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Soul Drinkers #1
Испивающие Души
Этот Оден Космодесанта унаследовал славные традиции Легиона Имперских Кулаков и кровь примарха Рогала Дорна. А еще он унаследовал личное оружие Дорна - Копье Души. Но много веков назад Копье пропало в варпе вместе с флагманским кораблем. Никто уже не чаял когда-либо увидеть бесценную реликвию, но неожиданно Ордену становится известно ее теперешнее местонахождение. Администратум решил привлечь подразделение Испивающих Души к совместной операции по уничтожению зарвавшегося аристократического дома Ван Скорвольдов, которому принадлежала звездная станция по переработке человеческого материала и коллекция артефактов, среди которых находилось легендарное Копье. Помимо Испивающих Души в операции принимали участие Адептус Механикус и Имперская Гвардия. Задача космодесантников выглядела просто - захватить станцию, арестовать Ван Скорвольдов, забрать принадлежащее Ордену Копье Души и предоставить действовать Администратуму и Гвардии.
Штурм прошел гладко, хотя и не без потерь, но когда библиарий Сарпедон уже протягивал руку, чтобы взять Копье Души, в сокровищницу телепортировались техногвардейцы Адептус Механикус и похитили реликвию непосредственно из-под носа космодесантников.
Это несусветное оскорбление положило начало цепи трагических событий, которые завели благородный Орден на край погибели и даже дальше...
Штурм прошел гладко, хотя и не без потерь, но когда библиарий Сарпедон уже протягивал руку, чтобы взять Копье Души, в сокровищницу телепортировались техногвардейцы Адептус Механикус и похитили реликвию непосредственно из-под носа космодесантников.
Это несусветное оскорбление положило начало цепи трагических событий, которые завели благородный Орден на край погибели и даже дальше...
384 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2002
29 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Ben Counter
158 books212 followersBen Counter, as well as making several contributions to Inferno magazine, has written the Soul Drinkers and Grey Knights series and two Horus Heresy novels for the Black Library. He is an ancient history graduate and avid miniature painter with a bronze demon under his belt.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 27, 2012
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Space Marines do not look before they leap. To be blunt: Space Marines, the genetic heirs to The Emperor of Mankind, can be pretty damn stupid.
This is the first book in the Soul Drinker saga, a 6-book exploration of the Adeptus Astartes' complete lack of self-reflection. I accidentally read the last book in the saga first as it was serialized in Hammer and Bolter's 1st year, which severely ruined this book for me. They are Space Marines, yes, but not yet the heroes I know they can be.
I'll give you an example: to answer for his crimes, Sarpedon engages Chapter Master Gorgoleon in an honor duel. During the duel, Sarpedon transforms into a spider centaur and rips Gorgoleon in two. Anyone with even an ounce of sense would realize that the powers of Chaos have hideously mutated Sarpedon, but his reaction is "I have been blessed with great strength by The Emperor!"
Ben Counter gives everyone a backstory. Everyone. It's jarring at first to read about someone's preparations and motivations only to see them eviscerated a few pages later. This is how he keeps you turning pages: you have no idea whatsoever who will die next. Of course, with so many factions jockeying for position rather than trying to communicate shared goals, the real question is: who will survive?
If I had read this book first, I'm not sure I would've bothered with the rest... But before I was introduced to this series, it never even occured to me that traitor and renegade need not mean the same thing. Persevere, and your reward will be great.
This is the first book in the Soul Drinker saga, a 6-book exploration of the Adeptus Astartes' complete lack of self-reflection. I accidentally read the last book in the saga first as it was serialized in Hammer and Bolter's 1st year, which severely ruined this book for me. They are Space Marines, yes, but not yet the heroes I know they can be.
I'll give you an example: to answer for his crimes, Sarpedon engages Chapter Master Gorgoleon in an honor duel. During the duel, Sarpedon transforms into a spider centaur and rips Gorgoleon in two. Anyone with even an ounce of sense would realize that the powers of Chaos have hideously mutated Sarpedon, but his reaction is "I have been blessed with great strength by The Emperor!"
Ben Counter gives everyone a backstory. Everyone. It's jarring at first to read about someone's preparations and motivations only to see them eviscerated a few pages later. This is how he keeps you turning pages: you have no idea whatsoever who will die next. Of course, with so many factions jockeying for position rather than trying to communicate shared goals, the real question is: who will survive?
