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Sisters of Battle - Newest

The Victorian Hawk Dragon has currently reviewed the following:

Hammer and Anvil

This is the first fantasy-novel that I have read, which contains both the Sisters of Battle, and the (totally-alien) Necrons, from the Warhammer 40,000 universe:

Hammer and Anvil - James Swallow
Hammer and Anvil - James Swallow

I like the fact that the novel makes use of two distinct writing styles. The first style is used for most of the book, and is as you would expect: clear, concise and logical. The second style is in stark contrast to the first: as it's bordering on insanity - with the ravings of a mad woman (as is appropriate for the character Decima). I can relate to the idea of the primary plot within this novel: the fact that all communication is lost with a remote (Sisters of Battle) outpost, with the Sisters only being free to investigate (as to why) once the so-called bureaucracy of the Imperium has been overcome. I like the fact that the Sisters of Battle adhere to a strong regimental-style faith - which has them striving to overcome the (dire) odds that they face when they encounter the Necrons. I had two draw-dropping moments: one when I realised exactly what the Obsidian Moon is, and two, when I realised exactly who the Revenant is (although I had my suspicions about her all along). I don't like the fact that the supporting Adeptus Mechanicus have their own (secret) agenda - although there was a brief moment when I believed that (their leader) Tegas had turned over a new leaf. It is not until the end of the book that you realise who/what/where the Hammer and Anvil is, a fact which although (at first) I found frustrating, eventually transformed into almost continuous page-turning (especially as the book features a fair amount of mystery). Overall: I enjoyed reading this novel, and like the fact that the book goes to great lengths to build up the invulnerability/dominance of the Necrons, even if their downfall is owing to their own technology (which the Sisters of Battle are eventually able to exploit). At four hundred and ten pages, it may take you a while to read this book!

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Hammer and Anvil