Sabbat Martyr

Gaunt's Ghosts #7

by Dan Abnett

Science fiction novel set in Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 universe.

Genres: Science Fiction, 40k, Fiction, Fantasy, Audiobook, Military Science Fiction, Military Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Simon Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy this was a great read. This book really sums up the difference between reading books in isolation and reading them as part of a long series. On its own, Sabbat Martyr is a solid 40k novel, actually overcoming the longstanding problem the series has with a lack of mid-level antagonists. It has its problems for sure - the ending still comes a bit too soon, and the resolution is a bit of a deus ex machina.

But the reason I have to give the book 5 stars is because of its place in the series, and how it draws multiple threads to completion. I won't give spoilers, but the last third or so of this book makes the whole Saint arc of the series wonderfully complete. Frankly, the book made me feel. Which is so rare for anything from the Black Library - I openly hollered and giggled with joy at Mkoll's little adventure, I genuinely nearly wept at [redacted], and the couple of threads foreshadowing the very end of the book really tugged on my heartstrings, knowing the final outcome.

This book has stuck in my mind since I first read it, and it was even better on a re-read. It's tied with Necropolis for my favourite book in the series thus far, though for very different reasons. Necropolis is a masterful military sci-fi novel in isolation, while Sabbat Martyr is the perfect close to an arc of a larger story. It's worth reading the arc just to get to this novel.

And, as always, feth you Lijah Cuu. So, so hard.

[Olethros · Rating 3 out of 5]

-Remate a la línea argumental, pero una que dejará distintas clases de huellas.-

Género. Ciencia ficción.

Lo que nos cuenta. En el libro Santa Sabbat Martir (publicación original: Sabbat Martyr, 2003) y tras dieciocho años de Cruzada en los Mundos de Sabbat, el coronel-comisario Gaunt y sus hombres son desplegados en el planeta Herodor, donde hay rumures de que la Santa se ha reencarnado. Sea cierto o no, la información también ha llegado a los líderes del Caos en ese sector del espacio y se toma la decisión intensificar su ataque en la zona pero, además, la de mandar un grupo de asesinos letales con la única misión de acabar con ella. Séptimo libro de la serie Los Fantasmas de Gaunt.

¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

https://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com...

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abnett wraps up the 'Saint' story arc he began with Honour Guard with aplomb and it also serves to set the stage for the rest of the on-going series. With Honour Guard Abnett introduced Saint Sabbat, who, some 6 thousand years prior, helped clear out the forces of Chaos from what became known as the Sabbat Worlds. In the last few installments, several of the main Ghost characters have strange and bizarre experiences- messages from the Saint herself? Abnett leaves the door open here for the reader's interpretations.

Sabbat Martyr starts with Gaunt's Ghosts landing on a remote world far from the main lines of battle the Crusade wages. Turns out the supposed reincarnation of Saint Sabbat there asked for the Ghosts specifically, as they served as her Honour Guard several deployments back. The Vox is alive with the news of Saint Sabbat; huge morale booster for the Imperium but the forces of Chaos see an evil opportunity. While thousands of pilgrims flock to the planet (an ancient shrine to Sabbat due to some miracle hot springs she once used), Chaos sends a fleet and some of their most notorious killers...

Fine way to end the series for sure! Some old faces show up such as the Lord General from Honour Guard, the one that tried to pin his failure on Gaunt, but the focus resides with the various Ghosts developed along the way. Lots of action when things heat up and Abnett does some kickass action sequences to be sure, but also more emotional as well, as several Ghosts engage in some serious introspection while others struggle with the Saint's 'messages'. Like most of the books in this series, the ending comes quick, maybe too quick, but overall, super. 4 saintly stars!!

[Andrew Ziegler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final installment in the Saint series, Sabbat Martyr is not to be confused with the final installment of the Founding series which also ended in a bitter fight to defend a hopelessly overwhelmed city.