If I had read this book first, I'm not sure I would've bothered with the rest... But before I was introduced to this series, it never even occured to me that traitor and renegade need not mean the same thing. Persevere, and your reward will be great.
May 26, 2013
This introduction to the series isn’t that good. While not the worst thing Black Library has ever published it has very distinct problems in pacing, direction and general logic.
Set in the dying days of the forty-first millennium (no change there) the Soul Drinkers are active throughout the Imperium. A fleet based chapter with a glorious history, their acts have been well documented and their deeds remembered. From the dark days of the Second Founding to helping end the mad reign of Goge Vandire, they have fought to defend humanity from the horrors both within and without.
Yet for the first time in thousands of years they find themselves with an opportunity to regain that which was lost.
The Soul Spear, prized weapon of Rogal Dorn himself has been uncovered on a rogue star fortress among a collection of relics. Racing to take back this artifact of a bygone age, the Soul Drinkers do not realise that they are being easily manipulated for greater goals…
The crux of the problem here is in the introduction. You know the Soul Drinkers are being manipulated right from the start and it’s increasingly clear that it’s not by natural forces. It’s not long before this reaches the point where you desperately want someone to jump into the narrative yelling “YOU’RE ALL BEING DUPED!” Preferably while punching Sarpedon, the protagonist, in the face. While some ignorance might have been acceptable due to distractions and what we learn later on it definitely could have been better handled.
Up to the point where Sarpedon duels their Chapter Master their actions are just about believable. After they start gaining mutations, calling them blessings of the Emperor, it’s much harder to accept. This isn’t helped by many of the often mind-numbingly bland characters.
The cast needed to either show aspects which could be latched onto for Chaos to influence them or sympathetic personalities. Ones diverse or varied enough to keep interest amongst the marines, but we don’t really have either here. While Luko, Lygris, Graevus and Tellos work well others like Pallas, Sarpedon, Givrillian and others do not. This is especially problematic as many require you to care about them or at least appreciate what they are saying, especially in Sarpedon’s case. He’s written some sort of warrior philosopher you’re never given a real reason to care about him or want him to succeed. While his actual decisions, fights and thoughts might be interesting he lacks that edge to make him truly interesting. Unfortunately many of the non-astartes secondary characters are no better, either seeming very bland or come across as blanks. The captains of the ships, Arch Magos Khobotov and the minor sects worshipping the Architect of Fate all lack any real attachment. Some have aspects which should work but they aren’t pushed far enough.
The problem with the limited characterisation is that Counter tends to give every character a history. While this can help to make the universe feel bigger, it tends to bog down the narrative and doesn’t really add to them. Worse still, the same thing goes the same way for the Soul Drinkers chapter itself. The army was retconned into being a creation of the Second Founding, specialises in boarding actions and has a unique doctrine they follow. For all this nothing is really given to set them apart from any other force. Had this been intentional, showing even an extremely codex adherent chapter falling easily, this might have worked, but the Soul Drinkers are an atypical force within the imperium. The only time when this is used effectively is one particular Chaos champion, largely due to the author’s descriptive capabilities with mutations and unnatural phenomena.
The book contains plenty of decent writing along with the bad, but it’s usually reserved only to the scenery descriptions and mass violence. There are some explosive battle scenes from the opening purging of the star fortress to the final battle on the Soul Drinkers’ new base of operations. Each one is given a vastly different flavour than the last and enough unique features to make them truly stand out. Plus it’s not every book you end up getting both orbital battles, giant zombie sharks and a beach assault all within a few chapters of one another.
The descriptions of the worlds corrupted by Nurgle and overrun by viral strains fester in your mind, with clouds of bloated flies and decaying horrors littering shorelines. Minor details from the disturbing warmth of the sea to the blackish sand all are delivered in a fascinatingly disturbing way. The ships the book is often set on are portrayed rightly as labyrinthine corroding nightmares and aged tombs as much as they are vessels of war. A fittingly gothic feel which captures the darkness the series was going for and, even when the book is at its weakest, such descriptions help to keep some interest.
The real killer in this is the tone. Ending on an oddly hopeful note and with the continual promise of improvement, Soul Drinker finds itself at odds with its own subject matter. This is likely due to Ben Counter’s change from having them fall, corrupted and willingly in servitude of daemons, into survivors. Clinging to life on the edge of the imperium through sheer determination and skill while all turn against them. It doesn’t capture the bleak nature or outlook of their lives and the bittersweet losses ensued with each victory. Despite being written with enough blood, loss and betrayal to be A Song of Fire and Ice 40,000 it’s almost positive in its final scenes with the Soul Drinkers’ eyes finally opened.
