Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. DNF. This boog is based on the Warhammer games. Hard for non-players to understand this universe. I like Military stye fiction but this just was too detailed.

I do enjoy a good Astra Millitarum novel. This one takes place sometime after the fall of Cadia on another world that the empire is attempting to maintain control of. It centers around a new tank commander who, upon losing all of her own crew, is forced to take command of a new crew made up of a mix of different veterans from different worlds.

Throughout the story the crew is faced with obstacle after obstacle and eventually grows to trust one another. After the first few chapters the story takes on the feeling of a nonstop slog through hostile territory. Just when you think they’ve made it it keeps going, and gets better. The ending/climactic battle is done in typical 40k fashion but it is still amazingly entertaining and well written.

If you have read any of Clark’s other writing this one is very similar, but still enjoyable in its own way. I haven’t read a 40k novel by him I haven’t enjoyed. He’s familiar with the source material and has experience writing about it. If you are a fan of his work this is no exception.

If you are someone who just enjoys stories about lowly imperial guardsmen thrown into the meat grind of war in the 40k universe this will scratch the itch. And if you just want an entertaining read about a group of soldiers overcoming impossible odds and forming a bond while they are at it, here you go.

The tank crew of the Steel Tread are disorganized and demoralized even before they are plunged into a hopeless battle against an impossible enemy. Their survival is unlikely, but they push forward in the hopes that they will at least die bravely. Great for WH40K fans and those who like their military fiction as far from realistic as possible.

An excellent read and a whole new perspective for a 40K story - Very much looking forward to a sequel!