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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
March 2024 Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order Omnibus XI Ordu of the Khan (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus/xi-ordu-of-the-khan) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus series and extras.
So, I've had some time to think and I ended up reading L the connecting stories leading up to and then The Path of Heaven itself, while thinking and I think I have some idea of what I think. I think?
I thoroughly enjoyed this and what I've come to call the Wraight Heresy, which this is the first lodestone of with the various stories of the characters I have come to call the Terran Scar, the Weathermaker, and the Lightning Son, not to mention the Scarred Hand and the other Shattered Legionaries, and of course, the man himself, the Greay Warhawk of Chagoris himself.
Those stories and the wider saga feel like the strong opening of a 'prestige' TV show, which as far as I am aware generally just means it has a decent budget and is generally good. With so many Legions, characters, places, and all the jumping around in time across the saga there has been a feeling of the story being an ever widening flat circle and loopdiloops so everyone gets their chance to gyre and gimble in warp, while Typhus slithies behind the Death Lord's back and the Mournival outgrabes. Which, to be clear is great. I want to get into razing and praising with the Word Bearers and Ultramarines, the sad, grim backstory and front off between the Dark and Night, and watch my favourite, sweet, angry babies get their marble white and blue all bloody while I so my heart out, and everything else. But, this is where is feels like we are making actual forward progress. This is season three baybee! We got to introduce everyone and tell the first grand chapters and everyone is up to speed so we get to plunge ahead with a new narrative arc!
Season three introduces the Great Khan and his White Scars as new players, as Wraight himself notes, these are largely unseen and unheard of characters that he got to shape around that absence, and what we ended up getting... is, while not making my personal favourites, but absolutely topping my list of the coolest Legion and Primarch out there and the most actually switched on to what the Imperium and the Emperor is all about, which is fascinating to see. The lack of exposure and previous reference plays wonderfully into their enigmatic character, particularly when it comes down to the ultimate division in the Legion and the uncertainty and distrust others hold for them.
Now, I am absolutely no authority on this and it's not my place to say, but for my part, I think Wraight does a good job of not ploughing those broad strokes into the absolute nightmare of orientalism they could lead to. I also really appreciate that Brotherhood of the Storm, Scars, and some of the other stories had narrators of Asian heritage, though I am unsure why this didn't continue for The Path of Heaven. However, I do think it is worth noting that Wraight, and pretty much all Black Library authors so far, do get into so uncomfortable areas and language around the discussion, perspective, and portrayal of elements, use of, and comparisons to things pertaining to cultural differences, particularly around the disturbingly colonial notions when terms such as 'tribal', 'savage', 'primitive' and 'barbaric', etc. come up. In fairness, but in no way to diminish or downplay the wrongness of what I am describing, it is not something exclusive to Wraight or Black Library, but a wider issue of 'Western' literature that is heightened around fantasy and sci-fi due to racist and jingoistic foundations and conventions from the original authors of those genres and the touchstones that influenced them.
I really appreciate the way this novel, not only connects the stories specifically leading up to it, but the wider story as well, exemplified by the scenes with Space Wolves. Wraight has such a handle of the Dark Millennia and the players within it that is clearly on display.
I don't want to talk about The Path of Heaven too much, but a striking difference for me is that Scars feels like characters that are taking focus and leading the narrative, which is something I greatly prefer as I am able to really latch on and get carried along with them, while The Path of Heaven feels like the narrative and the fact that certain things have to happen to dovetail into the wider Heresy really take centre stage and lead the characters.
Wraight is one of those authors who is really doing their own thing, while still working in harmony with the grand narrative and other authors around him. Sometimes that absolutely chimes with me, as with this and Sanguinius: the Great Angel, which I will never stop banging on about how perfect it is! And other times, as with The Path of Heaven, I can respect his craft and see what he's doing, even if it's not my cup of tea.
This is a stand out for both Wraight and the series and it feels like an epic miniseries in itself, which makes sense with the original episodic release, but those parts also make a satisfying and cohesive whole.