It’s clear why many people dislike the series if this was their introduction. Both with continually awkwardly shifting in locations, predictability and weaponised plot driven stupidity it’s a rather poor novel. Despite some good action, fast pacing and some genuinely great one liners it’s a bad introduction into a much better saga.
Set in the dying days of the forty-first millennium (no change there) the Soul Drinkers are active throughout the Imperium. A fleet based chapter with a glorious history, their acts have been well documented and their deeds remembered. From the dark days of the Second Founding to helping end the mad reign of Goge Vandire, they have fought to defend humanity from the horrors both within and without.
Yet for the first time in thousands of years they find themselves with an opportunity to regain that which was lost.
The Soul Spear, prized weapon of Rogal Dorn himself has been uncovered on a rogue star fortress among a collection of relics. Racing to take back this artifact of a bygone age, the Soul Drinkers do not realise that they are being easily manipulated for greater goals…
The crux of the problem here is in the introduction. You know the Soul Drinkers are being manipulated right from the start and it’s increasingly clear that it’s not by natural forces. It’s not long before this reaches the point where you desperately want someone to jump into the narrative yelling “YOU’RE ALL BEING DUPED!” Preferably while punching Sarpedon, the protagonist, in the face. While some ignorance might have been acceptable due to distractions and what we learn later on it definitely could have been better handled.
Up to the point where Sarpedon duels their Chapter Master their actions are just about believable. After they start gaining mutations, calling them blessings of the Emperor, it’s much harder to accept. This isn’t helped by many of the often mind-numbingly bland characters.
The cast needed to either show aspects which could be latched onto for Chaos to influence them or sympathetic personalities. Ones diverse or varied enough to keep interest amongst the marines, but we don’t really have either here. While Luko, Lygris, Graevus and Tellos work well others like Pallas, Sarpedon, Givrillian and others do not. This is especially problematic as many require you to care about them or at least appreciate what they are saying, especially in Sarpedon’s case. He’s written some sort of warrior philosopher you’re never given a real reason to care about him or want him to succeed. While his actual decisions, fights and thoughts might be interesting he lacks that edge to make him truly interesting. Unfortunately many of the non-astartes secondary characters are no better, either seeming very bland or come across as blanks. The captains of the ships, Arch Magos Khobotov and the minor sects worshipping the Architect of Fate all lack any real attachment. Some have aspects which should work but they aren’t pushed far enough.
The problem with the limited characterisation is that Counter tends to give every character a history. While this can help to make the universe feel bigger, it tends to bog down the narrative and doesn’t really add to them. Worse still, the same thing goes the same way for the Soul Drinkers chapter itself. The army was retconned into being a creation of the Second Founding, specialises in boarding actions and has a unique doctrine they follow. For all this nothing is really given to set them apart from any other force. Had this been intentional, showing even an extremely codex adherent chapter falling easily, this might have worked, but the Soul Drinkers are an atypical force within the imperium. The only time when this is used effectively is one particular Chaos champion, largely due to the author’s descriptive capabilities with mutations and unnatural phenomena.
The book contains plenty of decent writing along with the bad, but it’s usually reserved only to the scenery descriptions and mass violence. There are some explosive battle scenes from the opening purging of the star fortress to the final battle on the Soul Drinkers’ new base of operations. Each one is given a vastly different flavour than the last and enough unique features to make them truly stand out. Plus it’s not every book you end up getting both orbital battles, giant zombie sharks and a beach assault all within a few chapters of one another.
The descriptions of the worlds corrupted by Nurgle and overrun by viral strains fester in your mind, with clouds of bloated flies and decaying horrors littering shorelines. Minor details from the disturbing warmth of the sea to the blackish sand all are delivered in a fascinatingly disturbing way. The ships the book is often set on are portrayed rightly as labyrinthine corroding nightmares and aged tombs as much as they are vessels of war. A fittingly gothic feel which captures the darkness the series was going for and, even when the book is at its weakest, such descriptions help to keep some interest.
