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gramesjay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.0
ratgrrrl's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
February 2024 Read as additional for the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus IV Shattersong (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus/iv-shattersong) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.
This is my sixth Primarchs novel and all the many (actual details at the bottom) Horus Heresy works I've read and listened to so far and this is by far the one I have *enjoyed* the most, standing above the brilliant Master of Prospero (the most alike in covering elements that are of major significance within the main series), the absolutely solid Palatine Phoenix, and bloody, slowburn, and eventual sobworthy Great Wolf, and towering over Lord of Ultramar and Bearer of the Word. In fact (and this isn't an original thought by any means), Hammer of Olympia is unlike its siblings in the fact that it contains essential plot and character evolution for Perturabo in the main series. Yes, the events and experiences each Primarch faces in their entry into this this series shows something that shapes and/ or illuminates aspects of their personality that deepens our understanding of them...that's the premise of the side series and kinda essential for the stories, but the events portrayed here are as essential as the two major plot points of The Dark King for Nighthaunter.
I would actually go one further and say that this is actually a Horus Heresy main series novel, being the Lord of Iron's Fulgrim (2007), and if this was written before Angel Exterminatus (2012) it absolutely would have been.
This is the heartbreaking story of how Perturabo the idealistic architect was reforged into a warrior, before his brutal quenching exposed the cracks in his edge, even as it was hardened into a tragic tyrant.
The novel follows a number of timelines and perspectives it handles well. I was only confused listening to the audiobook when one Perturabo storyline ended and it jumped to another one. In the past we see the young, amnesiac Primarch displaying his innate sense of self, skill, and views, despite knowing nothing but his name, as he is adopted by a Tyrant and exploited as a curiosity, while in the present of the novel Dantioc his company defending what appear to be unpopulated and unimportant worlds from the lesser-spotted Xenos faction, the Hrud (https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Hrud), who share a great number of similarities with the Mimics from Live Die Repeat (the infinitely better alternative title of Edge of Tomorrow) and All You Need Is Kill on which it is based, to the point where I do wonder if the Hrud were an inspiration. This storyline then becomes that of the previously only referenced as an off screen event, the genocide of Olympia.
The writing is phenemonal throughout, wonderfully brought to life by Jonathan Keeble in the audiobook, with a great mix of action, which against the Hrud is very different and strange, Legion interactions, Perturabo's backstory, and the ultimate tragedy of what they become. The events at the end are appropriately harrowing, while not becoming gratuitous, showing the horrors being committed, but focusing on the discomfort a d discord between Iron Warriors.
There are many things have brought tears to my eyes during ym reading of the Horus Heresy, but this book contained the first time I got choked up because someone was being so mean and unfair. Some people haven't seen that episode of Stargate SG-1 with the beach and Roman stuff (I think?) and it shows.
All in all this is a cracking Horus Heresy novel, which makes it and stupendous Primarchs one!
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 10 Horus Heresy novels, 5 novellas, 18 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 6 Primarchs novels, 3 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.
This is my sixth Primarchs novel and all the many (actual details at the bottom) Horus Heresy works I've read and listened to so far and this is by far the one I have *enjoyed* the most, standing above the brilliant Master of Prospero (the most alike in covering elements that are of major significance within the main series), the absolutely solid Palatine Phoenix, and bloody, slowburn, and eventual sobworthy Great Wolf, and towering over Lord of Ultramar and Bearer of the Word. In fact (and this isn't an original thought by any means), Hammer of Olympia is unlike its siblings in the fact that it contains essential plot and character evolution for Perturabo in the main series. Yes, the events and experiences each Primarch faces in their entry into this this series shows something that shapes and/ or illuminates aspects of their personality that deepens our understanding of them...that's the premise of the side series and kinda essential for the stories, but the events portrayed here are as essential as the two major plot points of The Dark King for Nighthaunter.
I would actually go one further and say that this is actually a Horus Heresy main series novel, being the Lord of Iron's Fulgrim (2007), and if this was written before Angel Exterminatus (2012) it absolutely would have been.
This is the heartbreaking story of how Perturabo the idealistic architect was reforged into a warrior, before his brutal quenching exposed the cracks in his edge, even as it was hardened into a tragic tyrant.
