Triumff: Her Majesty's Hero | Paperback

Triumff: Her Majesty's Hero is Dan Abnett's long-awaited and much-anticipated original fiction debut. He's been writing for years, of course (which is patently apparent in Triumff), and is already a multi-million-selling author, but outside of 2000AD, Games Workshop and various other comic-writing and tie-in novelisation gigs, he is still, unbelievably a relative unknown. But all that is about to change with the publication of this truly original work of fiction.

The setting is the present day, only it's a world very different to our own, the sun never having set on the glories of the first Elizabethan Age. In this alternate reality the Renaissance saw a re-emergence of the Magick Arts and hence the arresting of significant technological development. Against this backdrop of Shakespearean thesps, wily cardinals and duelling noblemen, Sir Rupert Triumff - dandy, drinker and dueller - is catapulted into a revenger's tragedy's worth of intrigue as he tries to uncover and put paid… more »

Triumff: Her Majesty's Hero is Dan Abnett's long-awaited and much-anticipated original fiction debut. He's been writing for years, of course (which is patently apparent in Triumff), and is already a multi-million-selling author, but outside of 2000AD, Games Workshop and various other comic-writing and tie-in novelisation gigs, he is still, unbelievably a relative unknown. But all that is about to change with the publication of this truly original work of fiction.

The setting is the present day, only it's a world very different to our own, the sun never having set on the glories of the first Elizabethan Age. In this alternate reality the Renaissance saw a re-emergence of the Magick Arts and hence the arresting of significant technological development. Against this backdrop of Shakespearean thesps, wily cardinals and duelling noblemen, Sir Rupert Triumff - dandy, drinker and dueller - is catapulted into a revenger's tragedy's worth of intrigue as he tries to uncover and put paid to a nefarious and damnably traitorous scheme.

Abnett's world-building is assured and satisfyingly detailed, although none of this detail ever swamps the plot which moves at a rollicking rate. In fact, it reads like a Blackadder-inspired cinematic blockbuster. As a result, the alternate Elizabethan setting is instantly recognisable, populated with pastiches of historical figures as well as characters that have walked right out of your television set. There's even a nod to hardcore Warhammer fans. Humour, action and intrigue abound in equal measure, and combine with Abnett's idiosyncratic clockpunk stylings to create a wholly satisfying read.

To dismiss Triumff: Her Majesty's Hero as a Pratchett clone is to do it a disservice; this is classic Abnett. From the economy of description - which nonetheless conjures a vivid and fascinating backdrop - to the grand set-piece action scenes and frequent, pun-tastic humour - that extends to a scene right out of Bond - it could hardly be anything else.

If you want your buckles well and truly swashed and derring done, you know where to come. Triumff is, in a word, a triumph.

Triumff: Her Majesty's Hero is Dan Abnett's long-awaited original fiction novel. Abnett has an extensive history of writing successfully for various science fiction and fantasy imprints, but Triumff is our first chance to see him playing with toys entirely of his own creation. Those familiar with Abnett's writing will appreciate that such toys are likely to be full of whirly death, and will contain sharp objects not suitable for small children.

Its eponymous hero, Sir Rupert Triumff, drinks, cavorts and swashbuckles through an alternate version of present-day Earth where the sun never set on the Golden Age of Elizabethan England. Her Glorious Majesty Elizabeth XXX sits on the throne, along with a considerable weight of petticoats, bodice and pearls. A conspiracy is afoot to threaten the life of the Queen and taint the Magick that protects and prolongs her realm. And it's down to Rupert Triumff to save the day.

The book is a rollicking good read. It has the easy grace and… more »

Triumff: Her Majesty's Hero is Dan Abnett's long-awaited original fiction novel. Abnett has an extensive history of writing successfully for various science fiction and fantasy imprints, but Triumff is our first chance to see him playing with toys entirely of his own creation. Those familiar with Abnett's writing will appreciate that such toys are likely to be full of whirly death, and will contain sharp objects not suitable for small children.

Its eponymous hero, Sir Rupert Triumff, drinks, cavorts and swashbuckles through an alternate version of present-day Earth where the sun never set on the Golden Age of Elizabethan England. Her Glorious Majesty Elizabeth XXX sits on the throne, along with a considerable weight of petticoats, bodice and pearls. A conspiracy is afoot to threaten the life of the Queen and taint the Magick that protects and prolongs her realm. And it's down to Rupert Triumff to save the day.

The book is a rollicking good read. It has the easy grace and unpretentious style of Abnett's Games Workshop novels, and shares his familiar blending of accessible prose, realistic characterisation, and resonant description. Triumff will expand your vocabulary with neat antique and obscure words if you care to look them up, but the writing never gets bogged down in flowery prose. Primarily, it is a comic novel, and its lightness of touch and playful language may surprise some who come to Abnett purely from the grim darkness of Games Workshop, although a deft comic sensibility has often been at the heart of Abnett's work for 2000AD comics.

As an original novel, Triumff requires no familiarity with any of Abnett's extensive back-catalogue. Comparisons to other writers are inevitable in the fantasy genre. Some are describing Triumff as a kind of Steampunk Pratchett, and it's understandable. However, Abnett writes action considerably better than Pratchett, with several meaty fights and an explosive conclusion.

With its alternate Earth setting, much of the enjoyment comes from viewing our own world through a skewed mirror, and spotting the parallels. Triumff isn't preoccupied, however, with playing this game to the detriment of the plot, but does allow for some nice cameos, including a Q'ute James Bond scene that had me laughing out loud.

Ultimately, that's the important bit. Triumff is laugh-out-loud funny. The characters are strong and well-defined, and the neo-Elizabethan setting is handled carefully and without alienating those unfamiliar with all things cuffed and ruffed. It's pacey, punchy, and highly enjoyable. Vivat Regina!

I've never been much of a fan of history, even though a lot of sci-fi seems to be based on the past in a 'history repeats itself' sort of way. But I'm not one to prejudge, so I read "Triumff" with an open mind.

The concept is pretty straight forward, but I have to admit that I kept forgetting that this was actually 'modern times' rather than the 16th century. The idea is that the UK hasn't 'progressed' in a manner we'd recognise since the 1500's. It is Elizabethan London in all it's grotty, grimy glory.

The setting is done to the usual Dan Abnett standard, with broad brush strokes setting up Triumff's London to the right degree, and, as per usual, I was dropped right into the very middle of the world, and felt like this was a place where the characters could really live.

The characters all fit the story nicely with elements of Flashman and shades of Blackadder. Not to mention the more contemporary references thrown in for good measure, and a laugh too.

All in… more »

I've never been much of a fan of history, even though a lot of sci-fi seems to be based on the past in a 'history repeats itself' sort of way. But I'm not one to prejudge, so I read "Triumff" with an open mind.

The concept is pretty straight forward, but I have to admit that I kept forgetting that this was actually 'modern times' rather than the 16th century. The idea is that the UK hasn't 'progressed' in a manner we'd recognise since the 1500's. It is Elizabethan London in all it's grotty, grimy glory.

The setting is done to the usual Dan Abnett standard, with broad brush strokes setting up Triumff's London to the right degree, and, as per usual, I was dropped right into the very middle of the world, and felt like this was a place where the characters could really live.

The characters all fit the story nicely with elements of Flashman and shades of Blackadder. Not to mention the more contemporary references thrown in for good measure, and a laugh too.

All in all, I really enjoyed this jolly good romp through London, and found myself laughing out loud on quite a few occasions, especially at the modern media references, which could necessitate another read through to try and spot more. Plus, I liked the little twist at the end, didn't expect that one!