What do you think?
Rate this book
Ciaphas Cain #11
Vainglorious
Book 11 in the Ciaphas Cain SeriesCiaphas Cain is nearing retirement, but of course his fate leads him into a twisted web of deception, corruption, and an unfortunate amount of mortal peril. This time, it’s the Adeptus Mechanicus throwing spanners into his future plans of heroic rest and relaxation.READ IT BECAUSEThe darkly hilarious saga of a reluctant hero continues – packed with all the action, wit, and hijinks you’ve come to expect from Ciaphas and his comrades.THE STORYWhen the flow of desperately needed weapons for the Astra Militarum slows to nothing from a newly founded forge world, there’s only one man able and (un)willing to investigate… Ciaphas Cain, Hero of the Imperium.With Cain’s desperately sought-after retirement on the line, the Imperium’s most reluctant commissar must navigate insidious assassination attempts against his person, legions of mutinous skitarii, heresy within the upper echelons of the Adeptus Mechanicus itself… and a hidden foe, pulling the strings, with an agenda that could threaten the future of Imperial rule in the Damocles Gulf.
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 12, 2023
77 people are currently reading
439 people want to read
About the author
Sandy Mitchell
103 books424 followersSandy Mitchell is a pseudonym of Alex Stewart, who has been a full-time writer since the mid nineteen eighties. The majority of his work as Sandy has been tie-in fiction for Games Workshop's Warhammer fantasy and Warhammer 40,000 science fiction lines. The exceptions have been a novelisation of episodes from the high tech thriller series Bugs, for which he also worked as a scriptwriter under his own name, some Warhammer roleplaying game material, and a scattering of short stories and magazine articles.
His hobbies include the martial arts of Aikido and Iaido, miniature wargaming, role-playing games, and pottering about on the family allotment.
He lives in the North Essex village of Earls Colne, with his wife Judith and daughter Hester.
His hobbies include the martial arts of Aikido and Iaido, miniature wargaming, role-playing games, and pottering about on the family allotment.
He lives in the North Essex village of Earls Colne, with his wife Judith and daughter Hester.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 9, 2023
A Laugh Track on Repeat
Being the eleventh book of the series, Vainglorious plays with continuity as whimsically as it makes light the horrors of WH40K. Delivered as in-universe memoirs, each story is episodic and one only needs to recall characters introduced in the first two novels to enjoy the rest of the series. I’ve kept up with Cain’s adventures for over a decade so I’m very biased, but his antics and personality still make me chuckle despite the tired and repetitive plotline.
The Hero of the Imperium is as self-centered, cowardly, and practical as ever. Running the most successful long-con by any baseline human in the Empire, Cain’s sarcastic view of the grimdark future pairs perfectly with Inquisitor Amberly’s editorials that often make fun of her colleagues and their fanatical zeal. I suspect the writing style is an acquired taste, as the footnotes are necessary reading. The story is well-paced. Action and humour are everywhere, even in routine scenes like shuttling around or eating a meal.
As a long-time fan, there’s a feeling that we’ve done all this before. The term cogboy is no longer unique, and we’ve already laughed at the Mechanicus and their appeasement of machine spirits with ritual punching. As Cain closes in on the conspirators, one recalls similar adventures with similar allies. This is surprising since I have trouble remembering much of Cain’s past… the last ten novels all feel alike. It’s too bad since the unconventional setting of a brand new forge world could have distinguished this book from its peers.
Vainglorious works because of Cain’s personality, a set of beloved recurring characters, and a satirical viewpoint of a universe that is itself a parody. It doesn’t bring anything new to the table, so if the previous novels worked for you, this will be more of the same.
Recommended for WH40K fans.
Being the eleventh book of the series, Vainglorious plays with continuity as whimsically as it makes light the horrors of WH40K. Delivered as in-universe memoirs, each story is episodic and one only needs to recall characters introduced in the first two novels to enjoy the rest of the series. I’ve kept up with Cain’s adventures for over a decade so I’m very biased, but his antics and personality still make me chuckle despite the tired and repetitive plotline.
