Gaunt's Ghostspedia Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Salvations-Reach

Salvation's Reach is the thirteenth Gaunt's Ghosts novel by Dan Abnett, and the second part of the Victory series. It was published in October 2011.

Finally en-route to battlefield duty following their sojourn on Balhaut, the Tanith First are in transit towards the titular Salvation's Reach, a dangerous subsector in arch-enemy held space, for an almost suicidal assault on one of Archon Sek's strategic strongholds, a space hulk that contains invaluable intelliegence on the enemy.

Black Library Summary

The Ghosts of the Tanith First and Only have away from the frontline for too long. Listless, and hungry for action, they are offered a mission that perfectly suits their talents. The objective: the mysterious Salvation's Reach, a remote and impenetrable stronghold concealing secrets that could change the course of the Sabbat Worlds campaign. But the proposed raid is so hazardous, it's regarded as a suicide mission, and the Ghosts may have been in reserve for so long they've lost their edge. Haunted by sceptres from the past and stalked by the arch-enemy, Colonel-Commissar Gaunt and his Ghosts embark upon what could be their finest hour...or their final mission.


Plot Summary[]

At the start of the novel, Major Rawne performs a clandestine, staged breakout attempt upon an imperial prisoner, Mabbon Etogaur, in order to prove that he is not safe. Whilst he is conducting this, three rogue Inquisitorial agents, all named Sirkle, try to kill Mabbon, but are foiled by Rawne. This leads to Rawne's Company assuming control of Mabbon Etogaur's imprisonment and safety. Now calling themselves the "Suicide Kings" in reference to the ancient Tanith bodyguards of the ruler of the planet. Another Sirkle (referred to here as Sirkle 4) tries to infiltrate the Suicide Kings, but despite killing two of them and grievously wounding Trooper Cant, Sergeant Varl and Major Kolea succeed in driving him off. Cant, despite having a devastating neck wound is saved by Doc Dorden.

Doc Dorden is dealing with terminal cancer, he is frail and weak, but has come to terms with his condition, in part thanks to the support of his friend, Ayatani Zweil)

Acting on Intelligence from Mabbon Etogaur, Colonel-Commissar Gaunt has proposed a daring Raid on a Chaos facility, a Space Hulk located in the Salvation Reach, backed by Lord General Cybon and reinforced by 3 Space Marines, a single representative each from the Iron Snakes, the White Scars and the Silver Guard, the Ghosts are going to assault the Facility. Salvation's Reach is a Workshop founded by Heritor Asphodel where exotic new weapons are devised by Weaponwrights of the Dark Mechanicum.

Shipmaster Spika, in charge of the vessel transporting the Ghosts and their allies, realises Sirkle 4 signalled their position during the transit shortly after returning to realspace at the resupply point, but it is too late to do much other than raise their shields as four Daemonships emerge from the Warp and start attacking them. Fortunately, after ships are destroyed on both sides, the Chaos ships are driven off by the superior Imperial numbers.

Analysis & Extras[]

Main Characters[]

  • Gaunt
  • Rawne
  • Dorden
  • Daur
  • Meryn
  • Blenner
  • Jakub Wilder
  • Elodie

Narrative Structure[]

Salvation's Reach follows a highly linear, controlled narrative without the use of flashbacks or chronological tweaking. It divides it's focus mainly over the main characters seen above, switching between them at appropriate times.

Title Meaning[]

The title is named for the sector of space where the Salvation's Reach station is located.

Themes & Series Tropes[]

  • One Last Stand (Dorden and Merrt)
  • Shocking Death (Edur, Dorden, Costin)
  • Moral Event Horizon (Meryn and Gendler)

New Characters[]

  • Felyx Chass
  • Major Pasha
  • Captain Zhukova
  • Captain Jakub Wilder
  • Maddalena
  • Sergeant Didi Gendler
  • Brother Sar Af of the White Scars
  • Brother-Sergeant Eadwine of the Silver Guard
  • Brother Kater Holofurnace of the Iron Snakes

Trivia[]

  • First time the subject of marriage within the Imperial Guard has been broached.
  • Second appearance by the Sirkles, after Blood Pact.
  • As of the end of Salvation's Reach, the only remaining Tanith characters who still feature who were named in First and Only are Rawne, Larkin, Varl, Domor, Mkoll, Melyr, Meryn, Raglon and...

Misc[]

Advertisement