The unique perspective of Ciaphas Cain makes his first novel special. He's not your typical heroic character. Instead, he's a bit of a self - centered coward who just happens to get caught up in heroic situations. This gives a fresh take on the Warhammer 40,000 genre.
One thing that makes it special is the way it blends action and humor. There are intense battle scenes, but also really funny moments where Cain is trying to get out of trouble in the most comical ways. Also, the world - building in the novel is top - notch. It gives a detailed look at the Imperium and all its idiosyncrasies, which is really fascinating.
Ciaphas Cain's first novel stands out because of its character development. Cain himself is a multi - faceted character. He starts off as someone just looking out for himself, but as the story progresses, you see him grow in unexpected ways. The supporting characters are also well - crafted, and their relationships with Cain add depth to the story. Additionally, the novel's exploration of the moral grey areas in the Warhammer 40,000 universe is quite thought - provoking.