One hand gives and the other takes away, is from a quote from Warmaster Slaydo at the beginning of one of Abnett's chapters in this book, and oh boy it is never more true in Sabbat Martry. With every good thing given to you, two horrible things happen in its place.

Throughout the Gaunt's Ghosts series I have credited Abnett with creating a cadre of characters that I very suddenly cared very deeply about. And really only when they were hurt or killed off would I realize how well he had written them. It is really the best credit I can give to this author.

Abnett has reached into the fictional, sprawling universe of a table top war game and snatched out of it some fantastic stories, anchored a few solid and beloved characters. For doing so he will remained on my must read authors list for the foreseeable future.

[Iri · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOTE: Jestli v knize uvidíte nějaké nové jméno, pak máte 99% jistotu, že za pár stránek už o něm nikdy neuslyšíte...

Tohle vypadalo jako naprostá ždímačka všeho, co autor svede. Všech jeho jazykových, dějově architektonických a akčních schopností, které měl pak před čtenářem rozvěsit jako kusy schnoucího prádla na šňůře. Třeba to měl být konec jedné ságy světa WH40k. Protože takový masakr a naprosto grandiózně zakončované kapitoly... Si asi šetřil těch několik nemastných, neslaných přípravných dílů, aby to v tomhle pořádně rozjel. Jinak si to vysvětlit nedovedu.

Jdu brečet u kakaa. A třeba se uklidním. Ale třeba taky ne. Protože jestli tohle nebyl zlom v dějové lince, pak už fakt nevím, čeho je Abnett schopný.

NOTE2: Nesnáším inkvizici.

[Hipster-Noon · Rating 3 out of 5]

När ska stackars Dan lära sig att skriva färdiga slut? 😂😭😭 3 karaktärer skrivs ut ur historien på typ 2 sidor!

Vad hände nu i denna då?
Sabbat har återvänt, kinda. Det är lite fram och tillbaka med det där. Lika mycket strider som i de andra böckerna.
Kolea återfår sitt minne och Tona Criid ser *efter* det bilder på hans barn (som ju är hennes nu). De pratar ffa inte om det.
Cuu's avslut kunde lätt varit mer tillfredsställande -.- Agun Soric blir påkommen som psyker och Colm Corbec dör (minns inte hur hehe).
De dödar en viktig chaos-person (Enok Innokenti), med hjälp av Sabbat.

[Gordon Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gaunt's Ghosts continue to bring their boots and (laser) rifles brand of warfare to a Daemon, alien and superhuman- infested galaxy. As ever dipping into a Ghosts novel, by now well established for gritty realism (relatively speaking), long-suffering soldiers, and willingness to kill off prominent characters, is a welcome change of pace from the colourful sensationalism found in most tales of the 41st millennium.

While sticking to familiar strengths, Abnett is confident enough to explore different themes in individual novels. While a previous entry in the series focussed on courtroom drama, this one ramps up questions of propoganda and faith as Gaunt deals with politicking generals and unexpected figureheads.

A strong pace, very easy to absorb, with detestable villains and loveable, flawed heroes.

[Mario Acanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope not a lot of readers accuse the writer of this novel, Mr Abnett of slow pacing of his story. If anything, for my preference, the pacing of this novel was sometimes frenetic. In my mind there are a few scenes that I feel I could have savoured even more if they were a bit lengthier. But dont confuse this for a negative review I highly enjoyed my reading experience and my brain is doing that interesting thing we tend to do when a work of art is experienced and you hyperfocus on a slight flaw when all else is so enjoyable. The religion angle of the saga that this novel caps off was surprising at first but refreshing ultimately. I guess since the focus is slightly tweaked the military aspects are a little more downplayed than usual but still fairly prominent and enjoyable I just mean in comparison to the other entries in the series. I think its likely that if you have read this far in the series this novel wont dissapoint. You already know you like this style.