The Hero of the Imperium is as self-centered, cowardly, and practical as ever. Running the most successful long-con by any baseline human in the Empire, Cain’s sarcastic view of the grimdark future pairs perfectly with Inquisitor Amberly’s editorials that often make fun of her colleagues and their fanatical zeal. I suspect the writing style is an acquired taste, as the footnotes are necessary reading. The story is well-paced. Action and humour are everywhere, even in routine scenes like shuttling around or eating a meal.
As a long-time fan, there’s a feeling that we’ve done all this before. The term cogboy is no longer unique, and we’ve already laughed at the Mechanicus and their appeasement of machine spirits with ritual punching. As Cain closes in on the conspirators, one recalls similar adventures with similar allies. This is surprising since I have trouble remembering much of Cain’s past… the last ten novels all feel alike. It’s too bad since the unconventional setting of a brand new forge world could have distinguished this book from its peers.
Vainglorious works because of Cain’s personality, a set of beloved recurring characters, and a satirical viewpoint of a universe that is itself a parody. It doesn’t bring anything new to the table, so if the previous novels worked for you, this will be more of the same.
Recommended for WH40K fans.
August 16, 2023
Business as usual for Ciaphas Cain. If you made it so far into the series, you're likely to enjoy this one, too.
August 23, 2023
So on the one hand, a pleasant romp, and I pretty much plan to keep buying Cain stories for as long as Mitchell keeps writing them. On the other hand, I do kind of wish Mitchell would stretch his wings a bit and tackle some new narratives--the Cain books are good, but I really do view the first two trilogies as a complete and finished story. (Unlike the poor Dark Heresy books, which will never be finished. Ah, the perils of tie-in literature).
November 19, 2023
I honestly wouldn't say it was a "bad" book. But often through this story it felt like it was something I'd read before?? It's just too similar to previous titles - I just got nothing new and very little enjoyment. I imagine reading this with little experience of previous Caiphas Cain novels would be enjoyable!! Personally I hope the next title breaks the mold and gives me something either story or lore wise that feels new.
January 11, 2026
Guilty pleasure read
June 9, 2025
You can never get enough Ciaphas Cain. Excited about this potential new trilogy!
January 23, 2026
Essentially it's what we've all come to expect from this series it's formulaic which in itself is not a bad thing, it's a good formula hence why it's book 11 of this series, they're fun enjoyable reads, there's just nothing stand out here, there's nothing new and it's set in the past so it has all the problems that come with being a prequel.
Which would have earned it a rating of 3/5 i.e average however its a 2/5 because the book spoils itself.
The blurb would not have been any worse had it not included the reference to the "hidden foe" which to make things worse is unfortunately not "hidden" from the reader beyond the first page of the book.
We get to watch Ciaphas wonder what's going on and discover said "hidden foe" but personally I would have preferred to find out with the characters to have had something to discover by reading the book.
Since I already know our main characters are going to win, if for no other reason than they're the main characters and it's set prior to events in already published books. There's only two characters that really matter in the book because everyone else is new so no one important is at risk, a common prequel issue, there's not enough work done with any of the new character to make us care about them in any meaningful way and there's precious few opportunities for any of other character to be at risk anyway.
Thus a major aspect the story would have had going for it is the mystery of what's going on but that's removed on page one. There are genre/stories where this works; shows like Columbo where you see the murder and the story is watching Columbo piece it together but Ciaphas doesn't work anything out he just has a look in the obvious place those involved don't want him to look and them stumbles upon the "hidden foe".
While Ciaphas has suspicions at the start that turn out to be wrong that in another story could be a useful misdirection aimed at the reader they're not here because page one has already revealed the secret to the reader, so while logical from the characters point of view, they're pointless from the readers point of view we already know they're wrong and they're not really based on evidence being pieced together drawing an incorrect conclusion its mostly based on speculation, we already know what the outcome of what our characters are doing is going to be so there is no suspense.
In fact had Ciaphas original theory turned out to be true it wouldn't have changed the story, our hero would still have delved into places they were not supposed to go, found their foe's lair and brought down the wrath of the Emperor upon it except probably in a more direct less sneaky manner.
I understand why the opening foreword is written the way it is, it's logical given who's writing it in universe and whom the intended in universe audience is but this should have been forgone in consideration of the fact this is actually a novel being read in the real world.
