Has anyone read "Redemption Corps"?

[Panzerkopf]

I looked into it a little, and it's supposed to be about Storm Troopers (awesome!), Sisters (sweet!), and Inquisitors (kickin'!). The only problem is that I heard it makes the Sororitas look like crap. I refuse to spend money on something that portrays the most elite all-natural human fighters in the galaxy as douchebags, so I was wondering if anyone here has read it.

[Inache]

Yeah, the Sisters are kinda the antagonists. I enjoyed it, especially the Stormtroopers. Pretty much how I always envisioned a Stormtrooper command squad. Had an almost Last Chancer's feel to them, which is always great in my opinion for elite guardsmen. The pacing was great except for the last few chapters, where it was like Sanders realized he was running out of book and crammed it all in at the end.

 

I'm not going to lie, I especially enjoyed it because it kinda cast the Sister's in a "bad" light. I know not all them are overzealous zealots bent on zealotry to the degree portrayed in the book, but the whole crazy Emperor-botherer nature of them is always kind of off putting for me. They're just a smidge crazy, and it scares me. ;)

 

I'd give it a solid 7.5/10 and a Beware: Radical =][= warning.

 

One other thing was the description of the Valkyrie variant drove me mad throughout the book. I was trying to mentally construct it in my head around the FW Skytalon Valkyrie, the regular Valkyrie model, and various military transports that I've been on. Drove me absolutely bonkers.

[Judanas]

Sisters are the enemy...

 

Poop.

 

Oh well, we can't win all the time...or often...or really at all...but hey we got a mention!

 

Please tell me it does not have the Sisters all turning to chaos and doing such things...

[millest]

i wrote a mini review on my blog here - Millests Blog - but ive included it below as it covers most of my feelings on it, but as you say does paint the sisters and inquisitor as a-holes and really makes you think they should be renegades or completly fallen!

 

The Review:

This is the first novel by Rob Sanders, though not his first foray in to Warhammer 40,000 fiction after writing for inferno, and this novel is a good start in the world of novels.

 

The story centres around the Redemption Corps, a Storm Trooper Regiment in the Imperial Guard. There are a number of main characters but the two the book concentrates on the most are Mortensen and Krieg.

 

The story covers a lot of ground very quickly, flitting from future events (used as prologues to each section of the book) to the present before catching up with itself at the end of the novel. In one or two places this makes it a little confusing but things clear up and make more sense towards the end of the novel. It also moves along at a rapid pace with each section seeming to take place at a completely different location, be that a planet or a ship, and this rapid change really moves the novel along.

 

The imagery is very nice but some of the novel does feel in places like it’s taken wholesale from other works and events, for example one section is basically a reimagining of Black Hawk down, whilst to me this is slightly unoriginal I guess there are no new stories anymore and it does fit in well with the feel of the book. The introduction of new worlds and new equipment (another Valkryie variant – awesome) worked well but some of the treatment of the older equipment, races and other back story from the universe seemed a little odd. I can’t really say much more without giving away major spoilers.

 

Overall a good first attempt, no Dan Abnett or Sandy Mitchell, but a good first novel and a great place to start from. A must have book for any Imperial Guard fan and worth reading just if you like the 40k universe.

 

3 out of 5 from me but a great start!

[Gree]

I'm sorry, but I really had to struggle to get through it. I had to re-read it several times over just to figure out what exactly was happening. I just fel tthe structure was poorly done. And the words ''Mortensen bawled'' kept me chuckling every time I read it.

 

Plus I felt the sisters were treated very poorly.

Mortensen, a naked, drugged officer was able to hold off and disarm two fully armored battle sisters armed with power whips rather handily. If course what reallt takes the cake is Preed, a massively overweight and unarmed priest kills a power sword-armed Battle Sister by simply charging into her despite her having ample time to prepare to fight back.

 

 

I was not impressed at all by the Sisters, which is a shame since I had a much better picture of them from the Cain novels.

[Judanas]

Plus I felt the sisters were treated very poorly.