[Edoardo Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been writing hard these past couple of months and nothing goes better with nose to the keyboard red eye than a good dose of blood and carnage in the 40th millennium. And no one does this better than Dan the Man. How he manages to spin the variations on death in the way he does I regard as nothing less than miraculous - which is also a theme to Sabbat Martyr in particular. It's an aspect of the Warhammer 40k universe that I particularly enjoy: who would expect a tabletop battlegame to take seriously mankind's oldest and deepest impulses in a way that few other explorers of the future do (Star Trek and Dr Who, I'm looking at you). Marvellous. Thank you, Mr Abnett - and would you mind finishing off the Bequin trilogy and completing the Sabbat Worlds crusade? Please don't go George R.R. Martin on us!

[Sean McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an awesome series. This book leads into the more spiritual and supernatural aspect of the whole collection, which is a nice addition because we have characters like Soric and Sabbat Beati who lend a meaningful gravity to the, thus far, gritty war dramas. The stories have been building, much more from the short stories which made up the first and second books in the series. The characters come to life in a unique way, which is no small task considering how many characters there are in the series. Plus in each successive story Abnett takes one from us, giving the series anxiety, because you know that there will be someone to die.
There is quite a bit of closure here as well. I'm excited to see where the story goes in the future.

[Hayden Reeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing, I couldn’t put it down and it left me wanting more. I haven’t had a book that made me feel such an attachment to the characters as I do to these in a very long time. Dan Abnett it a master in his craft.

Feth you lijah cuu

[Dan Mennell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know you’re probably going to see this, Dad. You should go and get the first book in the series and start now!

[Jack Neighbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another phenomenal read. Ending broke my heart. Dan Abnett is brilliant again!

[Ren the Unclean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gaunt Seven.

This book is heavy on the religious aspects of the 40k universe, which is pretty interesting. It covers the Ghosts being deployed to a world that is under attack from the forces of Chaos because Saint Sabbat (a sort of legendary warrior hero) has supposedly appeared there. It picks up where Honor Guard leaves off in exploring the fanatical side of the Empire.

The story in this book has sort of an "everything is f'd" feel to it. You never really feel like success of any kind is an option for the Ghosts. Abnett is good at making their struggles seem realistic and Sabbat Martyr is a good example of this.

One of the cooler aspects of this book is the introduction of assassins sent to kill the Sabbat that the ghosts end up having to deal with in ways that showcase their strengths. The assassins come from 40k factions other than the Chaos Marines, which is a cool addition and are introduced in a scene not unlike the introduction of the bounty hunters in Star Wars.

Overall, a solid addition to this series that I really enjoyed.

[Calyx · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS SUPERB, in a long time a haven't read such a complete work, it had everything, all the points of view i wanted, were covered, all the strings of emotions were touched, maybe pacing was a bot odd in some parts, but that can be overlooked. in my opinion this is one of the best works by Dan Abnett I have ever read.

[Razael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Abnet at his best

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn. Heartbreaking. You always know you're in for a rough time with this series but this one is just heartbreaking.

[Mirror Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friend. Brother. Ghost. There will always be Ghosts.

[Adam Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

AD 40,773. The Crusade hangs by a thread. Warmaster Macaroth's main forces are bogged down in a devastating conflict on the fortress world of Morlond, exposing the Khan system on his flank to a decisive Chaos counter-offensive. If successful, this offensive will destroy Macaroth's line of supply and surround him. Gaunt and the Tanith First and Only are hastily redeployed to Herodor, second world of the Khan system, to meet the renewed Chaos thrust. On Herodor Gaunt is confronted by nothing less than a miracle, a turn of fate which could save the Crusade from disaster: the apparent reincarnation of Saint Sabbat herself. But this turn of events is timely and convenient, maybe too convenient...

In Sabbat Martyr a number of storylines that Abnett set in motion as far back as Honour Guard climax. In that earlier novel we learned a lot more about the religious basis of the Crusade and Gaunt's own spirituality and religious conviction, something that comes full circle here when Gaunt's faith is by turns battered and reinforced. That book also marked the beginning of various sub-plots involving Ghosts such as Larkin, Cuu, Milo, Kolea and Soric which reach their conclusions in this volume, giving the book a more epic and decisive feel than some of the more recent volumes. If Gaunt's Ghosts ever became a TV series, this would be the big season finale.