***
Truly epic snd a huge step forward on terms of the wider narrative.
I had no idea the White Scars and the Khan were so damned cool!
Need to sleep and percolate, but will write up a proper review soon.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 20.41 Horus Heresy novels, 12 novellas, 54 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 10 Primarchs novels, 4 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.
So, I've had some time to think and I ended up reading L the connecting stories leading up to and then The Path of Heaven itself, while thinking and I think I have some idea of what I think. I think?
I thoroughly enjoyed this and what I've come to call the Wraight Heresy, which this is the first lodestone of with the various stories of the characters I have come to call the Terran Scar, the Weathermaker, and the Lightning Son, not to mention the Scarred Hand and the other Shattered Legionaries, and of course, the man himself, the Greay Warhawk of Chagoris himself.
Those stories and the wider saga feel like the strong opening of a 'prestige' TV show, which as far as I am aware generally just means it has a decent budget and is generally good. With so many Legions, characters, places, and all the jumping around in time across the saga there has been a feeling of the story being an ever widening flat circle and loopdiloops so everyone gets their chance to gyre and gimble in warp, while Typhus slithies behind the Death Lord's back and the Mournival outgrabes. Which, to be clear is great. I want to get into razing and praising with the Word Bearers and Ultramarines, the sad, grim backstory and front off between the Dark and Night, and watch my favourite, sweet, angry babies get their marble white and blue all bloody while I so my heart out, and everything else. But, this is where is feels like we are making actual forward progress. This is season three baybee! We got to introduce everyone and tell the first grand chapters and everyone is up to speed so we get to plunge ahead with a new narrative arc!
Season three introduces the Great Khan and his White Scars as new players, as Wraight himself notes, these are largely unseen and unheard of characters that he got to shape around that absence, and what we ended up getting... is, while not making my personal favourites, but absolutely topping my list of the coolest Legion and Primarch out there and the most actually switched on to what the Imperium and the Emperor is all about, which is fascinating to see. The lack of exposure and previous reference plays wonderfully into their enigmatic character, particularly when it comes down to the ultimate division in the Legion and the uncertainty and distrust others hold for them.
Now, I am absolutely no authority on this and it's not my place to say, but for my part, I think Wraight does a good job of not ploughing those broad strokes into the absolute nightmare of orientalism they could lead to. I also really appreciate that Brotherhood of the Storm, Scars, and some of the other stories had narrators of Asian heritage, though I am unsure why this didn't continue for The Path of Heaven. However, I do think it is worth noting that Wraight, and pretty much all Black Library authors so far, do get into so uncomfortable areas and language around the discussion, perspective, and portrayal of elements, use of, and comparisons to things pertaining to cultural differences, particularly around the disturbingly colonial notions when terms such as 'tribal', 'savage', 'primitive' and 'barbaric', etc. come up. In fairness, but in no way to diminish or downplay the wrongness of what I am describing, it is not something exclusive to Wraight or Black Library, but a wider issue of 'Western' literature that is heightened around fantasy and sci-fi due to racist and jingoistic foundations and conventions from the original authors of those genres and the touchstones that influenced them.
I really appreciate the way this novel, not only connects the stories specifically leading up to it, but the wider story as well, exemplified by the scenes with Space Wolves. Wraight has such a handle of the Dark Millennia and the players within it that is clearly on display.
I don't want to talk about The Path of Heaven too much, but a striking difference for me is that Scars feels like characters that are taking focus and leading the narrative, which is something I greatly prefer as I am able to really latch on and get carried along with them, while The Path of Heaven feels like the narrative and the fact that certain things have to happen to dovetail into the wider Heresy really take centre stage and lead the characters.
Wraight is one of those authors who is really doing their own thing, while still working in harmony with the grand narrative and other authors around him. Sometimes that absolutely chimes with me, as with this and Sanguinius: the Great Angel, which I will never stop banging on about how perfect it is! And other times, as with The Path of Heaven, I can respect his craft and see what he's doing, even if it's not my cup of tea.
