A Thousand Sons: Graham McNeill *Spoilers*

A Thousand Sons: Graham McNeill

The Great Crusade is at it's height, and the Thousand Sons are its most dedicated warriors. Though utterly loyal, the Legion of Magnus the Red is viewed with suspiscion for its arcane methods. Feared by the Imperium he has sworn to serve, Magnus is called to the planet Nikaea to answer charges of sorcery. When the ill-fated Primarch foresees the treachery of Warmaster Horus and warns the Emperor with forbidden powers, the Master of Mankind dispatches Leman Russ, Primarch of the Space Wolves, to attack Prospero. But Magnus has seen far more than the betrayal of Horus and his revelations will seal the fate of his legion forever.

I finished this last night and quite simply, wow. This, I think, has just suparssed Salamander as my favourite Black Library Book. Graham Mcneill introduces a whole new host of charachters, with the story being mainly set through the eyes of Ahzek Ahriham, the Chief Librarian of the Thousand Sons, and of Lemuel Gaumon, a Social Behaviourist, and of course, it also gives Magnus the Red a major starring role. Alongside Lemuel, Ahriham and Magnus we see the apperance of Constantin Valador, the Chief Custodian. Alongside Valador, we have an apperance from several Primarchs, and we learn that Mortarion and Russ are both against Magnus's 'sorcerous' ways. We also see a minor apperance from Sanguinus and Fulgrim, who try to support Magnus at the Council of Nikaea, or as people would call it, "The Trial of Magnus the Red".

The story begins on the newly Imperialsied world of Aghoru, and which we see the Thousand Sons take on two Xenos Titans, and an in-depth conversation between the leader of the Aghoru and Ahriham himself. Also appearing this early on is Oththere Wyrdmake, the Rune Priest of the 5th Company of Space Wolves, who seemingly befriends Ahriham. That is the first part of the book, and the second takes us to Nikaea and the Trial, where Magnus sees a vison of Horus betraying the Emperor, and warns him through powers that the Emperor has forbidden.

Thus the stage is set as The Emperor unleashes his War Dogs (Space Wolves) upon Nikaea, and seals the fate of the Thousand Sons. If there is one word that this book can be described in, it's tragic. Given another word I'd probably say fantastic. Combining into a sentance I'd say tragically fantastic. But this has easily got to be the best book of the Heresy series so far, (Mind you, I haven't read the books between Descent of Angels And Fallen Angels. As I wanted to read them one after the other, and the lure of the gold covers for A Thousand Sons and Nemesis proved too strong to resist. This book unleashes an epic war not seen since Ben Counter's Galaxy In Flames, and maybe Fulgrim.

However, as godly as this book may be, it is not without errors, though I think I may be nitpicking. Graham McNeill stated that the Luna Wolves were the I Legion, whereas according to Lexicanum and Descent of Angels / Fallen Angels, the Dark Angels are the I Legion.

Overall, this book is fantastic. Read, I command You.

High Point: The sacking of Prospero by the Space Wolves. Great Battle.

Low Point: The pacing seemed, I don't know, a bit off? Did you guys find that too?

Rating: 10/10

~Bane of Kings, next time reviewing Nemesis.

Fallen Angels: Mike Lee *Minor Spoilers*

Fallen Angels: Mike Lee

As news of Horus;s treachery spreads, the Great Crusade grinds to a halt as the primarchs and their legions decide where their loyalty lies, with the Emperor, or the rebel Warmaster Horus. In this sequel to Descent of Angels, the Dark Angels too face a time of testing, both in the stars and on their homeworld, Caliban. Civil war erupts as their planet strives to break free from Imperial rul, and the Dark Angels are thrust into a deadly conflict where all they know and trust is thrown into doubt.

Fallen Angels is the sequel to Descent of Angels in the Million-Selling Horus Heresy series, which if you'll remember from last time, follows Zahariel, now a fully fledged Librarian, stuck on Caliban with Luther and Lord Cypher by orders of their Primarch, and Brother-Redemptor Nemiel, who's now a Chaplain, despite only wanting to be a knight originally. This story also introduces a host of new charachters, Captain Stenius, the master of the battle barge Invincible Reason, and the Terran Sergeant Kohl, a veteran of many campaigns. Kohl also adds some light-hearted humour to this book. There are also people like Governor Taddeus Kulik of Diamat, the planet in which The Lion and the legion not on Caliban are sent to deal with uprising and then, they come across the Sons of Horus, who are now against the Emperor whom they used to follow until death.

