Near the end of July, Black Library released four Horus Heresy short story eBooks through their website. Naturally, as a real Heresy junky, I gobbled these up ASAP. All four are pretty different, offering alternative perspectives on different events and times during the galaxy-spanning civil war that dictates much of how mankind operates in the 41st Millennium (the ‘present’ for the game and system). So, here are four mini-reviews of these excellent stories…
Performed by: John Banks, Toby Longworth & Ramon Tikaram
Nathaniel Garro, knight errant and agent of the Sigillite, returns from the battlefields of Calth to find a new mission already waiting for him – a ragged fleet of Space Marines from several Legions lingers at the edge of the Terran system. With the presence of the World Eaters and Emperor’s Children causing concerns among the loyalist defenders and drawing a grim parallel with his own frantic flight, Garro must look beneath the obvious if he is to determine friend from foe…
A new Horus Heresy tale is always welcome, and a Garro audiobook particularly so. In the first double-disc story, our newly-reassigned, loyal Death Guard must represent the Sigillite in an investigation of a surprise fleet that has appeared very close to Terra. Questioned loyalties, unflinching duty, and a deadly conspiracy await Garro and his companion Rubio. All is not what it seems. And in a time of civil war, tempers flare easily, and personal prejudice can overrule caution all too quickly.
The Blood Angels, at long last…
Since the earliest days of the Great Crusade, Sanguinius – angelic primarch of the IXth Legion – was ever among the closest and most loyal of Horus’s brothers. But the Blood Angels have long kept their true nature hidden from the rest of the Imperium, and when the Warmaster hints that the key to their salvation may lie in the ruins of a conquered world, the sons of Sanguinius race to claim it. Now, as the revelation of their betrayal dawns and the traitors’ hand is revealed, the Blood Angels must face all the warp-spawned armies of Chaos, as well their own personal daemons, upon the blasted plains of Signus Prime...
This novel has been highly anticipated by a great many WH40k and Horus Heresy fans. The Blood Angels, one of the most popular loyalist Astartes Legion, finally get some of their story told. And Swallow nails it. This is an epic sci-fi tale of honour, nobility, betrayal and a deadly, hidden flaw…
Things have been pretty great on the book front recently, so I wanted to share some thoughts and info on some of the new novels that arrived while I was up in Durham for the last few weeks. Here’s the pile:
The top seven on the stacked pile were sent to New York, and Alyssa kindly forwarded them on to me. However, it’s entirely possible that I’ll be sending them right back, if all goes well on Thursday…
Just a quick run-down of my ten most-anticipated novels of August 2012. Given the lack of stability, frequent travel and relocation of the past few weeks, I’ve not been able to keep on top of my reviewing as well as I would have liked. Therefore, these books may not be reviewed in a particularly timely fashion (some because I don’t have them, others because I don’t have them with me at the moment). Nevertheless! Each of these is near the top of my to-read list, and I fully intend to feature more of them in the near future. Of course, the best laid plans…
Featured: Madeline Ashby, vN; Charles Cumming, A Foreign Country; James Enge, A Guile of Dragons; Jim C. Hines, Libriomancer; Darius Hinks, Orion: The Vaults of Winter; Mark Lawrence, King of Thorns; Tim Lebbon, The Heretic Land; T.C. McCarthy, Chimera; James Rollins, Bloodline; James Swallow, Fear To Tread
The second Nathaniel Garro Audio Drama
Read by Toby Longworth
Nathaniel Garro, loyalist Death Guard, and hero of the Eisenstein, has found a new calling in his service to the Emperor. Surrounded by a cloak of secrecy, Garro travels the galaxy in pursuit of his new goal. His quest will lead him to heart of the most destructive warzones, and reveal a secret that will change the course of the Horus Heresy itself...
This is the second audio drama featuring Nathaniel Garro, loyalist Death Guard, hero of Flight of the Eisenstein, and special agent of Malcador the Sigilite, the Regent of Earth. Garro and his pair of comrades are on Isstvan III, long after the treachery and a year after Oath of Moment. I enjoyed this audiobook, and it manages to improve on its predecessor quite well.
A Horus Heresy Audiobook
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 despatched 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...
Read by Toby Longworth, this is the first of three audiobooks focusing on former Death Guard Nathaniel Garro, who we last saw in Flight of the Eisenstein. I must admit that I’ve not been the biggest fan of the medium (I struggled to get into audiobooks in the past), so I came in without too high expectations. Given the chronology of this story – the battle of Calth, roughly the same time (or near enough) as Know No Fear – I was interested to finally get around to it. And it’s actually a pretty good audiobook, and perfect for those times when you aren’t able to read, but want some sci-fi fiction.
