, a trans-alpine railway, you feel like you are seeing it.Another great strength of this story, particularly Hereticus, is the development of his ability to write very competent antagonists. A major defect in much sci-fi, BL and not, is the use of cardboard-cutout antagonists, who leave you wondering how they ever rose to their position in the first place. The major antagonist in this trilogy, Pontius Glaw, shows early signs of the extreme competence without omnipotence that some villains from his later Ravenor series show.Edit - 4th re-read, 08.2008 - Having read everything else by Abnett, and gained a lot of familiarity with W40k in general, I would like to offer that this is a great trilogy.One thing that caught my eye this time was an aspect of Ravenor that was apparently dropped in the Ravenor novels - His Lord Seer eldar that he referred to in the last part of this trilogy. The implication was that Ravenor was subservient or at the very least allied with the Eldar, something Abnett seems to have just dropped in the follow-up series.

Once again Dan Abnett did a great job with these books. Can’t decide if I like this or the gaunt series more. Gaunts ghosts may be “warhammer band of brothers” but some of these seem somewhat “warhammer James Bond”. Definitely worth a read.

Eisenhorn takes place in the Warhammer 40k universe and if you haven't read a book in this particular genre then you could do worse than start here. Eisenhorn describes the life and times of Gregor Eisenhorn an Imperial Inquisitor. The Inquisition is what you might expect given the naming; it's an organization that ruthlessly seeks out and destroys the 40k version of heretics and other things deemed improper by the Imperium of Man (the human side of things in this universe). Those improper things encompass a wide range, but primarily the Inquisition seeks out and destroys those forces dedicated to spreading Chaos. Chaos in the Warhammer 40k universe is a malevolent force that derives from the Warp and manifests itself physically in the form of daemons and those who utilize the Warp energies to further the agenda of Chaos. That agenda is nothing less than the destruction of the universe and the order it represents.That's the basis for what Gregor Eisenhorn fights against and it's a constant struggle for members of the Inquisition against Chaos as Chaos is able to corrupt so easily and members of the Inquisition are so frequently exposed to sources of Chaos. The Eisenhorn stories are part action adventure and part mystery and Abnett does a good job of pacing things and keeping the reader on their toes. The various stories in the book describe Eisenhorn's wide ranging adventures in his fight against Chaos and the temptations that he avoids and those that he falls prey to. Eisenhorn employs a large coterie of characters as part of his retinue so the book is not solely focused on him, though it tends to revolve around him.The weak point of the book takes place in the last third as there is a time shift that disconnects the first two books from the last and leaves the reader feeling somewhat adrift as many of the familiarities of the first two books are swept away. The last book also loses some of the breakneck pacing of the first two and drags a bit. Other than that the Omnibus itself is overall quite entertaining. While Abnett has not really written any more Eisenhorn stories he continues in this vein in Ravenor. The Ravenor character is derived from these Eisenhorn stories and while not required it's probably best to read this set of stories before reading Ravenor.

Good read

This book was my first foray into the Warhammer 40k Universe and I am now worried I have may have spoiled myself!This book was incredibly good. Fascinating, fast paced, and with great characters development. I have rarely read a book this fast. Let alone 4 in 1.If I HAD to give a fair criticism, it would be that the endings of most of the books felt rather abrupt. Three of them could have used with more falling action, but at least the last book, The Magos, fortunately closed in a satisfying manner.HIGHLY recommended!