Book Club #45: Pariah by Dan Abnett

Every two weeks we read a new book in the WH40k universe and discuss it on our podcast. We invite you to read along with us and join in on our conversation via comments, Twitter, email, or vox cast.

This episode we’re taking a trip in the way-back machine to read Pariah by Dan Abnett. You can purchase on Amazon, Black Library. Sorry audio fans, this one doesn’t appear to have come out on audio, but it’s possible it will with the reprint! This should help us prepare for the upcoming sequel, Penitent.

From the back of the book:

In the city of Queen Mab, nothing is quite as it seems. Pariah, spy and Inquisitorial agent, Alizebeth Bequin is all of these things and yet none of them. An enigma, even to herself, she is caught between Inquisitors Gregor Eisenhorn and Gideon Ravenor, former allies now enemies who are playing a shadow game against a mysterious and deadly foe. Coveted by the Archenemy, pursued by the Inquisition, Bequin becomes embroiled in a dark plot of which she knows not her role or purpose. Helped by a disparate group of allies, she must unravel the secrets of her life and past if she is to survive a coming battle in which the line between friends and foes is fatally blurred.

Questions to ponder after reading Pariah:

• Did you like the book?
• What parts stood out to you?
• What did you make of Bequin, as a character? Did you like the first-person perspective?
• Bequin is a hot commodity. Did you find all of her pursuers compelling? Which seems the most dangerous?
• Good to know the Cognitae are still alive and well. Did this surprise you?
• The last 1/4 of the book has a lot of exposition. What’s your take on why this is?
• How do you feel about Eisenhorn current state? How do you feel about his kill team?
• How do you feel about Ravenor’s current state? How do you feel about his kill team?
• How do you feel about Bequin being used by both sides? Does this do her character justice?