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Gaunt's Ghosts #9
His Last Command
The Tanith First are no more. Moved into another regiment under a charismatic new commander, the loyalties of the former Ghosts are put to the test when Colonel-Commissar Gaunt, long believed dead, returns. As the enemy overrun the Imperial forces, Clashing with Crusade command, and suspected of harbouring the taint of Chaos, Gaunt must fight not only to be reunited with his Ghosts, but to stop all their lives being thrown away in an unwinnable war.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
February 11, 2020
-Las vivencias hacen madurar pero también pasan factura, incluso a los personajes de ficción.-
Género. Ciencia ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. En el libro La última orden (publicación original: His Last Command, 2005), la Cruzada de los Mundos de Sabbat lleva veintiún años en marcha y el enemigo combate en todos los frentes. El comisario coronel Gaunt y su unidad, dados por muertos, aparecen por sorpresa; pero el verdadero sorprendido es él cuando descubre que el Primero de Tanith ya no existe y sus tropas han pasado a formar parte de otro regimiento, bajo el mando de otro coronel en el planeta Ancreon Sextus, que lucha en el gigantesco e indescifrable (amenaza de la disformidad para unos, reliquia del imperio para otros) Mons Sparshad. Noveno libro de la serie Los Fantasmas de Gaunt.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
https://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com...
Género. Ciencia ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. En el libro La última orden (publicación original: His Last Command, 2005), la Cruzada de los Mundos de Sabbat lleva veintiún años en marcha y el enemigo combate en todos los frentes. El comisario coronel Gaunt y su unidad, dados por muertos, aparecen por sorpresa; pero el verdadero sorprendido es él cuando descubre que el Primero de Tanith ya no existe y sus tropas han pasado a formar parte de otro regimiento, bajo el mando de otro coronel en el planeta Ancreon Sextus, que lucha en el gigantesco e indescifrable (amenaza de la disformidad para unos, reliquia del imperio para otros) Mons Sparshad. Noveno libro de la serie Los Fantasmas de Gaunt.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
https://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com...
October 1, 2019
His Last Command manages that rarest of things in a 40K novel - it actually makes some of the insanity of the setting seem kind of reasonable. Following on from the excellent Traitor General, the book deals with the problem of Gaunt and his team a) re-integrating with their regiment after a traumatic experience, and b) having lived on a Chaos-infected planet for several years. If the Imperium got wind of literally anyone other than Grey Knights living under the influence for that long they would be BLAM'd without hesitation. But knowing this, Gaunt's team secretes themselves in the Imperial command leviathan and cuts a deal with the inquisition (which comes back to haunt them in the next novel) before being split up and Gaunt reassigned.
In short, it makes you think "huh, I guess that's actually how this could happen". Which is the best Abnett could possibly hoped for - any other Black Library author would have painted themselves into a corner with the previous novel. Yet he manages it wonderfully.
Naturally setting all this up cuts into the page-count of the novel, and so the remaining story is relatively simple though a neat little puzzle in itself. It's taut, stripped down, and again just feels real. As in the best parts of previous entries in the series, Abnett is a master of the tiny little details which bring the world to life. Things as simple as a skiff casting a shadow on the dunes far below, or the blinding sun being a constant pain to those without sunglasses. Not everything is a hit - the new characters are extremely bland at this point, though Colonel Wilder is one of the most likeable Guard officers you'll likely read about. Er, rather unfortunately.
In short, this is a fine addition to the series, keeping the momentum going but not adding anything particularly special like the previous two books. Four stars.
In short, it makes you think "huh, I guess that's actually how this could happen". Which is the best Abnett could possibly hoped for - any other Black Library author would have painted themselves into a corner with the previous novel. Yet he manages it wonderfully.
Naturally setting all this up cuts into the page-count of the novel, and so the remaining story is relatively simple though a neat little puzzle in itself. It's taut, stripped down, and again just feels real. As in the best parts of previous entries in the series, Abnett is a master of the tiny little details which bring the world to life. Things as simple as a skiff casting a shadow on the dunes far below, or the blinding sun being a constant pain to those without sunglasses. Not everything is a hit - the new characters are extremely bland at this point, though Colonel Wilder is one of the most likeable Guard officers you'll likely read about. Er, rather unfortunately.
In short, this is a fine addition to the series, keeping the momentum going but not adding anything particularly special like the previous two books. Four stars.
November 1, 2025
The second book in the Lost story arc of Gaunt's Ghosts also possesses a dark, grim side like the first one. Gaunt, along with most of his team, arrive back in Imperial space, only to held as prisoners, suspected of 'taint'. Nearly two years have passed since their suicide mission to take down a traitor general on a Chaos controlled world. The First and Only from Tanith have been merged with yet another unit, one that also has taken a massive battering since their founding. Gaunt no longer controls the Ghosts as another commander has taken his place.
Still, the war must go on and the Crusade arrives at yet another tainted world. The returning Ghosts, however, are emotionally traumatized-- PTSD does not even cover it. Almost two years behind enemy lines will do that I suppose. The integration of the returning Ghosts does not go smoothly; they are all taciturn, edgy, and do not like to speak about what they experienced. Gaunt slides into his old role as a commissar, albeit with a 'minder' to keep an eye on him. While 'officially' cleared of 'taint', the commander of the Crusade does not really trust Gaunt or his men.
