The First Heretic: Aaron Dembski-Bowden [Spoilers]

The First Heretic: Aaron Dembski-Bowden

Amidst the galaxy-wide war of the Great Crusade, the Emperor castigates the Word Bearers for their worship. Distraught at this judgment, Lorgar and his Legion seek another path while devastating world after world, venting their fury and fervor on the battlefield. Their search for a new purpose leads them to the edge of the material universe, where they meet ancient forces far more powerful than they could have imagined. Having set out to illuminate the Imperium, the corruption of Chaos takes hold and their path to damnation begins. Unbeknownst to the Word Bearers, their quest for truth contains the very roots of heresy…

~http://www.blacklibrary.com/Horus-Heresy/First-Heretic-The.html

Having finished The First Heretic around lunchtime, I enjoyed it greatly, and now holds the prize of being my favourite Horus Heresy Novel, outclassing even A Thousand Sons by Graham McNeill.

And believe it or not, this is Dembski-Bowden’s first step down the Horus Heresy series and he’s pulled it off brilliantly. In this novel, as many have guessed, the focus is mainly on the XVII Legion, the scions of Lorgar, the Bearers of the Word. Yes, the Word Bearers are back.

Even though I haven’t read Anthony Reynolds’s Word Bearer Trilogy, I was wondering if ADB could still pull it off, and judging by the other reviews that I’ve read – he has.

There are several great moments in this book, and I especially like the fact that we see the discovery of a planet near the Eye of Terror that will prove such an important role in the 41^st Millennium, but is literally nothing in the 31^st. If you’re a fan of 40k then you’ve probably guessed what planet it is already. (Note for Heresy Online Readers: I cross-post this on other websites where people who read it might not always be 40k fans).

Another revelation in this novel is the identity of the first person to utter the words, “Death to the False Emperor.”

The First Heretic was well written, well paced and contained great action towards the end, although seemed to be more political in the beginning. Also, this novel was the first book that felt similar to the earlier novels that focused around the Sons of Horus, so I enjoyed it even more for that.

As well as being focused on the Word Bearers themselves, you also get a hint as to why the Ultramarine Legion might be so huge and a bit of information of the twenty Primarchs creation.

There is also a lot of character development, as the Word Bearers go from over-zealous followers, devout worshippers of the God-Emperor to renegade upholders of the Chaos Gods.

High Point: Returning to the Isstvan system again and learning about the backstory to the Word Bearers, learning about the Primarchs as well.

Low Point: What low point? There is no low point in this novel, a great book and I enjoyed every moment of it.

Rating out of 10: 10/10, Great stuff.



Firedrake: Nick Kyme

Firedrake: Nick Kyme

When Chaplain Elysius of the Salamanders is taken captive by Dark Eldar, he faces a fight for survival at the hands of these cruel aliens. The Firedrakes of 1st Company attempt a daring rescue mission, but much more is at stake than the Chaplain’s life. He holds the key to secrets buried beneath Mount Deathfire, secrets that could reveal the damnation – or salvation – of their home world. The Salamanders must penetrate the Port of Anguish and defeat the xenos threat there if they are to unveil the mysteries within the Tome of Fire. Meanwhile, Dak’ir battles to survive the brutal Librarian training, and in his visions liesan even darker future…

~http://www.blacklibrary.com/Warhammer-40000/Firedrake.html

Okay, here we go, and I’m back with the second instalment in the Tome of Fire Trilogy, appropriately titled Firedrake, and Tsu’gan and Dak’ir are thrown back into the action once again.

As Salamander was one of my favourite Black Library books, I had very high expectations for Firedrake, and I’m pleased to say that I got them. Kyme delivers a breathtaking page-turning novel that will leave you eagerly awaiting the ending, which will conclude in Noctrune, part three of the Trilogy.

I found Firedrake to be a great read, and not only does it bring back old characters from Salamander and also introduces a whole host of new ones, the main newbie, well, only a newbie to the Tome of Fire Trilogy, is Vulkan He’stan, and he’s just as awesome as I imagined him to be, and, not only are the characters written well, they also develop, which helps make this novel a great read.

