[.ca] Crimson Tears (Soul Drinkers) (ISBN 1844161609)

Rolicking Action; So-so Plot & Characters:
Those who are simply looking for an action adventure set in Games Workshop's 40K universe - or those who enjoyed the first two Soul Drinkers novels - will like this book as well. All the elements of 40K, from elite Space Marines to the mass troops and armor of the Imperial Guard, are there. All the characters from the first two novels - Sarpedon and the all the rest of the Soul Drinkers - are there. Unfortunately, the plot devices and many of the supporting cast are clumsy and/or forced so M. Counter can make his points. The Crimson Fists are mindless automatons, complete slaves to tradition and the Codex, single-mindedly pursuing the Soul Drinkers to the exclusion of all else ... until it's convenient to the plot for them not to do so. They serve as the "enslaved" counterpoint to the "freedom" that the Soul Drinkers have achieved. The plot device used to get the Soul Drinkers into the story at the outset is conveniently ignored when it's time for them to leave. In short, entertaining to fans who don't look too closely at the writer's craft.

Falls Flat:
I have read the other books in this series and they were not bad. I like 40K literature I am hoping that one day it will do what D & D literature did and that is produce a great Chracter and writer like RA Salvatore. I hold no illusions that thise series was on the way to do that but the Soul Drinkers have been well developed and entertaining especially the first novel were their obession with an artifact leads to their downfall and their ultimate freedom. I thought that was a well developed theme that's why this novel is a disappointment. Its feels anti climatic at the end and much as the previous review there are typical plot turns and the inclusion of the Crimson Fists is really pointless. I am hoping the next novel chapter wars redeems the series but I have to say this novel really drops it back into the pack. A novel in a series should serve to advance the overall story line and leave you with a sense of wow because some questions were answered and new ones posed. After I was done reading it was more like uhh.