I loved the world-building in this one, even if it takes a backseat to the interpersonal dynamics of the returning Ghosts. Several massive 'cities' dot the planet; some type of ancient artifacts, but they are all held by the forces of Chaos. Rather then orbital strikes, the Commander decides to take each one by brute force, which turns into a meatgrinder for sure. 4 grim stars!
Still, the war must go on and the Crusade arrives at yet another tainted world. The returning Ghosts, however, are emotionally traumatized-- PTSD does not even cover it. Almost two years behind enemy lines will do that I suppose. The integration of the returning Ghosts does not go smoothly; they are all taciturn, edgy, and do not like to speak about what they experienced. Gaunt slides into his old role as a commissar, albeit with a 'minder' to keep an eye on him. While 'officially' cleared of 'taint', the commander of the Crusade does not really trust Gaunt or his men.
I loved the world-building in this one, even if it takes a backseat to the interpersonal dynamics of the returning Ghosts. Several massive 'cities' dot the planet; some type of ancient artifacts, but they are all held by the forces of Chaos. Rather then orbital strikes, the Commander decides to take each one by brute force, which turns into a meatgrinder for sure. 4 grim stars!
August 4, 2011
Although I greatly enjoyed the last novel, Traitor General, I was really pleased that His Last Command brought back the entire regiment and the grand scale from the other novels in this series.
I love that even more division is driven into the Ghosts, with the new mutt unit. I loved that even more division was built in with the small return cadre of heroes from the secret mission from the previous novel.
I moved through this novel quickly and ate up the action and characters. Abnett wears these characters like an old suit and takes them out to his favorite places to buy a pint.
His Last Command is full of bitter goodbyes, great commanders, and fantastic insight into the Commissariat's roll in the armies of the Imperium.
Gaunt was given a chance to have his character explore a sarcastic humor that was reserved for lower ranked troopers, and it was great.
If you love the Ghosts, you will love this.
I love that even more division is driven into the Ghosts, with the new mutt unit. I loved that even more division was built in with the small return cadre of heroes from the secret mission from the previous novel.
I moved through this novel quickly and ate up the action and characters. Abnett wears these characters like an old suit and takes them out to his favorite places to buy a pint.
His Last Command is full of bitter goodbyes, great commanders, and fantastic insight into the Commissariat's roll in the armies of the Imperium.
Gaunt was given a chance to have his character explore a sarcastic humor that was reserved for lower ranked troopers, and it was great.
If you love the Ghosts, you will love this.
December 6, 2012
"His Last Command" has Gaunt and his team return from the suicide mission on the chaos-held world of Gereon, only to be presumed corrupt by Imperial high command, who refuse to believe anyone could endure the taint of chaos for as long as Gaunt and his team have - more than two years have passed since the events of "Traitor General". Although they manage to avoid execution, their return is bittersweet, as they discover that with Gaunt and Rawne gone, the Tanith First-and-Only was merged with a Belladon regiment and is now commanded by the charismatic Colonel Wilder. Gaunt is reassigned to another regiment as a political officer, and forced to part ways with his regiment. But he senses more to the conflict on the world of Ancreon Sextus, and he and his elite team begin investigating against orders.
As far as prose goes, what can I say? It's Abnett at his finest. It's difficult to find much else to say about it, as Abnett almost always knows the perfect way to write any given scene, regardless of whose perspective is being used.
Once again, we're here for the story, and "His Last Command" does not disappoint. What seems initially like nothing more than a conflict that has dragged on far too long and left the green soldiers of the second front exhausted and terrified quickly reveals itself to be far more than that, as deadly assassin-creatures stalk the nights, the Blood Pact fight irrationally, and the Inquisition makes itself known. Sacrifices will be made aplenty in the madness of the final hours of the war for Ancreon Sextus, and the former Ghosts will be fighting front-and-centre in this conflict. The new characters are highly enjoyable and more importantly believable, as each has their own quirks and flaws, and the story gives us time enough to care about them all. Prepare to experience many emotions with this novel.
While it doesn't quite beat "Traitor General" for quality, it comes fairly close, and definitely comes highly recommended. It's a worthy follow-up.
As far as prose goes, what can I say? It's Abnett at his finest. It's difficult to find much else to say about it, as Abnett almost always knows the perfect way to write any given scene, regardless of whose perspective is being used.
Once again, we're here for the story, and "His Last Command" does not disappoint. What seems initially like nothing more than a conflict that has dragged on far too long and left the green soldiers of the second front exhausted and terrified quickly reveals itself to be far more than that, as deadly assassin-creatures stalk the nights, the Blood Pact fight irrationally, and the Inquisition makes itself known. Sacrifices will be made aplenty in the madness of the final hours of the war for Ancreon Sextus, and the former Ghosts will be fighting front-and-centre in this conflict. The new characters are highly enjoyable and more importantly believable, as each has their own quirks and flaws, and the story gives us time enough to care about them all. Prepare to experience many emotions with this novel.
While it doesn't quite beat "Traitor General" for quality, it comes fairly close, and definitely comes highly recommended. It's a worthy follow-up.
May 10, 2010
This story continues about a year and a half after the events of Traitor General. It starts off with Gaunt managing to get the majority of his team off planet and back into the war. The resistance effort had built up well enough to the point where Rogue Traders would come to the planet and Gaunt was able to arrange for passage on one of the trader ships.
