Scan barcode
trackofwords's review
4.0
Andy Chambers’ classic 2005 Necromunda novel Survival Instinct is the story of spire-born noblewoman turned underhive legend D’onne Ulanti, otherwise known as ‘Mad’ Donna. After receiving a message which dredges up ancient history, Donna finds herself on a danger-filled journey that leads ever-deeper into the underhive, and the dark corners of her past.
It’s very much a child of its time, so it’s not particularly sophisticated; the plot is simple but effective, the writing is very readable if not technically outstanding, and the supporting characters aren’t especially well developed…but everything is so well rooted in the setting that it just doesn’t matter. While it’s harsh to call those flaws considering the nature of this book – its objectives at the time were surely to sell Necromunda and tell an entertaining tale – those…characteristics…rather bely the fact that this is actually a pretty well-constructed story. It’s all just great fun – a bit silly, and hardly original, but hugely entertaining all the same.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/01/29/survival-instinct-andy-chambers/
It’s very much a child of its time, so it’s not particularly sophisticated; the plot is simple but effective, the writing is very readable if not technically outstanding, and the supporting characters aren’t especially well developed…but everything is so well rooted in the setting that it just doesn’t matter. While it’s harsh to call those flaws considering the nature of this book – its objectives at the time were surely to sell Necromunda and tell an entertaining tale – those…characteristics…rather bely the fact that this is actually a pretty well-constructed story. It’s all just great fun – a bit silly, and hardly original, but hugely entertaining all the same.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/01/29/survival-instinct-andy-chambers/
nooker's review
5.0
This is really Wicked for the Underhive and since it was published 5 years after Wicked, it really could be an influence. I really didn't like Wicked, couldn't even get though it, as I really don't care for the world of Oz and really just wanted my wicked witch to be wicked & not troubled, but I did like Survival Instinct. I do love all things Necromunda, but didn't really care where Mad Donna came from. Still don't really and can't understand GW's infatuation with people fleeing the spire into the Underhive, but I did like the story here. I did find it weird that there was a ekranoplan on the sump (Google it, it's weird vehicle). The author must have seen a picture of it and just decided that a contraption that weird needed to be in the story. Really good description of The Sump at the end that was practically worth the price of admission alone. Nice to see some of our old standbys of Escher, Delaque, the Goliath Dog Soldiers gang, Pit Slaves and Guiders.
More...