A Ghost Return

Gaunt's Ghosts #Short Story

by Dan Abnett

Long before the destruction of Tanith and the rise of its Ghosts, Commissar Ibram Gaunt serves with the Hyrkan regiments on the front lines of the newly-launched Sabbat Worlds Crusade. Descending beneath Sangrel Hive in search of an ancient shrine to Saint Sabbat herself, Gaunt and his men encounter something altogether more sinister.

Read it because
It’s rare that we get to see Gaunt before he had his Ghosts, so this is a treat indeed, and shows that the events of the Sabbat Worlds Crusade were perhaps always his destiny...

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction, War, Fantasy

24 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2014

Reviews

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read and reviewed in the Sabbat Crusade anthology.

[RatGrrrl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A glimpse of Commissar Gaunt's first full placement with the Hyrkan Eighth in a purely political role in a story that introduces Ibrham Gaunt, the Sabbat Worlds Crusade, Iron Snakes, and heretical things best left buried.

Much like the Murderbot original/ prequel story that is good and perfect for those desperate for more, but doesn't have the character and quality of the main books themselves--a certain I don't know what in old Francian.

I read this as the beginning of The Founding, the first Gaunt's Ghosts novel collection, and, while I enjoyed it, already being familiar with the books, I don't think it makes the best first impression and would work better as additional material in the collection. But that's me.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little appetizer. After my somewhat long Abnett withdrawal, I see he tends towards a fast paced narrative style that suits me rather well and creates the eddy that pulls all my attention into the story.

That said, good start-off for Gaunt and his Ghosts. Let's see what else they gonna face!

[Space Dragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool fast paced short story. although i did not realize it took place before the destruction of Tanith.

[Takezo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 ⭐

Enjoyed this short introduction to Ibram Gaunt. Eager to continue with the omnibus.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This prequel short story no doubt has more depth for those with some experience of the main Gaunts Ghost books but it works well enough as a standalone establishing piece too. It's a little clunky with how it establishes Gaunts history with the unit but given the page count that's understandable and it builds tension pretty well towards the end as it provides a nice inkling of something dark and mysterious going on

3.5

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good little short story this one, reading for first time as recently got the Founding Omnibus to reread those 3 stories, and this is included in that.
Nice, creepy vibe to it all, and while could see the twist coming as such, was still well told, and a nice little introduction to Gaunt.

[Mikael Cerbing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was happily suprised by this short story. Its not something grand or suprising, but its well put togheter and gets to the point. If you dont have an at least decent understanding of the 40k universe, I really would not start here. But if you do, its a good short story to bang out in an houre or so. Only negative is that it almost felt like a chapter in a book rather then its own thing. But it works and I liked it.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick story. Abnett is great.

[blood for the dice god · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story, nice introduction to the series.

[Anthony O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet introduction to Gaunt's Ghosts which I am apparently reading now.

[Iri · Rating 4 out of 5]

You must be good to build a high quality story in a few words.

And this was a high quality story in a few words.

A real pleasure.

[Jack Neighbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro to gaunts ghosts! I’m very excited to dive into this 15 book masterpiece!

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Completely humdrum thumbnail character sketch that I wish I hadn't bothered logging separately!

[Ulzeta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read.

[Jim Pickone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gaunt is so cool.

[Nate Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid primer for the works that follow.

[Mark Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite like Abnett, and I really enjoyed this opening short story. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

[Ryan Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

Out of all the short stories so far this was my favorite. Straight forward, good pacing, and a subtlety not used in many Warhammer stories. Looking forward to starting the full books now.

[Jack Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice short story, almost a teaser. It definitely left me ready to move on the rest of the omnibus

[Davy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid little intro into Gaunt’s Ghosts!

[M Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice quick introduction to the world, and the mc.

[Kenneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of Gaunt before leading the Ghosts.

[Calyx · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I started to get a ghost return."
Young Gaunt was something new and some snakes...