Abnett mostly does a good job of juggling various long-standing plotlines with the book's own internal story, the battle for the city of Civitas Beati. In keeping with the recent trend to give each battle its own distinctive shape and atmosphere, Abnett deliberately makes Civitas Beati a wide-open, near-indefensible position to contrast to the earlier city fighting in Necropolis, which took place in a formidable and near-impregnable fortress-city. Here the fighting is believably chaotic and confused.


This book is also notable for giving us a deeper look at the inner ranks of the enemy. Whilst previous books have briefly featured the various Chaos warlords, their minions and their reactions to the Ghosts' activities, this is the first one where they have a reasonable amount of page-time, with particular attention focused on the nine assassins and their various battles with members of the Ghosts. Whilst a nice idea, it is a little bit undersold in this book. There's simply way too much going on to properly introduce nine badass assassins, give them all a decent level of description and background and then set them against the Ghosts in various engagements in the 250-odd page count. As such this storyline is unfortunately rushed.

More satisfying are the resolutions to long-standing storylines. The enemy within the Ghosts is finally flushed out, other characters reach their destinies and we have the biggest and most shocking death in the series to date. This book feels like the end of an era in the series, with the book's ending setting up an apparent new and bloodier phase of the war.

Sabbat Martyr (****) brings the 'Saint' arc to an enjoyable conclusion and ensures that things will never be the same again for Gaunt and his troops. The book is available now as part of The Saint omnibus in both the UK and USA.

[Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of this book was fantastic and if it had followed through with what the beginning set up it would be the easiest five stars I’ve ever given a book. The book was a terrific read, but it unfortunately saved the plot line the beginning set up for about the last 50 pages of the book.

The story arc of the 9 assassins sent to kill the saint was the most interesting thing this story had going in my opinion and it could’ve filled the whole book. Each assassin had a small section to showcase their skills, some outshining others, but Pater Sin and his children along with the “killing machine” had some of the best sections of the bunch. The pure mayhem of the killing machine at the end was so good.

BUT, even with every assassin having some small piece of the story to showcase their deadliness, it was still such a small part of the book. If even half the book read like the last 50 pages, it’d be close to my favorite book from Abnett, but as it stands, it’s still one of the better books in the Gaunt’s Ghosts saga, just not as good as it could’ve been for me.

Most memorable scene, "She's looking at me":

From Chapter 5, "Triumps and Miracles", Sabbat Martyr, pg. 64-65

"Raglon turned and looked towards the centre of the plaza. 'I can't believe this, sir,' he said. 'I mean... she's here. Really here.'
'Yes, she is, Rags,' he said. 'She really is. Enjoy this moment. They don't come often in our walk of life.'
Gaunt looked at the Saint as Raglon pulled away, laughing. She seemed to be staring directly at
him.

'I'm happy and all, but I wish she'd stop doing that'
'Doing what?' asked Feygor, raising his voice to be heard over the din.
'Looking at me like that,' replied Rawne. Third platoon were in the crowd on the far side of the plaza from Gaunt. 'She won't stop looking at me.'
'It's me she's looking at,' Feygor said. 'Not you. Why would she look at you?'
'Well, I don't know...' Rawne said, rolling his eyes.
'I do,' said Banda. The major's sex on legs, real catnip for us womenfolk.'
Feygor laughed. Rawne looked at Banda with disdain.
'But I hate to disappoint you,' Banda continued. 'Her holiness the Beati is actually looking at me.'
....
'It is a good day,' said Gol Kolea quietly.
'Yes, Gol, it is,' Criid replied. She patted him on the arm. Around them, the crowd was going mad with chants. The Beati was a distant figure at the heart of the packed
square.
'A good day,' Kolea repeated. 'She looks at me and sees me and sees I'm happy that it's a good day.'
'Who does, Gol?'
'The sainty-woman.'
'Uh huh.'
....
'See her?'
'Of course I do.'
'Then be thankful,' said Colm Corbec, 'your little nightmare was just that... a little nightmare There she is. Alive and well and... saintly.'
Milo nodded. Yes, I suppose so. She's amazing. She seems to be looking right at me.'
'At you? At me, more like. Right at me.'
Milo smiled. 'Believe what you want, colonel.'
'I believe I will.'
'That she's looking at you?' scoffed Mkoll dryly. 'I think she's certainly looking at me'
The vast crowd around them suddenly sent up a booming cheer and the Ghosts in their midst joined in.
'Me, definitely,' murmured Mkoll."

