Ciaphas Cain : The Greater Good, Book #15
2.0 Stars
4-28-2025

I was expecting WH40K's version of Flashman, a comedic and ego-centric rogue who survives interesting times through a combination of low cunning, extreme luck, and a complete lack of morals. The author though did not understand the assignment, and instead made the main character genuinely heroic and enormously skilled. The narration keeps making the same joke, over and over, that Ciaphas really is not trying to be heroic and is trying to stay out of the line of fire, but his actions constantly bely that. He consistently works hard, makes solid decisions, gives good advice, manages the people around him well, fights superbly, etc. etc. The story isn't the worst thing ever, but it does rely on the same bit pieces over and over and doesn't really deliver on the premise. There were a few enjoyable bits; the long-suffering editor who critiques and fills in bits of the narration, and an Aliens-esque perfect killing machine getting itself tangled up in an inflatable tent.