Honour Guard by Dan Abnett definitely didn't feature as much combat as the previous entry, but it was almost entirely focused on tanks. In fact, there was more written about the tanks than the actual plot or the central twist, which, much like the climax of the entire story, only appeared in the final ten pages. I’m still giving this military sci-fi read four stars, though, because the scenes featuring the secondary characters were genuinely interesting, emotional, and exciting.

Another stellar entry in the Gaunt’s Ghosts series. After the losses and the toll the unit has taken to date—especially following the victory on Vervunhive—the Ghosts were bolstered by many survivors from the hive, and yes, there is plenty of friction surrounding that integration. Several months have passed, however, and it is time for a new battle. At first, it seems like a milk run: a Shrine world, Sabbat no less, the home of Saint Sabbat, has been infested by Chaos. The mission? Smoke them ou...

Honour Guard by Dan Abnett could have used fewer tank battles and standard skirmishes, and a lot more 'Chaos madness. Fething Chaos madness.' The ending felt like a bit of a deus ex machina, making it the weakest entry in the Gaunt’s Ghosts series I’ve picked up so far. That said, it’s still Gaunt’s Ghosts, so it remains a very solid read. Plus, I have to say, I really liked the giant tortoises. If you're looking for a gripping military sci-fi book review, this is a decent addition to the collec...

I just finished reading Honour Guard by Dan Abnett, and I have to say, it’s easily the best Gaunt’s Ghosts story so far. Abnett managed to turn the chaos of war into a literal pilgrimage—and I mean that in the most profound way possible. I won’t say anything else to avoid spoilers, but the journey is incredible.The cast of characters felt much easier to follow this time around, and the various individual storylines merged together seamlessly. It made for a much smoother reading experience, which...

I really enjoyed Honour Guard by Dan Abnett, and now I’m honestly tempted to dive straight into book 5. If you're looking for a must-read sci-fi book review, this entry in the series is an absolute blast.

If you’re already four books deep into the Gaunt's Ghosts series, you know exactly what to expect from Honour Guard. This installment by Dan Abnett delivers more of the same, but in the best way possible. My favorite aspect of this read is the addition of the new recruits from Verghast, which creates a fantastic, fresh dynamic amongst the Ghosts. If you're looking for a gripping military sci-fi book review, this is a series that continues to deliver.

In many ways, a transitional volume.Genre: Science Fiction.What it's about: In the book Honour Guard (originally published in 2001), the Sabbat Worlds Crusade continues. Gaunt’s Ghosts, bolstered by new recruits from the Vervunhive following their harrowing battles on Verghast, are now fighting on the planet Morlond. Their mission is the liberation of Doctrinopolis, specifically the capture of the city's sacred Citadel—a site of deep significance in the worship of the legendary Saint Sabbat. The...

Honour Guard by Dan Abnett might not be everyone’s favorite entry in the Gaunt’s Ghosts series, but for me, it’s easily in my top five. There is something about the setting—the space Himalayas, complete with prayer flags—that just hits the spot. More importantly, Honour Guard quietly sets the stage for the entire The Saint arc, introducing characters and themes that are brilliantly woven back into the story throughout the next four novels. The plot itself is straightforward: a rescue mission at ...

It is a truth universally acknowledged that, when you're stuck in bed with a nasty bug, nothing lifts the spirits quite like reading about soldiers with heavy weaponry blasting evil enemies into a bloody pulp. I was so hit by the flu that for three days I couldn't even look at a page; I just lay there in a ball, alternating between sweating and shivering. But the moment I felt well enough to pick up a book, I knew exactly what I needed: Abnett! It’s one of those great discoveries that a writer-...

Dan Abnett is a reliable go-to for a great sci-fi read: you know exactly what you’re getting, served up on a silver platter with a few extra trimmings that make him stand out from the rest of the pack.Staying true to the formula that kicked off with First and Only, Honour Guard by Dan Abnett sees Colonel-Commissar Gaunt and his Ghosts forced to achieve the impossible on a mission gone wrong, all because some useless pencil-pushing general messed everything up.Expect plenty of intense combat and ...