 characters and an intriguing premise, all woven together by an author who really knows his business. Great fun.
Dan Abnett’s writing (prolific as it is) has never failed to live up to expectations. From the quality on display in Only In Death, it’s also clear why the Gaunt’s Ghosts series remains the Black Library’s most popular and successful. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that it’s perhaps one of only three of their series worth bothering with. The other two are Felix & Gotrek (fantasy, based in the Warhammer world) and the Horus Heresy series (a “historical” series based on the foundation of the Warhammer 40,000 universe – though, this has been rather disappointing of late).
As the Ghosts start jumping at, well, ghosts, Gaunt must keep his troops focused and on-mission. As always, the novel is told from a number of perspectives, including those of Gaunt, Dalin Criid (the son of two Ghosts, and the regiment’s first recruit-from-within) and his closest comrades, Viktor Hark (who’s having strange dreams), the reliable Larkin (who’s still slightly crazy, and coming to terms with his prosthetic leg – Gaunt cut off his real one in the previous novel, The Armour of Contempt), and a couple of other returning voices such as Varl (whose squad is perhaps the most amusing and quietly disobedient). The story is a slow-burning tale of suspense, brutal action and the classic theme of triumph-over-seemingly-unbeatable-odds, not to mention the Ghosts' continued streak of good luck.
Only In Death has the feel of a reliable friend; whenever you read a Gaunt’s Ghosts novel, there’s a comfort level that’s met – despite the situations Abnett puts his characters through. It’s a bit like re-watching The Matrix trilogy (if it was grittier, with a more fulfilling end): you know they’re going to win, but you also know that not everyone’s going to make it. Abnett’s still as talented as ever, this time writing a novel that is more suspenseful and creepy, though still with plenty of action. His ability to set a scene, create just the right atmosphere and believable characters (who speak in realistic dialogue), and keep the reader interested and turning the pages remains intact (perhaps even unsurpassed), and it’s not difficult to see why this series is so successful. Abnett’s distinct humour runs throughout, particularly in the patter between the troops; you’ll be amused plenty of times, though this isn’t intended to be a comedy, so don’t expect laugh-out-loud moments. Only In Death is a lot more suspenseful than the previous novels, which have usually been far more action-oriented.
If you haven’t read the rest of the series, then I’d recommend you do so before you read this. Not because you’ll be totally lost, but while these work as stand-alone novels, they are far more rewarding when read within context of the whole series – you’ll also find it very difficult not to get attached to the characters, which only gives the series and Abnett’s stories that much more impact. A return to form after a less-than-exceptional (though still very good) run. Here’s to hoping that Blood Pact, the next in the series (out May 2009), continues in such a good vein.
Top-quality sci-fi done right.
I couldn’t put this book down. Sarcastic and troubled, Yelena is far more than a one dimensional character, and is proactive in determining her own fate, making her an appealing and complex character. Throughout the novel, Snyder constantly teases the reader with glimpses of her past, forcing you to piece it together slowly. Yelena’s world is intricately realised, particularly, and appropriately for a food taster, the smells and flavours she encounters. The developing relationship between Yelena and Valek is sharply observed, in a book in which no character’s intentions are clear. Snyder keeps us guessing right up until the final page. A gripping read.
Magic Study: In this eagerly-anticipated sequel to Poison Study, Yelena has returned to Sitia and been reunited with her long-lost family. However, she doesn’t fit in, and her brother is less than delighted to see her again, resenting her return to the family. She also needs to learn to control her magical powers, before she accidentally blows herself (and others) up. And there’s also the small matter of the order for her execution in Ixia. So Yelena travels to the Magicians Keep to begin her apprenticeship. But trouble keeps on following her. As she struggles to understand who and what she is, a rogue magician is abducting and killing girls, and it looks like Yelena is next on his list.
Magic Study is just as gripping as its predecessor. Yelena is a thoroughly modern heroine who battles magicians but also worries about relating to a family she hardly knows. The action is fast-paced and full of twists and turns, and Snyder delights in turning the reader’s preconceived opinions about her characters upside down. A fairly large cast of characters is kept firmly in check, and again her flair for description illuminates the differences between the countries and people of Sitia and Ixia. Part adventure, part detective story as Yelena and the other magicians race against time to find the killer, Magic Study will keep you spellbound. Highly recommended.
With such good plotting, quality writing, and a superb new heroine, Poison Study and Magic Study mark the beginning of something great from a promising new voice in fantasy fiction.
The journey concludes in Fire Study, which is out through MIRA books in January 2009 (we will bring you a review of this, too).
You have no items in your basket.
on orders over £59
The Komodo Natural Moss Bendy Bridge is great to help you to utilise the space within your enclosure, with a completely flexible bridge that can be positioned however you need, and is available in 2 sizes.
The Natural Moss Bendy Bridge comes in 2 sizes, small and large, both of which provide you with lots of opportunities of what to do with them. They can be used to create a walk-way path along the floor, bent up in areas creating a tunnel/hiding area underneath. They can be secured into branches in the canopy of arboreal set ups, and used as a walkway there, utilising the space up high and providing a basking area. They can be flattened, curled up, or bent around just about anything, to create the perfect shape you need.
The Natural Moss Bendy Bridge is a frame work that is covered with moss, and is a great way to add a fresh green look to your enclosure. The Moss is also helpful to maintain humidity levels!
Small - 51cm x 7.5cm x 2cm
Large - 91cm x 7.5cm x 2cmFrench Actress Michele Morgan poses in a bathing suit at the 1st Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France in 1946.
The official timeline of the Cannes Film Festival makes it clear that the glitzy celebration of cinema began in 1946. So why was TIME reporting in July of 1939 that the festival would take place that autumn?
For six years the world's fair of the cinema world has been the International Film Festival at Venice. In the past this annual, late-summer gathering to pick the world's best films has chosen such universally acclaimed cinemas as Man of Aran, Anna Karenina, Mayerling, La Kermesse Héroïque. But two years ago B. Mussolini began to take a personal, political interest in the cinema business, and last year cinemindustries not bedded in the Rome-Berlin axis began to feel its centrifugal force. The No. 1 prize, the Mussolini Cup, went jointly to Nazi Leni Riefenstahl's 1936 Olympic Games film (four hours running time) and to Vittorio Mussolini's Luciano Serra, Pilota, an ecstatic drama of Italian wings over Ethiopia. Walt Disney's world favorite, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, was favored with a special Hors Concours (out of competition) Medal.
Last week France, Great Britain and the U. S. decided to let Venice be bygones, were reported getting together on a new international film festival to be held this year at Cannes, September 3-17.
The September 1939 film festival, of course, never happened — and, based on the reasons for the film festival's establishment, it's not hard to guess why. The coming of World War II derailed all plans to launch a rival to the Venice film festival, and it wasn't until after the peace came that the festival in Cannes finally took place. As these photos show, the bash was, appropriately, a happy occasion.Why Is Institution Excelled in by Asians
Key Guidelines for Mac Speeding Up
A fast, convenient and flowing operation is a desire of all Mac users. However, when you start working, you see that things are surely not in the right direction. Assuming you have the same troubles, it is high time you set a regular Mac cleanup.
Right now, we will give you an advice on which measures to perform to make Mac fast and free from irrelevant junk. Check on seven most important tips for Mac cleanup :