The real killer in this is the tone. Ending on an oddly hopeful note and with the continual promise of improvement, Soul Drinker finds itself at odds with its own subject matter. This is likely due to Ben Counter’s change from having them fall, corrupted and willingly in servitude of daemons, into survivors. Clinging to life on the edge of the imperium through sheer determination and skill while all turn against them. It doesn’t capture the bleak nature or outlook of their lives and the bittersweet losses ensued with each victory. Despite being written with enough blood, loss and betrayal to be A Song of Fire and Ice 40,000 it’s almost positive in its final scenes with the Soul Drinkers’ eyes finally opened.
It’s clear why many people dislike the series if this was their introduction. Both with continually awkwardly shifting in locations, predictability and weaponised plot driven stupidity it’s a rather poor novel. Despite some good action, fast pacing and some genuinely great one liners it’s a bad introduction into a much better saga.
February 7, 2018
Ben Counter does Chaos right, just when you think he has crossed a line of gross or disturbing, he crosses another. He also does Space Marines right as well. Solid action and good characters, check it out.
December 15, 2015
I must say that from time to time it's interesting to read about the genetically enhanced super soldiers of the Imperium of man. I can't really say that this was one of the better though.
We get to follow a chapter in a downward spiral. Slowly tainted by chaos, but still never quite falling...
The writings not always the best with a lot of over the top characters and events. But the story as a whole, with infighting between different imperial factions is very well handled. The way the Mechanicum, the Imperial navy and the space marines, not to mention the Inquisition, don't always see eye to eye is fascinating and interesting to read.
The main failing of the story though, is that the characters are incredibly stupid.
* The mechanicum stealing stuff from the Astartes? Well, that's bordeerline suicidal stupidity.
* A human inquisitor engaging a space marine captain in close combat? Quite stupid.
* A Spider-centaur mutated Space marine can't be corrupted, right? Very, very, very stupid.
I've only read this first part in the Soul drinker saga, and I don't think I'll read the rest.
We get to follow a chapter in a downward spiral. Slowly tainted by chaos, but still never quite falling...
The writings not always the best with a lot of over the top characters and events. But the story as a whole, with infighting between different imperial factions is very well handled. The way the Mechanicum, the Imperial navy and the space marines, not to mention the Inquisition, don't always see eye to eye is fascinating and interesting to read.
The main failing of the story though, is that the characters are incredibly stupid.
* The mechanicum stealing stuff from the Astartes? Well, that's bordeerline suicidal stupidity.
* A human inquisitor engaging a space marine captain in close combat? Quite stupid.
* A Spider-centaur mutated Space marine can't be corrupted, right? Very, very, very stupid.
I've only read this first part in the Soul drinker saga, and I don't think I'll read the rest.
April 11, 2022
This is an odd book, the beginning is ok, the middle pretty weak, and the end rather good.
The core concept of the book relies on suspending your disbelief too much that our characters didn't understand some of the things happening to them. In addition, while the trigger for the main events of the book made sense, our character abandoned pursuit of the trigger event very very quickly, making me question how actually good the trigger was.
There was a side plot that didn't make a lot of sense either.
But, if you can ignore those things there is a decent story here, that takes some perspectives unique amongst Space Marine stories I have read. The action is well described and the main cast varied, if pretty flat. And the final "arc" delivers some exciting moments and ends on a huge change to where the series is going.
I liked the ending enough that I might read further in the series, but I didn't like the book enough to feel rushed to get there. Overall, ok, but not something to rush out to read.
The core concept of the book relies on suspending your disbelief too much that our characters didn't understand some of the things happening to them. In addition, while the trigger for the main events of the book made sense, our character abandoned pursuit of the trigger event very very quickly, making me question how actually good the trigger was.
There was a side plot that didn't make a lot of sense either.
But, if you can ignore those things there is a decent story here, that takes some perspectives unique amongst Space Marine stories I have read. The action is well described and the main cast varied, if pretty flat. And the final "arc" delivers some exciting moments and ends on a huge change to where the series is going.
I liked the ending enough that I might read further in the series, but I didn't like the book enough to feel rushed to get there. Overall, ok, but not something to rush out to read.
February 20, 2008
Soul Drinker isn't great writing, but it's not terrible either. As a background story for Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 game it does its job. It's hard to say how it would read to someone not familiar with the game, but I suspect it might be quite confusing. I also thought there wasn't much difference between the characters. But overall, it was fairly entertaining. Hey, at least I finished it!
May 9, 2017
I usually like Ben's work, but this is a hot mess. Often incoherent, it felt like a first draft. The one place it excels is in the descriptions of battle. Ben is terrific at this, and this early on in his 40k work he can stand out at times. It didn't make the book good, unfortunately.
