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Awakenings

Warhammer 40,000

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Awakenings

By: George Mann
Narrated by: Helen Keeley
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About this listen

An Astor Sabbathiel Novel.

After being thought dead for nearly a hundred years, Sabbathiel returns. Now, facing mistrust wherever she turns, she must prove her worth once more.

Listen to it because....

A powerful Inquisitor returns from the brink of death to a world that she barely recognises, full of people that do not trust her—and facing a terrifying future that only she can prevent.

The story:

Inquisitor Astor Sabbathiel has a problem: she’s been dead for nearly a hundred years...or so everyone believes.

The last thing she remembers is being shot at point-blank range just as a roiling warp storm engulfed the Calaphrax Cluster. Now, she finds herself awakening on a distant Ecclesiarchy stronghold and indebted to a magos called Metik, who has brought her back from the brink of death.

Shortly after her resurrection, Sabbathiel is called to an audience on the planet Hulth by a high-ranking inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus, Heldren, who informs her that after being lost for so long, the members of her former conclave no longer trust her. Forced to undertake a mission to prove herself worthy and true, Sabbathiel soon discovers a secret agenda beginning to unfold—one that contains a burgeoning threat to the Imperium that only she can avert. Trying to assemble the fragments of the past to make sense of the mysteries of the present, Sabbathiel will need to act fast and decide who to trust quickly, or else risk the fate of the future.

Written by George Mann. Narrated by Helen Keeley. Running time 10 hours 15 minutes (approx).

©2022 Games Workshop Limited (P)2022 Games Workshop Limited
Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Military
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The Inquisition is probably the most narratively rich vein of the 40k universe, but a promising premise is squandered here. Predictable, choppily written, with too many narrative inconsistencies (was Sabathiel in stasis for nearly a century, or over a century?)

The author hasn't fully grasped that Inquisitors are the most steely, unflappable characters in the whole setting, as the protagonist grows panicky and emotional it the first sign of trouble. The voice work is decent, but leans too much into this, becoming shrill and piercing in action sequences. Also, an female Ordo Hereticus inquisitor wearing terminator armour is a baffling narrative choice that's very hard to get past.

Unfaithful to the setting

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The overall premise of the book had potential but the start felt very rushed. A small back story was provided for one of the inquisitor's retinue the other just popped into existence. By skipping forward in time the author missed probably the most interesting part of the potential story and the actual USP - an inquisitor out of her own time. The story then become a bit formulaic and predictable. Still enjoyable and we'll read, but nothing spectacular. Pick it up if you've exhausted all the other Black Library inquisition related offerings.

A bit rushed and formulaic

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the no conclusion of her self reflecting that her use of chaos just like the use of chaos by the enemy in pursuit of the goal whatever means necessary is not in line of the emperor and what needs to be done for humanity.

the story of asto sabbathiel

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Awakenings blends a good inquisitor storyline with original characters - I am waiting for the sequel!

Great inquisitor storyline

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A surprisingly enjoyable tale of inquisitorial intrigue despite a pretty glacial narrative and some cartoon villainy. Astor and her team were fun to be around, with enough vulnerabilities and nuances to make me care about what happened to them.

I especially enjoyed the dream/vision sequences and how events, such as the nature of her death and rebirth, impress upon Astor’s clearly unsettled psyche. Her interrogator, Bledheim, is a real standout though, with an agreeably relatable set of personality quirks. More humorous than I was expecting and some nice reflective moments as well.

Not the most imaginative of stories to be sure, and a bit silly at times, but I liked the characters and being in their company so really hoping to see more and have things develop from here. Helen Keeley’s narration was pretty much perfect.

Resurrection Blues

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