Ghostmaker

Rating:
Summary: Worst wh40k novel I ever read
Review: As much as I liked the 1st and 3d book in this series, this book just isn't what it should be. It is an attempt at fleshing out the different characters under Gaunt's command by having them live through a short story of their own. Perhaps a nice idea, but the end result is a lack of plot combined with a lot of stories that just didn't seem to grasp my attention. I had to push myself through the book to finish it. The only reason it gets a second star is because it is situated in the wh40k universe.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read, An Excellent Idea
Review: As with Dan Abnett's first in this series, the sequel does not fail to deliver. I highly enjoyed the flashback format of the book, wherein you get to know more about all of the top echelon of the Tanith's First and Only. It connects you to the characters and whether you love them or hate them, it makes you want to read more about them. I have read every book in the series so far and this was the one that cemented my newfound love for Abnett's writing style into me. Pick this up, but read First and Only first, otherwise you will be missing a lot of the flavor of this fine piece of writing.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read, An Excellent Idea
Review: As with Dan Abnett's first in this series, the sequel does not fail to deliver. I highly enjoyed the flashback format of the book, wherein you get to know more about all of the top echelon of the Tanith's First and Only. It connects you to the characters and whether you love them or hate them, it makes you want to read more about them. I have read every book in the series so far and this was the one that cemented my newfound love for Abnett's writing style into me. Pick this up, but read First and Only first, otherwise you will be missing a lot of the flavor of this fine piece of writing.

Rating:
Summary: A story well-told, a component to a masterpiece ...
Review: Before I begin, I want to explain that 4 stars out of 5 is the highest rating I am willing to give. For me to give a 5 out of 5 rating for any book, it needs to be singularly profound in the effect it has on me. Since this novel is part of a series (as yet incomplete), I am not prepared to give it such recognition. However, I wholeheartedly endorse Dan Abnett as one of the best, if not THE BEST writer for Games Workshop and the Black Library.

"Ghostmaker" is the second installment of the Gaunt's Ghost series and to me, it seems like the single most important book in the series in terms of introducing us to certain signature characters. There are flashbacks to key events between Gaunt and each of these characters. It helps cement their place within the regiment and their unique relationship with the Colonel-Commissar. The main story taking place in the book is also noteworthy. You will be given a glimpse into the Inquisition and inquisitor Lilith, as well as, a first person perspective of one of WH40K's popular Xenos races, the Craftworld Eldar. The descriptions of war, internecine feuds, and general grist and gristle of a universe driven by incessant conflict will provide intriguing and engaging reading for everyone who appreciates such literary fare. If this is the first book you read from the series, I am sure you will end up ordering or otherwise trying to lay your hands on other books from the series as soon as you finish reading the final sentence on the final page of this one. It is that good. And who ever said more of a good thing was bad, eh?

Rating:
Summary: A story well-told, a component to a masterpiece ...
Review: Before I begin, I want to explain that 4 stars out of 5 is the highest rating I am willing to give. For me to give a 5 out of 5 rating for any book, it needs to be singularly profound in the effect it has on me. Since this novel is part of a series (as yet incomplete), I am not prepared to give it such recognition. However, I wholeheartedly endorse Dan Abnett as one of the best, if not THE BEST writer for Games Workshop and the Black Library.

"Ghostmaker" is the second installment of the Gaunt's Ghost series and to me, it seems like the single most important book in the series in terms of introducing us to certain signature characters. There are flashbacks to key events between Gaunt and each of these characters. It helps cement their place within the regiment and their unique relationship with the Colonel-Commissar. The main story taking place in the book is also noteworthy. You will be given a glimpse into the Inquisition and inquisitor Lilith, as well as, a first person perspective of one of WH40K's popular Xenos races, the Craftworld Eldar. The descriptions of war, internecine feuds, and general grist and gristle of a universe driven by incessant conflict will provide intriguing and engaging reading for everyone who appreciates such literary fare. If this is the first book you read from the series, I am sure you will end up ordering or otherwise trying to lay your hands on other books from the series as soon as you finish reading the final sentence on the final page of this one. It is that good. And who ever said more of a good thing was bad, eh?