October 26, 2023
Сарпедоняне
Недавно закончил цикл Каунтера про Серых Рыцарей - это дно. Здесь он несколько оживился. Я начинил знакомство с вархаммер-литературой с, кажется "Фаланги", которая была довольно интересна, с некоторыми исключениями в затянутых местах. Здесь Каунтер бодрее, поскольку работает с лором "собственного" ордена. Чувствуется пресность языка, как будто бы ему не хватает сил. Незамыленным глазом: это история о том, как очередной маленький, но гордый Орден затзинчивал до отращивания всяких конечностей, но решил бороться с судьбой и .... отправился валить нурглитов. Ну правильно, нормальные тзинчиты, просто их играют в тёмную. Особо не думая перевалили кучу механикусов (те ещё шестерёнки, но всё же). Бонус за морскую битву с нурглой, десантная чудо-юдо-рыба-Кит с умными воинами это даже забавно.
Но там кроме Сарпедона, может быть Телоса - просто нет более-менее объёмных персонажей.
Недавно закончил цикл Каунтера про Серых Рыцарей - это дно. Здесь он несколько оживился. Я начинил знакомство с вархаммер-литературой с, кажется "Фаланги", которая была довольно интересна, с некоторыми исключениями в затянутых местах. Здесь Каунтер бодрее, поскольку работает с лором "собственного" ордена. Чувствуется пресность языка, как будто бы ему не хватает сил. Незамыленным глазом: это история о том, как очередной маленький, но гордый Орден затзинчивал до отращивания всяких конечностей, но решил бороться с судьбой и .... отправился валить нурглитов. Ну правильно, нормальные тзинчиты, просто их играют в тёмную. Особо не думая перевалили кучу механикусов (те ещё шестерёнки, но всё же). Бонус за морскую битву с нурглой, десантная чудо-юдо-рыба-Кит с умными воинами это даже забавно.
Но там кроме Сарпедона, может быть Телоса - просто нет более-менее объёмных персонажей.
July 31, 2020
After reading about 25% of the supernatural thriller Soul Drinker by Matthew Yard I almost did not finish the book. The third-person narratives, the endless page-long paragraphs of suffering and hellish torture made this book difficult to read. At that point, I still had no clue about what the book was about; it seemed like one bad dream sequence after another. What kept me going were the innovative similes, not the story.
After finishing the book, I am still scratching my head. I did not find Soul Drinker thrilling or romantic. The characters are flat and the ending is not at all satisfying, leaving the reader with unresolved questions.
After finishing the book, I am still scratching my head. I did not find Soul Drinker thrilling or romantic. The characters are flat and the ending is not at all satisfying, leaving the reader with unresolved questions.
July 31, 2024
Second reading Soul Drinker. One of the best and coolest marine chapters in 40k. The book is speedy with little fat. It reads like an old scifi/fantasy novel and makes me want to read some Michael Moorcock. Awesome book. Love me some Luko and Zaen!
April 5, 2019
Interesting book, what is and what isn't heresy
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November 15, 2021
Había partes algo aburridas y otras muy entretenidas.
November 22, 2021
3.5 Stars
August 11, 2022
Shaky first entry in the series. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/201...
May 8, 2023
A fun read.
December 30, 2020
Pretty good story although it could be a bit jarring when it switched between narrators. I was not familiar with the Soul Drinkers chapter so I am interested in seeing where they go in the next book.
November 2, 2025
This is my third book by Ben Counter. His style may not be particularly distinctive, but he maintains a solid standard within the genre and masterfully delivers intense, action-packed battle scenes. The story is full of epic moments, twists, and tense, nerve-racking sequences. I have to honestly say that the fate of the Soul Drinkers completely drew me in, and I’m very curious to see where their journey goes next. That said, I wouldn’t recommend this book as an entry point into the 40k universe, as it might be a bit overwhelming for readers without broader context.
March 20, 2016
So, I am focusing on purely the story's content for this review, and will focus on everything when I review the omnibus when I finish it.
The story was amazing, to put it simply. I have read some of Ben Counters work in my reading career, but none of his work that I have read thus far can match just this one Soul Drinkers novel. I don't want that to sound like I don't like his other work, as it is quite the opposite. I enjoyed what I have read of his HH releases and I liked what I read from the Grey Knights series(I also am dying for a copy of Daemon World simply because it is Mr. Counter detailing Chaos!), but the story of the Soul Drinkers is a truly sad one, and while it was sad, I felt such hope and pride for the characters I was reading about, that it has almost never been matched in anything else I have read.
