Galaxy in Flames (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Horus Heresy)
by Ben Counter
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Book Reviews of Galaxy in Flames (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Horus Heresy)
Book Review: The Hours Heresy Mythos expands
Summary: 5 Stars
This novel chronicles the brutal opening conflicts of the 'Horus Heresy', an event which has unending repurcussions for humanity within the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Ben Counter authors the third installment of the series, and from the opening scenes one can sense the change that has seeped through the Great Crusade.
The whole undertaking has come to a critical turning point. The human face of the crusade, in the form of administrators and the civilian-type 'rememberancers' attactched to the expedition fleet exist in the shadows of the Astartes that once fought singularly to protect them. Seeds of division and distrust are sown amongst the superhuman Astartes themselves. Tension builds throughout the expedition, and the central characters introduced in the previous installments find themselves burdened with facing up with their beliefs and loyalties.
Action is laced throughout the pages, and it is furiously paced (typical of Counter's forays into this universe). Most notably, some Space Marines in this are given unmistakeably human layers; an unusual concession in most tales in this Mythos. The story streams along, and the ideals and imagery of the young Imperium makes for heady Science Fiction. This series focuses on the core 'Future History' of the Warhammer 40,000 universe- the Horus Heresy- a rich Mythos in its own right. This
novel in particular breathes life into a host of seminal characters, while the conflicts are unremittingly savage and moving.
Not having read a Black Library publication in recent months, I was slightly sceptical about enjoying this read. But I found (over the two days I spread it over) that one could not help accelerating from a third way through the novel, while being enthralled in the process. Ben Counter writes of battles furiously, and I found that the visual qualities of these depictions snuck up on me- they were quite vivid and entertaining like few authors can craft.
I have played a single Warhammer 40,000 game and pledged not to touch it again. One does not have to enjoy playing the Warhammer games, because this fiction is more than just 'background filler' or 'fluff' to add atmosphere to a tabletop match. However, I believe this Mythos holds great promise for science fiction readers from all circles. It has dizzying scope; shot through with gripping 'histories' of events and figures, and echoes many classical myths, from a number of cultures.
Readers of the previous installments will not be disappointed; curious minds new to the series will find much entertainment.
'Galaxy in Flames' is probably the stand out publication Black Library has to offer at present, and a fitting example of what the Galaxy of the 41st millenium has to offer.
Book Review: Fast paced action
Summary: 4 Stars
Ben Counter continues the Horus Heresy series with this 3rd installment. The old adage that power corrupts is a significant theme in this series. The book flows at a quick pace with individual struggles for survival spaced between brief interludes describing the plotter and loyalist attempts to discover each others' plans, with the final climatic battle on Isstvan III revealing Warmaster's plot.
The characters originally presented by Dan Abnett and refined by Graham McNeill are in full conflict and action. This installment is more about survival as the Warmaster betrays the loyal Space Marines on Isstvan III by first dispersing them into a hazardous assault on the capital, and then attacking them. Not only are those Space Marines loyal to the Emperor in danger, but also the Remembrancers who follow the same path. The Warmaster is clearing his house of potential distractions and those who may oppose his change in leadership.
The book presents the different views of loyalty, honor, and the desire for power. There is loyalty between the individual characters through the shared experiences of danger. There is loyalty to their commander, Warmaster Horus, and there is loyalty to the human race and the Emperor of Mankind. Then there is loyalty to no one but themselves. The desire for perfection, power, and viewpoints on loyalty give a very human psychology to the super human Space Marines. The conflict of these loyalties results in the major characters being divided along with the resulting conflict.
Not sure how the writers agreed on how to write this series, but they have done a good job so far of developing a theme of questioning absolute power and different viewpoints of morality that was first introduced by Abnett.
W40k fans know the history of the Horus Heresy, but this series gives personality and character to the figures and names depicted in the game. The book's font size is a little bit larger than the previous 2 books, which definitely makes it a lot easier to read after a long day without having to strain one's eyes. Overall, light reading and quick paced, finished it in one evening and found it to be entertaining.