Mortensen, a naked, drugged officer was able to hold off and disarm two fully armored battle sisters armed with power whips rather handily. If course what reallt takes the cake is Preed, a massively overweight and unarmed priest kills a power sword-armed Battle Sister by simply charging into her despite her having ample time to prepare to fight back.

 

...What?

These are the Sisters of Battle, that judging by thier weapons, are as skilled as space marines at close combat and wearing power armour. They should have be slaughtered!

 

 

Rage over.

 

Any Black Library books that are recomended for people that like thier Sisters of Battle impressive and more skilled than guardsmen?

[Hfran Morkai]

I enjoyed it. The point was the SoB were letting terrible things occur in order to protect the Imperium, they are prepared to go to insane lengths because of their mission.

 

And Mortensen had nerves destroyed, meaning that he couldn't feel pain like a normal human, combine that with shed-loads of experience and I say he could have the Sisters, remember that they are still only human,

[Judanas]

Yeah but any Sister of Battle with a Power Whip is a Mistress, the leaders of the Sisters Repentia, and some of the most skilled fighters in the order...that's 2 melee specialist squad leaders...to use game terms they are init 5 and 3 attacks each...they can take down space marines...1 drugged imperial guardsman should not be a problem for 1 let alone 2.

 

Not to mention the fat priest winning against a Sister Superior with a power sword. Power armour should stop a fat man's fist any day of the week and a power sword would take his arm off with a single sweep.

 

Sorry, I'm more annoyed about this than I should be. Channeling other annoyances into this. Sorry.

 

What vile deeds were the Sisters doing for the good of the imperium out of interest?

[Inquisitor Fox]

Remember that Storm Troopers are completely equivalent to Sisters of Battle in all respects of training and personal skill and dedication. Even their stat lines are identical with some equipment swaps, and going in fluff Carapace is better for stealth ops than Power Armor (evidenced by even Space Wolf Scouts preference for it). I haven't read the novel, but a Storm Trooper is equal to a Sister in training and origin (both come from the orphan scholastica thingie along with Commissars). There's the question of faith versus military special ops experience, so it's roughly equivalent. Add in the fact that the book is focused on the Storm Troopers and that's not too surprising.

 

That being said... I'll have to add it to my list of things to acquire now :) The Sisters and the Inquisition are NOT nice people, they are ruthless cold-hearted individuals prepared to defend the Imperium and their beliefs at any and all costs, including innocent people and entire planets if need be. Glad to see someone seems to have gotten it right!

[Hfran Morkai]

Well it's fluff, nothing says the Sisters were actually mistresses. I'll agree on Preed though, he annoyed me. He couldn't actually experience pain in the normal way, so the whip lost it's usefulness.

 

And with regards to what the Sisters did, or didn't do:

 

 

The Inquisition allowed an Ork Rok to crash into Mortensen's homeworld (we don't find out about this until right near the end) and effectively wiped out the population. They are quite prepared to let it happen on another world which was full of scum, transporting and storing Ork spores.

 

[Judanas]

Why would the inquisition do that? It's not that it's too cruel for them, it's that is makes not sense why that is to the advantage of the imperium...

 

Sorry for all the questions.

 

...Although the Neuralwhips are the symbols of office of the mistress', I have know idea why someone else would have them. Eh probebly just wanted a cooler weapon for the enemy...

[Hfran Morkai]

 

I believe it was something about the world not deserving to live, that or trying to forge heroes from the ashes of the world, as Mortensen rose.

 

 

However, my brain is noted for being fuzzy, all that Rune Work, so it might not be quite correct, hopefully someone else can clear it up.

[Gree]

And Mortensen had nerves destroyed, meaning that he couldn't feel pain like a normal human, combine that with shed-loads of experience and I say he could have the Sisters, remember that they are still only human,

 

The Sisters still are elite soldiers, wear power armor boosting their strength and are armed with power whips. wheter or not Mortensen could feel pain is irrevlent, the whips should have sliced his arm off. Not to mention he just got back from a battle and was drugged at the same time.