This is a stand out for both Wraight and the series and it feels like an epic miniseries in itself, which makes sense with the original episodic release, but those parts also make a satisfying and cohesive whole.
***
Truly epic snd a huge step forward on terms of the wider narrative.
I had no idea the White Scars and the Khan were so damned cool!
Need to sleep and percolate, but will write up a proper review soon.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 20.41 Horus Heresy novels, 12 novellas, 54 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 10 Primarchs novels, 4 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.
The Khan, sat on the outskirts of the imperium, is still farting about when everything falls apart.
It was slow and not much happened until the last couple of chapters. I enjoyed it though, some good characters having some good conversations. The scars seem to be more up for a laugh than the other legions.
It was slow and not much happened until the last couple of chapters. I enjoyed it though, some good characters having some good conversations. The scars seem to be more up for a laugh than the other legions.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A nice addition to the HH lineup, especially since it talks about the White Scars, a very ignored legion. A fun read for anyone deep in the 30k universe.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
What a lovely book. Chris Wraight managed to give the often overlooked White Scars a lot of depth and make them look, sound, feel really cool while at it. With little effort he makes them feel like a truly ancient chapter with a lot of history and a rich culture. Turning this into the central conflict was a smart move. I loved this book, it is a fast paced fun read.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A four star rating for me I think. I listened to the audiobook so 5 stars for Jonathon Keeble, I’ve never found a narrator I liked better across multiple genres, just so happens to be in the Black Library rotation. Story itself is 3 stars for me, interesting enough in terms of seeing events from a different perspective but I felt the pacing was a bit weird. I felt that about halfway though we were due for an immediate climax but it pottered on for a bit long.
An amazing insight to an often forgotten legion, but one that weirdly enough, we are meant to?
The White Scars are legion that operates far from and outside the law by the seems of it with Jaghiti Khan being a very level headed primarch.
He isn't blindly loyal to the emperor, nor is he to any particular brother, and when he finds out through conflicting transmissions that there is conflict and war between them, he goes to extraordinary lengths to try and decipher the truth and see who has the best point.
A great book, shinning light on a legion that is often forgotten, and as discovered, we're built that way. And a legion who is all about speed.
Can't wait to see what they do in the future.
The White Scars are legion that operates far from and outside the law by the seems of it with Jaghiti Khan being a very level headed primarch.
He isn't blindly loyal to the emperor, nor is he to any particular brother, and when he finds out through conflicting transmissions that there is conflict and war between them, he goes to extraordinary lengths to try and decipher the truth and see who has the best point.
A great book, shinning light on a legion that is often forgotten, and as discovered, we're built that way. And a legion who is all about speed.
Can't wait to see what they do in the future.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the better ones in the HH.
A really great read, there where three stories going on at the same time. My biggest complaint was on my ebook version, you couldn't tell when it had switched characters. Half the flash backs where filled with quite lovely jokes (primarchs making fun of one another, best one was to Fulgrim. "I hear you do things to your sons..." Yup, I know what that was implying..and I laughed more then I should.)
Dorn and Malcador make cameo appearances, and Malcador delivered my all time favorite line. "You brothers-such a nest of rivalries. I warned him to make you sisters, that it would make things more civilized. He thought I was joking, I wasn't."
I am deliberating on what Fulgrim and Angron would be like...it is a very scary idea. Anyway, great book you should all read it. Defiantly the best by Chris Wright that I have ever read.
Dorn and Malcador make cameo appearances, and Malcador delivered my all time favorite line. "You brothers-such a nest of rivalries. I warned him to make you sisters, that it would make things more civilized. He thought I was joking, I wasn't."
I am deliberating on what Fulgrim and Angron would be like...it is a very scary idea. Anyway, great book you should all read it. Defiantly the best by Chris Wright that I have ever read.