The novel follows a number of timelines and perspectives it handles well. I was only confused listening to the audiobook when one Perturabo storyline ended and it jumped to another one. In the past we see the young, amnesiac Primarch displaying his innate sense of self, skill, and views, despite knowing nothing but his name, as he is adopted by a Tyrant and exploited as a curiosity, while in the present of the novel Dantioc his company defending what appear to be unpopulated and unimportant worlds from the lesser-spotted Xenos faction, the Hrud (https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Hrud), who share a great number of similarities with the Mimics from Live Die Repeat (the infinitely better alternative title of Edge of Tomorrow) and All You Need Is Kill on which it is based, to the point where I do wonder if the Hrud were an inspiration. This storyline then becomes that of the previously only referenced as an off screen event, the genocide of Olympia.
The writing is phenemonal throughout, wonderfully brought to life by Jonathan Keeble in the audiobook, with a great mix of action, which against the Hrud is very different and strange, Legion interactions, Perturabo's backstory, and the ultimate tragedy of what they become. The events at the end are appropriately harrowing, while not becoming gratuitous, showing the horrors being committed, but focusing on the discomfort a d discord between Iron Warriors.
There are many things have brought tears to my eyes during ym reading of the Horus Heresy, but this book contained the first time I got choked up because someone was being so mean and unfair. Some people haven't seen that episode of Stargate SG-1 with the beach and Roman stuff (I think?) and it shows.
All in all this is a cracking Horus Heresy novel, which makes it and stupendous Primarchs one!
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 10 Horus Heresy novels, 5 novellas, 18 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 6 Primarchs novels, 3 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.
thepattyshack's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reading these books, I am slowly ironing out what makes a perfect Primarch book.
An interesting character who you get a glimpse behind the mystery to see what these demigods are thinking. tick
A fellow brother to bounce off and see how they bond or don't as siblings. tick
And deep insight into their backstory and/or to backstory of other major characters/events. tick
This book has 2 of those 3 pillars.
But my god the 2 they have are in spades. I find the Iron Warriors and Perturabo a slightly annoying legion. I know it is the point, but almost too much so.
But this book dives so deep into Perturabo's childhood on Olympia and splices beautifully between that and the war against the Harong and the disgracing of Deantiok that I can overlook it as it explains it a lot.
An interesting character who you get a glimpse behind the mystery to see what these demigods are thinking. tick
A fellow brother to bounce off and see how they bond or don't as siblings. tick
And deep insight into their backstory and/or to backstory of other major characters/events. tick
This book has 2 of those 3 pillars.
But my god the 2 they have are in spades. I find the Iron Warriors and Perturabo a slightly annoying legion. I know it is the point, but almost too much so.
But this book dives so deep into Perturabo's childhood on Olympia and splices beautifully between that and the war against the Harong and the disgracing of Deantiok that I can overlook it as it explains it a lot.
zare_i's review
5.0
It seems that Emperor created all of the Primarchs as reflections of his own personality (and by that humans at large).
Perturabo is walking computer, man who sees things only in absolutes, there is no grey area for him. He is also a person fully aware of his superiority over normal humans and thus very very alone. In his mind he is so off from the main human that he cannot trust them and thus isolates himself from everyone - be them bearing gifts, love or death. He tries to act like he has no emotions but he is in constant internal turmoil. In order to stifle his emotions he blunts his soul against ever so increasing levels of violence and rigidness.
He needs company, he needs someone to look at him and say "Well done" but unfortunately by perfecting his isolation he became for all means and purposes completely invisible. For superhuman who does not bask in lights of glory he is of no interest to anyone and soon his legion and himself are fighting extremely hard offensives in deep space out of everyone's sight.
If he was Alpharion/Omegon this would be his life dream. But unlike these two and even Curze, Perturabo is living among people, he seeks attention but [knowing what he truly is] he punishes himself in more and more brutal ways while hoping that someone will say "Stop it! You have greater purpose, lets achieve it!" and take him in to build and create instead to destroy.
This of course is his fatal flaw and as such paves the way for the ultimate fall.
Very good book, good addition to the series.
Highly recommended.
Perturabo is walking computer, man who sees things only in absolutes, there is no grey area for him. He is also a person fully aware of his superiority over normal humans and thus very very alone. In his mind he is so off from the main human that he cannot trust them and thus isolates himself from everyone - be them bearing gifts, love or death. He tries to act like he has no emotions but he is in constant internal turmoil. In order to stifle his emotions he blunts his soul against ever so increasing levels of violence and rigidness.
He needs company, he needs someone to look at him and say "Well done" but unfortunately by perfecting his isolation he became for all means and purposes completely invisible. For superhuman who does not bask in lights of glory he is of no interest to anyone and soon his legion and himself are fighting extremely hard offensives in deep space out of everyone's sight.
