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Thursday, March 29, 2018

Audible Review: Xenos: Warhammer 40,000, Eisenhorn by Dan Abnett

I liked this action packed sci fi/ dark fantasy.
Xenos: Warhammer 40,000
Eisenhorn, Book 1
By: Dan Abnett
Narrated by: Toby Longworth

Series: Eisenhorn, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 09-27-17
Language: English
Publisher: Black Library
Genre: Fantasy, Sci Fi,
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
Narration Rating: 5.0 of 5.0


Publisher's Summary
The Inquisition moves amongst mankind like an avenging shadow, striking down the enemies of humanity with uncompromising ruthlessness. When he finally corners an old foe, Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn is drawn into a sinister conspiracy. As events unfold and he gathers allies - and enemies - Eisenhorn faces a vast interstellar cabal and the dark power of daemons, all racing to recover an arcane text of abominable power: an ancient tome known as the Necroteuch.
©2001 Games Workshop Ltd. (P)2016 Games Workshop Limited


Review:
Eisenhorn is an imperial Inquisitor. He has great power, cunning and is near, but not quite, immortal. He has psychic skills in addition to weaponry skills and physical prowess. Still, he faces enemies of equal abilities, sometimes even greater, being enhanced by evil magic.

Eisenhorn chases an old foe who has caused great damage. His pursuit reveals a strange artifact that is clearly very dangerous. Eisenhorn travels to unravel the source of the artifact and its intended purpose. He learns that a powerful and corrupt family is seeking to recover a forbidden text of the Necron. The Necron are a species of Xenos, aliens, who had extremely advanced technology which was/is capable of horrible chaotic power. That is why the text has been forbidden by Imperium powers.

Eisenhorn has a few very loyal friends one of whom is Betancore who seems to be an especially brawny warrior and bodyguard. There is also an aged scholar and during this investigation Eisenhorn adds a young woman who has a unique skill that is very helpful.Eisenhorn gets help along the way from a tradership captain.

The investigation takes this team from danger to danger and finally to a world of chaos and warped time and space. The action starts from the first and never stops till the end. I liked the style of storytelling which is presented as a first-hand accounting from Eisenhorn’s experience chasing the villains through space.

I had no idea what Warhammer 40,000 meant until I looked it up after finishing the audiobook. I thought it might help to know what that was before I started this review and really it might help to look that up before reading/listening. Apparently, there is a war game and huge world building platform based on this game. There is enough background given so I was able to enjoy the book without knowing the full extent of the world, planets and races involved.

I liked Eisenhorn as a strong character and found the world of humans fighting demons and aliens fascinating. There is a dark undertone due to the evil and twisted religious themes. The mystery was well crafted, and the author does a great job in the chase against the villains to reach the artifact.

It is not necessary to understand the Warhammer world to enjoy this audiobook. I recommend this to readers who enjoy dark, action packed fantasy.

Audio Notes: Toby Longworth does a superb job with the narration. His voice captures perfectly the sci fi setting and strength of Eisenhorn and his companions. This is a wonderfully entertaining listen.

Source: Audible 2017 Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2018TBR, Take Control, Audiobook and Alphabet challenges.

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