The pacing is fantastic, not rushed, but still allows room for some great scenes, particularly where Elysius squares off against a Dark Eldar Leader, and you also get a few plot twists to keep this story interesting. Having picked up Firedrake & The First Heretic at the same time, I am glad that I read Firedrake first, as I really enjoyed the novel.

Now, unlike a few other books that I’ve read, Firedrake gives us enough description to let us imagine where the Salamanders are at, how they’re fighting and how they look, and who they’re up against.

In this novel, rather than being Iron Warriors and Orks like it was in Salamander, the enemies are Dark Eldar, and of course the Dragon Warriors, lead by Nilihan (I think that’s how you spell it, I don’t have the book on me at the moment).

Rating out of 10: 10/10, Great book and an awesome read. Fully deserves its title.

Should you buy this book? Well, If you’ve read Salamander then you defiantly should. Trust me on this, you will enjoy it.

Traitor General: Dan Abnett

Please note this book is now part of a four book omnibus entitled "The Lost," and cannot be purchased on Black Library as a single book. I brought it as part as an Omnibus. With that in mind, enjoy the review.

Traitor General: Dan Abnett

A Gaunt’s Ghosts Novel

“Whilst Reading The Lost I was reminded why Abnett is the King of 40K.”

The forces of Magister Sek have captured a high raking Imperial Lord General and Commissar Ibram Gaunt and a team of men have been tasked with the re-capture of this vital officer. Dropped onto the world of Gereon, Gaunt and his Ghosts witness first hand, the horrors of a world being enslaved by Chaos. Can the Ghosts track down and save the lost General before his resolve is broken or will they have to silence him?

~http://www.blacklibrary.com/all-products/Traitor-General-Softback.html

Well, here’s my first Gaunt’s Ghost Review, and it’s the opening novel in The Lost story arc, and puts Colonel Commissar Gaunt back in the spotlight in Dan Abnett’s most popular series. It’s also been a long time since I’ve journeyed to the Realm of Space known as the Sabbat Worlds, and now I wish I’d picked The Lost Omnibus up instead of the Three Ultramarines books.

Because Dan Abnett isn’t just better than McNeill. He runs rings around him, and whilst reading The Lost I was reminded why Abnett is the King of 40K. And 30k, and I have to say that was a weekend well spent.

Unlike other books published by Black Library, Traitor General lacks the epic battle between Loyalist and Chaos forces. However, what it lacks is made up in writing quality. The book wasn’t rushed, and was paced out to give us a great read that’ll drag you in on a hook and keep you there.

There is a fantastic scene in Traitor General, where we see Gaunt’s Ghosts (of which there are only twelve on this assassination mission), take on five Chaos Space Marines. It’s a great moment, and one of my highlights whilst reading this book.

Also for the first time, Abnett puts in humour, which he has avoided in the last two Omnibuses as of the more serious background. I mean, how can you crack a joke after your planet has been destroyed by the Ruinous Powers?

Rather than focus on several of the Gaunt’s Ghosts, Abnett has put them in a situation where there is only twelve, Gaunt, Rawne, Feygor, Cridd, Curth and more come together for this all star line-up of a well paced book which is one of the best of the Gaunt’s Ghosts that I’ve read. Although, I have to say, If there’s one thing which stops it from getting a ten out of ten, it’s the rather sudden ending.

Rating out of 10: 9/10 – Great Read, easily worth it.

Should you buy this book? Yes especially if you’re a Gaunt’s Ghosts fan.

The Chapter's Due: Graham McNeill

The Chapter’s Due: Graham McNeill

War is unending in the life of a Space Marine. After defeating tau forces, Captain Uriel Ventris of the Ultramarines has returned to the Chapter’s Homeworld of Macragge, but there is little respite. The Ultramarines are thrust back into battle, and this time the enemy is the Chapter’s greatest nemesis. The traitorous Iron Warriors, led by renegade Warsmith Honsou, have gathered together a massive and brutal Warband. Their target is the realm of Ultramar. Their objective is total annihilation. It is a final showdown between legendary Space Marines, and Uriel Ventris must take on the might of Honsou if he is to save his Chapter’s Homeworld.