However, since they had originally been given up for dead, Gaunt and his team were thrown into prison and were about to be summarily executed for desertion. When finally they managed to prove who they were, it was still in the air whether or not they had been corrupted by Chaos due to their extended stay on the Chaos held world Gereon.
During the time Gaunt spent on Gereon, the Tanith First and Only had been integrated into a mongrel team with the 81st Belladon to become the Eighty-First First. Gaunt was stripped of his command and put to work as a commisar for another unit while the other Ghosts rejoined the Eighty-First First. There are some deaths of key characters in this novel as well.
Even though they were split up the two units were fighting in opposite fronts of the same battle for the Monolith at Ancreon Sextus. Eventually Gaunt discovers a huge Chaos trap that ends with an orbital bombardment of the Monolith Cities and the Eighty-First First coming back under his command.
I thought this book had some really interesting plot points. In particular I really wish Dan Abnett had explored more of the changes that occurred in the Gereon team. They had come back much harder than before and were having a hard time re-assimilating with their original comrades.
Hopefully, there will be another novel that talks about the exploits of the 81st-1st as there's a huge gap there. Abnett just tries to explain it off as the merger being a perfect fit and everyone just loves everyone else.
I would recommend this to fans of the series and it is something that should definitely be read AFTER Traitor General.
However, since they had originally been given up for dead, Gaunt and his team were thrown into prison and were about to be summarily executed for desertion. When finally they managed to prove who they were, it was still in the air whether or not they had been corrupted by Chaos due to their extended stay on the Chaos held world Gereon.
During the time Gaunt spent on Gereon, the Tanith First and Only had been integrated into a mongrel team with the 81st Belladon to become the Eighty-First First. Gaunt was stripped of his command and put to work as a commisar for another unit while the other Ghosts rejoined the Eighty-First First. There are some deaths of key characters in this novel as well.
Even though they were split up the two units were fighting in opposite fronts of the same battle for the Monolith at Ancreon Sextus. Eventually Gaunt discovers a huge Chaos trap that ends with an orbital bombardment of the Monolith Cities and the Eighty-First First coming back under his command.
I thought this book had some really interesting plot points. In particular I really wish Dan Abnett had explored more of the changes that occurred in the Gereon team. They had come back much harder than before and were having a hard time re-assimilating with their original comrades.
Hopefully, there will be another novel that talks about the exploits of the 81st-1st as there's a huge gap there. Abnett just tries to explain it off as the merger being a perfect fit and everyone just loves everyone else.
I would recommend this to fans of the series and it is something that should definitely be read AFTER Traitor General.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2024
Gaunt's Ghosts are sort-of back together, facing accusations of heresy, leadership changes and internal disharmony as well as the usual hordes of maniacal Chaos worshippers. The fact that few characters are protected by plot armour and Abnett's confidence in introducing and establishing new characters means the Ghosts' regiment has evolved into an almost unrecognisable state since the first book, and that evolution continues here. While the action scenes remain pacy and unpredictable the types of problems facing our heroes continue to require more and more introspection; requiring Gaunt's followers to overcome their own personal challenges as much as those posed by their enemies. Gaunt himself remains sardonic, dismissive and inspirational; always three steps ahead, and always achieving results by arranging circumstances and putting faith in those around him rather than by heroic deeds of his own.
Another assured, confident adventure that admirably finds warmth, humour and cameraderie in the grimdarkest of circumstances.
Another assured, confident adventure that admirably finds warmth, humour and cameraderie in the grimdarkest of circumstances.
February 7, 2023
One of the first Gaunt books i ever read, back in the day, but as with all Abnett's work, well worth a reread. I had tried recently to read Gav Thorpe's Last Chancers, but i just couldnt manage it. I know it has its admirers, but reading second-rate makes you realise how talented top writers are. The Last Chancers read like Gaunts Ghosts fan fiction. Abnett is a master of military sci fi, expertly weaving a tight, compelling story from a vast tapestry of settings and characters. This work along with Guns of Tanith are great standalone works imho, a really good setting and a strong cast choice for this work, continuing where Traitor General left off. First and Only!
June 9, 2019
Po tom poslední nic moc, zase hodně vydařený díl :-)
July 9, 2022
Another fantastic book in the series. Can’t recommend gaunts ghosts highly enough.
December 30, 2022
Gaunt and his Ghosts, with a slightly different pace, but all the normal intensity battlefield grit and intrigue of the 41st Millenium.
Dan Abnett is a great author. Listened on audible by Tony Longworth, who is a master narrator.
Dan Abnett is a great author. Listened on audible by Tony Longworth, who is a master narrator.
November 13, 2024
This is the first book since book two in the series that felt like a true "bridge" novel. It takes us from the horrors of Gereon, and shows us how "the Gereon 12" fit back into life in the Imperial Guard after being stranded on an enemy-held world for almost two years. The book really excels at capturing the bleak, sinking feeling of things spiraling out of your control, even when you did exactly what you were supposed to do. For the sake of spoilers, I won't get into specifics but the Gereon 12 don't come back in glory in the eyes of the Imperium, even if the Ghosts revere them as if they are heroes in the truest sense: Unkillable. Superhuman. Almost mythic.
As these 9 of the Gereon 12 return, they get the welcome they deserved:
The tailgate on the fifth truck slammed down. Dark figures jumped clear onto the track. There was
a moment’s pause, and then they began to stroll down into the post, in a loose formation, black-clad
figures slowly looming out of the winnowing dust. Walking in step, slow and steady, weapons slung
casually over their shoulders.
