Is Ravenor worth reading? Yes — it’s the excellent follow-up to Eisenhorn, and one of the smartest, most stylish Inquisition stories in Black Library. Dan Abnett shifts focus to Gideon Ravenor — Eisenhorn’s former protégé, now a hugely powerful telepath confined to a mobile life-support chair — as he and his team of misfit agents hunt a deadly conspiracy through the underworld of a hive world. If you loved the noir-thriller feel of Eisenhorn, this is the natural next read.
This review is spoiler-light. For more picks, see our best Warhammer books guide.
What is Ravenor about?
Gideon Ravenor was a rising Inquisitor until a catastrophe left his body ruined — now he operates as a disembodied psychic mind from an armoured force-chair, projecting his will (and, at times, his consciousness) into others. Ravenor follows him and his eclectic warband as they investigate a lethal, illegal substance and the shadowy power behind it, in a case that spirals into something far larger.
Like Eisenhorn, it blends detective story, action, and horror, but it swaps a single narrator for a rich ensemble — Ravenor’s team of investigators, each with their own skills and secrets. The result is a stylish, twisty thriller with a genuinely original protagonist at its centre.
Why it works
- Ravenor is a brilliant conceit. A powerful mind in a broken body, seeing through others’ eyes — it makes for inventive, unusual storytelling.
- The ensemble shines. His team of agents is one of Abnett’s best casts.
- Thriller pacing. The investigation twists and accelerates like the best crime fiction.
- It builds on Eisenhorn. The shared universe and returning threads reward readers of the first series.
The good
- A worthy successor to Eisenhorn — smart, stylish Inquisition fiction.
- An inventive, original protagonist unlike anything else in 40k.
- A strong ensemble and a propulsive plot.
The not-so-good
- Better after Eisenhorn. It stands alone, but the emotional and plot payoffs are richer if you’ve read the first trilogy.
- Large cast to track. The ensemble is a strength, but takes a little settling into.
- Twisty to a fault, occasionally — the plotting is intricate.
Who should read it?
- Eisenhorn readers — this is where the story goes next.
- Fans of 40k crime and thrillers and Inquisition intrigue.
- Readers who want an original protagonist and a great ensemble.
Start with our Eisenhorn: Xenos review, then come here for Ravenor.
Verdict
Ravenor is Abnett proving the Inquisition well is far from dry — a stylish, inventive thriller with one of 40k’s most original protagonists and a superb supporting cast. As a follow-up to Eisenhorn it’s essential, and on its own it’s a cracking read.
Our rating: 8 / 10 — a worthy successor to Eisenhorn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I read Eisenhorn before Ravenor?
Yes, ideally — Ravenor stands alone, but it follows on from Eisenhorn and shares its universe and some threads, so reading Eisenhorn first gives the fuller experience.
Is Ravenor part of a series?
Yes — it’s the first of the Ravenor trilogy, followed by Ravenor Returned and Ravenor Rogue, and it links into Abnett’s wider Inquisition saga.
Who is Gideon Ravenor?
A powerful Inquisitor and telepath, former protégé of Eisenhorn, who — after a grievous injury — operates from a mobile life-support chair, projecting his psychic will into the world.
Who wrote Ravenor?
Dan Abnett, also author of Eisenhorn, Horus Rising, and Gaunt’s Ghosts.