Rate what you Read, or the fight against Necromancy

[wecanhaveallthree]

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When going through the old anthologies, I keep finding authors with excellent stories who, sadly, never returned to 40k again.

 

Obligatory 'Matt Ward's fantasy books are actually really damn good', too, though I'm not sure how much involvement he has with James Workshop today. I know he's got writing credits for stuff like Darktide and BFG, though, which is great.

[Roomsky]

Fist of Demitrius - Bill King

 

Well, that's more like it. For some, like Sotholar, I can see why it wouldn't be much of an improvement over Angel of Fire, but I personally found this a significant step-up from that first book, at least in terms of portraying Macharius and his crusade. Putting Lemuel close to him for the duration of the book just makes it work sooooo much better.

 

We get discussion of strategy and tactics. We get politicking among Macharius' generals. We get a proper idea of what the Crusade looks like. We get to see stubbornness and pride bleeding out the sides of Macharius' perfect facade. We see his strenuous friendship with Drake in detail. We get more than a generic fictional military leader. I won't claim it's deep, that's not really King's style, but the title character is way more interesting and human than last time. I'm also so pleased that the Hephaestion equivalent in Sejanus is here this time, even if only for a few scenes. The informal general with no insecurity about his position is a wonderful contrast to the career social climbers who share his rank.

 

And, as a bonus, a Dark Eldar POV! I gets a bit tired by about the 60% mark (the guy is really just a caricature of his faction) but it's welcome all the same. Dark Eldar work quite well as foils to Macharius and co. - they are after all a society of opportunists, and their leader's lack of respect both for and from those around him sharply contrasts Macharius' Alexander-style aura of authority and loyalty.

 

King's prose remains laudable for its accessibility, unremarkable in its presentation, and occasionally frustrating for its simplicity (Describing the Webway as "spooky" in the narration sort of takes me out of it.) It's simple, workmanlike, and unchallenging. But it also disappears, for the most part, as you read, making it easier to focus on the substance of the book. To be clear, I don't think the lack of depth in King's writing is anything other than intentional - he writes very accessible series in a setting that often seems impenetrable from the outside. And, despite all that, he's quite good at hiding genuine humanity behind the simplicity.

 

I'll say this against the series: a better book 2 hasn't given me any greater appreciation for book 1. Angel of Fire does have a handful of elements that I think it does better as a Guardsman book, but it really drops the ball in being about Macharius, both directly and indirectly. It's an origin story for how a tank crew became Macharius' bodyguards, which it does fine, but it fails to tell me anything meaningful about the man or his campaigns. I'm honestly tempted to say that if you're interested in this series, book 1 isn't even required reading. Lemuel, Anton, and Ivan organically demonstrate who they are from the get-go here, and Anton is significantly less annoying.

 

Thank the Emperor this book isn't "the commander of a billion men is trapped alone behind enemy lines" again. The cast certainly shrinks towards the end, but it comes so late I don't begrudge it at all. The plotting in general is just a lot less trite to me in this one.

 

7.5/10? It didn't blow my socks off, but it was basically what I wanted out of the series. Easy recommend if you're curious and appreciate King's style.

[Rob P]

Carcharodons: Outer Dark

 

Much much better than Red Tithe. I really enjoyed the first third whilst also wondering if we'd get a typical action focussed story. The stuff withe the Ashen Claws and continuation from Red Tithe were done well.

 

It does develop into a rather typical bolter porn story and the big fights on the planet felt a bit like the climax was a little quick. However, the space stuff was much better and the conclusion leaves the story at a great point.

 

7/10

[Jareddm]

Above & Beyond 

 

I've got a hot take for this one. This is the Fire Caste of Aeronautica stories. In that fighter pilots are present but boy is that not the point! Instead we get deep dives into the uses of propaganda and misinformation, the strengths and weaknesses of faith presented across a range of beliefs, and an awesome cast of developed and competent characters.

This improves on its predecessor, Outgunned, in every way, but especially in regards to the antagonist. As a bonus, Philip Sacramento is the audiobook narrator and does a phenomenal job all around. I'm super excited for a third book and I genuinely can't think of a critique that wouldn't just directly tie into the third book

 

10/10 Read more Denny Flowers!

Edited June 9 by Jareddm

[Fire Golem]

Sanguinius - The Great Angel

 

I’ve had this since it came out and for some reason have only just got round to reading it. I really loved this book, gang. Between the Remembrancer main character (who was excellent) and the return to a battle from book 1, it really took me back to starting the series almost 20 years ago. I’ve seen some discussion about people being disappointed it wasn’t more about Sanguinius but I thought that, as is often the case, the much more restrained use of him made it much more impactful.
 

There’s a real sense of like creeping unsettling dread through the book, it’s almost like a horror at times, there’s a later scene with some statues that gave me chills, despite not being particularly traditionally horror. And all throughout the book and particularly at the end it just made me feel sad. Sanguinius is such a tragic character and the legion such a tragic legion. And as people in the 3 year old dedicated thread mentioned, the idea that the Imperium was decaying even as it was being built is really striking to me. 
 

I feel like it can be pretty lazy to give 10/10 but I can’t think of any issues I had that wouldn’t be just nitpicks and even though I’m sure a lot of it is recency bias but I can’t even really think of any nitpicks so I guess it’s a 10. Definitely a highlight of the spotty Primarchs series. 

[neOh (AV)]

Words of Blood: The Journey into the Past Continues

 

Words of Blood – Ben Counter

Old anthologies are strange beasts. Under one cover, you might find both clever, inventive stories and absolute absurdities. And I honestly can't tell what dominates this tale of the Black Templars (who feel more like average, rather unprofessional mortals here) tactically retreating in a battle against Khorne-worshippers – creativity or nonsense.

 

Raptor Down – Gav Thorpe

An indirect sequel to the even older short story Acceptable Losses. Imperial air forces, an unusual xenos species, and aerial battles where a single decision can determine the fate of an entire campaign, the lives of one’s subordinates, and the task completion. This has all the hallmarks of a great pilot story! Gav was among the first to write about Imperial aviators, and I’m pretty sure both Abnett and Flowers drew inspiration from his work later on. A pity he never returned to Jaeger and his squadron.

 

Chains of Command – Graham McNeill

Uriel Ventris short story. And well – being Uriel Ventris story, that pretty much sums it up. Still a sergeant here, he learns not to blindly follow the Codex Astartes and to think for himself. All while firing his bolter, naturally.

 

Loyalty’s Reward – Simon Jowett

Simon’s quickly become one of my favourite authors of the early BL era. A mafia-style story that soon spirals into something much more sinister – though the appearance of Space Marines at the end slightly undermines the grounded feel. Had Simon wrote this today, with more creative space and some refinement, it could easily fit under the Horror imprint.

 

Deus ex Mechanicus – Andy Chambers

A Mechanicus expedition, a dead world, and black monoliths. We all think we know what’s coming next. Or do we? Chambers doesn’t turn the Necrons into some vague mystery; instead, the real twist comes with the finale of the priest’s expedition, raising more questions than answers.

 

Barathrum – Jonathan Curren

Another excellent but sadly forgotten gem. Two Inquisitors with clashing ideologies investigate the murders of Mechanicus archaeologists in an ancient, sand-burried city. Suspense, gruesome imagery, haunting atmosphere of a forgotten place, and a classic “they delved too deep” narrative straight out of Lovecraft. Oh, I'm not gonna lie, despite the predictable ending, I found Jonathan’s tale genuinely gripping.

 

Missing in Action – Dan Abnett

Eisenhorn story. Another case for Gregor—but this time, the suspects are the very last people he (or we) would ever expect. A strong little mystery.

 

Liberty – Gav Thorpe

Last Chancers story. Cage is in trouble, thrown into yet another prison by his colonel. But no bars can hold this madman down for long: his escape is fast, bloody, and not exactly subtle. Classic Penal Legion style.

 

Ork Hunter – Dan Abnett

The Jopallians expected to defend Armageddon like everyone else, only to be dropped into jungle hell with feral Ork hunters. Savage and deadly psychopaths, perfectly nailed by Abnett – as is the sheer alienation felt (not for long!) by bewildered Jopallian guardsmen. Reminds me of 20-years-much later Catachan Devil by Justin Woolley, though even the Catachans were more welcoming to the newbie. That says a lot about these guys. 

 

Business as Usual – Graham McNeill

Spin-off to Warriors of Ultramar but not about Marines, but… a scum. Snowdog, an amoral underhive ganger, finds his shady narcotics deal going sideway. And by “sideway” I mean tyranids and an Arbites officer on his tail. Familiar underhive crime tale with a surprisingly hilarious ending involving drugs and tyranid. Honestly, I enjoyed it way more than yet another Uriel story.

 

Defixio – Ben Counter

The Imperium has plenty of tankers, but Savlar Chem-Dogs? That’s a rare treat. Especially when one of them seems cursed with constant bad luck – just in time to get surrounded by greenskins. If Ben’s first entry in this collection bordered on the absurd, this one works – something any Savlar fan will appreciate.

[wecanhaveallthree]

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Missing in Action – Dan Abnett

 

Abnett at his best...

 

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‘I am Inquisitor Eisenhorn. I’m here to relieve you.'The careful war against the blight of Chaos that you have waged through Urbitane in secret is now over. The Inquisition is here to take over. You can stand down.’

Two or three of the hunched veterans began to weep.

‘You lie,’ said Lund, stepping forward.

‘I do not. Surrender your weapons and I promise you will be treated fairly and with respect.’

‘Will... will we get medals?’ the bearded man asked, in a quavering voice.

‘The gratitude of the God-Emperor will be with you always.’

 

...is really the best, isn't he?

 

Master Imus' Transgression and Strange Demise of Titus Endor are equally good, though I think Strange Demise is one of my absolute favourites in the canon along with Little Horus, another Abnett short. When the man has a story to tell, with good direction and good editing, he's a master of the craft. 

 

Opinions differ, but for that reason I think Magos is his absolute magnum opus. It's this wonderfully cohesive whole, these small threads tightly woven to create tension, intrigue, suspense, horror - but real, genuine human feeling, friendliness, compassion, even love. Magos is near-perfect. These little stories, these little lives, this cross-section of the best and worst of the Imperium and its citizens, good and bad, great and small. Eisenhorn's comeuppance, revelation, and release - with a necessarily uncertain end, because we are left to ask: what has he learned from all this? Innocence, once lost, can never be regained. Eisenhorn can never be a puritan again. But will he do better, be better? Can he? Can that ever happen in this setting?

 

I love Magos. I love where it ends. I love the questions it poses and the answers it insists you find for yourself.

Edited June 20 by wecanhaveallthree
WHERE THE RISING APE MEETS THE FALLING EDIT

[Fire Golem]

I remember getting Words of Blood from the library when I was pretty young, the only one I remember reading was Ork Hunter, so that would’ve been my first warhammer story.