If it was so important to keep then with very little alteration the introduction/foreword could have become and afterword expressing the same information and page one doesn't reveal the secret, this allows the possibilities that Ciaphas suggests at the beginning to be possible, out intrepid hero's then go looking fearing they'll find one foe before the "hidden foe" is revealed. Allowing for some tension and surprise within the story being told.
If you've been reading the series and still enjoying the formula then it's still a decent read, I'd suggest skipping the first few pages and thus allowing yourself some more mystery and discovery within the story itself.
If you're new to the series there's nothing you need to know from earlier books so it's not bad place to start, but it's far from the best of the series - on the plus side it means if it is your first book in the series any others you move on to are going to be better.
Which would have earned it a rating of 3/5 i.e average however its a 2/5 because the book spoils itself.
The blurb would not have been any worse had it not included the reference to the "hidden foe" which to make things worse is unfortunately not "hidden" from the reader beyond the first page of the book.
We get to watch Ciaphas wonder what's going on and discover said "hidden foe" but personally I would have preferred to find out with the characters to have had something to discover by reading the book.
Since I already know our main characters are going to win, if for no other reason than they're the main characters and it's set prior to events in already published books. There's only two characters that really matter in the book because everyone else is new so no one important is at risk, a common prequel issue, there's not enough work done with any of the new character to make us care about them in any meaningful way and there's precious few opportunities for any of other character to be at risk anyway.
Thus a major aspect the story would have had going for it is the mystery of what's going on but that's removed on page one. There are genre/stories where this works; shows like Columbo where you see the murder and the story is watching Columbo piece it together but Ciaphas doesn't work anything out he just has a look in the obvious place those involved don't want him to look and them stumbles upon the "hidden foe".
While Ciaphas has suspicions at the start that turn out to be wrong that in another story could be a useful misdirection aimed at the reader they're not here because page one has already revealed the secret to the reader, so while logical from the characters point of view, they're pointless from the readers point of view we already know they're wrong and they're not really based on evidence being pieced together drawing an incorrect conclusion its mostly based on speculation, we already know what the outcome of what our characters are doing is going to be so there is no suspense.
In fact had Ciaphas original theory turned out to be true it wouldn't have changed the story, our hero would still have delved into places they were not supposed to go, found their foe's lair and brought down the wrath of the Emperor upon it except probably in a more direct less sneaky manner.
I understand why the opening foreword is written the way it is, it's logical given who's writing it in universe and whom the intended in universe audience is but this should have been forgone in consideration of the fact this is actually a novel being read in the real world.
If it was so important to keep then with very little alteration the introduction/foreword could have become and afterword expressing the same information and page one doesn't reveal the secret, this allows the possibilities that Ciaphas suggests at the beginning to be possible, out intrepid hero's then go looking fearing they'll find one foe before the "hidden foe" is revealed. Allowing for some tension and surprise within the story being told.
If you've been reading the series and still enjoying the formula then it's still a decent read, I'd suggest skipping the first few pages and thus allowing yourself some more mystery and discovery within the story itself.
If you're new to the series there's nothing you need to know from earlier books so it's not bad place to start, but it's far from the best of the series - on the plus side it means if it is your first book in the series any others you move on to are going to be better.
September 30, 2025
The Hero of the Imperium returns to brighten the grim darkness of the far future with his trademark sardonic wit and self deprecation.
Cain, easily my pick for the character Henry Cavill and Amazon should bring to the small screen, continues to blunder his way from subterranean warzone to subterranean warzone, finding ingenious ways to keep everyone around him alive, primarily motivated by the idea that the more living soldiers are near him the more people he has to hide behind.
The jokes and plotlines are as you'd expect at this point, although Mitchell deserves some appreciation for finding a fresh angle on familiar dangers and for finding new and creative ways to derive humour from Trooper Jurgen's unfortunate halitosis.
Eleven books in, Cain's adventures may no longer be the most original works in the grimdark, but they remain comfortably amongst the most entertaining.
Cain, easily my pick for the character Henry Cavill and Amazon should bring to the small screen, continues to blunder his way from subterranean warzone to subterranean warzone, finding ingenious ways to keep everyone around him alive, primarily motivated by the idea that the more living soldiers are near him the more people he has to hide behind.