Honorable mentions of memorable scenes:

The end of the chapter “Unholy night” where the Tanith Ghosts react to the death of a major figure, and the scene where the mandrake assassin is hunted by Mkoll.

[Unseen Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating of 4.75.

In addition to my review for Straight Silver, I also present a review for the impressive and epic seventh novel in Dan Abnett’s Gaunt’s Ghosts series, Sabbat Martyr. This was an outstanding and fantastic addition that perfectly followed on from some of the previous books in the series, including Necropolis, Honour Guard and The Guns of Tanith, while also throwing the beloved protagonists into all manner of trouble.

It is a time of miracles in the Imperium of Man. As Warmaster Macaroth continues his extensive and exhaustive Sabbat World Crusade, the forces of the Imperium are stretched like never before. However, word has reached the ears of all the faithful in the Sabbat Worlds that the legendary Saint Sabbat has reincarnated on the isolated and pious world of Herodor. There, in Civitas Beati, a holy city dedicated to her, the reborn Saint awaits the faithful, the pilgrims, and the mighty warriors of the Imperium.

Amongst those summoned to Herodor are the battle tested and weary soldiers of the Tanith First-and-Only, better known as Gaunt’s Ghosts. Thanks to their previous victories, as well as their involvement in miracles associated with the Saint, the Ghosts and their leader, Colonel-Commissar Gaunt, have been personally chosen by Sabbat to be her honour guard. However, nothing on Herodor is as it seems, and Gaunt finds himself drawn into deceptive military politics and the manipulated beliefs of the city. Worse, the forces of the Emperor of Mankind aren’t the only ones who have heard the call of the new Saint.

As Gaunt attempts to establish order in the city, an unstoppable danger appears on the horizon in the form of the infamous followers of Chaos, the Blood Pact. Lead by the terrible Chaos warlord, Enok Innokenti, the invading forces of Chaos have one mission: find and kill the reborn Saint, and, by doing so, rob the Imperium of hope. Desperately outnumbered and faced with impossible odds, Gaunt and his ghosts will need to do all they can to save the Saint and the city. However, the dread Innokenti will have the Saint’s head by any means necessary and has sent nine deadly and corrupt killers to ensure this happens. Can Gaunt and the Tanith First-and-Only pull off a miracle in the name of their blessed saint, or is this their final battle?

Abnett pumps up the feels and brings together some amazing storylines in this seventh excellent Gaunt’s Ghosts book. An action-packed and highly intense read, Sabbat Martyr was another exceptional read, and one that I absolutely powered through thanks to its addictive and powerful story.

To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/04/26/...

