Helion Rain: George Mann - Read by Toby Longworth - Advanced Review

Helion Rain: George Mann

Read by Toby Longworth

The world of Idos is on the verge of destruction, wracked by catastrophic storms and plagued by ravening tyranids. Into this maelstrom come the Raven Guard 4th Company, the warzone perfectly suited to their lightning-strike methods of combat. Led by Veteran Sergeant Grayvus, their mission is simple – to rescue the planet’s last survivors. But in the midst of this nightmare, they receive new orders to locate and destroy a power station. The station is built upon a fault line, and the resulting quake would swallow thousands of tyranids and turn the war in the Imperium's favour. Grayvus and his company must fight their way through genestealers, acid spore mines and a deadly biomorph if they are to succeed and reclaim Idos for the Imperium.

~http://www.blacklibrary.com/all-products/coming-soon/Helion-Rain.html

Note: This is an advanced review for Black Library and this novel is not available for purchase until February 2011. 

Now then, this is my third audiobook, and it’s also the first outside of the Horus Heresy Series (See Raven’s Flight) to give the sons of Corax a starring role. This is also written by George Mann, who as far as I’m aware, has not written any other Black Library novels or audio books for that matter, to date. However, the reader, Toby Longworth, has been the voice actor for several Black Library audiobooks, including Garro: Oath of Moment, and Heart of Rage.

Now, because it’s an Audiobook, I’m going to start with the voice acting, which in my opinion is not very good at all. Sure, there are few characters in this audiobook, but shouldn’t they each have different voices? Even if they are astartes?

Each character’s voices, and no I am not counting the vox-casting, which at some points I couldn’t even understand what the characters were saying when they were speaking through the vox, which caused me to lose track of the conversation.

Moving onto the next part of the review, Helion Rain, you will find, has a very predictable storyline. It basically sums up the plot in the blurb above, so yeah- and you will know the ending before you get to the final chapter.

Now, this was the first audiobook that I’ve listened to in which the sound effects also helped to get in the way of the voices. The background fighting scenes were loud and disruptive, which didn’t help.

However, if there’s one thing that does salvage Helion Rain is description, which gives detail about the setting, the people and the monsters in M41. However, just because one thing is good doesn’t make the whole thing worth getting.

Moving on once more, I’m going to talk about character development. As one might have expected by the short length of the audiobook, there is not much time to give a chance to develop the character’s personality when the focus is more on the setting and the mission, and of course – the enemy.

Now, the Tyranids are possibly one of my most favourite ‘bad guys’ in 40k and it’s because of their awesome portrayal in the fluff. They don’t conquer worlds, they eat them. They have no understanding of mercy, honour or surrender, and will not stop until the galaxy is completely devoid of life.

But on the other hand, opposing them, are also one of my favourite astartes chapters, the XIX Legion themselves, the Raven Guard; experts at stalking in shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike, and when they do – they strike quickly, leaving no enemy of the Imperium alive.

And that is what they are doing in this audiobook.

Now, there are two more things I would like to touch on before I conclude my review of Helion Rain. The first is the fighting – it’s great to listen to, and suits the style of the Raven Guard, and is well described.

The second, and the last, is the artwork on the cover of the audiobook. It’s just awesome.

And, on that bombshell, I will leave you with this:

Rating: 7/10

Should you buy this audiobook? If you are a Raven Guard fan, or a Tyranid one, then the answer is yes. However, if you aren’t, then you can give this book a miss.

Garro: Oath of Moment by James Swallow. Read by Toby Longworth

Garro: Oath of Moment : James Swallow / Toby Longworth

“My name is Nathaniel Garro, and I am a Legion of One.”

In surviving the horrors on board the Eisenstein, Nathaniel Garro proved his courage and absolute loyalty to the Emperor. On his return to Terra, Garro is dispatched on a mission of even greater importance – a mission given to him by Malcador the Sigillite himself. He soon finds himself back amongst the stars and on the fields of battle, thrust into a warzone where the Ultramarines are purported to be battling a greenskin invasion. Once again Garro must fight for survival, but now he also fights to achieve a higher purpose...

~http://www.blacklibrary.com/Horus-Heresy/Garro-Oath-of-Moment.html

Now then, where to start? I guess; as this is an audiobook, I will be doing a few things differently to a novel review, just to let you know. This is the second audiobook that I’ve ever brought, the first being Throne of Lies and I can say that I found it interesting, very interesting, particularly since it focuses on Nathaniel Garro, whom many of you will remember from Swallow’s non-audiobook, also a Horus Heresy novel, called The Flight of the Eisenstein.

Although Oath of Moment seemed short compared to standard Black Library novels, being 70 minutes in length, it was a nice listen.

Oath of Moment is a fast-paced, action packed listen, and although it had a weak plot (come on, it’s basically Garro searching for somebody to help Malcador), it does feature the Battle of Calth, which was touched on in The First Heretic, and is of course the Battle between the Word Bearers and the Ultramarine loyalists.

However, there are a few bad things about this audiobook; an error that I noticed is the first one. It’s an error that not many new 40k fans will notice really, but it’s something the die-hard fluff followers will be annoyed about. Swallow mentioned Adeptus Astartes instead of Legio Astartes, which was what they were called during the Heresy. However, maybe I’m just nitpicking – after all, it’s something that I missed out on during the bit on the Black Library Website.

Another disappointing thing in this audiobook is that the scene changes & flashbacks are hard to spot, as one second I was with Garro and the Ultramarines, and the next I found myself with Garro and Malcador the Sigillite. 

Oh, and saying Malcador’s name reminds me of a key thing that happens in this audiobook that sheds some light on one the Imperium’s past (past from present 40k, not past from Horus Heresy).

Now, you’ll probably be wondering by now what the sound effects are and whether the voice acting is any good or not – well, let me tell you, it’s a lot better than the extract from Horus Rising: Abridged Audio, and the A Thousand Sons: Abridged Audio extract. Garro, and Olan, the lieutenant of the Ultramarines PDF at the start has been done very well. Toby Longworth, who is the reader, manages to make each person’s voice fit their description.

Also, if you haven’t read The Flight of the Eisenstein, Swallow explains a rough outline of what happens in this audiobook, but I would still recommend you get the novel first.

Oh yes, a disappointing part is that we don’t find out what happens to the Rembrancers (not sure if this is spelt right or not, could someone please check for me?) and the other Marines, including Iacton Qruze, who joined Garro on the Eisenstein, and I found this annoying as I wanted to know what happened to the people who accompanied him.   

And on that bombshell, I will leave you with two final bits, ones that you'll all be familiar with if you've read my reviews in the past.

Rating: 7/10

Should you buy this book? Well, if you’re a fan of Garro or the audio Horus Heresy books , or simply want to hear Ultramarines getting cut down by Word Bearers, or see Word Bearers in action – then this is for you.

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.

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.