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shadowspinner's review against another edition
adventurous
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: War
zare_i's review against another edition
5.0
World of Sotha is utterly destroyed by Tyranid fleet. Newly assigned commander for the region, Decimus Felix, is tasked to oversee reassignment of Scythes of the Emperor chapter to this world. Scythes, led by their chapter-master Thracian, have arrived in system with a particular mission in mind and as a bonus (to Felix's delight) archmagos of the Imperium, Belisarius Cawl, also arrives in system to conduct his own investigation of ancient Pharos structure on Sotha (of Horus Heresy fame).
Three power players, Felix, Thracian and Belisarius will very soon open the multi-layered proverbial can of worms that just might be the high explosive bullet into the body of Imperium itself.
I wont go into much more details because it would be spoiler after spoiler.
What I can say is that author manages to wonderfully integrate three stories - one of control, one of uncontrolled seeking for knowledge (and decent amount of Indiana Jones' recklessness) and finally one of duty - and manages to add standard remote-abandoned-fort horror tropes with quite a few Indiana Jones/cyberpunk elements. Pharos, or better said the entire mountain it resides on, is also a character - background device triggering flashbacks in our heroes and producing quite a few golden nuggets of W40K lore. We are given some short views on beginnings of Astartes project in the Himalazian massif, end of Horus Heresy and power plays taking place in the background, return of Guilliman and introduction of Cawls role in Primaris genesis (Primus Alpha is excellent character) and also inner views of the artificial intelligences residing in mysterious Pharos mountain that was first visited by Emperor, then Guilliman and finally Mechanicum before Scythes of the Emperor established their fortress at the peak of the mountain.
Author manages to portray all protagonists (especially Space Marines) as a very likeable human characters, with fears (or whatever comes close to this for Space Marine) and doubts and sense of duty. Unlike usual heroes, like say from Aliens movies (because hey, you need to get close to slimy, alive matter no matter what - right?), here everyone is aware of the risks because they know what might come after them, so decision and actions are more impactful and with a goal to achieve. There is purpose behind everything, over or covert, latter developing over the course of the novel. Reader is left with tracking all of the story-lines and trying to piece things together as novel progresses.
Cawl, sort of a crazy genius "Dr Emmet" type is a backbone of the novel. Through flashbacks we are slowly fed reasons for this quest but he is constantly several steps ahead of both us and his entourage, always pushing the envelope in mission-impossible style. But even when doing all of what he is doing he is protective of his allies (although it definitely does not look like it to them personally). No wonder Guilliman is constantly upset with him.
Excellent adventure novel, written in a style that I definitely did not expect in W40K universe.
If you like stories of forbidden knowledge, mysterious planets and foes, and always those very much needed snapshots from the Terras past (with a juicy comment on Emperor himself) do yourself a favor and read this one.
Highly recommended to fans of W40K specifically and SF thriller/cyberpunk generally.
Three power players, Felix, Thracian and Belisarius will very soon open the multi-layered proverbial can of worms that just might be the high explosive bullet into the body of Imperium itself.
I wont go into much more details because it would be spoiler after spoiler.
What I can say is that author manages to wonderfully integrate three stories - one of control, one of uncontrolled seeking for knowledge (and decent amount of Indiana Jones' recklessness) and finally one of duty - and manages to add standard remote-abandoned-fort horror tropes with quite a few Indiana Jones/cyberpunk elements. Pharos, or better said the entire mountain it resides on, is also a character - background device triggering flashbacks in our heroes and producing quite a few golden nuggets of W40K lore. We are given some short views on beginnings of Astartes project in the Himalazian massif, end of Horus Heresy and power plays taking place in the background, return of Guilliman and introduction of Cawls role in Primaris genesis (Primus Alpha is excellent character) and also inner views of the artificial intelligences residing in mysterious Pharos mountain that was first visited by Emperor, then Guilliman and finally Mechanicum before Scythes of the Emperor established their fortress at the peak of the mountain.
Author manages to portray all protagonists (especially Space Marines) as a very likeable human characters, with fears (or whatever comes close to this for Space Marine) and doubts and sense of duty. Unlike usual heroes, like say from Aliens movies (because hey, you need to get close to slimy, alive matter no matter what - right?), here everyone is aware of the risks because they know what might come after them, so decision and actions are more impactful and with a goal to achieve. There is purpose behind everything, over or covert, latter developing over the course of the novel. Reader is left with tracking all of the story-lines and trying to piece things together as novel progresses.
Cawl, sort of a crazy genius "Dr Emmet" type is a backbone of the novel. Through flashbacks we are slowly fed reasons for this quest but he is constantly several steps ahead of both us and his entourage, always pushing the envelope in mission-impossible style. But even when doing all of what he is doing he is protective of his allies (although it definitely does not look like it to them personally). No wonder Guilliman is constantly upset with him.
