Betrayal at Calth - The Unburdened

[Prot]

I wasn't going to do this, but I enjoyed The Honoured a fair amount, and you guys gave me enough feedback to warrant the purchase!

 

So I thought we could discuss this novel here, in its own topic.

 

I am hoping to discover the other side of the story shows some more depth, and explanation to the Word Bearer's ideals/strategies in this book.

Let me know what you guys think and please use Spoiler tags if appropriate!

 

Thanks!

 

 

[Echidna]

For me it was one of the worst representations of the Word Bearers, exceeded only by Battle for the Furious Abyss. 

[veterannoob]

FYI: It sounds like you did this but just incase others haven't read them yet, BL editor suggest Honoured, Unburdened, Fluff (short) in BaC box game.

Without spoilers I can say IMO the Unburdened was better at presenting a spiritual quest for justification and questioning righteousness. The Honoured gave the action and wasn't really too deep but it did set up the conflict between the two commanders which gave more weight to the horror of betrayal and as Know No Fear points out, the worst kind of betrayal is between brothers. I liked how the WB seemed less like cartoony villains as we saw in Battle for Abyss (book 8). You do see some scenes in both books from different perspectives, but only for a few scenes. I believe you will notice this when you read it. 

Hope you enjoy!

[Echidna]

I will simply say. Every Word Bearer in this book appears to have a sign stamped on his helmet saying "I have no brains". They are THE classic cartoon villain. The author resigned himself to write for the losing side from the first page and this "holy quest" was not even showed as a quest as much as a last resort when it was clear that among them all they do not have the brain matter worthy of a mouse. Spectacular was the utter failure in the end. 

 

Not even a phyrric victory that was. It was simple, utter failure clear and foreseeable from the very first page of the novella. 

 

Nah. Being read alongside "The Honoured", Unburdened only shows how utterly anything Chaos is alien to Black Library and they simply resort for the cartoon villain antagonist in stead. 

[Izlude]

I agree the books clearly seemed to be released more to promote the board game. I was excited to get more background on their respective legions. I guess the way ADB characterized the Word Bears (Ultras to some extent) I was spoiled and going into these books expecting the same thing. Probably not a good idea as I sort of finished the books with a "eh..." feeling. Probably not fair

 

1. I agree nothing special or memorable with the WBs in this book. 

2. Kurd or Turd or whatever was also boring. I get that Annadale tried to create this sort of inner conflict between his past loyalty to Atheon and his legion's new direction but honestly seemed like it was written more as a after thought and not convincing. 

3. I do like the flashback to Kurd's "beginning" back in the First Heretic which was a nice touch especially since it was Aethon's company that was present during their censure.

 

I wouldn't say these books are bad as BFA (Worse eva) but probably worth a read over and then they sit on the desk looking pretty (I admit it is a nice looking set). Unlike KNF or Betrayer which I read like 10 times already as they are that good. 

[Tenebris]

I have registered on B&C because I love 40k and I adore the Black Library books, so in order to break the ice I think I will comment here. 
 
I am a Word Bearer fan and I like their lore best. The novella Unburdened was interesting to me because I wanted a foray into the HH and like the old Dark Vengeance novels which accompanied the introduction of the Crimson Slaughter I hoped that this one will provide some insight into my favorite legion, the models and especially the part of their survival in the Underground War. Well I was to be mistaken.

 

 

Let's begin with the main character, the Dark Apostle. I think I am with the majority here in saying that the model is cool and shows plenty of charisma, yet it is far from the presentation of the character in the novella. Kurtha Sedd had much potential but this potential is winnowed by the author as the story progresses. He deserts his warriors when they need him most, he is the exact opposite of what an inspiring chaplain should be and his first foray in daemonmancy is a laughable effort at best. Poorly written and poorly executed. In short, a forgettable character.

 

His interaction with the Ultramarine captain is also there more as a filler and in a scene a convenient plot device but nothing to write home about. The tension between the two was never felt and the shame of fratricide never experienced. Of his tantrum in the church on Khur little can be sad other than a reminder how one-dimensional the Chaos characters are written to be. The author seems compelled to forge some form of tragic past for no avail to the narrative in the novella. 

The sergeants of the two squads are a bit more interesting but still the author fails to deliver. One plays the soldier the other plays the fanatic. A boring pairing at best but for the purpose of the story it provides nothing other that some needless friction within the ranks.

The dreadnought has one good scene and sadly this scene is in the Honoured book. In Unburdened he acts as a plot device to not only slow the warband but to act as a filler in most of the scenes.

Of the story I can say little but that the outcome was clear in the first paragraph and that the trend of representing the Word Bearers as the most incompetent astartes in the galaxy endures. The warriors offer no glimpse in the frustration, rage, sorrow and betrayal that a fratricidal war would warrant and on every step they are easily thwarted by the Ultramarines.

Of the ending of the story I can say even less other than it was not a victory for the forces of Chaos and fails to justify the Word Bearer characters and the novella itself. Two "Unburdened" Possessed are seldom the reward one would envision after sacrificing almost an entire coterie of precious space marines.

 

 

My final verdict is a poor 3/10

 

The Honoured does a much better service to the narrative of the boxset and it also pays ample fan service to the loyalist part. The Unburdened on the other hand leaves a Chaos fan a bit sour and disappointed. 

[moxkaze]

First off welcome to the BBC brother on your 1st post! and my thanks for your review on the Unburdened at least we will have a lesser... burden to read about.

Cheers!