The beginning of the novel was fantastic. We start off with a fast paced ship-to-ship boarding action staring the Soul Drinkers, and it just so happens they excel at boarding actions. One thing that I find with a lot of 40K fiction is that while faction ____ is supposed to be *the best* at ______, the authors sometimes struggle to show that they really are the best of the best when it comes to that certain thing. That is most definitely NOT the case with the Soul Drinkers. As much as I love the Emperor's Children, the Raven Guard and others, Mr. Counter really drove home in a natural way that the Soul Drinkers were most at home when they were balls deep in an enemy ship with no way to go but forwards.
Now, with the theft of the Soulspear, things take a wrong turn, and I mean with the plot and with my own understanding. Plot wise, that is when things start going downhill for the Imperium's corrupt lackeys, and for my own understanding: Why didn't the Adpetus Mechanicus not simply explain why they were taking the Soulspear? Which becomes slightly obvious as it turns out that the main Adept is just THAT kind of asshole.
Now, I know I have already been praising the way that the author writes his 40K, but this bit is what made me love this book more than some of the others I have read. When the Soul Drinkers had a little bit of a tuffle with the ad-mech guy, Mr. Counter really showed what it meant to be one of the Emperor's finest. The kill ration was legendary, and getting to read it happen was a true blessing from Khorne himself!
The aftermath of said tuffle was great, only I wish we had been able to touch on the Chapter Wars a little more after Sarpedon had become the Chapter Master. It really added to the realism of the novel that not EVERY Soul Drinker was all for following him to the ends of the Warp and such.
Now, one part of this book that will probably stay with me forever was the destruction of their own ships when they had taken to their new home. I don't know why, but I just felt an extreme sadness for the chapter. They lived on that fleet since their conception at the end of the Horus Heresy, and now all of those grand ships are lost. It brought an oily tear to the Adeptus Mechanicus lover in me, and that was quickly healed due to how amazing their new home was. Mr. Counter could have written a novel about the damn Space Hulk, and I still would have loved it. It was interesting getting to see one of those huge, ominous structures work for humanity.
Now, this review is already too long for my tastes, but I will leave with saying that Ben Counter's description of Chaos(Really dark and brutal, but truly WEIRD too?) is one of the best I have ever read. The last half of the novel was pure joy getting to finally read a good Nurgle based antagonist.
One last thing, Sarpedon's denial of the Architect of Fate was amazing and I loved every word, but doesn't every Space Marine at least know the "slang" terms for the Chaos Gods?
I mean, Architect of Fate is so blatantly Tzeentch it is like they wouldn't recognize the term "Blood God" either!
Anyways, amazing read. Not perfect, but DAMN CLOSE!
The story was amazing, to put it simply. I have read some of Ben Counters work in my reading career, but none of his work that I have read thus far can match just this one Soul Drinkers novel. I don't want that to sound like I don't like his other work, as it is quite the opposite. I enjoyed what I have read of his HH releases and I liked what I read from the Grey Knights series(I also am dying for a copy of Daemon World simply because it is Mr. Counter detailing Chaos!), but the story of the Soul Drinkers is a truly sad one, and while it was sad, I felt such hope and pride for the characters I was reading about, that it has almost never been matched in anything else I have read.
The beginning of the novel was fantastic. We start off with a fast paced ship-to-ship boarding action staring the Soul Drinkers, and it just so happens they excel at boarding actions. One thing that I find with a lot of 40K fiction is that while faction ____ is supposed to be *the best* at ______, the authors sometimes struggle to show that they really are the best of the best when it comes to that certain thing. That is most definitely NOT the case with the Soul Drinkers. As much as I love the Emperor's Children, the Raven Guard and others, Mr. Counter really drove home in a natural way that the Soul Drinkers were most at home when they were balls deep in an enemy ship with no way to go but forwards.
Now, with the theft of the Soulspear, things take a wrong turn, and I mean with the plot and with my own understanding. Plot wise, that is when things start going downhill for the Imperium's corrupt lackeys, and for my own understanding: Why didn't the Adpetus Mechanicus not simply explain why they were taking the Soulspear? Which becomes slightly obvious as it turns out that the main Adept is just THAT kind of asshole.