The longer I’ve been reviewing books, the more novels I find that I really want to read but end up not having the time for.
This year, like last year, also saw another decline in thriller and non-genre fiction reviews: I was either finishing my PhD or recovering from the final push, so needed a real escape from the real world and politics, which means I avoided some of my normally must-read authors (David Baldacci, John Sandford, to name but two). I’ll try to get some more read in January, but that’s a pretty busy month as well for big new releases (in anticipation but also page-count)…
This year there have been a lot of books that were highly anticipated that I just couldn’t get around to (see the link-gaps on the “2011 Releases” page and you’ll see what I mean, and that list is by no means exhaustive). Most of them I have already, either sitting on my TBR pile or on my Kindle, which just makes it more frustrating.
In lieu of timely reviews, though, I thought I’d give a quick shout-out (with synopses and a few comments) for some of the ones that got away in 2011. Only, given the number of books I neglected, it’s not really that ‘quick’ a post…
Black Library has recently unveiled a number of great pieces of artwork up on their blog, but there were three in particular that I thought were especially stunning, so had to share them here. They are all for novels I am really eager to read, too, so I know I’ll get at least one more opportunity to share them in the future. [Click on the images below to enbiggen.]
Unfortunately, I don’t have proper synopses to offer alongside the artwork, but I’m sure they’ll appear relatively soon up on Black Library’s website.
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 Heresy authors. 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.
I know every blog, magazine and newspaper does one of these, but because 2010 was quite a bumper year for reading, I thought I’d offer a quick run-down of my favourites. I’m not going to reiterate why I thought these books were the best of the year – instead, I’m just going take this as an opportunity to link to the reviews I already posted during the year. And last year was quite busy.
Not only was there a considerable increase in posting (in part thanks to Alyssa joining the reviewing team), but I’ve also been able to get so many books read (including non-fiction, I’ve read 109 books in 2010). Thinking about this post, however, I realise how much my reading habits are changing – I have read and enjoyed far more fantasy novels than thrillers, which makes this the first year I’ve had difficulty coming up with the ‘Best Thrillers’ selection (which I posted earlier today). Also, given the wealth of fantasy novels I’ve read this year, whittling them down to just ten was impossible, so I’ve mentioned all the ones that really stood out (in no particular order).
Chris Wooding, The Black Lung Captain (Gollancz)
(I should to take this opportunity to say another big “Thank You!” to Alyssa for giving me this novel. I loved it!)
Col Buchanan, Farlander (Tor)
Kevin J. Anderson, The Map Of All Things (Orbit)
Daniel Abraham, Shadow & Betrayal (Orbit)
Blake Charlton, Spellwright (Harper/Voyager)
Brent Weeks, The Black Prism (Orbit)
![Jemisin-HundredThousandBrokenKingdom[1]](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GrRBMt6-NvA/TSAPkXApReI/AAAAAAAADVU/3hAN7rl5114/s1600-h/Jemisin-HundredThousandBrokenKingdom%5B2%5D.jpg "Jemisin-HundredThousandBrokenKingdom[1]")
N.K. Jemisin, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms & The Broken Kingdoms (Orbit)
Graham McNeill, A Thousand Sons / James Swallow, Nemesis / Aaron Dembski-Bowden, The First Heretic
(Black Library)
MD Lachlan, Wolfsangel (Gollancz)
Lachlan was also kind enough to answer a few questions for me, and his was the first interview we’ve done on the site.
Ari Marmell, The Conqueror’s Shadow (Gollancz)
In addition to the review, Marmell agreed to do a short interview, which can be found here.
(As I mentioned at the end of the Lachlan interview, I’ll be trying to get as many short interviews with authors as possible – either with authors whose books have been reviewed on the site, or exciting upcoming authors, if at all possible.)
There are many more fantasy novels, and a couple more sci-fi novels that could easily have made the cut (for example, Sam Sykes’s Tome of the Undergates, Amanda Downum’s The Bone Palace, and CL Werner’s Wulfrik). But, in order to keep the post as short as possible, and to properly highlight the best of a very good year, I shall leave it at that. Feel free to use the comments to add your own. There are, as with every year, a number of novels I was unable to read. I will catch up on those that were missed, where possible and time permitting.
Anyway. It is time to start looking to the present, and 2011 looks like it will be a very good year for readers of every genre. Keep checking back for more reviews, interviews, artwork, and asides!
