A Cure for the Post-Ravenor Blues

[ElectricPaladin]

So, I just finished Ravenor Rogue, and man, what a downer. Don't get me wrong - I'm not being critical. It was a really powerful piece of fiction - surprisingly well written - and I enjoyed it a lot. But... man. Dude. Man. I feel really bad now.

I've got Eisenhorn to read now, which should get my spirits up... but that was a really depressing and non-closurey ending.

Does anyone who's more steeped in the lore than I am know what happens next? Is Ravenor pardoned or executed. I know that Zael becomes Hyperion - Lexicanum spoiled me - but what happens to Wystan? Nayl? Kara? What the hell happens to Kara?

Damnit. This book really made me care about these characters.

Carl, you poor, stupid *******.

[daboarder]

the next trilogoy starts with the book pariah and is currently being written, but due to abnetts epilepsy its taking tiem.

we do get bits and pieces in his other books, for example its mentioned the ravenor comes to "a bad end" in salvations reach

[Katharon]

I'd rather him finish Gaunt before finishing anything else. That series is longer and probably has a wider audience than Ravenor.

[ElectricPaladin]

the next trilogoy starts with the book bequin and is curerntly being written, but due to abnetts epilepsy its taking tiem.

we do get bits and pieces in his other books, for example its mentioned the ravenor comes to "a bad end" in salvations reach

Abnett has Epilepsy? I didn't know that.

Well, I'm glad that there's a new series. Dan Abnett isn't my *****, either, so he can write what he likes. I'll read it when it comes out.

Still sad, though.

[Patrick Boyle]

So, I just finished Ravenor Rogue, and man, what a downer. Don't get me wrong - I'm not being critical. It was a really powerful piece of fiction - surprisingly well written - and I enjoyed it a lot. But... man. Dude. Man. I feel really bad now.

I've got Eisenhorn to read now, which should get my spirits up... but that was a really depressing and non-closurey ending.

Does anyone who's more steeped in the lore than I am know what happens next? Is Ravenor pardoned or executed. I know that Zael becomes Hyperion - Lexicanum spoiled me - but what happens to Wystan? Nayl? Kara? What the hell happens to Kara?

Damnit. This book really made me care about these characters.

Carl, you poor, stupid *******.

You read Ravenor before Eisenhorn? And think Eisenhorn will lift your spirits? Oh dear...

Also, the follow-up trilogy to the Eisenhorn and Ravenor series already has it's first book out, Pariah. You definitely need to read the Eisenhorn books first though. The all occur before Ravenor anyway so you probably should have started there.

[ElectricPaladin]

You read Ravenor before Eisenhorn? And think Eisenhorn will lift your spirits? Oh dear...

Well, at least there will be an ongoing story again, rather than that clinging image of Ravenor and Maud waiting for his hearing...


Also, the follow-up trilogy to the Eisenhorn and Ravenor series already has it's first book out, Pariah. You definitely need to read the Eisenhorn books first though. The all occur before Ravenor anyway so you probably should have started there.

Yeah, well, I ran into the Ravenor series for cheap at a used bookstore and snapped it up. I had already started it by the time I realized my mistake and ordered the Eissnhorn bus. Then my stupid mailbox and my stupid landlord and... I can't even. Suffice it to say that my landlord needs to be purged for heresy, and it took me a while to get the omnibus... in fact, I didn't get it until the morning after I finished Ravenor Rogue.

[ElectricPaladin]

Yeah... wow. I just finished Eisenhorn and you guys weren't kidding. That ending just about tore my guts out.

So.

I've read Eisenhorn and Ravenor. What's next?

[completeHook]

Pariah is brilliant.

The thing I loved about the Eisenhorn and Ravenor trilogies is they take you on a sort of walking tour of the Imperium. Abnett excels at world building and Pariah is a master class in it.

It also has a very cool black and metallic red cover, so that's a bonus.

[ElectricPaladin]

Pariah is brilliant.

Pariah is the first in a series? When are the rest slated to come out?"

I would love to read a current book featuring Eisenhorn and Ravenor. I feel like Ravenor was a much stronger series because of Abnett's continued development as a writer, and it would be really cool to see post-Ravenor Abnett return to the character of Eisenhor.

Also, "The Bequin Trilogy?" I thought she was borked.

But yeah, I agree that Abnett definitely gives the best view of the Imperium. I like how he manages to continuously come back to the ways that life in the Imperium is still worth living.

