Rynn's World: Steve Parker

Okay, here's possibly my final review for a couple of weeks as I'll be on holiday in that period of time. During that, I'll be listining to Throne of Lies, reading Legion, Mechanicum, Tales of Heresy, Ultramarines Omnibus, Eisenhorn Omnibus and The Saint: A Gaunt's Ghosts Novel.

Rynn's World: Steve Parker

++Activate All frequency vox-net++

++Auth Gamma Five-Five-Two++

++Override Naval STS Relay++

++To all Imperial Forces in the Loki Sector++

++Rynn’s World orbital defence grid breached,

Surface-to-orbit batteries insufficient.

Crimson Fist battlefleet has sustained massive losses and cannot hold.

The Orks are landing upon Rynn’s World.

Situation Critical. Without aid, the planet will surely fall.

Request despatch of reinforcements from...++

++Transmission failed++

++There is only the Emperor, He is our shield and protector++

Okay, after reading Helsreach and enjoying it (see Of Books and Wargames 2), I decided to pick up Rynn’s World. And needless to say, I was disappointed.

I expected intense action, which I got. Pedro Kantor and the last few surviving Crimson Fists battling against all odds. I expected the Crimson Fists characters to be memorable, like the Helsreach novel. However, I was disappointed. These characters were entirely one dimensional. The battle for Rynn’s World had been one of my favourite 40K battles (behind The Siege of Terra and The Battle for Prospero), and I was glad that they at least made a book about it.

However, Steve Parker could have done better, for instance the invasion lasts for several months but it feels as though, per the book, it lasted only a week, and I didn’t feel as though the Chapter had any sort of way that made it unique, and I’m sure Brother Subtle of Drop Site Massacre will agree with me there.

I guess, there isn’t really any more to say about this, other than that I struggled to finish. I found myself skipping through pages to find out whether Alessio Cortez survived his clash with an Ork Warboss, and yeah, not an enjoyable book overall.

High Point: Kantor and Cortez’s bickering. They are two entirely opposite characters that have different views on everything (Kantor wants to save his chapter, Cortez wants a glorious last charge), but Cortez still respects his old friends will, as Pedro Kantor is the master of the Chapter after all.

Low Point: One Dimensional Characters, no uniqueness of the Crimson Fists.

Rating: 3/10 ¬ The lowest rating that I’d have to give a Black Library book yet.

Should you buy this book? If you want to have a collection of Space Marine Battles or enjoy one dimensional characters fighting against Orks.

~Bane of Kings, over and out. Expect loads of reviews when I get back hopefully.

The Blood Angels Omnibus: James Swallow (Part Two: Deus Sanguinus)

Okay, here's the second part in the Blood Angels Omnibus. Having spent the whole afternoon reading Deus Sanguinius, I reckon I should review it before I forget anything. But, I don't think I'm forgetting anything from this book, though.

Blood Angels Omnibus: James Swallow

Part Two: Deus Sanguinius

In this two-book sequence, author James Swallow brings the Blood Angels chapter to life. In an epic story of heroisim, corruption and betrayal, battle-brothers Rafen and Arkio find themselves pitted against each other in a battle for the very soul of the Chapter.

When Brother Arkio claims to be a reincarnation of Sanguinius, the Blood Angel's spiritual father, the message is clear: Follow me or die. Rafen kneels before Arkio and swears an oath of devotion - but the words are ashes in his mouth, and in his heart, he knows that he and his brother will have a reckoning that only one of them will surrive...

Okay, as mentioned above, this is the second part in the Blood Angels Omnibus, which follows the exploits of Brothers (not just because they are Space Marines, mind you) Arkio, who now claims to be the reincarnation of Sanguinius, and Rafen, who's seemingly alone against his former brother, who he has believed has beent tainted by chaos.

As a sequel to an already fantastic book, I had high expectations for this one, and I wasn't dissapointed. Although I worked out what would happen midway through Deus Encarmine, reading the book was still an enjoyment, as it continues the fast pace from the first book, and features an epic showdown at the end and plenty of sweet Dante and Mephiston action.