Black Library has just updated the Coming Soon section of their website, and some of the artwork really stands out. So, here is a selection of the best, along with synopses of their respective novels and a short comment from me. (Really it’s just an excuse to share some of these covers – they’re great!)
“Garro: Oath of Moment” & “Garro: Legion of One”, by James Swallow (December 2010, April 2011)
Two audio-books detailing the further exploits of the hero of Flight of the Eisenstein
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 despatched 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 Ultramarnes battle a greenskin invasion. Once again Garro must fight for survival, but now he also fights to achieve a higher purpose...
Nathaniel Garro, loyalist Death Guard, and hero of the Eisenstein, has found a new calling in his service to the Emperor. Surrounded by a cloak of secrecy, Garro travels the galaxy in pursuit of his new goal. His quest will lead him to heart of the most destructive warzones, and reveal a secret that will change the course of the Horus Heresy itself...
I’ve not had much experience listening to Black Library audio-books (only one thus far, with another on the way). Given the Horus Heresy setting, however, I’m rather interested in these two.
“Savage Scars”, by Andy Hoare (March 2011)
Introducing the White Scars
Dal’yth. The forces of the Greater Good have established a strangehold on the planet, and the time has come for the Imperium to move against them.
The White Scars lead the ground assault against the tau, launching into combat with speed and fury, shedding blood as they gain ground against their enemies.
Meanwhile, the members of the Crusade Council are determined to pursue their own agendas, and their politicking and back-stabbing will place the entire war effort in jeopardy. But little do they know that Inquisitor Grand has more extreme measures in mind, and the White Scars must achieve victory quickly or the cost to Dal’yth will be devastating.
The White Scars seem like an interesting Legion, and one that hasn’t received too much attention in the WH40k fiction line. The Mongol-horde inspiration for their character and practices sounds like an interesting alternative to more standard or conservative legions. I’m quite looking forward to this one.
“Broken Honour”, by Robert Earl (March 2011)
The start of a new series from the man who brought us the Adventures of Florin & Lorenzo
The armies of Hochland are at breaking point. Beset on all sides by the feral beastmen, the safety and prosperity of the province is shattered. These are desperate times.
Mercenary Captain Eriksson looks to capitalise on the conflict, buying the freedom of a group of prisoners to form a new free company. The criminals are delighted to be released, but this comes at a terrible price – to fight and die in the upcoming conflict. Eriksson must lead his makeshift company into one bloody conflict after another, putting his faith in those who gave up on honour long ago. On the battlefields of Hochland, either damnation or redemption awaits them.
I enjoyed the Adventures of Florin & Lorenzo: with the author’s quirky humour and quickly-paced adventures, it fell into the same category as the Gotrek & Felix series. Naturally, this makes me interested in Earl’s latest novel. And the cover is just brilliant – really stands out among other WH novels.
“Knights of Bretonnia”, by Anthony Reynolds (April 2011)
Knightly Omnibus
Bretonnia is a land shrouded in myth and magic, under siege from the strange creatures of its shadowy forests and those fallen to the lure of the Dark Gods. Against these fearsome foes stand the Knights of Bretonnia, calling upon their faith in the Lady and their guile with the sword to repel their legions of enemies. When young noble Calard starts upon the path to knighthood, he soon discovers the darkness hidden within his homeland and the price that must be paid by those seeking the holiest of honours – the title of Grail Knight. Accompanied by his faithful manservant Chlod, he must face vampires, wyverns, Chaos warriors and goblins, but each battle brings him one step closer to becoming the legend he seeks.
Knights of Bretonnia collects the novels Knight Errant and Knight of the Realm, plus two new novellas, Questing Knight and Grail Knight. The novels and novellas form the complete saga of Calard, following his story from his training as a knight through his most epic of victories. I never read these
“Age of Darkness”, edited by Christian Dunn (May 2011)
Latest Horus Heresy anthology
After the betrayal at Isstvan, 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, and revelations will surface that will shake the Imperium to its very foundation...
Not really sure about what we can expect from this anthology. The previous one, Tales of Heresy, was pretty good, but lacked the cohesiveness of a single novel. The synopsis suggests things are getting close to the end of the Heresy, so who knows how many more novels might follow. I’m curious to see how they’ll advance the overall story
Nonetheless, it’s another excellent cover from Neil Roberts.
Anyway, that’s just a selection of the novels coming up from the Black Library. If you’re interested in reading about other forthcoming titles, head on over to the website to see a full listing (from September 2010 to May 2011).
