The Infinite and the Divine: Warhammer 40,000

Imagine if Skeletor and Cobra Commander were bitter rivals, and they spent their entire lives messing with each other and stealing the other's favorite toy. Also, neither can die, and their petty rivalry endures for eons. That is this book, and it is hilarious!Now I'm relatively new to 40k, having binged various lore videos over the course of 2 months, including "If the Emperor Had a Text-to-Speech Device", and having a solid knowledge of basic 40k factions definitely helped me get into this book better as it's probably not a good book to come in blind as a new 40k fan (this is my 4th novel). However, I definitely wasn't prepared for a comedy, as I wasn't aware that the Necron were somewhat recently given a personality overhaul.If you don't know, the Necron started as super serious Terminator skeletons with an Egyptian hat, as depicted in the Mechanicus game, but now they're more like Saturday morning cartoon villains, while still being a viable military threat...if they can get over their own political in-fighting and petty feuds, that is. And this book is SUCH a fun look into Necron politics and culture and shows exactly how petty they can be, and what kind of collateral damage that pettiness can cause as Trazyn and Orikan carry on their ancient grudge.However, it's not all comedy as there are some touching surprises with character development that make this a deeper story and not just a silly tale of goofball shenanigans. Without spoiling anything, I'll just say "the Librarian scene" is particularly touching, and shows that not all Necron are heartless machines that just want to destroy everything. That was the most pleasant surprise in the book.I think the only problem I had with this book was its epilogue, and I agree with the Adeptus Ridiculous podcast that it may have been ordered by Games Workshop as a tacked-on ending that very much spits in the face of much of the character development that occurs in the book and feels like complete tonal whiplash IMMEDIATELY following the final chapter before the epilogue. It just felt like an artificial ending that maybe would have worked if the book was 100% comedy from beginning to end, but that's not how the tone of the book flows, so the epilogue just felt jarring.However, I cannot bring myself to deduct the score. I feel like I want to nitpick this down to 4 stars, but I can't. Even the frequent use of filter words pulling me out of the action isn't enough to bring it down to 4 stars, because that's a petty reason, and Trazyn has taught me what happens when you get too petty. I just had SO much fun with this book and the end of Act 3 left such a lasting impression on me that this is currently my favorite 40k book and I see why it is so beloved! It's memorable, it's informative, it's hilarious, and of course, it's quotable:"Well, the reviews were very good"

Legit just two practically immortals with severe mental issues trolling each other for 10,000 years and its amazing.

Just an all around amazing book

If you are remotely interested in this, just buy it. It is worth every penny. I don't look for specific authors for 40k, but I will be looking for anything else Robert Rath has written.I have read the entire Horus Heresy series thus far, the Eisenhorn and Ravenor series, and probably 150+ WH 30k and 40k books in total. This was far and away the most hilarious Warhammer book and I did not expect that. It fleshes out (excuse to pun) the Necrons overall and Trazyn and Orikan in specific and delves into the unique technologies the Necrons used as frequently as the Imperium uses lasguns.I saw another description that this was "grumpy old men in space" and I think that it perfectly encapsulates the rivalry. These two try to kill each other regularly, but being Necrons, they are difficult to kill and can practically respawn which adds humor to a grim situation.The unique perspective on time is prevalent through the book as well. In one instance, Trazyn and his crypteks are discussing a matter and they all stop to think... for 3 years. Their pause in conversation is for 3 years and then they pick up as if it was seconds. Considering the Necrons have slept for 65,000,000 years, you can see how the perspective on time can be dramatically different from any other race. It is situations and circumstances that Necrons experience like this that are just comical. I did not expect this book to be funny but I was entertained beyond anything I expected.

Would go 4.5 if I could. It not super original (think Grumpy Old Men set in space) but it's refreshingly different for 40k

Genuinely one of the greatest and most unique sci fi books I've ever read.The set pieces throughout are increasingly baffling and the unconventional perspectives this book jumps through makes for an oddly engaging reading experience. And the main characters are simply The Worst, they're made for each other and that might be literally true. Although you'd have to read the book to find out why, which I'd strongly recommend.

It’s anthropological, astronomical, and humane. Hilarious, insightful, and satisfying. Though it rests under the 40k umbrella, it’s written independently enough that uninitiated sci fi fans would also enjoy as a stand-alone book.Really, just absolutely glorious.

I'm new to the Warhammer scene, and this book is always a recommended read from every lore channel. And yes, it's a lot of fun! Over the top, suspenseful, and even heart felt at times.You will need some familiarity with the factions and lore, but nothing too in depth. YouTube is a great resource for that.The audiobook is great as well.

Fun, serious and incredible. An amazing.

This was the first Necron book I read, and it took me a little while to get into it, but once the stage is set the story comes together so beautifully it's well worth a read

Tutto ottimo, venditore sempre serio e prodotto perfetto

Aunque no sepas mucho de WH40K este libro te servira para introducirte a una de las facciones más fascinantes de este universo

The bickering between Trazyn and Orikhan is ever-hilarious. Not to mention the engaging story itself and the seemingly endless hunt for the resolution of a mystery. Good read.