Rating:
Summary: A good sequel to Tanith First and Only
Review: Dan Abnett follows up his first Gaunt's Ghosts novel --- Tanith First and Only --- with Ghostmaker and he does a good job to keep fans of the original hooked with the story. It doesn't rise above the original, but the characterization of major and secondary characters are explored abit further.

Ghostmaker also further explains the current Crusade campaign the regiment is on. Politics become an issue as well. Jealousy from other regiments with a more storied history helps add abit of a subplot to the main story. Gaunt and his men are put through the wringer as they accept missions or put into dangerous situations that slowly dwindle their numbers. This is sad and poignant for the fact that without a homeworld to call home anymore, they have no way of replenishing their regiment like other Imperial Guard units. This also means that for every Tanith who falls in battle, more of their homeworld and people's culture disappear. It really adds meaning to the title of Ghostmaker.

I would recommend this book to those who have read the first and still contemplating as to whether to pick up this sequel.

Rating:
Summary: too much bad action
Review: I bought this book, because I think that I would get a lot of action and war fighting.......which I did get.
But, most of them have very little of bad describtion of what's going on. The book is similar to a lot of short action novels that are put together into one junk.
I have to say that I put 2 stars just because it's a warhammer story. I havn't read his other books yet, but if you're looking for a good story book to read, don't try this one.

Rating:
Summary: Abnett is Gifted
Review: I didn't like this book nearly as much as First & Only (or Eye of Terror), but it was still a fun read. I really got sucked in to the characters from the first book and wanted to follow their further exploits. While First & Only had a strong plot that held it together, this book is more of a collection of war stories. They read like they may have already appeared in Inferno! (the Warhammer fiction zine). I'm not a big fan of straight combat/action fiction, so this was somewhat disappointing. What saves it is the fact that Abnett is a truly great writer who really rises above this genre of game fiction. The war stories are interrupted by these almost poetic tableaus of the Tanith troops between battles: A soldier obsessively cleaning his gun, the MASH unit quiet and waiting for the coming onslaught of carnage, a General sharing coffee and small talk with the company cook. These bits are very effective counterpoint to the ferocious battles of the surrounding chapters.

I'm hooked. I can't wait for the next "Gaunt's Ghosts" book, I just hope that Abnett spends more time developing a compelling story arc and less time on the battlefield reportage.

Rating:
Summary: I don't know why people don't like this book, it's awesome!
Review: This is the second book in the Gaunts Ghost series, and while it's not the best Ghost's book, it's still a five star book. With a huge number of different characters in the books, I think this was a great idea for the series. Dan abnett was able to give more dimension to the characters and there past, which he brought to life in First and only.

Yes, this book is pretty much a collection of short stories and each story focus's on a different character. I personally don't like short stories, but the way Ghostmarker was written was awesome. The thing I don't like short stories is there short! they don't leave any time for character development and in less then an hour they are done. In ghostmaker, the short stories were there to show the character, and show their past, and why they are so attached to it.

Gaunt's Ghost is one of my favorite series of novels, and Ghostmaker is a must read for any fan of warhammer 40k or military sci-fi.

Rating:
Summary: I don't know why people don't like this book, it's awesome!
Review: This is the second book in the Gaunts Ghost series, and while it's not the best Ghost's book, it's still a five star book. With a huge number of different characters in the books, I think this was a great idea for the series. Dan abnett was able to give more dimension to the characters and there past, which he brought to life in First and only.

Yes, this book is pretty much a collection of short stories and each story focus's on a different character. I personally don't like short stories, but the way Ghostmarker was written was awesome. The thing I don't like short stories is there short! they don't leave any time for character development and in less then an hour they are done. In ghostmaker, the short stories were there to show the character, and show their past, and why they are so attached to it.

Gaunt's Ghost is one of my favorite series of novels, and Ghostmaker is a must read for any fan of warhammer 40k or military sci-fi.