Book Club #48: Penitent 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 get to read a book more than 10 years in the making: Penitent by Dan Abnett! You can purchase on Amazon, Black Library, or Audible.

From the back of the book:

In the mysterious city of Queen Mab, the forces of light and darkness are locked in a murderous struggle for truth. The dedicated agents of the Holy Inquisition battle with their shadowy counterparts, the infamous Cognitae, to discover the encrypted identity of the enigmatic, all-powerful King in Yellow. Caught at the heart of this struggle is the pariah Alizebeth Bequin. Will she stand with the Inquisition or with the Cognitae that raised her? And if she chooses the Inquisition, will it be the wise but ruthless Ravenor or his rival, the denounced heretic Eisenhorn? Bequin must withstand an onslaught of angels, daemons, and even the monstrous warriors of the Traitor Legions, to unpick the greatest riddle of her life.

The beloved characters of Eisenhorn and Ravenor return, as implaccable adversaries in a novel of esoteric mystery, macabre intrigue, and vivid action, where the revelation of true identity could mean death… or might shake the Imperium to its very foundations.

Questions to ponder after reading Penitent:

• Did you like the book?
• Was it worth an almost 10-year wait??
• Do you believe the king’s identity? Do you take it at face value?
• You could argue that the main theme is “loyalty,” in this book. What is your take on Eisenhorn’s and Ravenor’s brand? Their team members’? Beta’s?
• A new player, the Immaterial College, has entered the game. What is their end game, do you think? Why are they such a motley crew?
• Ravenor’s friends have upped the stakes mightily. Were you surprised? What does this suggest of the king’s ends?
• What do you make of the City of Dust? Why are the angels there, do you think? Why so many clones?
• What is your take on the major lore reveals Abnett has made as of late?