**CONTAINS MODERATE SPOILERS**

In this novel we see the Soul Drinkers taking on the Necron's. Whilst that in itself does not bode well for a indepth story (to be fair the Necron's are hardly a charismatic race) Ben Counter manages to produce a compelling and interesting story, which ends rather unexpectedly in a cliff-hanger.

There's a great irony to this story with the inclusion of the Mechanicus, who despise the Necron's whilst at the same time perhaps sharing the most in common with. It seems the whole premise of the Mechanicus is aspiring to be more "Necron like" it was a shame that this irony was not explored further.

With that in mind we see the continuation of whatever plan Ikintos is putting into place for the Soul Drinkers chapter and the story teases at this subplot throughout the novel without actually revealing anything.

I enjoyed this novel, infact I think it is (so far) one of the best WH40k storylines and despite not liking cliff-hangers, found this one very welcome and has me looking forward to the next (and last) book in the series. May Ben Counter was feeling that the storyline of the Soul Drinkers was dragging on too long and wanted to ensure that the final book gets read? Who knows but with the exception of the first book in the series, this rates up there as second. ( )