dobbykroket's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
zankaru's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
nightshade_novels's review
5.0
The world Cain finds himself on in this book is so interesting; half desert, half lava, with the only habitable spaces being plateaus that rise above the planet's surface.
After the last book I was happy to have Cain back with the 597th and seeing a bit more of Kasteen, Brocklaw and even Sulla. But what I really enjoyed was that this book has Amberly Vail in person working alongside Cain.
This book is the first one that has tyranids as the enemy being fought, although Cain has faced them before. I really enjoyed getting to see the tyranids in action as they are one of my favourite xenos species, I think because they are such a different species to the humans. However there is a lot more going on than just the tyranid invasion and we get a bit more understanding about one of Cain's discoveries in the last book, which nicely links the two stories together.
Once again Mitchell's writing style is great; continuous action broken up by frequent bits of humour and a storyline that keeps you hooked. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
After the last book I was happy to have Cain back with the 597th and seeing a bit more of Kasteen, Brocklaw and even Sulla. But what I really enjoyed was that this book has Amberly Vail in person working alongside Cain.
This book is the first one that has tyranids as the enemy being fought, although Cain has faced them before. I really enjoyed getting to see the tyranids in action as they are one of my favourite xenos species, I think because they are such a different species to the humans. However there is a lot more going on than just the tyranid invasion and we get a bit more understanding about one of Cain's discoveries in the last book, which nicely links the two stories together.
Once again Mitchell's writing style is great; continuous action broken up by frequent bits of humour and a storyline that keeps you hooked. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
bloodravenlib's review
5.0
It took me a while to get through this one, but it was mostly because I have been reading other things, not a reflection of the book, which was excellent. Mitchell kept the excitement running all the way to the end making you wonder if the wily commissar would make it out alive. This is certainly a fine addition to the Ciaphas Cain series.
In this series, the commissar and his Valhallans have to help quell civil disturbances in Periremunda. However, the situation turns out to be much more complicated than just some riots and civil unrest. It seems there may be an active Chaos cult or two behind the scenes. And what is the interest of the Inquisition, which seems to be a very active interest? And all happening while there is a Tyranid invasion going on. Will Commissar Cain be able to make it out in one piece and find the easy life he so likes? Maybe, maybe not as he once again, albeit reluctantly, becomes the hero of the day. Life is not easy for the commissar who knows that once you have a reputation, you have to maintain it, and his reputation is that of a hero of the Imperium.
Mitchell takes us into the story right away from the beginning, reveals the plots and the intricacies a bit at a time, and the tale does not let you go until you reach the end. Sure, this is military scifi, but it is military scifi with humor in it; these books are really fun to read. I am already looking forward to the next installment.
In this series, the commissar and his Valhallans have to help quell civil disturbances in Periremunda. However, the situation turns out to be much more complicated than just some riots and civil unrest. It seems there may be an active Chaos cult or two behind the scenes. And what is the interest of the Inquisition, which seems to be a very active interest? And all happening while there is a Tyranid invasion going on. Will Commissar Cain be able to make it out in one piece and find the easy life he so likes? Maybe, maybe not as he once again, albeit reluctantly, becomes the hero of the day. Life is not easy for the commissar who knows that once you have a reputation, you have to maintain it, and his reputation is that of a hero of the Imperium.
Mitchell takes us into the story right away from the beginning, reveals the plots and the intricacies a bit at a time, and the tale does not let you go until you reach the end. Sure, this is military scifi, but it is military scifi with humor in it; these books are really fun to read. I am already looking forward to the next installment.
arthurbdd's review
2.0
Mitchell works the formula again. Giving the Sisters of Battle the unsympathetic, unappealing treatment he does here feels counter-productive: there's enough sexism in the fandom and in the setting material already, Sandy, can we do without trashing one of the few shreds of loud female representation the setting has? Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2013/09/08/commissar-stuck-in-a-rut/
paulopaperbooksonly's review
4.0
This is the fifth book I read from Sandy Mitchell and Commissar Ciaphas Cain and his fateful sidekick Jurgen.
Again he returns to kick some Tyranids butts...
You've got Cain and Jurgen in Periremunda to quench a supposedly chaos riot. BUT because one enemy is not enough they soon discover that they are in the route of an invasion of Tyranids. OF COURSE, this was not enough and Cain and Jurgen have to deal with the Inquisition as well.
Not as fast as other books in my opinion and after reading 6 books by him I must say that my favourite one was also the smaller one. Caves of Ice.
I think that most of this story could have been told with 256 pages or something like that. Too much fillers and at times it feel I was reading things that happened in other books.
Nevertheless, a good adittion if you like Ciaphas Cain and Jurgen. If you have read the last four books you are by now used to him (Ciaphas) and the author way of telling stories so you will enjoy this one as well. If you are new to this... you will not be lost but in my opinion start with Caves of Ice (even if it the second published).
Again he returns to kick some Tyranids butts...
You've got Cain and Jurgen in Periremunda to quench a supposedly chaos riot. BUT because one enemy is not enough they soon discover that they are in the route of an invasion of Tyranids. OF COURSE, this was not enough and Cain and Jurgen have to deal with the Inquisition as well.
Not as fast as other books in my opinion and after reading 6 books by him I must say that my favourite one was also the smaller one. Caves of Ice.
I think that most of this story could have been told with 256 pages or something like that. Too much fillers and at times it feel I was reading things that happened in other books.
Nevertheless, a good adittion if you like Ciaphas Cain and Jurgen. If you have read the last four books you are by now used to him (Ciaphas) and the author way of telling stories so you will enjoy this one as well. If you are new to this... you will not be lost but in my opinion start with Caves of Ice (even if it the second published).
utbw42's review
4.0
Ciaphas Cain finds himself in the middle of a political and civil skirmish on Periremunda, and discovers an evil scheme designed to bring the wrath of the tyranids to the plateaus of the planet. Not as humorous as the previous four Cain novels, but no less enjoyable as the mounting tension present from the soon to be arriving 'nids mixes well with the chemistry Cain exhibits with Amberley Vail, Jurgen, and other well-developed characters. Part of the great lure of this line of books is Cain's reluctance to be the heroic leader and yet somehow escaping long odds of survival and coming out smelling like a White Rose. The descriptions of swarming tyranids near the end of the book is frightening, told from Cain's point of view in an escaping shuttle overhead as he once again dodges the proverbial lascannon.
andrew23825's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5