Also... pure Uber. *Sob!* In the world of heroism by those who have no reason to believe that they will survive the insane things they are about to do (as opposed to the heroism of badasses like Eisenhorn who always have a plan) I think Uber might have been one of the most heroic characters in the series.

[completeHook]

Pariah is the first in a series? When are the rest slated to come out?"

Yes, it is the first in the series, The hardback came out in 2012, the paperback 2013 (I think it was October/November last year). The imprint says the next will be out this year, so it looks like it may even be next year for the paperback.


Also, "The Bequin Trilogy?" I thought she was borked.

I don't want to give to much away but it is very much the next installment of the Eisenhorn/Ravenor saga. It's probably best to go into the book without too many preconceptions, just let Abnett show you round this world, or rather city he has created. It's well paced, the characters are believable with dialogue that rings true and you are rewarded for paying attention.

I bought the full collection of Eisenhorn/Ravenor in a job lot off eBay and couldn't put them down. It is the supporting cast that give both the trilogies their soul, Aemos being a big part of that. He always seemed to vulnerable.

I was very moved by Kara's arc in the second (?) Ravenor. The GrimDark actually got properly grim and dark, or touchingly real which is scarier in a way.

[ElectricPaladin]

I was very moved by Kara's arc in the second (?) Ravenor. The GrimDark actually got properly grim and dark, or touchingly real which is scarier in a way.

I don't remember - my brain ate all three books in a week and then let out a promethium-smelling burp. I think it was the second where she fell in love and the end of the third where it all went to sh*t. And yeah... that was hard to read. It really drove home that these were real people in a real world.

[Psychosplodge]

Yeah one of the better Black Library series imo.
The next instalment is the 40k book I am most eagerly awaiting. The endless bolterporn is starting to get repetitive.

[Wolfshade]

I am going to have to wait for the omnibus to be released :(

[nathaneal246]

These are some of Abnetts best books to date including the new book of the third trilogy!

So you have read Ravenor before Eisenhorn! Why? The events of Eisenhorn came before Ravenor! Or am I mistaken!

[ElectricPaladin]

These are some of Abnetts best books to date including the new book of the third trilogy!

So you have read Ravenor before Eisenhorn! Why? The events of Eisenhorn came before Ravenor! Or am I mistaken!

Because I found the Ravenor series for a buck and a half each at a used bookstore. I didn't recall that Eisenhorn was a thing until my brain had eaten the whole thing.

[Baneblade]

Eisenhorn is fantastic. Ravenor's injuries are very tragic in the first trilogy considering what happened before and the actual event.

[Wolfshade]

Eisenhorn was the first black library book I read. Fantastic.

[FireHazard]

I would recommend you also take a peek at The Emperor's Gift by ADB. Anyone who's read this and is a fan of the Ravenor books will know why...

[ElectricPaladin]

So, I'm about halfway through Pariah and I've decided to rename some of the chapters. Here they are in no particular order:

• Bequin, You Don't Really Work for the Inquisition
• Seriously, Honey, I Know You Love These People But They Aren't Good Guys
• Oh My God-Emperor, These People Aren't Even in the Same Neighborhood as the Inquisition
• Bequin Turns Off Her Limiter And Screws Up Everyone's Plans
• Bequin Has Weird Friends
• Bequin Makes Another Weird-*** Friend
• This Story Would Be Shorter If Everyone Wore Nametags
• Holy ****, Eisenhorn Has the Biggest Testicles in the ******* Universe (AKA: Grandpa Eisenhorn Stares Down a Freaking Chaos Space Marine)

[ElectricPaladin]

And... I finished Pariah. In two days. Damnit, sometimes I wish I didn't read so fast.

My personal prediction? I don't think that Eisenhorn and Ravenor are actually working against each other. I think it's an elaborate game. Or, rather, I think that Eisenhorn knows that he's after the King, and while Ravenor suspects that he's after Eisenhorn, he's actually quite willing to accept the alternate reality, but he can't admit that to anyone... just in case.

That's my guess, anyway.

[Psychosplodge]

And... I finished Pariah. In two days. Damnit, sometimes I wish I didn't read so fast..

I know that feeling, costs me a fortune in books...

[Rory Wildwards]

Read pariah just before Christmas. I'm looking forward to re-reading the rest at some point, but was considering re-reading all of gaunt's ghosts first. As a bit of light relief you might enjoy the Ciaphas Cain books.