Rawne. Feygor. Varl. Beltayn. Mkoll. Criid. Brostin. Larkin. Bonin.
Their faces were set and hard. Their new uniforms, displaying the pins of the Eighty-First First,
were bright and fresh. A slow smile dug its way across Lucien Wilder’s face. He’d seen some
bastards in his time, and many of the best were in the Belladon’s ranks.
But he’d never seen such a casual display of utter cool. He liked these troopers already. Coming
home when they were believed lost. Coming home, asking for trouble. The slow pace, the lazy stride.
Throne damn it, they were heroes before they had even started.
Wilder heard a sound, a sound that started slowly then grew. Clapping. The Ghosts around the post
were clapping and it became frenzied. Without really knowing why, the Belladon joined in,
applauding the heroes home. Shouts, whoops, whistles, cheers."
- His Last Command (Abnett, page 101-102):
Unfortunately, and understandably, the Gereon mission caused our beloved Ghosts to come back scarred, and haunted. It's hard for them to mesh back into their previous lives as Imperial Guard, probably made worse by all the changes that happened while they were away (spoiler alert).
After their return, and insertion into their handpicked unit, the story really picks ups. And I don't mean that the action picks up (which it coincidentally does) but the real story slowly starts falling into place. It stops being just a "bridge" novel and becomes something spectacular. The story was great, the fight scenes were amazing, but the conflict between the old Ghosts, the new Belladon troopers, and the returning Gereon 12 was just a masterclass of conflict without "fighting". The scenes are tense, and the writing is quick.
Even Gaunt with his reassignment and "spy" assigned to him was fun and maddening at the same time. The story worked, and it worked well. Gaunt, the Gereon 12, and the rest of the Ghosts slowly work their way back into an overarching mission that becomes a really fantastic story in "The Lost" series. It makes a beautiful play on the title of the "His Last Command" as well. The line is dropped in the novel a couple times and each time it takes on a new meaning and weight. And the final time...the weight is heavy.
His Last Command really answered the question how could soldiers from a Chaos-held world really return and be entrusted to fit back into the Imperial Guard. It was believable, it was maddening, and sad, and at times heartbreaking, but it felt real, and the book truly built itself, page by page, into an amazing story and addition to the adventures of Gaunt's Ghosts.
Most memorable scene - 81st First E Compnay comes to the rescue of the Scouting Party
His Last Command, (Abnett, page 148-149):
“Eighty-First First!” Maggs yelled out. “Eighty-First First!” He was pointing back into the open
country behind them.
“Holy feth,” said Caober.
The soldiers of E Company were yelling as they came charging in around either side of the house.
The cry they made was incoherent, but the intent, the passion, unmistakable. Warriors of the Imperium,
blood up, with the enemy in sight. The scouts saw the flash of fixed blades against the dark
battledress of the running figures.
“Now that’s a sight,” said Bonin.
There would be no time for finesse, Rawne realised. This was going to be a pitched battle in the
antique sense of the word, infantry line against infantry line. There was no cover, no terrain for
ranged fighting, and no room for flanking moves. Face to face, hand to hand, the way wars used to be
fought.
E Company had the slope on their side. They poured over the rim of it, running towards the enemy,
firing shots from weapons that they were brandishing like spears. The Blood Pact seemed to balk en
masse, as if they could not quite understand what was happening. Those at the top of the slope froze in
dismay, those further back hesitated because they couldn’t see what was coming.
The lines struck with a visceral, crunching impact of bodies, helmets and battle-plating. The
sounds of shooting, shouting and striking became frenetic.
Caffran and Guheen ran into the ruin with the scouts. Both were lugging launcher tubes. Dunik
followed, carrying a drum of rockets.
“Welcome to my world,” Caober said to Guheen.
“That your handiwork?” Bonin asked Caffran, who was loading up another rocket.
Caffran glanced at the headless stalk-tank smouldering beyond the wall. “Yes. Bit of a risk at the
range I had, but I thought you’d appreciate the effort.”
Guheen had already shouldered his tread-fether and taken aim at the second tank. “Ease!” he
yelled. The men around him opened their mouths to help with the discomfort of the pressure punch.
Guheen’s tread-fether barked out a hot backwash of flame and spat a rocket into the shoulder of the
second tank. It shook with the impact, badly damaged but still active.
“Load me!” Guheen shouted to Dunik.
Caffran was crouching by the wall with his own tube. “Ease!” he warned, and fired. His streaking
rocket hit the second tank and finished the work Guheen had begun. The main body section blew apart
with huge force, probably helped by the detonation of the tank’s own munitions, and dozens of the
Blood Pact around it were roasted in the firewash.
“Aim for the third tank,” Mkoll told Caffran. The formidable plasma mount had opened up, slicing
beam-energy mercilessly into the ranks of E Company. The air was suddenly ripe with the smell of
cooked blood and bone.
Rockets squealed out from several points in the E Company spread. A Belladon trooper called
Harwen scored the winning shot. The third tank went up, its oversized head spinning away,
decapitated, still firing plasma beams wildly like a firecracker as it bounced amongst the Blood Pact
lines.
Rawne and Feygor were right in the thick of it, lost in the punching, whirling, deafening violence
of the fight. Rawne shot those he could shoot, and smashed his bayonet into those who were too close.
The last proper action he’d seen had been back during the last days on Gereon, and he’d briefly
forgotten the way killing had come to feel. This slaughter quickly reminded him.