If he was Alpharion/Omegon this would be his life dream. But unlike these two and even Curze, Perturabo is living among people, he seeks attention but [knowing what he truly is] he punishes himself in more and more brutal ways while hoping that someone will say "Stop it! You have greater purpose, lets achieve it!" and take him in to build and create instead to destroy.
This of course is his fatal flaw and as such paves the way for the ultimate fall.
Very good book, good addition to the series.
Highly recommended.
seven_of_ten's review
5.0
This was one of the book I bought myself for Christmas. A friend had suggested it and I knew I’d love it. But I sat on it for months...until I gusted up and read it. It was a fantastic read, well written and very eye opening to the character of Perturabo.
My only wish is that this book could have come out 5 years ago.
My only wish is that this book could have come out 5 years ago.
nraptor's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
simonmee's review
3.0
I have written before that the Warhammer 40k universe tends to paint its emotions in primary colours. Creatures performing superhuman feats that reflect them super-feeling about something. Subtle as a sledge... ...warhammer, to crowbar in a reference.
So when I read about Perturabo being the best of the Primarch series, I get it. We have a demi-god whose response to a setback is to literally crush the shoulders of the bearer of bad news and break his spine over a gigantic armoured knee. When Perturabo requests the presence of a subordinate with this line immediately after:
"Tell him he has nothing to fear."
...you are not going to miss the implicit menace. Perturabo can brood on this pointless war and bear grudges that could outlive mountains. His subordinates are left bereft over some mean words. Philosophical conversations are backhanders towards Aristotelian classification or a faithful reproduction of Plato’s allegory of the cave, with Perturabo proclaiming he is the sun as a punchline.
Quite Brown
I am mostly fine with this approach as I generally struggle to discern different shades of grey. However, it can tend towards hamfistedness. Perturabo’s adopted sister barely rises above the Shakespearean fool with resort to theatrical lines:
"You cultivate a martyr's complex, lurching from man to man, holding out your bleeding wrists so they might see how you hurt yourself."
The point is that Perturabo is an asshole. His sister actually gets a good (if heavy) line about that:
"Comparing yourself to the worst of your brothers to excuse the enormity of your own crimes."
…which reads as more insightful than Perturabo’s reflection that windows were a vanity.
There are a number of interesting reasons why Perturabo is an asshole but they all lead to him being an asshole. There is a limit to how far you can flesh out why someone is an asshole, which has tended to result in Perturabo’s portrayal leaning towards whingey. I guess brown is not a primary colour, but it is pretty strongly painted.
Fluidly Brown
Contra to several reviews, I favour the parts of Perturabo where his Iron Warriors face off against the alien hrud. His homeworld of Olympia is just a canvas on which Perturabo paints with his (emotional) asshole. It does little else but suffer his tantrums. The hrud are a force Perturabo must work to find an advantage over, only to have the hrud counter his actions. It is a more dynamic setting where suffering is not just self-generated by Perturabo being an… …asshole.
At the conclusion, Haley does hit it out of the park. Perturabo meets his true father the God-Emperor of Mankind. While the book is not a masterpiece of subtlety, or really anything other than people raising their voices alot, the consistency of the emotions lends weight to that meeting. The meeting sits between the main two plots in the novella so we know what Perturabo wants, and what he eventually gets. His father’s words therefore carry a poignant pang to them. The effect is that the book feeds naturally to the conclusion, even if it is out of chronological sequence.
I think saying Perturabo is the best of the Primarch series is too far. The subversion of painting in primary colours is better done in [b:Angron: Slave of Nuceria|40593235|Angron Slave of Nuceria (The Horus Heresy Primarchs #11)|Ian St. Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545477731l/40593235._SY75_.jpg|63038529]. A sense of shade is introduced in the epilogue of [b:Leman Russ|29430413|Leman Russ The Great Wolf (The Horus Heresy Primarchs #2)|Chris Wraight|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1475694656l/29430413._SY75_.jpg|49695014]. Hubris with the foreshadowing of tragedy is more impactful in [b:Magnus the Red|30753541|Magnus the Red Master of Prospero (The Horus Heresy Primarchs #3)|Graham McNeill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487504940l/30753541._SY75_.jpg|51301994] (albeit that book’s portrayal of Perturabo is inferior).
I wonder if Perturabo gets credit for conforming to the expectations that the Primarch series would be closer to origin stories for each. And it is good, I like it, but I don’t think that format is absolutely necessary to get the points across. Nonetheless:
'I am as proud if you as I am of any of my children.'
Don’t tell my daughter that.
So when I read about Perturabo being the best of the Primarch series, I get it. We have a demi-god whose response to a setback is to literally crush the shoulders of the bearer of bad news and break his spine over a gigantic armoured knee. When Perturabo requests the presence of a subordinate with this line immediately after:
"Tell him he has nothing to fear."
