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ianbenscotty's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
nooker's review
4.0
Before I get into it, because I'm going to nitpick, I did like this book. I've yet to read a Necromunda, or really any book in the 40k universe that I didn't come away with something that made me glad I read it.
Now this is a Kal Jerico book, so it is bounty hunting, only this time the client is his father, Lord Helmwar, planetary governor of Necromunda.
The target is Kal's insane, blood thirsty brother (it seems that there are about 200 offspring). Through the pursuit we get to see pretty much all aspects of Necromund from the upper spire, to the Underhive, to the Ash Wastes (although that was strangely placed within the hive). We also get to see several houses. Delaque have their usual role of spies and assassins and act as antagonists here. Kal is bounty hunting with Yolanda by this point (partners up with her in the comics), so her Escher Gang the Wildcats play a big part, especially towards the end. We also even get a brief glimpse of a Goliath couple and a general idea of how bad it can be living in the Underhive through them. We see an Van Saar gang, but they get torn up before we really get to know them. Lastly, and perhaps unsurprisingly given where the bounty comes from, there are Spyers, but their execution is strange. Explained (thankfully), but strange.
Now the nitpicking. The authors don't seem to really understand how the hives on Necromunda work. First, the Ash Wastes are outside the hive. This can be overlooked given the shear volume of the hive, perhaps there are wastes within, especially in the lower, more run down levels, but this is not the impression I got when I was reading. Next a leader is described as carrying a heavy plasma gun, something you can't do in the game. Lastly & the thing that bugged me the most, Kal is described as carrying a pair of lasguns. In 40k, lasguns are rifles & in his rules, Kal carries special laspistols that fire like lasguns. Yes the potential for confusion is there, but this is a big part of his character, so it really should be gotten right.
Finally a general criticism of the book. It ends with a massive reset button. There is no growth or addition to any of the characters. You learned that Kal was the son of Lord Helwar and that Yolanda descended from the upper hive in the comics, so nothing new there. He's no better off than he was before, not even briefly. Really, while a fun read, you wouldn't loose anything by skipping it either.
Now this is a Kal Jerico book, so it is bounty hunting, only this time the client is his father, Lord Helmwar, planetary governor of Necromunda.
The target is Kal's insane, blood thirsty brother (it seems that there are about 200 offspring). Through the pursuit we get to see pretty much all aspects of Necromund from the upper spire, to the Underhive, to the Ash Wastes (although that was strangely placed within the hive). We also get to see several houses. Delaque have their usual role of spies and assassins and act as antagonists here. Kal is bounty hunting with Yolanda by this point (partners up with her in the comics), so her Escher Gang the Wildcats play a big part, especially towards the end. We also even get a brief glimpse of a Goliath couple and a general idea of how bad it can be living in the Underhive through them. We see an Van Saar gang, but they get torn up before we really get to know them. Lastly, and perhaps unsurprisingly given where the bounty comes from, there are Spyers, but their execution is strange. Explained (thankfully), but strange.
Now the nitpicking. The authors don't seem to really understand how the hives on Necromunda work. First, the Ash Wastes are outside the hive. This can be overlooked given the shear volume of the hive, perhaps there are wastes within, especially in the lower, more run down levels, but this is not the impression I got when I was reading. Next a leader is described as carrying a heavy plasma gun, something you can't do in the game. Lastly & the thing that bugged me the most, Kal is described as carrying a pair of lasguns. In 40k, lasguns are rifles & in his rules, Kal carries special laspistols that fire like lasguns. Yes the potential for confusion is there, but this is a big part of his character, so it really should be gotten right.
Finally a general criticism of the book. It ends with a massive reset button. There is no growth or addition to any of the characters. You learned that Kal was the son of Lord Helwar and that Yolanda descended from the upper hive in the comics, so nothing new there. He's no better off than he was before, not even briefly. Really, while a fun read, you wouldn't loose anything by skipping it either.
brian's review
4.0
Good sci-fi set in the Necromunda part of the 40K universe.
Takes a more humorous approach to the underbelly of the Imperium, as bounty hunter Kal Jerico has to retrieve secrets that could destroy the ruling house.
Characters are well written, plenty of action keeps it moving along at a good pace.
Takes a more humorous approach to the underbelly of the Imperium, as bounty hunter Kal Jerico has to retrieve secrets that could destroy the ruling house.
Characters are well written, plenty of action keeps it moving along at a good pace.
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