~http://www.blacklibrary.com/Warhammer-40000/Chapters-Due-The.html

At Long last, we come to the sixth installment in the epic Ultramarines series, known as The Chapter’s Due. After everything I’ve read so far, I was hyped up to reading this book, and I expected it to be one of the best Ultramarines books so far.

318 pages later, and I’m deeply disappointed. I was tired of noticing small spelling mistakes and things like full stops and commas missing. Guess the Black Library editors were asleep on the job, and McNeill didn’t bother (It seems) to double check.

Sure, there were epic battles and the long awaited clash between 4^th Captain Uriel Ventris and Warsmith Honsou. However, I feel that the fight between the two champions wasn’t done as well as it could have been. As you have seen in Fulgrim, Graham McNeill gave us a similar clash of traitor and loyalist – only then it was Fulgrim and Ferrus Manus, not Uriel and Honsou. That was written a lot better, whereas McNeill fails to deliver what could have been an epic showdown.

Even though McNeill has learnt one lesson from Courage and Honour and not splashed the warcry of the Ultramarines across every page, he’s certainly still stuck down the Bolter Porn route. But still, what could you expect from a war this epic?

Yes, the war was epic with the battle being fought across four planets, Calth and Talassar (Spelling check needed) included, which both spawned famous Ultramarines Captains; Sicarus of the 2^nd and Ventris of the 4^th.

Sure, given more time I reckon McNeill could have produced a better book, as I reckon he rushed this so it come out alongside the paperback version of Courage and Honour.

And has anyone else noticed that the books seem to go downhill as the series progresses? I mean, Ultramarines Omnibus was a great read, but then The Killing Ground wasn’t as good as that, and Courage and Honour wasn’t as good as The Killing Ground, and this proves the theory with The Chapter’s Due.

It was nowhere near as good as the Ultramarines Omnibus, actually, even Courage and Honour was better than this, and I was astounded to see that some people on Black Library had rated this book four or even five out of five. It’s a rubbish, rushed book. Sure, you will want to read to the end to see the outcome, but you just know who will win. It’s one of those predictable endings.

Also, there is a twist in this novel revolving around the innermost core of Honsou’s allies. I won’t tell you who, but a smart reader will probably guess.

Did I mention that we see some Raven Guard action as well? It’s weird, but I found Fourth Captain Shaan to be more likeable than any of the Ultramarines including Uriel and Pasanius, the two main characters. Shaan’s just become my favorite character out of the whole Ultramarines series.

Rating out of 10: 5/10

Should you buy this book? Not unless you want to find out what happens between Honsou and Uriel, and watch Ultramarines get thrashed.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to reading the last few pages of Dan Abnett’s third Gaunt’s Ghosts Omnibus: The Lost.

Courage and Honour: Graham McNeill

THE NOBLE ULTRAMARINES epitomise the Space Marines, the genetically enhanced warriors who protect the Imperium from its foes. Newly returned from the Eye of Terror, Captain Uriel Ventris must redeem himself in the eyes of his battle-brothers, who fear he may have been tainted by Chaos. When the Planet Pavonis is invaded by tau, what better opportunity could Uriel have to join his Chapter in combat and prove that his honour is beyond reproach?

Well, here we are again with a review for the next chapter in the epic Ultramarines series, appropriately Courage and Honour.

In a sense, this book is kind of similar to the first, Nightbringer. Especially since that it’s set on Pavonis, the site of Uriel’s first mission as a fourth company captain. As well as Pavonis returning, we get a host of characters from Nightbringer itself, despite them being a bit older. Also, we’re not fighting the Nightbringer this time. The enemy of the Ultramarines is the Tau, an upstart xenos race.

Graham McNeill’s portrayal of the Tau is something of a letdown – they don’t charge into close combat, they don’t hold their ground and they don’t throw away their soldiers’ lives needlessly.

Ignoring that, I enjoyed the fifth Ultramarines novel. Even though it was constant warfare all the way through, McNeill doesn’t just focus on the battles. He introduces or re introduces each of the characters, giving them their own turn in the spotlight despite the main plot being focused around Uriel Ventris’ battle for redemptation in the eyes of the Company’s Chaplain, Clausal. (R/N: Is this how you spell Clausal? Is it Clausel?)