...you are not going to miss the implicit menace. Perturabo can brood on this pointless war and bear grudges that could outlive mountains. His subordinates are left bereft over some mean words. Philosophical conversations are backhanders towards Aristotelian classification or a faithful reproduction of Plato’s allegory of the cave, with Perturabo proclaiming he is the sun as a punchline.
Quite Brown
I am mostly fine with this approach as I generally struggle to discern different shades of grey. However, it can tend towards hamfistedness. Perturabo’s adopted sister barely rises above the Shakespearean fool with resort to theatrical lines:
"You cultivate a martyr's complex, lurching from man to man, holding out your bleeding wrists so they might see how you hurt yourself."
The point is that Perturabo is an asshole. His sister actually gets a good (if heavy) line about that:
"Comparing yourself to the worst of your brothers to excuse the enormity of your own crimes."
…which reads as more insightful than Perturabo’s reflection that windows were a vanity.
There are a number of interesting reasons why Perturabo is an asshole but they all lead to him being an asshole. There is a limit to how far you can flesh out why someone is an asshole, which has tended to result in Perturabo’s portrayal leaning towards whingey. I guess brown is not a primary colour, but it is pretty strongly painted.
Fluidly Brown
Contra to several reviews, I favour the parts of Perturabo where his Iron Warriors face off against the alien hrud. His homeworld of Olympia is just a canvas on which Perturabo paints with his (emotional) asshole. It does little else but suffer his tantrums. The hrud are a force Perturabo must work to find an advantage over, only to have the hrud counter his actions. It is a more dynamic setting where suffering is not just self-generated by Perturabo being an… …asshole.
At the conclusion, Haley does hit it out of the park. Perturabo meets his true father the God-Emperor of Mankind. While the book is not a masterpiece of subtlety, or really anything other than people raising their voices alot, the consistency of the emotions lends weight to that meeting. The meeting sits between the main two plots in the novella so we know what Perturabo wants, and what he eventually gets. His father’s words therefore carry a poignant pang to them. The effect is that the book feeds naturally to the conclusion, even if it is out of chronological sequence.
I think saying Perturabo is the best of the Primarch series is too far. The subversion of painting in primary colours is better done in [b:Angron: Slave of Nuceria|40593235|Angron Slave of Nuceria (The Horus Heresy Primarchs #11)|Ian St. Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545477731l/40593235._SY75_.jpg|63038529]. A sense of shade is introduced in the epilogue of [b:Leman Russ|29430413|Leman Russ The Great Wolf (The Horus Heresy Primarchs #2)|Chris Wraight|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1475694656l/29430413._SY75_.jpg|49695014]. Hubris with the foreshadowing of tragedy is more impactful in [b:Magnus the Red|30753541|Magnus the Red Master of Prospero (The Horus Heresy Primarchs #3)|Graham McNeill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487504940l/30753541._SY75_.jpg|51301994] (albeit that book’s portrayal of Perturabo is inferior).
I wonder if Perturabo gets credit for conforming to the expectations that the Primarch series would be closer to origin stories for each. And it is good, I like it, but I don’t think that format is absolutely necessary to get the points across. Nonetheless:
'I am as proud if you as I am of any of my children.'
Don’t tell my daughter that.
farilian's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
trackofwords's review
4.0
For the first time in the Horus Heresy Primarchs series we get an origin story, with the narrative split between Perturabo’s early years on Olympia and the ongoing difficulties his sons face during a campaign against the time-manipulating hrud.
It’s perhaps the most complex of the Primarchs books so far, dealing with a remarkable number of ideas – Perturabo’s youth and upbringing, his burgeoning personality, Dantioch’s ailment, the changing nature of the Iron Warriors, the first real descriptions of the hrud…there’s a lot in here. Don’t expect to come away with additional sympathy for Perturabo and the Iron Warriors…but there’s a lot to enjoy here.
Read the full review at http://www.trackofwords.com/2017/07/26/perturabo-hammer-of-olympia-guy-haley/
It’s perhaps the most complex of the Primarchs books so far, dealing with a remarkable number of ideas – Perturabo’s youth and upbringing, his burgeoning personality, Dantioch’s ailment, the changing nature of the Iron Warriors, the first real descriptions of the hrud…there’s a lot in here. Don’t expect to come away with additional sympathy for Perturabo and the Iron Warriors…but there’s a lot to enjoy here.
Read the full review at http://www.trackofwords.com/2017/07/26/perturabo-hammer-of-olympia-guy-haley/