[Hfran Morkai]

And Mortensen had nerves destroyed, meaning that he couldn't feel pain like a normal human, combine that with shed-loads of experience and I say he could have the Sisters, remember that they are still only human,

 

The Sisters still are elite soldiers, wear power armor boosting their strength and are amred with power whips.

 

Storm Troopers are elite soldiers, this is a man whose world burned and he survived, damaging his nervous system. The whips work by inflicting electric shocks IIRC, if your nerves can't pick it up then it's not really going to affect you. Desperation and determination are two of the best drugs out there, along with adrenaline.

 

Can you imagine not feeling pain? The power it would grant you is fascinating. The Sister's were unprepared for such a slippery man.

[Gree]

Storm Troopers are elite soldiers, this is a man whose world burned and he survived, damaging his nervous system.

 

And the Sisters are also Elite soldiers. Who are not drugged. And who are wearing power armor. And they outnumber him and have time to prepare for his arrival.

 

The whips work by inflicting electric shocks IIRC, if your nerves can't pick it up then it's not really going to affect you.

 

The whips are described as ''power lashs'' and nothing else. The inability to feel pain will not help you from having your arm severed by a power weapon.

 

Can you imagine not feeling pain? The power it would grant you is fascinating. The Sister's were unprepared for such a slippery man.

 

Wow, so they did not even bother to do research on the man they had been trying to accuse to being a heretic for months now? Those Sisters are idiots.

[Inquisitor Fox]

Remember, we're comparing two equivalent things and trying to say one should win over the other. Storm Troopers and Sisters of Battle are equivalent in terms of skill and training. Elements of surprise, whether one is individually better at X technique versus Y technique is a question of individuals and fate and chance. Combat is a tricky thing where randomosity happens. Remember also the book is intended to take the view of the Storm Trooper as the protagonist. It's no different than when a Space Marine Tactical Squad sergeant kills several Eldar Howling Banshees without dying himself. Some things are skewed to make good stories... at least a Storm Trooper Veteran being equally/more skilled than Sisters of Battle is much more plausible than many things that we end up seeing in fiction. Also research doesn't always have medical records of which nerves exactly do what for him now, versus "the guy just seems to have a reputation to not fall down". It's a big galaxy... the chances of finding individual reports are sometimes slim :)

 

In fiction a power lash does not always mean a power weapon. Power armor is different in fluff and fiction between a Marine and a non-Marine. Heck, there's specific variations between two types of lasguns in fiction! Above all it's a story... the point is for us to read it, get emotional stake in the characters and the plot, and enjoy it.

[Gree]

Remember, we're comparing two equivalent things and trying to say one should win over the other. Storm Troopers and Sisters of Battle are equivalent in terms of skill and training. Elements of surprise, whether one is individually better at X technique versus Y technique is a question of individuals and fate and chance. Combat is a tricky thing where randomosity happens. Remember also the book is intended to take the view of the Storm Trooper as the protagonist. It's no different than when a Space Marine Tactical Squad sergeant kills several Eldar Howling Banshees without dying himself. Some things are skewed to make good stories... at least a Storm Trooper Veteran being equally/more skilled than Sisters of Battle is much more plausible than many things that we end up seeing in fiction.

 

What about being naked and drugged?

 

Also research doesn't always have medical records of which nerves exactly do what for him now, versus "the guy just seems to have a reputation to not fall down". It's a big galaxy... the chances of finding individual reports are sometimes slim ;)

 

If you read the book the Canoness has her eye on this guy for quite some time now. And his injuries seem to be fairly common knowledge.

 

In fiction a power lash does not always mean a power weapon.

 

And you have proof for this?

 

Above all it's a story... the point is for us to read it, get emotional stake in the characters and the plot, and enjoy it.

 

That is your opinion. I reserve the right to criticize what I see as flaws.

[Hfran Morkai]

Funny, reading the opening chapter right now. He was drugged after he thrashed the Sisters. (As far as I can tell)

 

He moved with "an unreal speed" and I would assume the lashes have adjustable power levels, you don't want to kill your prisoner right out, do you? They were trying to force him into submission which they failed in due to his reduced neural capacity.

