Dan Abnett's debut novel, *First and Only (Gaunt's Ghosts, Book 1)*, showcases his impressive writing talent and launched the acclaimed *Gaunt's Ghosts* series. Abnett skillfully jumps between the present and events roughly 20 years prior to the main storyline. We see Ibram Gaunt's journey from orphan to military cadet, and eventually his promotion to commissar, a political officer within the Imperial Guard. Abnett doesn't reveal Gaunt's entire backstory at once, instead offering key flashbacks ...

DNF at page 149/342 of the Italian edition. Sadly, I couldn't finish Dan Abnett's *First and Only (Gaunt's Ghosts, Book 1)*. This one just didn't click for me, despite hearing great things. So many amazing science fiction and fantasy books out there – sometimes you just have to admit defeat and move on!

So begins my epic re-read of the entire *Gaunt's Ghosts* series before diving into the final installment, *Anarch*. It felt strange returning to the very first novel, *First and Only (Gaunt's Ghosts, Book 1)* by Dan Abnett, which I first read about a decade ago. Re-reading it really highlighted how the series has evolved, with the prose becoming gradually sharper while the novel structures have become less ambitious. Later entries in the series, and honestly most of Abnett's writing, have become...

Imagine Band of Brothers clashing with Star Wars' Dark Siths on the fiery slopes of Lord of the Rings' Mount Doom. That's the kind of epic scale and gritty action you get with Dan Abnett's First and Only (Gaunt's Ghosts, Book 1). If you're looking for a military science fiction book review that pulls no punches, this is it.

Pegas: There isn't a single female character (well, there's a half-crazy seer and a striptease dancer), most of the characters are just sketches and little more (the muscleman, the laconic sniper, the smuggler...). The bad guys (who are, of course, extremely bad) are nothing more than moving targets to shoot at.But despite all that, I have to admit that the novel is fun and the pace is fast-paced: ambushes, hidden dangers, small flashbacks telling the past of some characters, betrayals, fights b...

THE EMPEROR FUCKING PROTECTS. That's it. That's the review for Dan Abnett's *First and Only (Gaunt's Ghosts, Book 1)*. If you know, you know. If you don't, go find out. Seriously, go read one of the best military science fiction books out there. You won't regret diving into the grim darkness of the far future with Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt and the Tanith First-and-Only. Just... the Emperor fucking protects.

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war, as Games Workshop likes to say. Genre: Science Fiction.What it tells us: The adventures of Imperial Commissar Gaunt, one of the few authorized to personally lead a regiment, and his soldiers, the Tanith First-and-Only (also known as Gaunt's Ghosts). *First and Only (Gaunt's Ghosts, Book 1)* takes us back in time to narrate the protagonist's cadet days and later events, while recounting Gaunt and his men's operations in different scenario...

I shouldn't like this series, and everyone I know agrees. But I can't help it! I occasionally dive into military fiction, but never, ever Warhammer. I only dared pick up the first book, First and Only (Gaunt's Ghosts, Book 1) by Dan Abnett, because I heard there was more to it than met the eye (and the covers suggested). Great characters, messed-up storylines, and Gaunt is a total badass. Sometimes it gets a little too complicated for me, probably because I know absolutely nothing about Warhamme...

This was my second time reading *First and Only (Gaunt's Ghosts, Book 1)*. The first time was back in 2007 (one of the first novels I ever read from Black Library), and now I'm revisiting it. Since I hadn't kept up with the rest of the series, I figured I'd wait until all the books were out before diving in. Now that they're all available, it's the perfect time to start reading. This is the first book in a series of 15 novels, plus an anthology. There's also *Double Eagle*, which isn't technica...

Don't let the Warhammer 40k label fool you into thinking this is just mass-produced sci-fi fodder. Dan Abnett has a real knack for this kind of story, and *First and Only* has a lot to offer, even if you're not already immersed in the 40k universe. Think of it as a military science fiction novel with depth.*First and Only* dives right into a major campaign in the Ghosts' history, serving as a solid introduction to the Imperial Guard (or whatever they’re calling them these days) and how the diffe...