For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/

[Jiří Pavlovský · Rating 3 out of 5]

Po Abnettově Warhammeru sáhl jen abych měl malou knížku na cestu... a nějak se mi to vymklo z rukou. Už jsem u sedmého dílu a zdá se, že už tu sérii asi dočtu. Jasně, je to akční béčko, ale je to správně nařvané akční béčko. Úvodní scéna z Vojína Ryana a bojová scéna z Hacksaw Ridge spojené dohromady a posunuté do daleké budoucnosti, kde neexistuje nic jiného než válka. Abnett dokáže psát dostatečně svižně a přitom monumentálně, že mu čten��ř (tedy aspoň já) odpustí, že to, co se tam připravuje celou knihu, příchod monstrózní devítky, je nakonec bleskově vyřešeno na deseti stránkách. Čekal jsem, že se kolem toho bude kniha víc točit, ale ne, je to klasická obrovská bitva v ulicích města, plus je tu větší důraz na náboženství. Aby taky ne, když se vrací jedna svatá (samozřejmě, svatá bojovnice, žádné ořezávátko). Postavy jsou tady opravdu jen načrtnuté, čistě jako předměty, které jsou tu od toho, aby držely zbraně a stříkala z nich krev. Ale stačí to.
Říkal jsem si, že by byl zajímavý Warhammer jako film, taková Třístovka v daleké budoucnosti, ale jak to udělat, aby to pro mladší diváky nebylo příliš brutální a pro starší příliš naivní a navíc až přepáleně pravicové? V dnešní době hrdinských teenage rebelů a bojovníků proti systému dát skupinu těžkooděnců, kteří fanaticky slouží císaři?
Asi je lepší, že to zůstává jako kniha.

[Станислав · Rating 4 out of 5]

Абнетт показывает за что его считают одним из лучших авторов Black Library. В стратегическом отношении это не очень интересная битва: безнадёжная защита Города-Улья, теперь с Живой Святой внутри. Немного разнообразит повествование описание пустотного боя Имперского Флота, который опять всё проиграл. Как-то неприятно, что-то не вижу книг про Флот. Интересней наблюдать, что теперь вместо безликого (они вообще в масках) войска у нас теперь есть хаоситские лидеры. И. что самое интересное, команда по ликвидации Саббат из 9 оригинальных ассасинов. Что придаёт интриги и заставляет гадать кто из убийц кто и с кем из Призраков они вступят в бой. Хаосу явно не хватает персонажей, здесь немного разнообразит. Жаль их всех убили. Вру, не жаль. Честно говоря я думал, что Мандрагора застрелит Ларкин, а не МкКолл, он и так грохнул хаоситский дреднаут с помощью батарейки. А вот чокнуты Ларкс - это как раз кандидат для отстрела невидимого мандрагора. Зато Куу наконец избавил Призраков от своего смрадного присутствия. И с Патером Грехом покончили. Закрылись многие счёты из "Honour Guard". С интересом буду читать продолжение истории Танитского Первого и Единственного.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabbat Martyr, as I mentioned in my review of Straight Silver, was always a favorite and I can still see why. The pacing struggles in a few places (Mostly to give us extra point of views for the enemy characters, who are all interesting so it's not a big deal) but it's still a strong story with some terrifying battles, thrilling action (and a bit of horror!) and an excellent end to The Saint arc.

Some spoilery thoughts: As sad as Bragg's death is, Colm's is a real gut punch for me. I remembered going into this that he would die at some point in this series, but I honestly forgot it was at this point and my heart sank the moment it is revealed that he perished at the hands of Cuu (who is finally dead). Soric's departure onto the Black Ships is equally heart wrenching and his final message picked up by Hark underscores how sad the ending is despite the great victory on Herodor. The final scenes are handled really well, however, and are a very fine send off for Colm...for now.

[Heinz Reinhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

No need to further add to the enormous list of reviews for this except in brief.
This is a story about faith, as are a majority of Warhammer tales. And it revolves heavily around divine power, sainthood, and sacrifice. All of them themes familiar to Warhammer readers, and themes bear abd dear to an Orthodox Christian such as myself.
As usual, Dan has written a visceral, emotional and heartfelt tale of men and women immersed in desperate warfare. He utilizes sound tactics for both the good guys and the forces of Chaos, and he takes the reader on a brilliant emotional roller coaster. Out of all the Ghost's books, This one is hands down my favorite.
It also features one of the most satisfying death scenes of a right bastard in all of fiction. And a truly heart wrenching loss of a beloved character who cannot be replaced.
Could not possibly recommend higher.
A great read.
Thank you Dan.