We also get a few twists in this novel, and you can’t help thinking that you didn’t expect him to turn, or her to do what she did in the end. Of course I won’t tell you their names.

Now, continuing with the review, and let’s look at the Tau breed of xeno, once again. They’re normally shown to be the light-hearted race, the xenos that are willing to co-operate with others. However, McNeill shows the reader the darker side of these upstarts, and portrays the Tau as the type of people who say, “Join us or else we’ll kill you.”

All of this, so far and I haven’t even touched the message that Courage and Honour is trying to get across. And that message is, quite simply – Follow Guilliman’s 10,000 year old tome known as The Codex Astartes or you will be punished and fail any battle that you try to win.

And this is what Uriel’s trying to do. The Captain of the Fourth, having been exiled from Ultramar for breaking the Codex rules in the first place, is now trying to prove that he will not deviate from it.

Okay, despite the fact that there is little character development in this novel, I seemed to rather enjoy it. As stated earlier, the main focus is on action-packed fights between the Tau and the Imperium, which aside from his portrayal of the Tau, McNeill has done fantastically.

Oh, by the way, just to let you know, I’m not doing any more High and Low Points.

Rating out of 10: 6.5/10 – Not as good as the Killing Ground, but not the worst book ever.

Should you buy this book?: Yes unless you’re a Tau fan, or an Ultramarines hater.

The Killing Ground: Graham McNeill

Okay, here's the next installment of the Ultramarines Saga like I promised. Enjoy!

The Killing Ground: Graham McNeill

In the Nightmare world of Warhammer 40,000, no servants of the Imperium are more dedicated than the Ultramarines, who follow the teaches of the legendary Codex Astartes to the letter. Having escaped from the Eye of Terror, Uriel Ventris and Pasanius now face a greater challenge – they must fight their way home to their Chapter, for safety and redemption.

Okay, it’s been a long time since I’ve read and reviewed any new purchased 40k stuff, and I’m leaping back into action with The Killing Ground, the Fourth instalment in the six novel strong Ultramarines series, written by one of Black Library’s more popular authors, and one of my favourites – Graham McNeill.

As I found out whilst reading The Killing Ground, you don’t have to read the Ultramarines Omnibus beforehand despite McNeill referencing several incidents from the three novels Nightbringer, Warriors of Ultramar and Dead Sky, Black Sun. However, it certainly helps you to understand the two main characters, and you get a load of information about the Unfleshed.  

Ah, now the Unfleshed. For any readers of Dead Sky, Black Sun, you’ll remember these beings worship the God Emperor despite being on Medrengard, fortress of the Iron Warriors, and they actually help Ventris and Pasanius to escape from The Eye of Terror.

Now, onto the actual novel. Aside from the return of the fourth Captain of the Ultramarines and his Sergeant, we get the Lord of the Unfleshed back along with several humans that each have a background linked with the mysterious area of the planet Salinas, known as The Killing Ground, which is off limit to humans and regularly patrolled by the Planetary Defence Force known as “Screaming Eagles”.

And these are the first Imperial humans that Uriel and Pasanius meet since before the Eye of Terror, but they don’t believe the exiled Ultramarines are still Astartes, as if you remember, they look like Renegades, as stated by Colonel Kain, a woman who is commander of the Screaming Eagles and one of the main figures in the Killing Ground Massacre.

As you start The Killing Ground, not much is revealed about the back story to Salinas, but turn more pages and it kind of drags you in by a hook and keeps you there.

Before I started these Ultramarines novels, I’ve been a hater of the “Ultrasmurfs,” but after reading the first three books, my mind has changed and now, having finished the fourth and midway through Courage and Honour, I am now torn between collecting the Ultramarines 4^th and my beloved Blood Angels.

Also, Uriel and Pasanius are not the only astartes we see in this book, but that’s all I’m going to give away. This thing’s already got Minor Spoilers written all over it. Don’t make me go back and change it to Full Spoilers, okay?

Well, one thing’s for certain when you pick up the Fourth instalment of this Ultramarines series - Plot twists. And plenty. Again, this is a touchy subject that I don’t want to reveal too much about it.