The jokes and plotlines are as you'd expect at this point, although Mitchell deserves some appreciation for finding a fresh angle on familiar dangers and for finding new and creative ways to derive humour from Trooper Jurgen's unfortunate halitosis.
Eleven books in, Cain's adventures may no longer be the most original works in the grimdark, but they remain comfortably amongst the most entertaining.
January 16, 2025
This one felt a bit stale, a letdown in comparison to some of the other books, I could predict what was going to happen, sure it did get me to smile at a number of points yet it didn't seem as fun, the action scenes were good though perhaps not as great as past ones. I think in part is that I've grown tired of him constantly saying that he would have run the other way when I know that is never going to happen nor would he do that. I was going to give it two stars yet once I got into it the pages did start to fly so it had that going for it, there is a sequel hook so it's the next to last book in the series yet as much as it hurts me to say this I think it might be time to retier the character.
January 15, 2024
On one hand, this book hardly breaks any molds as it is the 11th book of the Ciaphas Cain series. These books are fairly formulaic at this point, so if you haven't enjoyed the series this is hardly the place to jump in.
On the other hand: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. This book is still pretty entertaining and operates on the idea of "just because the setting is grimdark doesn't mean all the stories have to be." For me it was a great palate cleanser, letting me stay in the 40k universe while giving me a lighter-tone story.
Side note: I listened to the audio-book, and the cast continues to be great.
On the other hand: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. This book is still pretty entertaining and operates on the idea of "just because the setting is grimdark doesn't mean all the stories have to be." For me it was a great palate cleanser, letting me stay in the 40k universe while giving me a lighter-tone story.
Side note: I listened to the audio-book, and the cast continues to be great.
June 13, 2025
Turns out I hadn't read this one before - and what a treat it was. It treads a lot of the same ground as any other Cain book (which is neither a perjorative nor a positive - at this point it's basically to be expected by anyone who's read more than 3), and even by Cain standards this one is very reminiscent of some of its fellows, right down to story beats, plot twists, eventual reveals and even some of the in-text references.
But I, personally, don't come here for wild originality - I'm here for fun, and this one is spectacularly fun.
But I, personally, don't come here for wild originality - I'm here for fun, and this one is spectacularly fun.
August 18, 2023
Ciaphas Cain:
"Reclaimers had centuries of experience in detecting the subtle signs of heresy."
Inquisitor Amberley Vail footnote:
"For Cain, this is a remarkably trusting assumption; most Space Marines’ ability to recognise signs of heresy is limited to sticking their heads up to see where the bolter rounds are coming from. Which, to be fair, is pretty much the only indication they actually need."
- LOL
"Reclaimers had centuries of experience in detecting the subtle signs of heresy."
Inquisitor Amberley Vail footnote:
"For Cain, this is a remarkably trusting assumption; most Space Marines’ ability to recognise signs of heresy is limited to sticking their heads up to see where the bolter rounds are coming from. Which, to be fair, is pretty much the only indication they actually need."
- LOL
September 10, 2023
It is Caiaphas Cain.
You get pretty much what it says on the tin.
If you like his adventures, then you will like this, if you do not, this will not change your mind.
Also, the story is nothing really new, but something new would have been hard in with these characters in the constraints of the setting. It is not as if they could encounter a completely new and original villain.
Still, I felt entertained.
You get pretty much what it says on the tin.
If you like his adventures, then you will like this, if you do not, this will not change your mind.
Also, the story is nothing really new, but something new would have been hard in with these characters in the constraints of the setting. It is not as if they could encounter a completely new and original villain.
Still, I felt entertained.
October 10, 2023
Another glorious romp through the galaxy fighting the Emperor's enemies. I am probably going to read anything else that gets published in this series, but the humor is becoming a bit stale, despite the good writing. The series needs a new main character, after Cain and Jurgen, to be a comic foil. Maybe a commissarial cadet or a minder who is in fact suspicious of Cain's reputation. The series is just like porridge by now - you might get sick of it, but it will never be bad for you.
August 28, 2024
My husband passed me this book when he'd finished it, thinking I might enjoy it as well. He was right. I laughed a lot while reading it and shared all the good bits even though I knew he'd already seen them. It didn't matter that I hadn't read any of the previous books (although I probably will, now), that wasn't necessary to follow the story.