Once, combat had been about pride and fury for Elim Rawne, the honest, hot-blooded endeavour
of a fighting infantry man. Such a romantic notion, that seemed to him now. He recalled Gaunt and
Colm Corbec debating the styles and types of combat, as if it came in different flavours or intensities,
like love or sleep.
Today, his blood was cold, his pulse barely elevated. His blood was always cold. Gereon had
done that to him. On Gereon, every single fight, from the full-blown open battles to the savage blade-
brawls of infiltration missions, had been about survival, merciless survival, totally undressed of
sentiment, honour or quarter. He’d learned to use everything, every opening, every advantage. He
kicked, stabbed, crushed, stamped, bit and gouged; he ripped his straight silver into backs and sides
and buttocks, he’d butchered men who had already fallen wounded, or who had turned to run.
Rawne had never been a particularly honourable man, but now his soul was cold and hollow,
utterly devoid of honour or courage. Fighting had simply become a mechanical absolute; it no longer
had degrees. Rawne either fought or did not fight, killed or did not kill. Combat’s purpose had been
reduced to a point where it was simply a way to ensure he was still alive when everything around him
was dead. He had no use for caution, no use for fear.
Feygor, fighting at his commander’s back, was much the same. Death was no longer something he
feared. It was something he used, a gift he dished out to those that opposed him. Death was just a tool,
an instrument. The only thing Murt Feygor was afraid of anymore was being afraid.
Near to them, struggling in the melee, Meryn became aware of the sheer fury he was witnessing. It
took his breath away to see the two men, so completely unchecked by fear. When Mkoll and Bonin
broke through the scrum of bodies to lay in beside Rawne and his adjutant, Meryn faltered completely
and backed away. He hated the archenemy with a passion, but his own courage and intent seemed to
leak away when he saw the Blood Pact broken apart by these daemons.
Daemons. Daemons. Not Ghosts at all. Not even human.
As these 9 of the Gereon 12 return, they get the welcome they deserved:
The tailgate on the fifth truck slammed down. Dark figures jumped clear onto the track. There was
a moment’s pause, and then they began to stroll down into the post, in a loose formation, black-clad
figures slowly looming out of the winnowing dust. Walking in step, slow and steady, weapons slung
casually over their shoulders.
Rawne. Feygor. Varl. Beltayn. Mkoll. Criid. Brostin. Larkin. Bonin.
Their faces were set and hard. Their new uniforms, displaying the pins of the Eighty-First First,
were bright and fresh. A slow smile dug its way across Lucien Wilder’s face. He’d seen some
bastards in his time, and many of the best were in the Belladon’s ranks.
But he’d never seen such a casual display of utter cool. He liked these troopers already. Coming
home when they were believed lost. Coming home, asking for trouble. The slow pace, the lazy stride.
Throne damn it, they were heroes before they had even started.
Wilder heard a sound, a sound that started slowly then grew. Clapping. The Ghosts around the post
were clapping and it became frenzied. Without really knowing why, the Belladon joined in,
applauding the heroes home. Shouts, whoops, whistles, cheers."
- His Last Command (Abnett, page 101-102):
Unfortunately, and understandably, the Gereon mission caused our beloved Ghosts to come back scarred, and haunted. It's hard for them to mesh back into their previous lives as Imperial Guard, probably made worse by all the changes that happened while they were away (spoiler alert).
After their return, and insertion into their handpicked unit, the story really picks ups. And I don't mean that the action picks up (which it coincidentally does) but the real story slowly starts falling into place. It stops being just a "bridge" novel and becomes something spectacular. The story was great, the fight scenes were amazing, but the conflict between the old Ghosts, the new Belladon troopers, and the returning Gereon 12 was just a masterclass of conflict without "fighting". The scenes are tense, and the writing is quick.
Even Gaunt with his reassignment and "spy" assigned to him was fun and maddening at the same time. The story worked, and it worked well. Gaunt, the Gereon 12, and the rest of the Ghosts slowly work their way back into an overarching mission that becomes a really fantastic story in "The Lost" series. It makes a beautiful play on the title of the "His Last Command" as well. The line is dropped in the novel a couple times and each time it takes on a new meaning and weight. And the final time...the weight is heavy.
His Last Command really answered the question how could soldiers from a Chaos-held world really return and be entrusted to fit back into the Imperial Guard. It was believable, it was maddening, and sad, and at times heartbreaking, but it felt real, and the book truly built itself, page by page, into an amazing story and addition to the adventures of Gaunt's Ghosts.
Most memorable scene - 81st First E Compnay comes to the rescue of the Scouting Party
His Last Command, (Abnett, page 148-149):
“Eighty-First First!” Maggs yelled out. “Eighty-First First!” He was pointing back into the open
country behind them.
“Holy feth,” said Caober.
The soldiers of E Company were yelling as they came charging in around either side of the house.
The cry they made was incoherent, but the intent, the passion, unmistakable. Warriors of the Imperium,
blood up, with the enemy in sight. The scouts saw the flash of fixed blades against the dark
battledress of the running figures.
“Now that’s a sight,” said Bonin.
There would be no time for finesse, Rawne realised. This was going to be a pitched battle in the
antique sense of the word, infantry line against infantry line. There was no cover, no terrain for
ranged fighting, and no room for flanking moves. Face to face, hand to hand, the way wars used to be
fought.
