Books like Pariah

I am a big fan of the Warhammer 40K series of novels. I've read several and this is one of the first ones that the story did not revolve around Space Marines. To me that was novel.A Pariah is a psyker that has no soul. Due to this they are unaffected by the Warp and psyker abilities. Beta Bequin is one such person. Raised as an orphan by a strange offshoot of the Inquisitores Ordos., she becomes a skilled intelligence agent. Except the Inquisition has THREE Ordos- Xenos (aliens); Malleus (Daemons) and Hereticus (Heretics), thus what is this mysterious fourth?In the Maze Undue, the training facility for the Ordos, Beta and her classmates are taught the intricacies of being a top level field operative. All that ends on a stunning night of attack. What follows is a fine tale of duplicity and bizarre events.What I found very interesting about this book is that it deals with other parts of the Imperium. Beta's Ordos may not be what it seems. Not to mention two great Inquisitors (Ravenor and Eisenhorn) are working at cross purposes for the same goal.This is a good look at the different aspects of training for the Inquisition. I also found the concept of "eudaemonic" research to be interesting. In essence this Ordos believes it can use the powers of the Warp against the Warp. Obviously such a path is fraught with peril. Something they find out quickly, not to mention that in the eyes of the rest of the Imperium this is heresy.While Space Marines DO make an appearance, they are Traitor Marines. From Teke, the Smiling One, who is an Emperor's Children Marine (one of the legions that sided with Horus during the Heresy) and two Space Marines of the Word Bearer's Legion (another Traitor Legion) are involved. They wish to recruit or kidnap Beta because she might lead them to a sacred "word of power". With this word, the Imperium could be unmade via spellwork.Thus a very interesting and different look at the Warhammer 40k world. I enjoyed it. I will be looking up the remaining books in this series. If you're a Warhammer 40K fan and would like to read about something other than Space Marines-this is a good book for you. If you are unfamiliar with the Warhammer 40K world, this may be a little confusing. I am fairly well versed in the world and even I found some of the things to be confusing till the middle and end parts of the tale when things begin to clear up. I also enjoyed seeing the various sections of the Inquisition and how they work (Or not). Eisenhorn is a famous figure and this is the first time I encounter him in an actual story, rather than in passing. Also the conflicts between the Traitor Legions is interesting. Since they are no longer human, but daemon spawn-it is fascinating to see how the Word Bearer's and Emperor's Children are no longer allies but will fight among themselves.Hopefully the rest of the series will keep to this same level of interest and plot. If so I will most certainly buy them.