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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
A very solid beginning to the new era. My only complaint was that the ending did not feel very conclusive. Maybe I will change my mind after reading the sequel, but this book did not function very well as a standalone novel. Otherwise, I appreciated the new lore and seeing the Primaris Marines in action.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4 stars! Great Warhammer novel but not recommended for newcomers as it assumes a solid knowledge of the setting from the reader.
The book is focused on Roboute Guilliman, the recently resurrected Primarch of the Ultramarines. One of my favourite things about the book is that it makes constant use of the old adage, "show, don't tell". Primarchs in general, and Guilliman in particular, are transhuman, much stronger and smarter than normal humans to the point that they can be considered demigods. Guilliman is known for being extremely organized, diplomatic and efficient, and some scenes in the book paint a great picture of the actions and measures he's taken since his resurrection that show his leadership and logistical skills. Speaking of which, even though the book has a clear structure, I felt that there were multiple points when the scene changed just as it was getting interesting. The story then jumped to a different scene without providing a completely satisfying resolution. In a way, the whole novel reads like a compilation of setups that don't have a definite payoff if that makes sense. This includes
Of note, the author has announced an update to Dark Imperium and its sequel, Plague War, which drastically changes the timeline of the main events. You may want to pick up the new editions of these novels as technically they make the previous versions obsolete. Yes, this means a a full-on lore retcon.
I really liked the prose, even though I found a few grammar mistakes in the form of missing words or wrong tenses. These took me out of the zone whenever they popped up, which is a shame because I thought the novel was really well written otherwise.
My last nitpick is an odd one. I think that Dark Imperium is saddled by its own purpose, which is showing off new units (Primaris space marines) that have been added to the tabletop game recently. The way that this is done in the book can be a bit unsubtle, with many descriptions and notes showing in what very specific ways these units are better, stronger and faster than regular space marines. I totally get the point but it felt a bit forced, and it kept reminding me that this is essentially a well-written, insightful and interesting Games Workshop brochure.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read with very vivid scenes, distinct characters, detailed battles and even some theology discussions sprinkled in, all wrapped in the stark contrast between the shiny, idealistic forces of good and the warped, degenerate armies of evil that characterises Warhammer 40k. I'll be reading Plague War in the future to find out how the events unfold.
The book is focused on Roboute Guilliman, the recently resurrected Primarch of the Ultramarines. One of my favourite things about the book is that it makes constant use of the old adage, "show, don't tell". Primarchs in general, and Guilliman in particular, are transhuman, much stronger and smarter than normal humans to the point that they can be considered demigods. Guilliman is known for being extremely organized, diplomatic and efficient, and some scenes in the book paint a great picture of the actions and measures he's taken since his resurrection that show his leadership and logistical skills. Speaking of which, even though the book has a clear structure, I felt that there were multiple points when the scene changed just as it was getting interesting. The story then jumped to a different scene without providing a completely satisfying resolution. In a way, the whole novel reads like a compilation of setups that don't have a definite payoff if that makes sense. This includes
Spoiler
the ending, which didn't show the confrontation between Guilliman and Mortarion that was hinted at for the whole book.Of note, the author has announced an update to Dark Imperium and its sequel, Plague War, which drastically changes the timeline of the main events. You may want to pick up the new editions of these novels as technically they make the previous versions obsolete. Yes, this means a a full-on lore retcon.
I really liked the prose, even though I found a few grammar mistakes in the form of missing words or wrong tenses. These took me out of the zone whenever they popped up, which is a shame because I thought the novel was really well written otherwise.
My last nitpick is an odd one. I think that Dark Imperium is saddled by its own purpose, which is showing off new units (Primaris space marines) that have been added to the tabletop game recently. The way that this is done in the book can be a bit unsubtle, with many descriptions and notes showing in what very specific ways these units are better, stronger and faster than regular space marines. I totally get the point but it felt a bit forced, and it kept reminding me that this is essentially a well-written, insightful and interesting Games Workshop brochure.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read with very vivid scenes, distinct characters, detailed battles and even some theology discussions sprinkled in, all wrapped in the stark contrast between the shiny, idealistic forces of good and the warped, degenerate armies of evil that characterises Warhammer 40k. I'll be reading Plague War in the future to find out how the events unfold.
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While perhaps intended it as an introduction to the unfolding universe of 40K, it reads like an advertisement with equally as hamfisted exposition. The few redeeming passages it has are at the very beginning, and at its very end. What remains is filler and setup for a story it only manages to begin to scratch the surface of in the last 50 or so pages. As an individual entry, it is forgettable. And when one looks at the likes of the Horus Heresy being able to provide entries which are both individually interesting and serve a greater narrative, I'm unsure as to why this one is as dull as it is. It is quite a feat to make the universe 40K look uninteresting and make its many facets sound unappealing, yet that is the only thing in which this book succeeds. I have read incredibly compelling stories to come out of the Black Library, but this is not one of them.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced