Post originally by A GW Fic reader at 2003-04-23 16:07:20
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...reading the first two. That is, if you are a Warhammer, particularly 40K, purist. The author either takes great liberty with common setting conventions, or has no idea that there were any. This series was pretty bad in its addressing of the Inquisition, human views of aliens, Chaos, and more. If you want a decent sci fi novel, that has a twisting staory and perspective and could care less about the 40K universe, it may be for you.
If you want a good set of 40K novels about the inquisition, read the Eisenhorn trilogy. It is much closer to canon than this lot.
Post originally by Another GW Fiction Reader at 2003-04-23 18:28:49
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Nope, nope, nope. Ian Watson was the BEST 40k fiction writer. What your taking to be non-canon was canon when the books were written. Which I might add was before GW dumbed down the setting so it could sell more miniatures to 6 year olds.
The Inquisitor trilogy is some of the finest fiction based on any of GW's settings.
Post originally by Adrian Forest at 2003-04-23 19:26:17
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<i>Another GW Fiction Reader wrote:
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Nope, nope, nope. Ian Watson was the BEST 40k fiction writer. What your taking to be non-canon was canon when the books were written. Which I might add was before GW dumbed down the setting so it could sell more miniatures to 6 year olds.
The Inquisitor trilogy is some of the finest fiction based on any of GW's settings.</i>
Seconded.
The 'Inquisitor' trilogy (or the 'Inquisition War' trilogy, as GW is now billing it) was started in the days of Rogue Trader. The stuff in the first (and even second, to some extent) books was canon at the time, though the change to 2ed. 40k between the first and second books introduces some small inconsistencies (like Jaq losing his ability to wear power armour).
Remember that this is a book written when GW first had it's own fiction imprint, GW books; in the days when GW went begging to existing sci-fi authors, rather than GW fans going begging to them. Ian Watson's other work demonstrates that his writing stands up well on its own, without GW's properties.
It's only a pity that 'Space Marine', the book Watson wrote between 'Inquisitor' and 'Harlequin' that details the origin of Lexandro d'Arquebus, is not being reprinted.
And finally, I'm highly dubious of the merits of reviewing the third book in a trilogy without reading the previous two volumes. What exactly was the point of this?
Post originally by Alex deMorris at 2003-04-23 20:03:57
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Adrian Forest wrote:
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finally, I'm highly dubious of the merits of reviewing the third book in a trilogy without reading the previous two volumes. What exactly was the point of this?
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Why was this book reviewed without the other two books?
1) I submitted a request with the powers that run RPG.net's review database, I didn't see any indication that it was third of the trilogy, just "Chaos Child." Looked at the cover art at the Black Library online, it didn't say one way or another (just the back cover text quoted) and the displayed cover the "book three" wasn't visible.
2) I received the book with another Warhammer book, and decided to finish the other one first. (I didn't know how long it was going to take me to read Chaos Child. I seem to take a while to read through the WH40K books.)
3) I didn't want to spend $13 just so I could review this book, plus I had only 90 days to finish it. (It took 6 to 7 weeks to get through Chaos Child.)
There are some of the reasons; hopefully that clarifies it for you.
Post originally by Edward Parsons at 2003-04-24 02:23:32
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I also, strangely, read this book and no other in the series, and being raised on a diet of 2nd Ed. 40K became very confused.
Now I've got a vague idea about the old style setting, but can anyone recomend any links that have a good summary of the old canon (with the Slann and everything-very weird)?
Post originally by Chris Lupton at 2003-04-24 02:29:09
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Has the trilogy been reprinted? I read Inquisitor back when it was first published and I liked it a lot. Then years later I came across Chaos Child but I didn't read it, hoping I could find a copy of Harlequin first.
I've seen copies of Harlequin go for silly money on eBay since then but if it's available in shops again I'll see if I can pick it up.
Post originally by jonC at 2003-04-24 02:53:41
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you can pick up harlequin from Amazon, its been re-released recently ISBN 0-7434-4322-5.
I'd have to say the second two books are a bit of let-down in terms of writing, not as good as Inquisitor and I'll second the comment about Space Marine.. it's absolutely excellent and well worth reading.
Post originally by A GW Fic reader at 2003-04-24 19:41:32
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Consider me mistaken.
I was unaware they were a reprint. Looking at it from a 1st ed perspective, things make much more sense. ( Yes I own Rogue Trader, and two copies of the Compendium) I was looking at it from current canon. The secret orders upon orders of the Inquisition, acceptance of aliens, and the tiny psychic spy bugs were points of contention for me.
Post originally by Matt_M at 2003-04-25 03:12:17
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The old canon stuff that the books use was mostly set out in the original Rogue Trader and the chaos books (Slaves to Darkness and Lost and the Damned). You might be able to find copies of Ebay.
A google search for "Salves to Darkness" (including quotes) should turn up some reviews/summaries/oddments.
IMO it's not actually as incompatible with the current version as people make out. It's just more obscure.
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