E Company had the slope on their side. They poured over the rim of it, running towards the enemy,
firing shots from weapons that they were brandishing like spears. The Blood Pact seemed to balk en
masse, as if they could not quite understand what was happening. Those at the top of the slope froze in
dismay, those further back hesitated because they couldn’t see what was coming.
The lines struck with a visceral, crunching impact of bodies, helmets and battle-plating. The
sounds of shooting, shouting and striking became frenetic.
Caffran and Guheen ran into the ruin with the scouts. Both were lugging launcher tubes. Dunik
followed, carrying a drum of rockets.
“Welcome to my world,” Caober said to Guheen.
“That your handiwork?” Bonin asked Caffran, who was loading up another rocket.
Caffran glanced at the headless stalk-tank smouldering beyond the wall. “Yes. Bit of a risk at the
range I had, but I thought you’d appreciate the effort.”
Guheen had already shouldered his tread-fether and taken aim at the second tank. “Ease!” he
yelled. The men around him opened their mouths to help with the discomfort of the pressure punch.
Guheen’s tread-fether barked out a hot backwash of flame and spat a rocket into the shoulder of the
second tank. It shook with the impact, badly damaged but still active.
“Load me!” Guheen shouted to Dunik.
Caffran was crouching by the wall with his own tube. “Ease!” he warned, and fired. His streaking
rocket hit the second tank and finished the work Guheen had begun. The main body section blew apart
with huge force, probably helped by the detonation of the tank’s own munitions, and dozens of the
Blood Pact around it were roasted in the firewash.
“Aim for the third tank,” Mkoll told Caffran. The formidable plasma mount had opened up, slicing
beam-energy mercilessly into the ranks of E Company. The air was suddenly ripe with the smell of
cooked blood and bone.
Rockets squealed out from several points in the E Company spread. A Belladon trooper called
Harwen scored the winning shot. The third tank went up, its oversized head spinning away,
decapitated, still firing plasma beams wildly like a firecracker as it bounced amongst the Blood Pact
lines.
Rawne and Feygor were right in the thick of it, lost in the punching, whirling, deafening violence
of the fight. Rawne shot those he could shoot, and smashed his bayonet into those who were too close.
The last proper action he’d seen had been back during the last days on Gereon, and he’d briefly
forgotten the way killing had come to feel. This slaughter quickly reminded him.
Once, combat had been about pride and fury for Elim Rawne, the honest, hot-blooded endeavour
of a fighting infantry man. Such a romantic notion, that seemed to him now. He recalled Gaunt and
Colm Corbec debating the styles and types of combat, as if it came in different flavours or intensities,
like love or sleep.
Today, his blood was cold, his pulse barely elevated. His blood was always cold. Gereon had
done that to him. On Gereon, every single fight, from the full-blown open battles to the savage blade-
brawls of infiltration missions, had been about survival, merciless survival, totally undressed of
sentiment, honour or quarter. He’d learned to use everything, every opening, every advantage. He
kicked, stabbed, crushed, stamped, bit and gouged; he ripped his straight silver into backs and sides
and buttocks, he’d butchered men who had already fallen wounded, or who had turned to run.
Rawne had never been a particularly honourable man, but now his soul was cold and hollow,
utterly devoid of honour or courage. Fighting had simply become a mechanical absolute; it no longer
had degrees. Rawne either fought or did not fight, killed or did not kill. Combat’s purpose had been
reduced to a point where it was simply a way to ensure he was still alive when everything around him
was dead. He had no use for caution, no use for fear.
Feygor, fighting at his commander’s back, was much the same. Death was no longer something he
feared. It was something he used, a gift he dished out to those that opposed him. Death was just a tool,
an instrument. The only thing Murt Feygor was afraid of anymore was being afraid.
Near to them, struggling in the melee, Meryn became aware of the sheer fury he was witnessing. It
took his breath away to see the two men, so completely unchecked by fear. When Mkoll and Bonin
broke through the scrum of bodies to lay in beside Rawne and his adjutant, Meryn faltered completely
and backed away. He hated the archenemy with a passion, but his own courage and intent seemed to
leak away when he saw the Blood Pact broken apart by these daemons.
Daemons. Daemons. Not Ghosts at all. Not even human.
November 4, 2012
His Last Command
After sixteen months of fighting as part of the Gereon Resistance, Colonel-Commissar Gaunt and his team escape the Chaos-held world and return to Imperial territory. Instead of praise and acknowledgement of their actions, the Ghosts are met with deep mistrust and abuse. Saved from execution in Camp Xeno on Ancreon Sextus by Junior Commissar Nahum Ludd, Gaunt and the Ghosts are briefly re-united with Lord-General Van Voytz before facing trial by the Commissariat. However, halfway through the hearings all charges are dropped and the Ghosts are prepared to return to active duty. Gaunt is shocked to learn that the Tanith First has been disbanded and merged with an under-strength regiment; the 81st Belladon. Furthermore, Gaunt is relieved of command status and once again a simple field commissar, but separated from his men.
The Ghosts are sent to join the 81st/1st Recon - the merged 81st Belladon and the Tanith First, led by Colonel Lucian Wilder. The regiment is taking part in the campaign to capture the ancient step-city Sparshad Mons, occupied by the Blood Pact and disturbingly warped nocturnal predators. The situation in the Mons is grim; desertion is high, morale is low, and most of the Imperial soldiers are inexperienced grunts. Gaunt is deployed to another section of the step-city and attached to a regiment from Fortis Binary, accompanied by Ludd and Eszrah Night. The situation deteriorates rapidly as the Blood Pact launch a counter-assault against the Imperial forces.