Now, I know I have already been praising the way that the author writes his 40K, but this bit is what made me love this book more than some of the others I have read. When the Soul Drinkers had a little bit of a tuffle with the ad-mech guy, Mr. Counter really showed what it meant to be one of the Emperor's finest. The kill ration was legendary, and getting to read it happen was a true blessing from Khorne himself!
The aftermath of said tuffle was great, only I wish we had been able to touch on the Chapter Wars a little more after Sarpedon had become the Chapter Master. It really added to the realism of the novel that not EVERY Soul Drinker was all for following him to the ends of the Warp and such.
Now, one part of this book that will probably stay with me forever was the destruction of their own ships when they had taken to their new home. I don't know why, but I just felt an extreme sadness for the chapter. They lived on that fleet since their conception at the end of the Horus Heresy, and now all of those grand ships are lost. It brought an oily tear to the Adeptus Mechanicus lover in me, and that was quickly healed due to how amazing their new home was. Mr. Counter could have written a novel about the damn Space Hulk, and I still would have loved it. It was interesting getting to see one of those huge, ominous structures work for humanity.
Now, this review is already too long for my tastes, but I will leave with saying that Ben Counter's description of Chaos(Really dark and brutal, but truly WEIRD too?) is one of the best I have ever read. The last half of the novel was pure joy getting to finally read a good Nurgle based antagonist.
One last thing, Sarpedon's denial of the Architect of Fate was amazing and I loved every word, but doesn't every Space Marine at least know the "slang" terms for the Chaos Gods?
I mean, Architect of Fate is so blatantly Tzeentch it is like they wouldn't recognize the term "Blood God" either!
Anyways, amazing read. Not perfect, but DAMN CLOSE!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2016
This is the first book in the popular 4-volume (so far) Soul Drinkers saga. Here we meet Librarian Sarpedon and the rest of the Soul Drinker space marines, all of whom develop into larger-than-life and very colorful characters. Ben Counter wanted to do something different with his first WH40K novel, and he succeeded here, creating a chapter of space marines than completely breaks the mould of what we've come to expect. This book tells the story of how the Soul Drinkers come to be neither Imperial loyalists nor beholden to the forces of chaos. In a universe where the lines are almost always clearly drawn between the Imperium of Man and the Forces of Chaos, the Soul Drinkers are something unique, fighting (and dying) for what they believe in, but not backing down from showing the Imperium to be what it has become.
Like most WH40K books, this one has tons of brutal and bloody action, and is filled with all manner of strange and familiar beings from the Black Library's well-developed universe. Counter's view of that universe is slightly different than the ones I prefer, more along the lines of Graham McNeil's than Dan Abnett's, with a lot of magic and demons, and relatively little mundane technology, but it generally fits in well with the rest of the WH40K fluff. I can say that the subject of this book is by no means an inconsequential side-story (like many of the WH40K books I've read), but greatly influences the WH40K universe as a whole. Recommended for fans of the Black Library.
Like most WH40K books, this one has tons of brutal and bloody action, and is filled with all manner of strange and familiar beings from the Black Library's well-developed universe. Counter's view of that universe is slightly different than the ones I prefer, more along the lines of Graham McNeil's than Dan Abnett's, with a lot of magic and demons, and relatively little mundane technology, but it generally fits in well with the rest of the WH40K fluff. I can say that the subject of this book is by no means an inconsequential side-story (like many of the WH40K books I've read), but greatly influences the WH40K universe as a whole. Recommended for fans of the Black Library.
April 14, 2024
I didn't know I had read this book before. I had originally given it 4/5, but having read it again (with nothing remembered), I really didn't like this Warhammer 40K book.
The first half of the novel is a slog to get through. A group of Soul Drinkers are on a quest to retrieve one of their holiest lost relics, only to have it taken by the another group that fights for the Emperor. They do battle with this group, lose, and then find themselves subject to the Inquisition. Something then happens to the troopers and things change, literally.
The second half of the book contains more action, but a reader who's familiar with the W40K Universe will know exactly what's going on, and that's, sadly, exactly what happens.
I was initially intrigued by how the soldiers felt about their states, but their blind duty to the Emperor made them come off as stupid. I couldn't feel sorry for any of them.
This was depressing to read because I bought the omnibus that contains the first three adventures of this Chapter and I don't know if I want to continue. Very disappointing.
The first half of the novel is a slog to get through. A group of Soul Drinkers are on a quest to retrieve one of their holiest lost relics, only to have it taken by the another group that fights for the Emperor. They do battle with this group, lose, and then find themselves subject to the Inquisition. Something then happens to the troopers and things change, literally.
