Book Club Book #106: The King of the Spoil by Jonathan D Beer

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.

For this episode, we’re reading The King of the Spoil by Jonathan D Beer. You can purchase it at Amazon, Black Library. and Audible.

From the back of the book:

Within the vast sprawl of Varangantua lies the Spoil. It is a broken crossroads, forsaken by the Lex, abandoned by the city’s uncaring masters, where the only choice is a slow death in the manufactories, or a quick one on the street. And it is in turmoil.

Andreti Sorokin, the gangster king whose vicious rule brought order to the Spoil, is dead, slain in the most brutal fashion. Melita Voronova, skilled info-broker and reluctant agent of the imperious Valtteri cartel, is tasked with uncovering the mystery of who killed Sorokin, and preventing his fragile alliance of thugs and narco-pushers from collapsing into chaos. As street-blades clash and gang leaders turn against one another, Melita’s instincts tell her there is a larger conspiracy at work. Someone has created this crisis not merely to disrupt the Spoil, but to overturn the foundations of Varangantua itself.

Questions to ponder after reading The King of the Spoil:

• Did you like the book?
• Which parts stood out to you?
• What did you think of the Spoil as a setting? Did it fit well into Varangantua?
• Was Melita a compelling protagonist? Was she good at her job?
• Did you like Edi or Mattix? What are their greater roles here?
• Were you invested in Haska’s journey? What are her next steps?
• Was this a satisfying crime story? Did it wrap up well?