Book Review: Well Developed Action Tale
Summary: 4 Stars
This work is the third book in the growing series telling the tale of the Horus Heresy, a pivotal historical event in Games Workshop's Warhammer 40K fictional universe. Most of the characters from the first two novels carry through to this one: Garviel Lorken and Tarik Torgaddon of the Sons of Horus, Saul Tarvitz of the Emperor's Children, Nathanial Garro of the Death Guard, and Kyril Sindermann the remembrancer. In addition, we get appearances by a number of primarchs and other dramatis personae recognizable from the tabletop game.
I have been critical of Ben Counter's work in the past, which has been short on plot even though he typically writes good action scenes. However, in this work he surpasses his earlier efforts, providing excellent character interaction worthy of Abnett along with solid action sequences throughout. Instead of writing bad, difficult to believe "seduction by the Warp" scenes, which tripped up Graham McNeill in the second book, he presents much of it after the fact as loyalist characters question how it all could have gone so wrong so fast - and does it well.
The plot focuses on the few individuals who resist the growing tide of corruption with the Crusade, and does a credible job continuing the outstanding development started by Dan Abnett in Horus Rising. Counter follows them through the battles and conflicts that he writes so well, but still does a surprisingly solid job at depicting the creep of injustice and tyranny through Horus' forces.
The weakest portion of the book is the ending, which ham-handedly forces things into position for the next author in the series (Flight of the Eisenstein by James Swallow), as well as inducing a cliffhanger of sorts.
In short: generally well written and entertaining throughout, it's well worth a read for any fan of 40K novels. As an added bonus, it took away the bad taste left in my mouth after finishing False Gods.
Book Review: Drop Site Massacre
Summary: 5 Stars
The third part of the tragedy known as the Horus Heresy. The book itself is well done, though, not as well in my opinion as the previous two books ( Horus Rising (The Horus Heresy)and False Gods: The Heresy Takes Root (The Horus Heresy) ) but it's stellar none the less.
It's a book that starts sad and ends tragic. The tone of the book at first seemed to be almost to dark even for WH40K but the heroism of varies Astarte's and zealotry of the emerging Emperor worshiping cult breaks up the darkness a bit.
I've always been a fan of Chaos as a player of the table top game but I couldn't help but root for the Space Marines during the last 3rd of the book, especially Loken and Targaddon.
It's a great book and moves quickly through most of the book with only a few peppered parts of exposition.
My concern about the series though is now we get 3 or 4 more books of nothing to actually further the story beyond Istvaan III/IV. The Flight of Eisenstein my further the story somewhat but I haven't read it yet. The next couple books will be about what happens to varies chapters as the Heresy explodes.
So let's hope that Games Workshop moves past it's aversion to discussing the Emperor enough to let us read about the final battle between Horus and the Emperor eventually.
5 Stars though for a wonderful book, 5 stars to the previous authors for making this series one of the best I've read in years from any IP (with the exception of The Song of Ice and fire by George RR Martin).
I look forward to all the rest.
Thanks for reading.
Book Review: A worthy chapter in the Heresy saga
Summary: 5 Stars
Ben Counter tells the difficult story of bravery and betrayal, heroism and treachery on Isstvan III extremely well.
This installment is less about the Warmaster and more about those who are forced to come to grips with their allegiance and duty to the Emperor of Mankind: Captains Garviel Loken (Sons of Horus), Tarik Torgaddon (Sons of Horus), Saul Tarvitz (Emperor's Children), Nathaniel Garro (Deathguard), Kharn (World Eaters) and of course- the Swordmaster Lucius (Emperor's Children).
In this book, Counter effectively captures the struggle by all to make the choice between their chapter legions and the master of humanity. For those seduced by the warp gods of Chaos, there can only be one decision: heresy. This book takes the reader down the paths faced by each key Space Marine and details the decisions that will ultimately decide their fate.
For those of us familiar with the events of the Horus Heresy, there is no real surprise in the outcome, for those who follow their consciences know in their hearts what will happen. Counter's tale is one of moral courage and duty. Does one take the path of least resistance, or does one stay true to sworn obligations and allegiances? The ultimate betrayal by the one trusted friend and comrade in Choral City comes as no surprise, but is just as gut-wrenching and tragic than it would have been if the history of the Horus Heresy had not already been written.
This book is must-reading for any Warhammer 40k enthusiast, and as a professional soldier myself, I found that many of the questions and eventual decisions (and their consequences) that Loken, Tarvitz, Garro and Torgaddon made are similar ones that I faced as a leader of troops in the Middle East.
Top-notch reading.