Whereas Descent of Angels was mostly based before the Imperials and the coming of the I legion, the Dark Angels, and thus didn't feel like a 40K, or rather, 30K novel, Fallen Angels felt a lot more like the universe that it's set in. But still, Fallen Angels didn't seem to have that epicness that other Horus Heresy novels has (bar Descent of Angels of course), and I noticed a few errors, meaning the editor was either alseep or was distracted.

High Point: When I closed the book, knowing I didn't have to read any more of it.

Low Point: Similar to Descent of Angels, Fallen Angels doesn't seem like a Horus Heresy novel. Maybe an average 40K novel, and a low one like that, but not a HH novel.

Rating: 4/10

~Bane of Kings.

Also, I regret to inform that I am no longer collecting Salamanders, the (Red) thirst proving to strong for me, meaning I now collect a Blood Angels army. Also, in other news, I picked up A Thousand Sons and Nemesis (In Shiny Gold, yay!), at Games Workshop Barnstaple Yesterday, so yeah. Expect review from them soon. I'm on chapter 8 of 10K sons already, and it's looking good. Verry Good.

Descent of Angels: Mitchel Sandon

Descent of Angels: Mitchel Sandon

The Next Installment in the Ground-Breaking Horus Heresy series, telling the tale of the civil war that tore the Human Imperium apart nearly ten thousand years ago. This novel explores the dark and mysterious history of the Dark Angels legion and their Primarch, Lion El'Johnson. When the Imperial Fleet rediscovers the Planet Caliban, The Emperor is reunited with his missing son and Primarch, Lion El'Johnson. As Dark Angels old and new join the Great Crusade, a chain of events is set in motion that will change Caliban, Its people and the legion forever.

Okay, I know I am a fast reader, which Is why I have two books up for you guys which I have read over the weekend. The first was Fulgrim, and the second is this one. Descent of Angels, The First of the two Dark Angels books.

This is the first Horus Heresy book in the series that I have not had to refer to the Dramatis Personae at the beginning to see who the charachters are as it is the first book in this epic series that follows one main charachter, called Zahariel El'Zurias, a boy who joins the Order of Caliban, and when the Emperor arrives on his home planet, he becomes a member of the Dark Angels Legion. However, the main focus of this book is not on the arrival of the Imperium, as that happens towards the end, but it centres on Zahariel's rise to knighthood, all the time being watched by the First Primarch, Lion El'Johnson.

Aside from Zahariel, we also see a lot of new charachters introduced to the Horus Heresy, Luther, Nemiel, his rival, Israfael, the Librarian who takes an intrest in Zahariel and many others. After Zahraiel is promoted to the Order, The Lion declares a beast hunt to eradicate the beasts on Caliban. It is of course, succussful, and shortly afterwards we have the arrival of the Emperor, the Commander of Mankind himself. Zahariel stops an assasination attempt on the Emperor's life by Knights of the Order who prefer the old ways of Caliban and don't want things to change.

As is revealled, only the young can have the Dark Angels geneseed, and Zahraiel and Nemiel both recieve it, but the old can only have surgical improvments, including Luther.

This book doesn't actually feature any heresy, but sets the stage for the events that could come later, but relies on there being a sequel to follow it.

High Point: The bit where Nemiel takes Zahraiel down to a secret coven of people who are trying to kill the Emperor.

Low Point: The Whole book, kind of felt as though it wasn't good enough to be a Horus Heresy novel as the others had been. I'm dissapointed as in some parts, it was similar to the fluff section of a codex.

Rating: 4/10

That's all for now folks, join me next time as I review Fallen Angels, the sequel to this low-rated book.

~Bane of Kings

Fulgrim: Graham Mcneill

Fulgrim: Graham Mcneill

It is the 31st millennium, and humanity is at the peak of its powers. As the Great Crusade, led by Warmaster Horus, continues to conquer the galaxy, Fulgrim, Primarch of the Emperor's Children, leads his warriors into battle against a vile alien foe. From the blood of this campaign are sown the seeds that will lead this proud legion to treachery, taking them down the darkest paths of corruption. Leading up to the carnage of the Dropsite Massacre on Isstvan V, Graham Mcneill tells the tale of Fulgrim's tragic fall from grace in the next thrilling novel in the Horus Heresy series!

