Stick through the first 20 minutes – the introductory framing and regiment setup feel slow, but once they land on the ice planet, the pacing locks in.
praise the "vivid imagery" and the excellent representation of the Necrons.
We also get the Valhallans of the 597th. Inspired by Russian/Soviet military aesthetics, their stoicism in the face of freezing cold and alien horror provides the perfect backdrop. The narrator handles the regimental accents with care, distinguishing them from the higher-class accent of Cain. It reinforces the class divide Cain tries to bridge (mostly to stay alive).
Review: Chilling Out with Caves of Ice If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you drop the galaxy’s most reluctant hero onto a giant block of ice surrounded by Orks, look no further than Caves of Ice . As the second installment in Sandy Mitchell’s beloved Ciaphas Cain series, this story takes everything we loved about For the Emperor and freezes it—literally. The Reluctant Hero’s Latest "Vacation"