Excellent adventure novel, written in a style that I definitely did not expect in W40K universe.
If you like stories of forbidden knowledge, mysterious planets and foes, and always those very much needed snapshots from the Terras past (with a juicy comment on Emperor himself) do yourself a favor and read this one.
Highly recommended to fans of W40K specifically and SF thriller/cyberpunk generally.
barneyc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Cawl is a cool lil guy
mrm4games's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
charlieglynn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
3.75
llantaryn's review against another edition
3.5
Good for Cawl’s character and solid writing amongst timey wimey stuff.
javierlee's review against another edition
4.0
La gran obra (Historia vivida por Belisarius cawl)
La historia nos centra en el planeta Sotha, planeta que a sufrido un ataque de la flota tiranida que lo ha dejado yermo en su superficie (Los tiranidos siempre hacen esto) este planeta está ubicado en el sector de Macragge, este mismo planeta está controlado o cuidado por “las guadañas del emperador”
Este mismo capítulo a sufrido una gran deshonra por la forma en que perdieron la batalla contra los tiranidos, y la traición de los cultos genestilers (así se llama a los humanos infectados por los tiránidos) y los últimos marines antiguos (ahora hay primaris que los reemplazaran) por lo que vana en una misión de solo de ida.
Por parte de Belisarius el muchacho viene por tecnología alienígena, resulta que bajo el monte (inserte nombre) lugar que era la base de “las guadañas del emperador” debajo tiene una estructura necrona que es más peligrosa de lo normal.
A su vez conocemos un poco más de Primus, supuestamente el primer espace marine primaris que ha existido, quien tiene una cantidad de poder muy por encima y unas habilidades bastante más raras que el resto.
Toda la historia es bastante normal e interesante ya que podemos ver el un poco del pasado del cawl ya que la trama gira entre “hace 10k” y la actualidad, el giro que se da al final es decir el último 30% es muy bueno a mi parecer, nos desvela un montón de info interesante y un combate
//Con spoiler
> Me encanta poder ver como Belisarius tiene esperanza en que la humanidad pueda volver a la gloria antigua, no por el emperador, si no por que ellos mismo pueden tomar acción.
> Nos hablan en más detalle sobre Primus y se conoce un poco más sobre el, poco pero un poco más
> La estructura Necrona, la piedra negra, los robots, me parece increíble poder leer un poco más sobre esto
> Leer sobre las capacidades de Belisarus y cómo puede controlar la maquinaria necrona
> También, el tipo marcando la llega al lado del planeta, es good
La historia nos centra en el planeta Sotha, planeta que a sufrido un ataque de la flota tiranida que lo ha dejado yermo en su superficie (Los tiranidos siempre hacen esto) este planeta está ubicado en el sector de Macragge, este mismo planeta está controlado o cuidado por “las guadañas del emperador”
Este mismo capítulo a sufrido una gran deshonra por la forma en que perdieron la batalla contra los tiranidos, y la traición de los cultos genestilers (así se llama a los humanos infectados por los tiránidos) y los últimos marines antiguos (ahora hay primaris que los reemplazaran) por lo que vana en una misión de solo de ida.
Por parte de Belisarius el muchacho viene por tecnología alienígena, resulta que bajo el monte (inserte nombre) lugar que era la base de “las guadañas del emperador” debajo tiene una estructura necrona que es más peligrosa de lo normal.
A su vez conocemos un poco más de Primus, supuestamente el primer espace marine primaris que ha existido, quien tiene una cantidad de poder muy por encima y unas habilidades bastante más raras que el resto.
Toda la historia es bastante normal e interesante ya que podemos ver el un poco del pasado del cawl ya que la trama gira entre “hace 10k” y la actualidad, el giro que se da al final es decir el último 30% es muy bueno a mi parecer, nos desvela un montón de info interesante y un combate
//Con spoiler
> Me encanta poder ver como Belisarius tiene esperanza en que la humanidad pueda volver a la gloria antigua, no por el emperador, si no por que ellos mismo pueden tomar acción.
> Nos hablan en más detalle sobre Primus y se conoce un poco más sobre el, poco pero un poco más
> La estructura Necrona, la piedra negra, los robots, me parece increíble poder leer un poco más sobre esto
> Leer sobre las capacidades de Belisarus y cómo puede controlar la maquinaria necrona
> También, el tipo marcando la llega al lado del planeta, es good
gelert's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A spectacular work interweaving it's plotlines telling a brisk story I stayed up to finish. The best use of flashbacks I have ever seen.
nraptor's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0