The second half of the book contains more action, but a reader who's familiar with the W40K Universe will know exactly what's going on, and that's, sadly, exactly what happens.
I was initially intrigued by how the soldiers felt about their states, but their blind duty to the Emperor made them come off as stupid. I couldn't feel sorry for any of them.
This was depressing to read because I bought the omnibus that contains the first three adventures of this Chapter and I don't know if I want to continue. Very disappointing.
August 4, 2011
Good origin story about a hardcore bunch of ass kickin Marines who seemed to recognize the rot that has taken hold of the Empire that they have sworn to protect. However, I think it was pretty obvious that they were being given the gift of Change by Chaos and not the Emporer, so the big reveal kind of fell flat. However, their decision to rebel against Chaos and become warriors of "right" no matter the cost and no matter the fact that they dont have any allies on either side of the war was pretty hot.
December 18, 2014
I'm just going to quote another review (from "Jean-Luc"):
'Sarpedon engages Chapter Master Gorgoleon in an honor duel. During the duel, Sarpedon transforms into a spider centaur and rips Gorgoleon in two. Anyone with even an ounce of sense would realize that the powers of Chaos have hideously mutated Sarpedon, but his reaction is "I have been blessed with great strength by The Emperor!"'
This book is as dumb as this the entire way through. I honestly picked this up because purple is my favorite color & I thought, yes, this is the chapter for me. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
'Sarpedon engages Chapter Master Gorgoleon in an honor duel. During the duel, Sarpedon transforms into a spider centaur and rips Gorgoleon in two. Anyone with even an ounce of sense would realize that the powers of Chaos have hideously mutated Sarpedon, but his reaction is "I have been blessed with great strength by The Emperor!"'
This book is as dumb as this the entire way through. I honestly picked this up because purple is my favorite color & I thought, yes, this is the chapter for me. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2016
I read this many years ago. But the fact that I remember it at all says something good about this book.
The writing is not deep. The story likely holds no interest to people who are not fans of Warhammer 40,000. But I was struck by two things. First, the whole idea of a group of combat veterans who drink their enemy's souls...so effing cool! Second, when the Soul Drinkers do their mojo to better learn of their enemy, the description of what they experience is pretty cool. I thought it was well done.
Overall, a riotously fun book to read if you're into all this silliness, like I am.
The writing is not deep. The story likely holds no interest to people who are not fans of Warhammer 40,000. But I was struck by two things. First, the whole idea of a group of combat veterans who drink their enemy's souls...so effing cool! Second, when the Soul Drinkers do their mojo to better learn of their enemy, the description of what they experience is pretty cool. I thought it was well done.
Overall, a riotously fun book to read if you're into all this silliness, like I am.
May 19, 2010
Not your typical Space Marine novel. Starts slow, but eventually gets interesting. The story of space marines forced into turning their back on the Imperium due to a conflict between duty and administration. They become renegades, but still try to serve the Emperor.
August 11, 2011
This was most likely to be the first book I read from Ben Counter and it did not dissapoint.
I thought it kicked butt the first time I read it and thought the same when I read it again recently.
Two thumbs and two big toes up.
I thought it kicked butt the first time I read it and thought the same when I read it again recently.
Two thumbs and two big toes up.
August 23, 2013
Ben Counter is my favourite author.
Soul Drinker was excellent.
The story flowed really well, the characters were complex and the action was so well described I felt as though I was there, even if I wished I wasn't. The writing is very powerful.
Soul Drinker was excellent.
The story flowed really well, the characters were complex and the action was so well described I felt as though I was there, even if I wished I wasn't. The writing is very powerful.
October 25, 2013
The fact that all the Black Library books have 1 of five plots... perhaps I should say patterns... or theme... whatever you want to call it i'm becoming tired of it, which is sad as I have many more of their books to read...
March 24, 2016
Great 40k space marine action, with the key addition of having a truly unique chapter in a truly unique situation. Loved the antagonist. Enjoyed having mechanicus involved. Great story.
April 30, 2012
It was a good novel, although I thought the transitions between some of the larger time periods (such as when they find Brokenback and when it's operational) was a bit odd.
May 24, 2012
A fair enough first bk in the Soul drinkers chapter. The mutant bit is a bit to absorb at first but the last bk in the Soul drinkers series justfies everything. Worth the
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