First and Only (Gaunt's Ghosts) - Dan Abnett

Advantages: good characters, gripping action, non-offensive swearing
Disadvantages: probably too gritty and grim for some

Having read the first 7 books in the ongoing Gaunt's Ghosts series by Dan Abnett in the last few months, I feel I'm as qualified as anyone to write a review of the series. I'll try to keep it general and not reveal too much about the storylines, which actually serves me quite well since I don't have the books in front of me, so I'll be working from memory! WARHAMMER 40,000 The Gaunt's Ghosts series is set in the universe of Games Workshops Warhammer ...
...the series. THE TANITH FIRST AND ONLY The Tanith First Regiment are know as the "First and Only" as there is only one regiment of them and there can never be another since the planet Tanith no longer exists! Tanith was a lush temperate forest world on which the main industry and off world trade was in wood, namely Nalwood. Nalwood trees are pretty much like giant Redwoods, however they have a very unique trait in that they are able to uproot themselves ... Read review

Advantages: Abnett's incredible grasp of action (and atmosphere for some).
Disadvantages: Many, many characters means stereotypes are common with little development. Dark atmosphere.

...pleasure of reading only the first eight books and will try to give a sense of understanding for all the novels in this one review. I first began reading these books when I was in my early teens with very little experience of the wider genre of speculative fiction. It was at this time that I had dieted on nothing but books of Black Black publishing, from which I believed and still believe that the prolific Dan Abnett is their flagship author. The ...
...to mould three of the first regiments ever on a heavily forested, lonesome planet named Tanith. Due to the strategies of a new Warmaster, (a supremely powerful commander of a massive Naval and army/Guard task force), Tanith is destroyed by a splinter fleet of Chaos warships. Chaos is a universal evil and the antithesis of the tyrannically ruled Imperium, which in spite of it's Dune-like attitude to technology and it's, generally, thoughtlessly cruel ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent combat sections, detailed characters, brilliant settings.
Disadvantages: I can't think of much for this box!

...Warhammer, though it does help. First and Only is the first in he series. It introduces us to a range of characters, foremost being Ibram Gaunt, Colonel Commisar, and newly instated CO of the unruly Tanith. Personally, i think the Tanith are modelled on the Scottish because of the 'sing-song accent', and the blue war paint they wear. We also meet the core of the Ghosts. These are Corbec, Mad Larkin, Rawne, Feygor, 'Try Again' Bragg, Mkoll, Mkenner, ...
...the first 3 books in series you will feel like old freinds with these characters. Each develops a personality, though i won't ruin it by explaining each of them. The novels have a zesty pace once they meet combat, and Dan Abnett is the master of combat novels. Warfare is described so intensely you feel like you ARE there. There is enough politics and rest time to allow repites from combat passages, but not too much. The books always maintain pace. ... Read review