Review: SHADOWS OF TREACHERY, edited by Christian Dunn & Nick Kyme (Black Library)

August 30, 2012January 18, 2024 Civilian Reader Review Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Black Library, Christian Dunn, Dan Abnett, Gav Thorpe, Graham McNeill, Horus Heresy, John French, Nick Kyme, Sci-Fi, Shadows of Treachery, WH40k

A Horus Heresy Anthology

From the battlefields of Phall and Isstvan, to the haunted shadows of Terra itself – the greatest war in the history of mankind rages on. While the traitor Legions continue their campaign of terror across the galaxy, preparations are made for the defence of the Imperial Palace and the final, inevitable reckoning that must yet come between Horus and the Emperor…

I know a few readers who really don’t like the Horus Heresy anthologies of short stories, but I rather like them. They offer some great gap-filling fiction for specific events (noteworthy or just interesting), and are great for marking time between the full-length novels. It’s just a pity that some of these stories couldn’t be longer still – there are two novella length stories (one by the great Aaron Dembski-Bowden), but the rest of the stories within are pretty short. I think it’s a good collection, but some people may be disappointed with the fact that three of the stories are just prose versions of audio-books. As someone who prefers prose to audio, though, I thought this was a great read and addition to the series. Continue reading →

Review: THE PRIMARCHS, edited by Christian Dunn (Black Library)

May 4, 2012January 18, 2024 Civilian Reader Review Black Library, Christian Dunn, Gav Thorpe, Graham McNeill, Horus Heresy, Nick Kyme, Primarchs, Rob Sanders, Sci-Fi, WH40k

Four Tales of the Primarchs

Created in the Emperor’s own image, the Primarchs had long thought themselves to be princes of the universe and masters of their own destiny – they led the Space Marine Legions in glorious conquest of the galaxy, and no enemy of the Imperium could stand against them. However, even amongst this legendary brotherhood, the seeds of dissent had been sown long before the treacherous Warmaster Horus declared his grand heresy.

In this highly-anticipated anthology, we are presented with four stories of the Primarchs. We see the rifts within and between the two sides, traitors and loyalists. Each story looks at the psychologies and psychoses of the Primarchs, how those close to them perceive them, and how they consider different events.

Overall, this is a superb anthology, and I really hope Black Library release at least a couple more similar anthologies in the future, looking at some of the other Primarchs. This certainly lived up to my expectations. Continue reading →

Review: AGE OF DARKNESS, edited by Christian Dunn (Black Library)

April 10, 2011January 18, 2024 Civilian Reader Review Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Age of Darkness, Black Library, Chris Wraight, Christian Dunn, Dan Abnett, Gav Thorpe, Graham McNeill, Horus Heresy, James Swallow, John French, Nick Kyme, Rob Sanders, WH40k

A new chapter in the epic Horus Heresy history

After the betrayal at Isstvan V, Horus begins his campaign against the Emperor, a galaxy-wide war that can lead only to Terra. But the road to the final confrontation between father and son is a long one – seven years filled with secrecy and silence, plans and foundations being formed across distant stars. An unknown history is about to be unveiled as light is shed on the darkest years of the Horus Heresy.

Age of Darkness collects nine short stories written by the creme-de-la-creme of Black Library’s Warhammer 40,000 and Horus Heresyauthors. Set in the dark time between the betrayal on Isstvan V and the siege of Terra, this volume sheds some light on previously-uncovered age in the history of the conflict, from a multitude of angles and perspectives. It’s a diverse collection of well-written stories, and definitely a must for fans of the series. Continue reading →