Having recived this on friday, I spent the weekend reading the fifth installment in the Horus Heresy series featuring the Emperor's Children, written by Graham Mcneill, responsible for False Gods and the stories about the Ultramarines Fourth. We see what happens to Lucius and Tarvitz and Lord Commander Eidolon, before the events in the previous stories, and also introduces some new charachters, such as rembrancers, but most notably Captain Dementer, and of course gives Fulgrim a major starring role, who is battling with a Daemon inside his head.

The Iron Hands and their Primarch, Ferrus Manus are introduced to the Horus Heresy in this novel, and Fabius Bile plays a part in enhancing Eidolon's geneseed. This also weaves an epic tale of tragic betrayal and awesome battles, along with the odd slow part with the Rembrancers so we can catch our breaths.

Until I read this book, I wasn't a fan of the Emperor's Children, but now I am, but I still prefer the pre-Heresy Marines to the Slaneesh supporting traitors.

If you haven't read this book yet, I reccommend that you do. It's an excellent novel, and the second book by Graham Mcneill that I've read. Hope you enjoy it!

High Point: The talk between Fulgrim and Ferrus Manus where Fulgrim tries to turn his brother to the ways of Horus (I was about to say dark side, but then again, I did watch Star Wars recently), and also the bit between Lucius and Captain Dementer towards the end.

Low Point: I found it hard to get into at the beginning, having constantly to refer to the guide at the beginning known as Dramatis Personae.

The Rating: 9/10

In other news, I picked up Fallen Angels and the Ultramarines Omnibus, so I have plenty of books to read over the summer.

~Bane of Kings signing out.

Two Reviews Coming Soon!

Okay, having just recived Fulgrim and Descent of Angels from the Horus Heresy series, I will start reading them over the weekend and post a review when I have finished Fulgrim. The review will also be seen on Heresy Online.

- Bane of Kings, over and out

Helsreach - Aaron Dembski Bowden

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Helsreach - Aaron Dembski-Bowden

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This is a re-read, so I have already known what happened and known how fantastic this story is. Being my first Space Marine Battle Novel, I didn't really know what to expect, but I didn't need to have read Rynn's World, the first novel in the series to understand this one, which was quite good.

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Note that in this novel, "The Great Enemy," does not mean Chaos like normal, but it means the Orks, which makes sense as this is set in the 3rd war for Armaggedon, and begins with Grimaldus being promoted to Reclusiarch after the death of his mentor, Mordred, which I think is a great name, and the bit is avalible in one of the Black Library Preview catalogues. Probably the most recent one, which is free, if you want to pick it up.

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The Third War for Armaggedon begins in space, and the Eternal Crusader, the ship which the Grand Master Helbrecht sets off to halt the xenos as much as possible, leaving the newly promoted Grimaldus in charge of the ground forces of Helsreach, which he wonders why Helbrecht has sent him to die, as he knows that he will.

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The book also introduces a number of secondary charachters, from Andrej, who was possibly my favourite charachter in the book apart from the Reclusiarch himself, as his personality brings some humor to the often grimdark far future, to Zhara, the Princeps of the almighty Titan known as Stormherald. Also making a cameo are the Salamanders, which I'm especially pleased because they are my favourite chapter, as you have probably guessed by now.

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Yes, Charachter Delevopment is seen in this novel, as Major Ryken and Adept Tyro distrust each other at the start, to becoming freinds at the end of the battle. This novel reveals that the Imperium often makes things more dramatic, as Grimaldus is seen as the only survivour by the records, but others (I will not say who), surrived as well.

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Pros: The First strike by the Templars into the crashed Ork ship, giving the defenders first blood, and the apperance of the Salamanders.

Cons: Not much, although it wasn't as good as Soul Hunter, which I prefered a lot more.

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Rating: 9 / 10 - Not as good as Soul Hunter or Salamander, but a great book nonetheless.

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Expect more reviews soon, as I am going to try and pick up Fulgrim and A Thousand Sons, possibly something else if I have enough money. Hope you enjoyed.

New Location

Okay, I'm moving to this blog because - well, something went wrong with my account.

http://baneofkingsblog.blogspot.com/


This is where the old blog is, if you want to see my introduction and the Salamander review, which is also on Heresy Online.

Sorry for any complications. Helsreach will be the next book that I'm reviewing, my first in the Space Marine Battle Series.

~Bane of Kings with a new account.