Traitor Rock

Cadia #3

by Justin D. Hill

Book 3 of the Cadian series

The second book of the Minka Lesk story arc follows on from the story started in Cadian Honour.

READ IT BECAUSE

The Cadian 101st, led by Minka Lesk, is taking the fight to the traitors on Malouri. Will their faith and pride keep them fighting or will the meat-grinder siege break them down?

DESCRIPTION

Cadia, ten thousand years a stalwart bastion against Chaos, is broken. Its collapse at the hands of Abaddon and the Thirteenth Black Crusade has fractured the Imperium of Man, and in its wake spreads the seeds of heresy, lies, and insurrection. It falls to Cadia’s survivors to fight on, bloodied but unyielding, in the name of the Emperor.

On the world of Malouri, traitorous forces have retreated to the impregnable island fortress of Crannog Mons. After years of stalemate warfare, the task of breaking the siege is given to Minka Lesk and the Cadian 101st, who find themselves fighting a meat-grinder mission that threatens to devour them. In the midst of slaughter, sacrifice, and brutal attrition, a question must be answered: what does it mean to be Cadian in a galaxy without Cadia?

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Novels

387 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 10, 2021

About the author

Justin is a long-time Astra Militarum player with a trophy cabinet of painting and gaming awards. He now leads his Imperial Fists into the hell of the Horus Heresy.

Reviews

[Jordan Stranger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole book was what I would expect from an imperial guard book; lots of action and a great pace! The main character development and supporting characters were well thought out and the end result was satisfying. I recommend this to any Warhammer 40K fan.

[Jacob Bennike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is well written and it’s nice to have Minka in such a strong role, and the focus on her and her unit as well as the writing as military science fiction in the grimdank is great.

What isn’t great is the overall story. It’s about the least interesting book from Black Library that I have ever read, which is a sharp turn considering the previous two in the series.

So it’s well written but really uninteresting.

[Matt Tyrrell-Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found myself frequently immersed in a gritty awful war throughout this. Wonderfully and horribly written.

[Jack Neighbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant Minka lesk book. Second only to gaunts ghosts in terms of guard books I think. I loved the attack on tor kharybdis and it really reminded me of d-day. Also reminded me of necropolis by Dan Abnett.

[Dustin Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing but war, action, and violence. Hard to stomach at times, but that’s exactly what you should expect from a Warhammer 40k book. The scenes and character choices in this book are very analogous to our own military histories which serve as a grim reminder that this isn’t escapism but a commentary of our own brutality. Great read, moving on to the next in the series for sure.

[Darren Hazes · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I finished reading this book, and I was quite pleased. This book fixes my main issue with book 2 of the Cadia series and technically book 1 of the Minka Lesk series, which is that Book 3 is actually much more about Minka Lesk. All the neccesary info for general developments are still given through other characters you have met before like in the previous book, but the overal story is much more about Minka Lesk now. The book holds true to its promise in being a Minka Lesk novel.

That being said, the story might not be the most interesting or refreshing. I went through it quite fast and I enjoyed reading it, but it wasn't anything particularly special. I like how its packaged and I am starting to like the characters, which makes me want to read further. I think when I finished book 2, I was hoping for a bit different main plot/setting as this felt like the writer was staying safe.

Overal the story of book 3 is much less complicated than book 2. It makes for a much easier read and an improvement for the handling of the characters themselves, but not neccesarily an intriguing story. I enjoyed the book and I would recommend it to anyone interested in either Cadia or the Astra Militarum/Imperial Guard. Definately looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Centurion Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable book and what is to be expected from a warhammer 20k novel.

Mr Hill shows his skills in writing a believable, action packed, blood soaked book, full of intrigue and memorable battles.

The authors knowledge of the (as often referred as) "fluff" of the warhammer 40k universe brings its characters to life and throws them into the grim dark without a flashlight.

Hard to put down and as with the previous 2 books in the the cadia series, a fantastic read.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was satisfying. Traitor Rock slowly builds up to the finale of an impossible mission. The introduction and rising action convey the bleakness and madness of an Astra Militarum soldier’s world. It’s eerie and surreal and the reader experiences the broken kaleidoscope of civilization. All the characters have some level of PTSD or have coping mechanisms that keep them functioning. The action is, of course, superb and heart pounding. There’s a little bit of Die Hard suspension of disbelief but it is balanced by the casualty roll. The end gives the reader a feeling of bittersweet empty exhilarating. Oh, and the best passage of the novel is on p. 391 of my electronic copy:

“It was only through the timely intervention of one warrant offi­cer that the blast doors were shut, saving the troops further behind. He himself did not survive, however, and his act of selfless courage went unnoticed, unrecorded and unknown by all whose continued existence relied on it.”

Dry. That’s dry, bare bones you-are-there heroism that is as underrated as it is poignant. Actually, it’s so poignant because it is so understated.

Fantastic work here, Mr. Hill. Hope to read more of HER adventures. How about some maps next time?

:)

[Paul Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great instalment from Justin D Hill. The development of the main characters over the series of books provides the reader with a sense of real investment in the outcome of their journey. As a result each book in the series has been more enjoyable than the last.