[Sean Goh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gaunt's Ghosts and the last crusade. Sent to protect the reincarnation(?) of Saint Sabbat on Herodor, armed with cryptic warnings and nebulous visions, the Ghosts have to defend yet another Imperial world with arbitrary hobbling customs (in this case, flamer ban because flame is the right of the officer corps to wield) from the forces of Chaos. Abnett has a way of making his climatic scenes abrupt and understated. Characters live and die with the briefest of exposition, and in a way this serves to underscore the point that the Ghosts, being a painfully small regiment of 2000 odd dispossessed men and women, will never amount to anything more than a footnote in Imperial history, as every opening prologue so callously demonstrates.
Even 17(?) platoon's last stand outside the closed gates of the main hive are noted to be witihout witness. Still, a great ride and conclusion to the second arc of the series.

[Hellii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikdy jsem neměl po přečtení knihy chuť lehnout na zem, koukat do stropu a přemýšlet čeho jsem to byl světlem. A zde jsem měl tyto pocítí po dokončení každé kapitoly.
To se umocní v poslední čtvrtině knihy kdy se naplno projeví "devítka" se svým specifickými stylem boje a zvrhlými choutkami.
Samozřejmě jsem nepochyboval, že budou poražení, ale dychtil jsem po chvíli kdy toho elitní Duchové docílí.
Ale abych nebyl pouze dramatický, tak mě některé pasáže velmi pobavily.

Teď mě omluvte. Jdu si lehnout na zem a přemýšlet jelikož to byla jízda.

Nejsem moc velký čtenář a jsem rád, že jsem zedy vytrval a dostal se až k tomuto titulu. I když předchozí knihy byly úžasné, tak zde tomu Abnett nasadil korunu.
Takže dávám pět amatérských hvězdiček :-D

[Bernd Velling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first part of my review has no spoilers.
Reading this book a second time after listening to the preceding three books just showed how many threads got finished in the end.
Some people say the book is too fast paced. I disagree. I think it runs perfectly smooth.
As opposed to Necropolis (book3) you won’t have a long siege when you are outnumbered beyond measure and have no defenses prepared hence the pace with which the battle rages.
Side note on the audiobooks : Toby Longworth as narrator- fantastic!
Get ready to meet old foes and new villains that go up against the Ghosts !
Next to Necropolis one of the best books in the series!

SPOiLERS

If you don’t want to know don’t go on









RIP Colm Corbec you will be missed.
Good riddance Cuu may your bones rot in Hell.
Good bye Agun Soric may the Emperor look after you on your further path.
And finally good luck on your journey Brin Milo !

The last two are a little cryptic I know 😬😉

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Dan Abnett’s Sabbat Martyr is a tale of war told on a scale both intimate and immense, where the courage of a few Guardsmen collides with the destiny of an entire Crusade. It is a novel that captures the raw immediacy of trench fighting and the soaring spectacle of saints and starships, binding together the blood of the common soldier with the fire of myth. From its first pages the story hurls the reader into danger, daring, and revelation, where every skirmish and every sacrifice reverberates far beyond the ruins of a single world.

The stage itself is Herodor, a shrine world whose very soil breathes reverence. Its cathedral spires stretch into the heavens, reliquaries glitter with relics of saints, and pilgrim routes weave like arteries across its surface. To hold Herodor is to hold faith itself; to lose it is to let the Crusade collapse into despair. And into this sacred theatre of war come the Ghosts, rifles in hand, cloaks on their backs, already ghosts of a lost homeworld yet unwilling to surrender.

