Warrior Coven

Deathwatch #2

by C.S. Goto

Second novel of the series. When an ancient pact is invoked, the Deathwatch Space Marines must put aside their prejudices to battle alongside the alien eldar to protect the galaxy from an even greater menace.

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction

416 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 6, 2006

About the author

Cassern Sebastian Goto (born 1970) is an author primarily notable for his novels and short stories set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. He got his start with several short stories published in Inferno! magazine and his first novel, a novelation of Dawn of War, appeared in 2004. Born in Ireland, he now lives on the Pacific coast of California.

Reviews

[Nadienne Williams]

I very much enjoyed this second entry into the Deathwatch series. It was a fun read. However, I don't know if I'd really term it a sequel. Aside from the fact that some of the Space Marines in the Deathwatch Team are the same as those found in "Warrior Brood," the stories do not relate to each other in any way, shape, or form - which is not necessarily a bad thing; however, I would consider this more a serial which happens to feature Octavius then a sequel or a series (if that makes sense).

I enjoyed the Inquisitorial power plays, I enjoyed the Eldar machinations, and I enjoyed the Dark Eldars' sado-masochistic protrayal. And even my beloved Imperial Navy got a cameo. If I do have a complain about the story, it's that I have no idea what the point of the little expedition of the Grey Knights was supposed to be about. It was somehow or another going to uncover/reveal the truth which was needed to bring down an Inquisitor Lord...and then it just didn't and was written out of the story...adrift in a star system. So, kewl, I guess...

Oh, and the whole planet blows up at the end or something...

Never trust the Eldar!

[Shaun]

Regrettably, I gave up after struggling through the first chapter. In a different world where I had infinite time and a shorter list of unfinished books to read, I might have finished this one.

But I do not, so I did not.

It's sad to me, because I really liked the previous book from this series (Warrior Brood), but this one was shaping up to have storytelling problems that I didn't want to deal with right from the start.

Ah well...

[Michael T Bradley]

Even worse than Warrior Brood, which is saying a lot. Almost reads like 40K parody fiction, which is in itself slightly amusing, I suppose.

[Dawie]

I am sorry I could not stay awake.

[William]

Another lack lust novel from Mr. Goto, considering how many books are set in this universe, this one wasn't worth the hour it took me to read it.

[Marius I]

I don't really understand why all the hate for this book. I personally think its a great read and highly recommend it. Stylistically it is well written, the use of language is good and the plot flows nicely, without the somewhat 'wooden' phrasing of a lot of warhammer novels. The plot is good, with unexpected twists and epic battle scenes. The characters are good, though the space marines are less well defined than in other books. It does shine through in the presentation of the eldar as well as their dark cousins, offering great insight into both societies and underlying how they are very similar and completely different at the same time. The dark eldar especially are very well characterized, with the main villain (a wych queen) making a memorable appearance. The inquisition also makes an appearance, with the workings of this secretive organization and the tensions between its various orders well explored. Last but not least, this book does manage to spin the old warhammer themes of warrior honour, duty, death, xenophobia and overall badassness in a captivating intrigue, which (surprisingly for a warhammer novel) comes up with an eternally valid warning on how politics and intrigue will always affect those who are sent to do the actual fighting, and how honour and camaraderie will always be more important.

So ignore the haters and give it a go, it is definitely worth it.

[William]

Deathwatch Space Marines vs. dark eldar on Hesperax.

Traitors and heretics within the Inquisition get manipulated by Ulthwe, the Craftworld of the Damned.

Some interesting eldar history regarding Altansar, the craftworld that was lost in the Eye of Terror.

[Taddow]

I'm a big Deathwatch and Dark Eldar fan and this book let me down. I struggled through most of the storyline and a lot of the battles didn't seem well thought out and kinda bland giving two great warrior factions of the 40K Universe.

[Steve]

Warhammer 40K,Deathwatch