We also see a Lord of Change, who appears at the hieght of the grand finale to what could mean doom to the Blood Angels force, and plenty of cunning means used to turn the Blood Angels against each other.

High Point: The final showdown between Arkio and Rafen, in a fantastic brother vs brother duel.

Low Point: It was a shame that there was no major twist at the end, as mentioned above it seemed a tad bit predictable.

Rating: 9 / 10

Should you buy this book: Well, If you haven't already got the Omnibus and are buying the books individualy, then defiantly buy this book.

The Blood Angels Omnibus: James Swallow (Part One: Deus Encarmine)

Blood Angels Omnibus: James Swallow

Part One: Deus Encarmine

In this two-book sequence, author James Swallow brings the Blood Angels chapter to life. In an epic story of heroisim, corruption and betrayal, battle-brothers Rafen and Arkio find themselves pitted against each other in a battle for the very soul of the Chapter.

When Brother Arkio claims to be a reincarnation of Sanguinius, the Blood Angel's spiritual father, the message is clear: Follow me or die. Rafen kneels before Arkio and swears an oath of devotion - but the words are ashes in his mouth, and in his heart, he knows that he and his brother will have a reckoning that only one of them will surrive...

Okay, here's my first review of an Omnibus and I'm going to do it in two parts. Having spent the last day reading Deus Encarmine, the first part in the Blood Angels omnibus, I decided to review it. Now, back to the story. Being the first Blood Angels novel, and I being such a fan of the Blood Angels, I had to read it.

It's a tale of two brothers, Rafen and Arkio, Rafen being the older brother, and the more experienced, but after a battle on Cybele and the invasion by the Word Bearers, Arkio leads a stirring counter attack to drive the Chaos Marines from their homeworld.

Shortly after there are whispers. Whispers that Arkio may be a incarnation of the Primarch, Sanguinius. But I'm not going to give you away everything, you'll going to have to read and find out yourself. When I read This omnibus, It was easy to spot the differences that the Blood Angels had from another chapter, rather than in some other books, as they've got a lust for battle and it shows a great example of the Black Rage.

This book also introduces the bad-ass Inquisitor Stele, ally of the Blood Angels, and a whole host of memorable charachters. Unlike when I reviewed Battle for the Aybss, I couldn't remember the charachters names after the novel. However, in this, I can. I can even name a Sergeant who's a secondary charachter: Sergeant Koris, who plays the role of Rafen's mentor.

High Point: Seeing Blood Angels in fiction, the charachters being memorable and Rafen's choice: Loyalty to the Blood Angels or his brother. If you were in that position, what would you choose?

Low Point: Too action packed, If I might say. Even though it was a fantastic book, there seemed to be lots of fighting in the first half of Deus Encarmine, but I'm only nitpicking, as I like action.

Rating: 9/10 Great book, and enjoyed it a lot.

Should you buy this book: Yes, If you want to see some Blood Angel action!

link to "Of Books and Wargames 2"

Yeah, basically what the title says. If you want to check out my reviews before I switched to OBAW3, click the link below:

http://ofbooksandwargames2.blogspot.com/

Next review will be part one of the Blood Angels omnibus.

Another Error by me, sorry guys!

Okay, once Again, I've forgotton my password and e-blogger won't let me click on "Forgot your password," so I've decided to create Of Books and Wargames 3!. Yes, it's back, for the third time, and hopefully the last time.

Now, In Other news, which is good, i've decided against closing down my blog, for mainly one reason.


A few days ago, I sent an email to Black Library asking if I could be a book reviewer for their company. (I.E; they send me books and I write reviews for them), and about an hour ago I got a response saying that my request was accepted.

So yeah, I'm now an official Black Library book reviewer. (Unless they suddenly change their mind, which I'm hoping they won't.).

So, this is Bane of Kings, signing out, on a good news!