Okay, there's no character development, no overarching theme, no moral, but sometimes you just want candy. This was very good candy.
Okay, there's no character development, no overarching theme, no moral, but sometimes you just want candy. This was very good candy.
September 9, 2023
Cain Is Back
Commisar Ciaphas Cain has always been one of my favorite characters in Warhammer 40K and his continuing exploits are a happy balm for me. The self styled cowardly hero of the Imperium continues to find himself in ever engrossing dangerous adventures. Fans of 40K will enjoy his latest installment.
Commisar Ciaphas Cain has always been one of my favorite characters in Warhammer 40K and his continuing exploits are a happy balm for me. The self styled cowardly hero of the Imperium continues to find himself in ever engrossing dangerous adventures. Fans of 40K will enjoy his latest installment.
October 3, 2023
It was a typical comfortable Cain read. I’d like to read a novel with him just detailing a week in his life without any enemy faction threats. It could be a look at life in the Imperium with all the authoritarianism and double speak. And yeah, it’d have to be so frustrating that the only way to take the edge off would be biting irony.
March 13, 2024
Ill give it a 3.
Cain is his old self but the story feels like a rehash of a previous book, with previous plot points and enemies.
Enjoyable but nowhere near as good as some of the previous books. I would like to read about Cain's experience with the Dark Eldar, something that's semi frequently mentioned but never elaborated on.
Cain is his old self but the story feels like a rehash of a previous book, with previous plot points and enemies.
Enjoyable but nowhere near as good as some of the previous books. I would like to read about Cain's experience with the Dark Eldar, something that's semi frequently mentioned but never elaborated on.
July 10, 2025
another great read, I particularly enjoyed this one. Sure, the story is samey. But I find the banter of the characters far better in this one, I felt we got to know all the different cast a bit better, especially the partnership between Cain and his always trusty companion, Jurgen. felt he really shined in this one, all in all an enjoyable read as always!
September 24, 2023
Pretty standard for the series, follows the template pretty exactly. If you're a fan you'll like it, if not it's not going to convince you. I enjoyed it fine, just wish the author would branch out a little - there are some really great parts of this series, both volumes on Perlia come to mind.
November 17, 2023
Ah, commissar Cain...just when he's almost made it out, they pull him back in. Always nice to see the commissar back in action alongside Jurgen. With the two of them side by side, good times are sure to follow.
January 12, 2025
Another ‘W’ for Ciaphas Cain!
Fantastically written book! I love the characters and the storyline. All of the CC novels are fun to read. I highly recommend reading the whole series!
Fantastically written book! I love the characters and the storyline. All of the CC novels are fun to read. I highly recommend reading the whole series!
March 10, 2025
As expected, lots of twists and turns, action and humor, as Cain and Jurgan survive multiple assassination attempts and look for a missing Tech Adept. All while on a little side trip on Cain's voyage into his much wanted retirement. As always, mayhem ensues. Check it out.
January 17, 2026
Technically spoilers
One of the best betrayals in the series and in my opinion the best necron book where they are the enemy it has a lot of fake outs
I never expected the adeptus mechanicus would commit such heresy on mass and not be the dark mechanicum
One of the best betrayals in the series and in my opinion the best necron book where they are the enemy it has a lot of fake outs
I never expected the adeptus mechanicus would commit such heresy on mass and not be the dark mechanicum
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2023
Much like the rest of the series, you know what to expect. Good to see the series continued.
August 18, 2023
Audiobook is well performed, like the entire Ciaphas Cain series. Enjoyed the ones I read, but the audio versions are great.
August 21, 2023
Great fun, must say the cast if the audio books add another star or so to this book. Though i would enjoy hear Cain take on the Dark Elder or even the normal Elder again.
August 22, 2023
This came as a pleasant surprise, keep them coming Sandy! These are glorious books!
October 25, 2023
as good as ever
Sandy Mitchell continues the exploits of Cain with the same format and humor as always. So comforting to have an old friend back without unneeded changes.
Sandy Mitchell continues the exploits of Cain with the same format and humor as always. So comforting to have an old friend back without unneeded changes.
February 12, 2024
It was a great read. Had a lot of fun with this story and enjoy the way the story is written
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews