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ratgrrrl's review
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this short story from Imperial Herald First Captain, Reynolds. As with it being great for McNeill to get some Ultramarines and Calth action with Calth That Was (CTW) after not having the schedule to write the Battle of Calth that became Know No Fear, it's great to see the Reynolds return to bear the word (and as I said in my CTW review, like Know No Fear, I love Terrormaster and Champion of Chaos Divided Dembski-Bowden's Word Bearer books and that we get this too!), introducing the eventual Dark Apostle Marduk and eight-pointed star of Reynolds' 40K Word Bearer series.
Marduk is like Tupac. When he writes, he goes blind and lets the [Darker Powers] do [their] thing. These Temptations bring on Changes that splinter the Colchis Love between him and his mentor. The story is told though Marduk reporting to Kor Phaeron who eventually tell the Postulant to Keep Ya Head Up and that despite the psyker pulling a Hail Mary on his superior after he took exception to his apprentice using Chaos mutations on the Ultramarines to Hit 'Em Up, I Ain't Mad At Cha. Ending with the moment from Know Know Fear when Guilliman grabs hold of the Heartz of Men from Marduk's perspective
I love seeing original characters Black Library authors create in 40k series become established enough to enter the annals of their chapter, warband, Order, etc. to be recognised in the tabletop game lore, and getting to witness the introduction, rise and/ or fall take place during the Horus Heresy is brilliant.
I really appreciate how anthology, and this story on particular, is discussing the religious eldritch horror of it all when it comes to Chaos, and more transitionary experience than previously shown outside of The First Heretic. The Dark Bargains and mercurial ways of the Denizens of the Warp, as well as the different beliefs and sensibilities of, effectively, different denominations of adherent to the Primordial Annihilator, are all fascinating and the kind of thing I can't get enough of.
The action is well written and really come to life in the way only Jonathan Keeble can charge his narration of violence and sorcery.
Just a solid and entertaining story that adds depth and harkens to the Dark Millennium.
Marduk is like Tupac. When he writes, he goes blind and lets the [Darker Powers] do [their] thing. These Temptations bring on Changes that splinter the Colchis Love between him and his mentor. The story is told though Marduk reporting to Kor Phaeron who eventually tell the Postulant to Keep Ya Head Up and that despite the psyker pulling a Hail Mary on his superior after he took exception to his apprentice using Chaos mutations on the Ultramarines to Hit 'Em Up, I Ain't Mad At Cha. Ending with the moment from Know Know Fear when Guilliman grabs hold of the Heartz of Men from Marduk's perspective
I love seeing original characters Black Library authors create in 40k series become established enough to enter the annals of their chapter, warband, Order, etc. to be recognised in the tabletop game lore, and getting to witness the introduction, rise and/ or fall take place during the Horus Heresy is brilliant.
I really appreciate how anthology, and this story on particular, is discussing the religious eldritch horror of it all when it comes to Chaos, and more transitionary experience than previously shown outside of The First Heretic. The Dark Bargains and mercurial ways of the Denizens of the Warp, as well as the different beliefs and sensibilities of, effectively, different denominations of adherent to the Primordial Annihilator, are all fascinating and the kind of thing I can't get enough of.
The action is well written and really come to life in the way only Jonathan Keeble can charge his narration of violence and sorcery.
Just a solid and entertaining story that adds depth and harkens to the Dark Millennium.
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