It’s kind of a shame that most people won’t read these series simply because they’re plain, dull and boring Ultrasmurfs. They often place two and two together and think that the Chapter is boring, so the book must be boring. Trust me on this, it’s not. (If anyone can guess this reference to the “Trust me on This”, then they get a virtual cookie!)

High Point: The High Point for me in this novel was all the rich background to the Killing Ground and its earlier inhabitants.

Low Point: I read the book too quickly; it’s a curse that I seem to have. I can get through most books that I really like in an evening or so, despite trying to drag it out.

Rating: 7/10 – Great, but not as good as A Thousand Sons and other fantastic Black Library books out there.

Should you buy this book?: Defiantly, especially if you want to know what happens in the next instalment of the Ultramarines series. Also, stay tuned for my review of Courage and Honour, the 5th Installment in Graham McNeill's potrayal of the Ultrasmurfs.

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment: James Patterson

WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE Do not put this book down. I’m dead serious – your life could depend on it. I’m risking everything by telling you – but you need to know.

STRAP YOURSELF IN for the thrill ride you’ll want to take again and again! From Death Valley, California, to the bowels of the New York City subway system, you’re about to take off on a heart-stopping adventure that will blow you away...

YOUR FAITHFUL COMPANIONS: Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman and Angel. Six kids who are pretty normal in most ways – except that they’re 98% human, 2% bird. They grew up in a lab, living like rats in cages, but now they’re free. Aside, of course, from the fact that they’re prime prey for Erasers – wicked wolf-like creatures with a taste for flying humans.

THE MISSIONS: Rescue Angel from malicious mutants. Infiltrate a secret facility to track down the flock’s missing parents. Scavenge for sustenance. Get revenge on an evil traitor. And save the world. If there’s time.

Okay everyone, be braced for my first, non-40k review ever. And it seems only fair that I start with a re-read of my favourite books... In the World (Cookie for anyone who gets the reference).

Alright, meet Max. She's fourteen, and the oldest in her family of mutant bird kids (see blurb), and she's also on the run from Erasers, again, see blurb. The Erasers themselves are trying to bring the Erasers back to The School where they have their earliest memories of childhood.

Yes, that's right, I did say School. Although, it's not any normal school. It's a Labatory where scientists perfom illegal experiments on human DNA. The Avian Protanagists of our novel, Max, Fang, Iggy, The Gasman, Nudge and Angel have spent the first few years of their lives in The School, and they've escaped. They're now living in Colarado, when the Erasers return and kidnap the youngest flock member - Angel.

And they have to rescue her from a secret facility.

This book's hilariously funny, with plenty of non-stop action to keep you on the edge of your seat, leaving you eagerly awaiting for more. It's James Patterson's first young adult book, based of his When the Wind Blows, and its so popular it's being made into a film in 2013. Ker-Ching! Oh, I really hope the world doesn't end in 2012.

Oh, ever thought that girls are weak? Read this book, then you'll change your mind for certain.

If you've read any of James Patterson's other books, you'll notice that this still has the tremendously short chapters that his novels are known for, so be ready for that.

Also, Each charachter is unique and boasts different personalites, all shoved together to make a wonderful novel. You get Max, witty, brave and sarcastic. Nudge, who talks too much for her own good. You get the blind-but-deadly Iggy, and the stinking-but-deadly Gasman, who both have a fasination for bombs, and as stated by Max herself, know more about bombs than possibly anyone on the planet. How they aqquired this information is left for the reader to guess. Internet?

Oh, did I mention the mind reading Angel? The mysterious Fang? The ruthless leader of the Erasers, Ari? Jeb Batchelder, the flock's "Father figure" during the time that he was there, and Ella, who has far more in common with Max than she might imagine, but you'll have to wait until Book 3 (Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports), to find out. Oh yeah, Ella's human. So's her mother, Doctor Martinez.

High Point: Well, the humour basically, and the amazing idea that JP has come up with.

Low Point: A bit of an overload on fights. Patterson uses an Eraser attack as an excuse to keep the reader motivated to find out whether they escape or not. And it worked, with me at least.

Rating out of 10: 10/10

Should you buy this book?: What? You don't have it already?