The action begins with a crescendo of daring-do. Chaos descends, not with subtle infiltration but with crushing force — fleets in the void, cults in the streets, heretics whispering in the dark corners of holy places. The Ghosts are plunged into relentless, pulse-pounding combat: desperate last stands in reliquary vaults, knife-edge ambushes in echoing cloisters, skirmishes that turn pilgrim processions into blood-soaked choke points. And then comes the miracle: the return of Saint Sabbat, radiant and enigmatic, walking in the flesh among mortal soldiers. Is she divine? A psyker? An illusion given form by faith? Abnett never answers cleanly, and therein lies the power — she is both mystery and inspiration, an impossible beacon burning against the opposition.

On the ground, characters collide with destiny. Gaunt, ever the soldier, finds his pragmatism cracking beneath the weight of miracles. Rawne seethes and snarls but shows feral courage that mirrors the reckless frigate commander fighting above. Mkoll glides through shadows with the same measured caution as the scarred Navy captain manoeuvring his cruiser, each a figure of patience until decisive violence is unleashed. Larkin, twitchy and haunted, steadies with impossible precision, his role echoed by the calm carrier commander who keeps supply lines intact, unglamorous yet indispensable. Even the dead are present — Corbec’s absence bleeds across the regiment, his memory a wound that deepens every bond and every loss.

Above Herodor, the void is alive with fire. Imperial Navy warships form a burning crown around the world, each one a steel cathedral armed with fury. The flagship’s captain, grim and unyielding, mirrors Gaunt’s own burden: a man holding the line because he must, not because he believes it can last forever. Escort frigates dart through the void — some commanded with daring recklessness, others with a scarred veteran’s restraint — while the vast carrier maintains the lifeline of men and munitions to the surface. Their battles are not abstract, but desperate, human dramas where every order risks thousands of lives and every broadside becomes a hymn of survival.

The Chaos fleet is a nightmare in steel and corruption. Ships twisted into living altars roar with blasphemous power, their captains mad priests of destruction. One toys with Imperial frigates like a predator, drawing them into traps before annihilating them with sadistic glee. Another, his voice static and inhuman, commands a ship that bleeds light, its engines shrieking with daemonic agony. These void-duels are not just tactical but theological: Imperial discipline and sacrifice against Chaos perversion and cruelty, order against the abyss.

The beauty of Abnett’s design is the symmetry between ground and void. The Navy holds the heavens while the Ghosts hold the streets; every ship destroyed above is felt as sharply as every Guardsman who falls below. The thunder of broadsides echoes the staccato of lasfire; deck crews whisper litanies to machine-spirits as infantry murmur prayers before charging barricades. The two wars are mirrors, two movements of the same desperate symphony, each note struck in defiance of despair.
And through it all walks Saint Sabbat. She is no general, no commander, but her presence transforms men into legends. The Ghosts, who once were outcasts, become the Emperor’s chosen by proximity to her miracle. Faith and firepower fuse, and Herodor becomes not just a battlefield but a stage for destiny.

By the climax, Sabbat Martyr is no longer a war novel but an opera of sacrifice and revelation. It is ships burning in the void while saints stride through the rubble, captains and commissars bound together by duty and defiance, the fate of the Crusade decided not by abstract strategy but by the courage of individuals. Abnett orchestrates it all with cinematic sweep and intimate detail, leaving the reader with the sense not just of having read a novel, but of having lived through a legend.

Dan Abnett’s Sabbat Martyr is a tale of war told on a scale both intimate and immense, where the courage of a few Guardsmen collides with the destiny of an entire Crusade. It is a novel that captures the raw immediacy of trench fighting and the soaring spectacle of saints and starships, binding together the blood of the common soldier with the fire of myth. From its first pages the story hurls the reader into danger, daring, and revelation, where every skirmish and every sacrifice reverberates far beyond the ruins of a single world.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of what Gaunt's Ghosts does well, I like that this felt like the conclusion to the Martyr arc that Abnett has been really building up.

There are some pretty major shifts in the core ghosts, both with character development and of course deaths.

I felt like there was a lot of build-up, with the conclusion coming rapidly together, to the point that some of the enemies that were built up got handled so quickly. I do like that it creates space for the ghosts to really shine in their different strengths.