First and Only by Dan Abnett – Review

Black Library’s first published novel. Dan Abnett’s first published novel. The start of a book series running into .. 14 (?) books by now: First and Only!

Is the book any good? Is it even possible to review it “fairly”?

I might not be able to answer the second question, though I can answer the first: First and Only is awesome. A true Black Library gem that stood the test of time!

In the war-torn future of the 41st millenium, the Sabbat Worlds Crusade has begun. With the massed ranks of the Imperial Guard hard-pressed by the evil forces of Chaos, mankind must prevail – whatever the cost in lives. Commissar Ibram Gaunt has vowed to lead the men of the Tanith First-and-Only safely through the scheming of rival regiments just as much as the lethal firepower of the enemy.

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#1 – The Format

The book I have is Black Library’s new “Black Library Classics” format, which they use to re-publish classic titles (and “First and Only” clearly fits that bill).

That said, the format is surprisingly subdued for Black Library. No flashy hardback-ribbon-colour-maps-exclusive-internal-art-anything. A plain book in a sturdy black-and-white softcover … at near hardcover prices. Oh well…

If you find an older copy, you probably won’t miss much.

This edition did however have a short 5-page author introduction by Dan Abnett, where he talks about his first book and Black Library’s early days, which I thought was fun to read.

Vox and vox-caster, data-slate, promethium… I was simply trying to find authentic-sounding terms for everyday objects that needed to feature. I had no idea I was helping to build the universe in any lasting way.

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#2 – Remember Tanith!

So what is First and Only all about? Why is it a good book (nostalgia aside)?

Two things really come together in First and Only, which make it a book cut above the usual Black Library (and even Dan Abnett) offerings. The first are the Tanith First and Only, Gaunt’s Ghosts, the Imperial Guardsmen that are the heroes of this story.

It’s been said before, and I’ll say it again, Dan Abnett has a truly unique gift in bringing the world of Warhammer 40K, in this case the Imperial Guard, to life. All the (side-)characters (from Guardsmen to Inquisitors), every little scene, all the nitty-gritty details just … fit. They breathe and live and feel real in ways that Warhammer 40K novels only rarely do.

Of course, there are clichés. The rough-and-tumble guardsmen with a heart of gold vs. the corrupt high brass, for example, is a recurring theme. Still, the story leaves enough room (and works through) lots of little scenes, Guardsmen banter, Guardsmen daily routines, etc.. that don’t feel like dry descriptions, and give real grit to the story and the world of 40K.

It’s impossible to read this book and not develop a soft spot for the Tanith First and Only.

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#3 – Flashbacks and Prophecies

If memorable characters and a vivid world are one side of the coin, the story is the other.

Now, as much as I enjoy Dan Abnett’s style and characters, good plot usually isn’t his strong suit. The plot of First and Only is also fairly straightforward, if one were to write it out in chronological order (and, likely as not, it might just fall apart).

… Spoiler…

In a nutshell, it’s a giant hunt among various parties for one super-evil MacGuffin.

That said, if the story is simple, the delivery in this book is masterful. Dan Abnett very carefully builds a lot of themes and leads (and red herrings). In fact, for the first third or so of the book, the actual story isn’t yet revealed, and the reader yet unaware that Abnett is already building the foundation for a lot of twists and turns that will pay off in later stages of the book.

There are also a lot of flashbacks and “memory-chapters”, which both highlight earlier stages in Ibram Gaunt’s life and career, and introduce key elements that return in the main story.

It’s hard to describe, but it works really well. First and Only seems like a “simple” story at first, but the closer one gets to the end, the more incredible it becomes as all those threads and sub-plots Dan Abnett has been juggling throughout the book come together, one after the other, feeding into the showdown(s) of the story.

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#4 – Verdict

What can I say?

I really loved the book. Awesome characters, great action, lots of grimdark 40K-flair at it’s very best.

I’d strongly recommend First and Only to anyone, even if it would’ve been published more recently, and would not hold that special place as “the first Black Library” novel.

If you haven’t read First and Only, you should definitely give it a try!

Z.