 

Or do you ever think the Canoness kept that information to herself? She claims later to have been testing him with both the Assassin and Krieg, if she wanted him dead she would have done it herself. The Inquisition is full of secrets, just because higher powers know something doesn't mean the rank and file don't.

[Gree]

Funny, reading the opening chapter right now. He was drugged after he thrashed the Sisters. (As far as I can tell)

 

Incorrect. He was shot with the needler and then he proceeded to fight the Sisters.

 

He moved with "an unreal speed" and I would assume the lashes have adjustable power levels, you don't want to kill your prisoner right out, do you? They were trying to force him into submission which they failed in due to his reduced neural capacity.

 

Then it's their fault for not doing proper research on the man they had been observing for months now. Keep in mind they knew he had survived the destruction of his homeworld and they had been observing him for quite some time now.

 

Or do you ever think the Canoness kept that information to herself? She claims later to have been testing him with both the Assassin and Krieg, if she wanted him dead she would have done it herself. The Inquisition is full of secrets, just because higher powers know something doesn't mean the rank and file don't.

 

And so the Canoness does not bother to brief guards on the prisoner's abilities. So she is incompetent too?

[Hfran Morkai]

Perhaps the whole neural damage thing affected the rate at which he fell to the drug? The Canoness wanted to reveal that she

had watched his homeworld die.

He was her plaything, an interesting object to examine when bored.

 

She was not incompetent, Mortensen was incapable of escape without some way of scaling the walls, he only got out of there because they were leaving.

[Gree]

Perhaps the whole neural damage thing affected the rate at which he fell to the drug? The Canoness wanted to reveal that she

had watched his homeworld die.

He was her plaything, an interesting object to examine when bored.

 

She was not incompetent, Mortensen was incapable of escape without some way of scaling the walls, he only got out of there because they were leaving.

 

Again, that does not excuse her not briefing her guards. Regardless of her personal pleasure. Nor does it justify him beating power armored elites while naked.

[Hfran Morkai]

The 41st millennium doesn't justify a guy sitting on a throne keeping the Imperium safe but it happens. A lot in 40K doesn't make sense

[Gree]

The 41st millennium doesn't justify a guy sitting on a throne keeping the Imperium safe but it happens. A lot in 40K doesn't make sense

 

Yes they do. The Emperor's Golden Throne is required to keep him alive and watch over humanity as well as power the Astromonican.

[Inache]

Wow, Gree really did not like this book. :(

 

And yeah, it's nice to see the =][= cast in more of an ends justify the means than usual. I love 'em because they get the job done, but seeing the extreme is always kind of scary.

[Panzerkopf]

Thanks guys, this was all really informative. "Redemption Corps" sounds like it totally sucks.

I recognize the kind of Inquisitor our guy is: He's an Istvaanian. Those dudes believe that hardship and suffering bring out the best in humanity so they try to inflict it as much as possible by doing things like dropping Ork Rokks onto planets. It's also ridiculously heretical and pretty much anyone has the right to execute him for doing so. Sororitas are usually the ones who police the ranks like that, so why didn't Canoness Rottencrotch shoot him? If the author convincingly explained why an officer of the Battle Sisters would sympathize with such radical ideals then I might give him a pass but I have a feeling he doesn't. For that matter, she and the Inquisitor couldn't have Orked up a planet by themselves, they would have needed a lot of manpower. Or womanpower. If the Bolter Babes were in on this whole Ork infesting business then why the hell didn't they try to stop it? I don't see how you can convince a company or even a platoon-sized element of such frothing fanatics to act so entirely counter to their own ideals and Sisters kill things that are counter to their ideals. The lower ranking Sisters involved would most likely have mutinied.

Another important point, how would Canoness Rottencrotch keep any person as a "plaything"? That implies a manipulative, puppeteer-like control over a life that someone like a Canoness simply wouldn't have outside of her own Order. She's not an Inquisitor, she doesn't do remotely the same job as an Inquisitor, her reach wouldn't be that far.

Granted, my conclusions are coming from hearsay on a forum, but I don't think this author has as good a grip on the fluff as he should. Unless everyone tells me they were just kidding, I'll let this one pass.