* * *
In another piece of exciting, Black Library-related news, I found this image on their website:
While there isn’t too much detail yet about which titles will be available to begin with (though look closely at the iPad, above, and you might be able to get an idea), I can certainly say this is a great development! The chance to get all the back-listed Gotrek & Felix and Gaunt’s Ghosts novels in eBook format is something I’ve been wanting for a long time. The digital format will also, potentially, allow for older titles to be resurrected. Here’s what the press release says:
“We are looking at both our forthcoming releases and backlist to decide how best to make them available, nothing is set in stone at present.”
As for what formats the eBooks are going to be available in, here’s the comment from the website:
“We will most probably produce our eBooks in Mobi (the Kindle format), ePub (most other eReaders such as the Sony Reader and Barnes & Noble Nook) at the very least. We are still looking into this; more info to come.”
So, at least they’re going to do their best to make the novels available to all eBook readers. Now, about the price…? Not a clue.
Anyway, that’s all the news for the moment. Interesting developments, and something I’ll be looking into, when I buy a Kindle (I’ve caved, and I just know I have to have one…).
The Fight for the Galaxy enters the shadows…
After the horrors of Istvaan V, Horus declares outright war against the Imperium.
In the shadows of the Emperor’s Palace, powerful figures convene. Their plan is to send a team of assassins to execute the arch-traitor Horus and end the war for the galaxy of mankind before it's even begun. But what they cannot know is that another assassin is abroad already, with his sights firmly set on killing the Emperor.
In Nemesis, Swallow takes a look at the Horus Heresy from a different perspective. Namely, the shadows. Removed from the front lines, where legions of Adeptus Astartes do battle against xenos threats and uncompliant human worlds, this novel takes a look at the Horus Heresy through a narrower lens.
Malcador the Sigillite (humanity’s number two, if you will), a character only hinted at or mentioned from a distance in past Horus Heresy literature, has issued a controversial order. The Imperium’s temples of assassins – each with their own styles, methodologies and internal politics – have been tasked to work together, for the first time ever, to bring down the ultimate target: the traitorous Warmaster Horus.
The novel is basically made up of three stories, all of which form a cohesive whole. The first follows the assassins’ Execution Force, as they plan and organise their team and how they will approach their task. The second thread has the feel of a great serial killer thriller, as local law enforcement tracks the evolving slaughter and plan of the ‘evil’ assassin. The third story, of course, is the overall backdrop of the Horus Heresy and the growing tensions generated across the galaxy by Horus’s betrayal – the uncertainties that arise among loyal and turncoats forces alike, the confusion felt by the local populaces of varied planets.
The Execution Force, drawing one operative from each assassin ‘clade’ (sect), is shipped off to a remote planet to lie in wait for their target. To delve too much into detail would spoil the novel, so suffice it to say that the characters drawn together – usually loners and misanthropic killers – develop a strained though respectful working relationship, as they draw on their individual strengths to bring down the most difficult mark they will ever face. The diversity of characters allows for a number of perspectives of the job, and as their plan unfolds the relationships between the assassins develop in surprising and humanising ways. The plan itself is not revealed until it’s executed, allowing for some decent build-up.
The other assassin mentioned in the synopsis above, is a real horror – a being twisted by Chaos and malice into a perfect killing machine, hell-bent on its one goal: killing the Emperor, the most powerful man in the universe. Using very different and sinister methods than the Imperial assassins, this monster cuts a swathe of carnage over the course of its mission.
Swallow’s writing is exceptional, and the novel’s plot is brilliantly crafted to draw the reader along. The pace of the story rattles along and I found myself easily devouring considerable chunks of it; I read this 500-page novel faster and with more enjoyment than many shorter novels.
The Horus Heresy series (which has sold over a million copies) is improving in leaps and bounds. After a slight dip in a couple of the novels that followed Ben Counter’s Galaxy in Flames (which formed the third in the series’ truly excellent opening trilogy), the novels have picked up again in great style. Each novel in the series adds a little more depth and colour to the mythology of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Nemesis is an excellent science fiction novel, with a gripping, engaging plot; three-dimensional and complex characters; a horrific antagonist; and brilliant writing. Is there anything else someone could want from a novel?
Very highly recommended, I really can’t wait for the next instalment to the series.
Series Chronology: Horus Rising, False Gods, Galaxy in Flames, The Flight of the Eisenstein, Fulgrim, Descent of Angels, Legion, Battle for the Abyss, Mechanicum, Tales of Heresy, Fallen Angels, A Thousand Sons, Nemesis, The First Heretic (Nov.2010), Prospero Burns (Jan.2011), Age of Darkness (May 2011)