'His Last Command' introduces troopers from the 81st Belladon, several of whom become key characters in the series. The title refers to both Gaunt and Wilder. When informing Gaunt of his demotion, Van Voytz tells him that the Tanith was "[his] last command". Wilder issues his last command to a platoon of Belladon soldiers participating in a suicidal rearguard for the rest of the regiment, of which Gaunt assumes leadership.
After sixteen months of fighting as part of the Gereon Resistance, Colonel-Commissar Gaunt and his team escape the Chaos-held world and return to Imperial territory. Instead of praise and acknowledgement of their actions, the Ghosts are met with deep mistrust and abuse. Saved from execution in Camp Xeno on Ancreon Sextus by Junior Commissar Nahum Ludd, Gaunt and the Ghosts are briefly re-united with Lord-General Van Voytz before facing trial by the Commissariat. However, halfway through the hearings all charges are dropped and the Ghosts are prepared to return to active duty. Gaunt is shocked to learn that the Tanith First has been disbanded and merged with an under-strength regiment; the 81st Belladon. Furthermore, Gaunt is relieved of command status and once again a simple field commissar, but separated from his men.
The Ghosts are sent to join the 81st/1st Recon - the merged 81st Belladon and the Tanith First, led by Colonel Lucian Wilder. The regiment is taking part in the campaign to capture the ancient step-city Sparshad Mons, occupied by the Blood Pact and disturbingly warped nocturnal predators. The situation in the Mons is grim; desertion is high, morale is low, and most of the Imperial soldiers are inexperienced grunts. Gaunt is deployed to another section of the step-city and attached to a regiment from Fortis Binary, accompanied by Ludd and Eszrah Night. The situation deteriorates rapidly as the Blood Pact launch a counter-assault against the Imperial forces.
'His Last Command' introduces troopers from the 81st Belladon, several of whom become key characters in the series. The title refers to both Gaunt and Wilder. When informing Gaunt of his demotion, Van Voytz tells him that the Tanith was "[his] last command". Wilder issues his last command to a platoon of Belladon soldiers participating in a suicidal rearguard for the rest of the regiment, of which Gaunt assumes leadership.
January 1, 2015
As Strong As Ever
This series carries on from The Saint omnibus with four new stories in the sabbat worlds crusade, starting off with a mission on Gereon where a general known to the ghosts has been taken captive, either that or he turned, a small team of Ghosts try to track him down to either rescue or assassinate him, and in the process have to deal with a chaos world in the making, whilst Gaunt is away the ghosts are disbanded and when he returns he has to bring them back together, His Last Command is probably the weakest of the 4 novels, with little action happening, it does build well for the Armour Of Contempt though when Gaunt and the Ghosts have to return to Gereon to liberate the world, at any cost, lastly we have Only In Death, the ghosts have been dispatched to the fortress world of Jago, they are trapped inside an abandoned fortress, and they not only have to face the chaos soldiers amassing outside, but a closer threat also, will Gaunt survive intact, you might be surprised, 5 stars for Traitor General, The Armour Of Contempt and Only In Death, 3 stars for His Last Command.
This series carries on from The Saint omnibus with four new stories in the sabbat worlds crusade, starting off with a mission on Gereon where a general known to the ghosts has been taken captive, either that or he turned, a small team of Ghosts try to track him down to either rescue or assassinate him, and in the process have to deal with a chaos world in the making, whilst Gaunt is away the ghosts are disbanded and when he returns he has to bring them back together, His Last Command is probably the weakest of the 4 novels, with little action happening, it does build well for the Armour Of Contempt though when Gaunt and the Ghosts have to return to Gereon to liberate the world, at any cost, lastly we have Only In Death, the ghosts have been dispatched to the fortress world of Jago, they are trapped inside an abandoned fortress, and they not only have to face the chaos soldiers amassing outside, but a closer threat also, will Gaunt survive intact, you might be surprised, 5 stars for Traitor General, The Armour Of Contempt and Only In Death, 3 stars for His Last Command.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2019
Stává se ze mně zatvrzelý warhammerista, který po knihách z řady 40.000 sahá hned po jejich českém vydání (tak zatvrzelý, abych si kupoval všech pět set svazků v angličtině, zase nejsem). A tohle je navíc nový díl od Abnetta, jednoho z nejlepších tvůrců tohohle světa (a spousty dalších knih a komiksů). Nová kniha z jeho vlastní série Gauntovi duchové má všechny klady jeho tvorby, dynamický styl, temnou atmosféru a nátlakovou akci, tak i zápory - jako jsou hodně rychle useknuté konce. Tady se to i týká celého příběhu, který je v podstatě jen popisem několika bitev, větší příběh je tam jen berlička, aby ty bitvy držela pohromadě.
Tentokrát se to celé odehrává na planetě, kde se armáda snaží dobýt tajemné zikkuraty... a to armáda složená spíše z elévů jak na straně vojáků, tak na straně velitelů.. To není zrovna dobrá situace. A do toho se vrací Gaunt a jeho lidé z mise, které je změnila a vystavila je podezření, že jsou nakaženi Chaosem.
