The Inquisition War (Warhammer 40,000 Novels)
by Ian Watson
Our Price: $167.65
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $20.00 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Ian WatsonEditor: Marc Gascoigne
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-10-05
ISBN: 1844161382
Number of pages: 768
Publisher: Games Workshop
Book Reviews of The Inquisition War (Warhammer 40,000 Novels)
Book Review: Original WH40K literature. Very different than most, but excellent nonetheless.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the first (if not the very first) WH40K series. This is also one of the most mature, almost high-brow, WH40K books I've come across. Ian Watson writes using sometimes very obscure adjectives and adverbs that might considerably slow down your reading speed, but succeeds in casting the world of WH40K in an even more dark and disturbing light than usual. That being said, this is still an action-packed and fun novel that you'll want to read when you should be doing your errands.
The story is told as a narration (in the third person) by Inquisitor Jaq Draco. This is a story about him and his personal trials. Even though major Universe-altering subjects are brought up in this series, keep in mind that the story is really only about Draco. His character reminds me in some ways of Abnett's Eisenhorn, but being much more melancholy and doubting of his ideals. Both Draco, his companions (Meh'Lindi, Grimm, and Lex), and the antagonists are extremely compelling characters that each hide their own secrets but are easy to fall in love with. They are, in my opinion, the best part of this series.
Ian Watson's view of the WH40K universe differs in many aspects from that of most other authors, and while it upsets many die-hard 40K fans, you have to keep in mind that these books were written when the universe was really underdeveloped (especially when compared to the present). His version is even darker than most, and the near-total despair and miserableness he portrays casts the universe in a very grim light. Grotesque piercings, tattoos, and scars seem nearly universal in these books, with every character having severe bodily alterations. Personally, I don't like this vision as much as those of Abnett and King, who tend to make the WH40K universe a lot more livable.
Draco is the first book of the trilogy. Here, you are introduced to most of the cast of characters as well as the beginnings of the extremely bizarre and complicated Hydra Conspiracy. Jaq and Co. doggedly follow the mysterious Harlequin Man, eventually becoming wrapped up in a plot within the Inquisition itself that threatens the very future of mankind. This is the only WH40K novel that I know of that actually gives the reader a peak into the very heart of the Imperium. In the Emperor's palace on Terra, you get a rather disturbing glimpse of the Emperor himself as an almost Wizard of Oz type character.
The second book of the series, Harlequin, delves into some of the most obscure aspects of the WH40K universe. Probably the first book to provide a good look at the Eldar, HARLEQUIN gives some detail to the ancient enigmatic race. A significant part of the book takes place within the Eldar interdimensional Webways, where the heroes face unstoppable-seeming adversaries as they travel to discover the mysterious Black Library. Also, some of the inner workings of the Inquisition are uncovered, revealing the shadowiness of the galaxy's secret police.
The concluding volume of the series diverges significantly from the first two. In Chaos Child, the primary focus switches to Jaq's obsessions and away from the overall plot presented in the previous volumes of the Hydra conspiracy and such. This is the book that has disappointed the most people, who feel that Watson should have done a better job of concluding all the various plot threads previously introduced. Instead, it turns out the entire story is about Jaq Draco, and only Jaq Draco. Events that impact the entire galaxy are left for others to relate, as Watson follows his intentions and focuses on the story of Draco's fate and his trials with Chaos. To me, this last book is the best and most important of the trilogy.
The Inquisition War is a non-stop, action-packed thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat with brutal battles and intriguing riddles. Death and brutality are widespread throughout the books, with entire worlds being destroyed and characters coming and going quite frequently. Nearly every aspect of the WH40K universe is somehow involved in the tale, with Eldar, Tyranids, Space Marines, Imperial guardsmen, Titans, and all sorts of chaos beasts and demons playing roles throughout. Ian Watson has received a lot of criticism from fans of WH40K because of his somewhat lofty writing style and his slightly altered view of the WH40K universe, but I'd recommend giving him a try.
Summary of The Inquisition War (Warhammer 40,000 Novels)
Forty thousand years in the future, the human Imperium struggles for survival against its relentless enemies. Ruthless Inquisitor Jaq. Draco uncovers a plot that threatens the very future of Mankind. Can he unravel the trail of conspiracy before he himself is destroyed by its deadly clutches? This awesome omnibus edition collects together the three novels in this seminal series - Draco, Harlequin and Chaos Child! Also included are two short stories, which delve deeper into the dark and dangerous worlds of the inquisitor!Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic Books
Leon and the Spitting Imageby Allen Kurzweil
Greenwillow Books; Published: 2005-05-10; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $31.53
The Magician's Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia)by C. S. Lewis
HarperCollins; Published: 2005-05-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.00
Price in other shops:
The Last Battle (Narnia)by C. S. Lewis
HarperCollins; Published: 2005-05-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.25
Price in other shops:
The Fairies of Nutfolk Woodby Barb Bentler Ullman
Katherine Tegen Books; Published: 2006-05-23; Library Binding; Book
Best price: $14.60
Price in other shops:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factoryby Roald Dahl
HarperFestival; Published: 2002-10-22; Audio Cassette; Book
Best price: $23.26
Price in other shops:
The Horse and His Boy (Narnia)by C. S. Lewis
HarperFestival; Published: 2002-11-26; Audio Cassette; Book
Best price: $3.22
Price in other shops:
Open Me...I'm a Dogby Art Spiegelman
HarperCollins Children's Books; Published: 1997-09; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $271.87
Ella Enchanted (Newbery Honor Book)by Gail Carson Levine
HarperCollins; Published: 1997-04-25; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $7.55
Price in other shops:
Only You Can Save Mankind (Johnny Maxwell Trilogy)by Terry Pratchett
HarperCollins; Published: 2006-07-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.63
Price in other shops:
The Graveyard Bookby Neil Gaiman
Harper Collins Publishers; HarperCollins; Published: 2008-09-30; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $7.79
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
The Blood Angels omnibus (Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus)by James Swallow
Games Workshop; Published: 2008-07-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $31.71
Chapters Due (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Ultramarines)by Graham McNeill
Games Workshop; Published: 2011-05-31; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.97
Price in other shops:
The Gildar Rift (Space Marine Battles)by Sarah Cawkwell
Games Workshop; Published: 2011-12-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.34
Price in other shops:
The Word Bearers Omnibus (Warhammer 40,000)by Anthony Reynolds
Games Workshop; Published: 2012-01-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.35
Price in other shops:
Enforcer (Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus)by Matt Farrer
Games Workshop; Published: 2010-07-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.21
Price in other shops:
Iron Warriors: The Omnibusby Graham McNeill
Games Workshop; Published: 2012-02-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.09
Price in other shops:
Space Wolf: The Second Omnibus (Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus)by William King, Lee Lightner
Games Workshop; Published: 2009-09-29; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.79
Price in other shops:
Blood Angels: The Second Omnibus (Warhammer 40,000: Blood Angels)by James Swallow
Games Workshop; Published: 2012-01-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.99
Price in other shops:
Last Chancers (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Imperial Guard)by Gav Thorpe
Games Workshop; Published: 2006-03-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $59.00
Eisenhorn (A Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus)by Dan Abnett
Games Workshop; Published: 2005-01-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.00
Price in other shops: