Old Soldiers Never Die

Ciaphas Cain #Novella

by Sandy Mitchell

Inquisitor Amberley Vail opens the Cain Archive once again to present one of the strangest missions from the heroic commissar's storied career. Deployed to the world of Lentonia to police the aftermath of an insurrection, Cain and the Valhallan 597th have to deal with a dangerous disease spreading through the Astra Militarum ranks... an infection that kills its victims and returns them to life as flesh-eating zombies! As the dead rise across Lentonia, Cain and his malodorous aide Jurgen must seek a cure and find the source of the warp-tainted infection before they end up among the ranks of the walking dead themselves.

Read it because
It's a story of Ciaphas Cain vs zombies that was previously only available at Black Library Weekender 2012. Do you need any more reason? Oh, alright then, Cain vs zombies with a series of gorgeous illustrations of key scenes from the story. But mostly, Cain vs zombies.

Genres: Science Fiction, 40k, Fiction, Novella, Fantasy

141 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2012

About the author

Sandy Mitchell is a pseudonym of Alex Stewart, who has been a full-time writer since the mid nineteen eighties. The majority of his work as Sandy has been tie-in fiction for Games Workshop's Warhammer fantasy and Warhammer 40,000 science fiction lines. The exceptions have been a novelisation of episodes from the high tech thriller series Bugs, for which he also worked as a scriptwriter under his own name, some Warhammer roleplaying game material, and a scattering of short stories and magazine articles.

His hobbies include the martial arts of Aikido and Iaido, miniature wargaming, role-playing games, and pottering about on the family allotment.

He lives in the North Essex village of Earls Colne, with his wife Judith and daughter Hester.

Reviews

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cain faces a zombie apocalypse. A refreshing change of pace after all the Tyranids all the time.

[J.P. Harker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun, as ever. Ciaphas Cain is my ultimate comfort read - any time I'm feeling ill or just really drained, old Cai (yes, Divas said I could join him in using the familiar form!) always brings me back up. This one's a short tale (I'm used to the massive omnibus books), but still great fun. I find the best Cain stories are when he's with the 597th, and the supporting cast (and Sulla's memoirs) are always a treat.

[Ricardo Portella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although my 3 star rating, I liked the book very much. The 3 stars are because it is short book for the price charged by Games Workshop (more than $10!). It took me only 1 day to read it.
Being said that, this time Commissar Cain deals with an undead infestation in Lentonia world with the help of his faithful field aidee, Jurgen. A fun book for fans of Commissar Cain.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cain and Jurgen meet up with old comrades and are of course throw into a nasty walking dead situation. Cain must put his safety on the line, much to his disappointment, but with the ever loyal Jurgen he dives head long into trouble. This series has such good dark humor and lots of action. Check it out.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who like a lighter touch on the 40k genre, then the Ciaphas Cain series is perfect for you.

Anyone who wants a small sample before taking on the bigger novels, then this small novella is perfect to get a read on the tones and style that Sandy Mitchell adopts.

Also, if you are already a fan, then you get to read a great addition to the series.

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cain in his usual style. They arrive on planet to find the rebellion pretty much put down, except that soon after complications arise.

[Raymond Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun little novella about one of the lesser known threats of the galaxy.

[Dev S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to enjoy this series a great deal. The characters of the 597th in particular work really well together.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of the Ciaphas Cain Omnibus: Not my favorite Ciaphas Cain tale but it certainly fufills the promise of Cain vs Zombies.

[Luke Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ciaphas Cain and zombies... Definitely a winning combination!

[Adrian Sepulveda · Rating 4 out of 5]

That cultist did NOT stand a chance

[Ulzeta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite fun.

[Bethany Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Ciaphus. The reluctant hero is my absolute favorite. I don't know a bit about Warhammer but by golly I will read every single book about my favourite commissar and his stinky sidekick.

[Stephan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a Ciaphas Cain novella. We know the story.
Cain and his trusty aide are once again thrown into the most dangerous mission imaginable. without actually intending it. And time and again they manage to pull through, elevating his already overblown reputation even further.
But you know what? It works!

I still find the "cowardly" commissar fun and interesting. I still enjoy all the footnotes and the authors hilarious take on the otherwise extremely grimdark Warhammer 40K universe (ok, still very grimdark, just with a big pinch of dark humour added).

This is a shorter story where Cain and the Valhallans 597th face of against a world wide zombie infestation. there's not too much combat in it, but more politics and dungeon sneaking. We know that the commissar is a very competent fighter and it pains me that he manages to avoid the fighting as much as he does this time. (although I hardly think a certain commissar shares that view)
Still a good, fast paced and funny read.

[Karen Capelin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great short story, NOT worth the asking price

I love the whole series and have them all. Saw this one and added it, expecting a full on story. I got a short story. I don't know what is going on with Kindle prices, but this is a joke.