[AA_Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series that goes from strength to strength as it follows Lensk’s journey through the ranks.

Like Hill’s previous Cadian novels, this has an extensive cast, offering different perspectives. ‘Realism’ is a rather nebulous concept when it comes to 40k books, but this has the definite plausibility that the best titles have. The action scenes are great, and the dynamics between the characters are really well presented. It’s also refreshing to see an internecine conflict in the wake of the great rift; differences in dogma seem as likely to me to a cause for conflict as the ruinous powers.

Really hoping this series runs and runs.

[Heather Cawte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a visceral, vivid account of the battle for Traitor Rock. A lot of old favourites are involved again, but the real draw of this story is, of course, Minka Lesk. You can’t keep a good Cadian down.

As always, Justin D Hill paints a picture of life in battle which you can see unfolding before your very eyes. He doesn’t just include the gore - he shows us tactics, feuds between leaders, and the mental cost of survival and injury. Absolutely engrossing.

[Benjamin Ho · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are Cadia!!!

When all other regiments shy from the certainly fatal, the Cadians step in with faith and fury! Minka certainly grows a lot through the series but this book really sees her become more and more of who she aspires to be. Great read!

[Sean Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

good and interesting

This book has some excellent bits with some dull moments the end is very good and feels much like a warhammer novel should.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nachdem ich dank einer schlimmen Erkältung einige Tage kaum lesen konnte, hat dieses Buch mich aus der Lese-Frustration geholt. Und zwar mit einem mächtigen Paukenschlag.

Dieses Buch fokussiert sich auf die detailgetreue Darstellung der Schlacht um den Verräterfelsen. Manche Warhammer-Bücher konzentrieren sich auf die Charakterstellung, manche auf die soziokulturellen Einflüsse auf die Gesellschaft. Hier haben wir einen Schlachtplan und dessen atemlose Darstellung.

Ich konnte in dieses Buch eintauchen wie schon lange in keines mehr. Wahrscheinlich hatte ich einfach Entzugserscheinungen, aber auch Hills Schreibstil hat für mich 100% gepasst. Wir tauchen ein in das Kriegserlebnis, was zu diesen Zeit für einige Menschen triggernd sein kann - deshalb rate ich aktuell auch Fans zur Vorsicht.

Für mich war dieses Werk eine Erlösung aus der Abstinenz und ich freue mich enorm darüber, bereits ein weiteres Buch von Justin D. Hill auf der Leseliste zu haben. Hoffentlich sind nun meine Ansprüche nicht zu hoch...

[Colm Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't get enough

I haven't read a bad story from Justin Hill. The Minka Lesk stories are particularly good though. Traitor Rock, well written, action packed, but also looks at the emotional trauma the imperial guard regiments face. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

[Alexander W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought was a great character development and grizzly combat arc, hopefully more of the same in the next journey for minka and co

[SpruceAlmighty · Rating 3 out of 5]

It contained less character evolution than the second book, but the clever action sequences provided some decent enjoyment.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m thoroughly enjoying how this book series has found it’s corner in the Era Indomitus books, individual stories of the Cadians as they find themselves after the Fall of Cadia, exploring an uncaring galaxy where they find themselves going from a lynchpin force to a humiliated and decimated army looking to retain their identity.

There’s no saving the imperium, there’s no foiling a black crusade. In this book we see a boots on the ground grind that surely makes up the vast majority of the conflicts the Guard are deployed into.

I cannot wait for another book in this series, it’s rapidly becoming my favourite.

[René · Rating 2 out of 5]

I‘m a die hard warhammer fan, and even for me getting through this was a chore. Utterly forgettable story, sideplots barely existing and going nowhere, characters you can hardly tell from each other or even care about. There was not a single time I felt engaged by the story, I never really cared about what might happen on the next page. Only giving it two stars because I like the cover image (which contradicts the written description of the main character).

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justin Hill is really finding his groove with Lesk and Benedikt. Great action sequences (even if one scene is essentially the D-Day landings). The enemies are reasonable without being pawns of Chaos. It also shows the Cadians struggle with failure and finality, as there is no more Cadia to draw replacements from. And what is a Cadian to do if they cannot fight?

[William T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cadia Stands!

Great look at the now homeless Cadians as they struggle to maintain their dignity after the fall of the Cadian Gate and the destruction of their planet. They bravely fight for the Emperor, knowing one day the last Cadian will someday fall. All the action and carnage you'd expect from Warhammer 40K.

[catweaseloz · Rating 3 out of 5]

mmm, it was ok

[W. Payne Sillavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book but man the Cadian inflated ego hit hard in this one.

[Jacob Stevenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. Kind of a letdown compared to the second book, was about 100 pages longer than it needed to be. Had its good moments but lacked a lot of what made the second book so interesting.

[SpruceAlmighty2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cadian Honour is still my favorite in the series, but I'm excited with where this is going!

[James Wetherill · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable romp as the Cadians take on all comers, the action was great, the dialogue was great, my only criticism is the novel does become a little bit Las-porn in places, and Minka and her squad do have a fair bit of plot armour throughout.
That being said, the characters are likeable and the action ticks along well.
If you are a fan of Imperial Guard novels as I am, you’ll find a lot to love here