Abnett fakt neumí konce, ale to ostatní mu jde skvěle, veškerá ta dunivá atmosféra warhammeru, monumentální bitvy a kruté umírání. A hlavně, pořád se to dobře čte.
Tentokrát se to celé odehrává na planetě, kde se armáda snaží dobýt tajemné zikkuraty... a to armáda složená spíše z elévů jak na straně vojáků, tak na straně velitelů.. To není zrovna dobrá situace. A do toho se vrací Gaunt a jeho lidé z mise, které je změnila a vystavila je podezření, že jsou nakaženi Chaosem.
Abnett fakt neumí konce, ale to ostatní mu jde skvěle, veškerá ta dunivá atmosféra warhammeru, monumentální bitvy a kruté umírání. A hlavně, pořád se to dobře čte.
August 3, 2016
My latest obsession of Warhammer 40000 (40K) drives me to read this novel! Last Command (LC) is actually a part of series of novels under the main title ; Gaunt’s Ghost. Based on my research in the internet, there are 16 in total! Please check it out in the internet for further information regarding on Warhammer 40K and Gaunt’s Ghosts.
In my opinion, Dan Abnett is a good writer and story-teller. Not only the story of the novel has a steady and exciting flow and plots, but, the narration style made my reading of the novel an interesting experience for me. All the main characters are well thought and bring their own flavours which stands out when I read LC. Certainly, I need to buy and read all novels of the series. It’s worth it doing so!
In my opinion, Dan Abnett is a good writer and story-teller. Not only the story of the novel has a steady and exciting flow and plots, but, the narration style made my reading of the novel an interesting experience for me. All the main characters are well thought and bring their own flavours which stands out when I read LC. Certainly, I need to buy and read all novels of the series. It’s worth it doing so!
July 30, 2007
Yet another Gaunt's ghosts book from Dan Abnet, and yet another battle against the Blood Pact. You would think that the formulas would get old, but the introduction of a few new characters makes this one interesting. Abnet really seems to nail the grit of light infantry combat, at least for the layman. The futuristic/fantastic elements which are present in a warhammer 40k novel are present here as well, but aside from some genetic engineering and some teleporting, are fairly small elements, religated mostly to the background. What is left is mud, honor, and battle.
December 12, 2014
Well written, with a wide pallete of new characters (the first gaunts ghosts book I read was traitor general, so 80% of the characters were new and few old characters dont appear in this book), His Last Command gives the reader a nice view of ground level of vast Imperial Guard forces, command and bravado of regular humans (unlike astartes novels). The plot is a bit too undertoned and you have no actual idea what is going on until the very end, with few unanswered questions probably concluding in future books. A very good matherial for Only War roleplay (fantasy flight)
October 15, 2023
His Last Command is ultimately a transitional story that serves the purpose of returning the universe to a status quo after the events of Traitor General. Because of this functional nature, the plot of this novel is almost certainly weakened.
In the now expected fashion, the novel introduces a handful of interesting characters and features some outright awesome scenes.
Dan Abnett should also be commended on his explorarion of the dual nature of Chaos corruption from which the Ghosts both suffer and benefit.
In the now expected fashion, the novel introduces a handful of interesting characters and features some outright awesome scenes.
Dan Abnett should also be commended on his explorarion of the dual nature of Chaos corruption from which the Ghosts both suffer and benefit.
November 24, 2008
His last commmand is the second book in the lost series series by Dan Abnett and is following the story of "Gaunts Ghosts". after the Gerond mission Gaunt and his special team return to find themselves branded as traitors and heretics and eventually the ghosts are able to join there old squad again except for their leader Gaunt who gets restationed with a new regiment. This book is a good installment of this series and constanly keeps you wondering if Gaunt can return to his Ghosts.
April 5, 2013
Another rip-roaring Ghost's novel from arguably the best black library writer.
The set-pieces and characterisation are excellent with POV from both imperial and chaos combatants. Dan Abnett more than anyone else brings the imperial war machine to life with descriptions of the commissariat, non-coms and the whole routine of war.
An excellent addition to the series.
The set-pieces and characterisation are excellent with POV from both imperial and chaos combatants. Dan Abnett more than anyone else brings the imperial war machine to life with descriptions of the commissariat, non-coms and the whole routine of war.
An excellent addition to the series.
June 30, 2016
This one frustrated me at first but quickly overcame that frustration with how interesting the storyline was. We get to glimpse deeper into the heart of Gaunt and into the minds of those that know only war and more war, while also seeing those exposed to war at the first. It truly shows the carnage both physically and mentally wrought by war.
April 21, 2009
Sprawling alien cities shelter the forces of chaos as the imperial crusade battles them, for evey inch of them. Gaunt and his ghosts return in this noel to face chaos on different terms. This book expans the adventure of gaunts and his ghosts in this thrilling sequel!
September 8, 2008
well i play chaos but i could not help but like this book.
January 6, 2010
This book was a brilliant read at a neck breaking pace. The Gaunt's ghost series is the best series of war novels I have read to date. It is band of brothers set in a dark distant future.
July 17, 2011
This is, THE BEST book released by black library, in my honestly opinion.
April 9, 2012
Awesome! Loved it, one of the best of the series, even referenced it in one of my own books. In fact, I think I used it as an actual weapon!
September 19, 2012
My first Gaunts Ghosts novel and I was hooked from there on in. Science fiction in a ridiculously grim setting with characters you can actually care about.
February 26, 2015
I have read better books in the Ghost series
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