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?

We're Expanding

Hey guys, I'm back with one notice. I'm expanding into non-black library books to review. The First Book that'll be non black library should be a re-read of Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment, a personal favourite. also, after that my Ultramarines books should've arrived, so expect reviews for The Killing Ground and onwards in the UM series.

Also, to all those non-40k readers that are browsing, this'll be good news :).

Mechanicum: Graham McNeill

Mechanicum: Graham Mcneill

IN THE 31ST Millennium, as the flames of treachery spread outwards across the Imperium, Horus mobilises those forces who are loyal to him, and plots to subvert those who stand against him. A Battle is being fought for the heart and soul of the Imperial forces, the Astartes, the Imperial Army, the Titan Legions and more. In this epic tale, author Graham McNeill tells the story of the civil war on Mars, and the genesis of the Dark Mechanicum.

Mechanicum is the last book I’m yet to read on the Horus Heresy, featuring the mysterious occupants of Mars rather than the Astartes legions such as the Sons of Horus that we’re used to.

Like Legion, Mechanicum is a standalone in the Horus Heresy, so you don’t have to read the whole series beforehand. (8 books before this)

Nonetheless, this is another good entry to the Horus Heresy series, starting with the arrival of the Emperor on Mars with his golden legions and takes us on a ride through civil war, friendship and believe it or not, there’s also romance between two characters.

The hero of Graham McNeill’s novel is a woman named Dalia Cythera, a transcriber, servant of the Mechanicum, arriving on Mars from Terra. Shortly after, we’re introduced to the characters, civil war breaks out as the Warmaster Horus betrays the Emperor and the origins of the Dark Mechanicum is revealed, and we also get some Imperial Fist action towards the end, as well as some Titan vs Titan battles.

If you’re confused about the timeline when Mechanicum is set, it takes place immediately after the events of Isstvan III, (See Galaxy in Flames, Flight of the Eisenstein, Fulgrim), and the Furious Abyss, the ship that appears in Battle for the Abyss, is still being constructed. So overall, it doesn’t move the series along, only drags it out.

High Point: The Battle between Cavelerio’s Warlord Titan and an Imperator. Epicness.

Low Point: Not seeing enough of the Imperial Fists

Rating: 6/10

Should you buy this book? If you’re looking for some Titan vs Titan action and the back-story of the Mechanicum, then feel free.

Legion: Dan Abnett *Spoilers*

I'm baaacckk, with two reviews for Legion and Mechancium. Legion's First.

Legion: Dan Abnett

A GREAT WAR is coming, and it will engulf the Imperium of Man. The Space Marines of the Alpha Legion, last and most secretive of all Astartes brotherhoods, arrive on an heaven world to support the Imperial Army in a pacification campaign against strange and uncanny forces. But what drives the Alpha Legion? Can they be trusted and what side will they choose when the Great War begins? Loyalties are put to the test and the cunning schemes of an alien intelligence revealed in this latest instalment of the ground-breaking SF series as the fate of mankind hangs in the balance.

Okay, so I’m reviewing Legion by Dan Abnett, author of the Gaunt’s Ghosts this time. It’s the first Horus Heresy Novel I’ve read in ages, so I found it once again confusing at the start, but once again, the Dramatis Personae helped with that.

In this Horus Heresy novel, we follow Peto Soneka, a hetman of the ‘Dancers’, a group of Imperial Army soldiers of the 670th Imperial expedition fleet, as they attempt to liberate Nurth, two years before the Heresy begins.

Legion also features a lot of plot twists, as one could guess from the subheading, called Secrets and Lies. This novel also features a twist towards the end which I didn’t see coming myself. (Very rare, I know).

And, this novel also stars the Alpha Legion, one of the few legions I’ve never read anything about (fluff wise), before. And this also features a Cabal Agent John Grammaticus, who can steal identities of the dead.

High Point: (Spoiler Alert!) The Twist at the end where Soneka fools the Cabal agent.

Low Point: The name “John” used by Grammaticus. It doesn’t feel very, 40kish. If you get what I mean.

Rating: 7/10

Should you buy this Book?: Yes, especially if you like the Alpha Legion. The best part is, Legion is a standalone in the Horus Heresy series, so you can start with it if you wish.

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.