Sandy Mitchell, The Last Ditch: a Ciaphas Cain Novel. Nottingham, England: Black Library, 2013. ISBN: 9781849702904.
Genre: science fiction
Subgenre: military science fiction, Warhammer 40,000
Format: paperback
Source: I own this one.
In this novel, Cain and the 597th Valhallans return to the ice world of Nusquam Fundumentibus to put down ork attacks. Soon they find that the orks are the least of their problems when a previously dormant much larger threat awakes. As if that was not enough, Cain has to rein in a newbie commissar who is way too enthusiastic for her own good and the good of her local regiment.
The novel soon puts us in the middle of the action. Once Cain and his regiment land, the action and pacing keep going until the end of the book. Things escalate fairly quickly. The narrative just keeps you reading. In addition, we get the humor we expect from the series. Cain may want to take things easy, but as usual his reputation forces him to be the hero, more so in front of that newbie commissar. Yet he also tries here and there to mentor her a bit, which is easier said than done.
As always, Inquisitor Vail's commentaries as footnotes and asides in the narrative add to the novel's humor as well. She even makes a brief appearance in this novel, so keep reading.
Overall, I really liked this one. Cain is a reluctant yet likeable and capable hero. The story is entertaining with good action, and it offers some good humor as well. I am still happy reading the series.
4 out of 5 stars.
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