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areidfunk's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
itcamefromthepage's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A great book that pits two of my least favourite Primarchs against each other in a super fun way.
Chris Wraight never disappoints.
Chris Wraight never disappoints.
zare_i's review
4.0
This short novel gives us Leman Russ in a very different light - in my opinion much different from the books [b:Prospero Burns|6109704|Prospero Burns|Dan Abnett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1335316486s/6109704.jpg|6287459] and [b:Thousand Sons|6465063|A Thousand Sons|Graham McNeill|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1280757140s/6465063.jpg|6655533] where he did show his shrewd nature but nevertheless savage approach to warfare.
Although always shown as short-tempered and quite a savage, Leman Russ is much, much more - his savagery a mere mask to hide very powerful and intelligent individual.
He is a realist, aware that only thing his legion is capable of is savage berserk hit and run and total annihilation of enemy. He does not seek glory in establishing empires or planning the attacks in such a way that enemy is defeated even before swords are drawn. He knows he and his legion are blunt instrument and he knows all of the legions are just that - deadly instruments used by the Emperor to achieve his goals.
Only thing that remains is loyalty and Leman Russ and his legion have always been loyal.
But this does not mean that he does not have dark thoughts - what should he do when Crusade reaches the end, what then? What is then to be with his Wolves? if their only gift is battle prowess what can they do in times of peace?
When gruesome mutations start happening through-out the famed 13th Wolf Company during battle with highly advanced Dulan, everything is set for an event that will bring Leman in direct collision course with his brother Lion El'Jonson. Choosing loyalty to his sons over his personal honor coupled with epic short temper will cost Leman dearly on a personal level.
Highly recommended to all fans of Horus Heresy.
P.S.
On a side note, conversation between Dulan Tyrant and Lion El'Jonson is second highlight of the novel. His words echo as a warning of a coming darkness but also as light of hope that darkness can be defeated.
Although always shown as short-tempered and quite a savage, Leman Russ is much, much more - his savagery a mere mask to hide very powerful and intelligent individual.
He is a realist, aware that only thing his legion is capable of is savage berserk hit and run and total annihilation of enemy. He does not seek glory in establishing empires or planning the attacks in such a way that enemy is defeated even before swords are drawn. He knows he and his legion are blunt instrument and he knows all of the legions are just that - deadly instruments used by the Emperor to achieve his goals.
Only thing that remains is loyalty and Leman Russ and his legion have always been loyal.
But this does not mean that he does not have dark thoughts - what should he do when Crusade reaches the end, what then? What is then to be with his Wolves? if their only gift is battle prowess what can they do in times of peace?
When gruesome mutations start happening through-out the famed 13th Wolf Company during battle with highly advanced Dulan, everything is set for an event that will bring Leman in direct collision course with his brother Lion El'Jonson. Choosing loyalty to his sons over his personal honor coupled with epic short temper will cost Leman dearly on a personal level.
Highly recommended to all fans of Horus Heresy.
P.S.
On a side note, conversation between Dulan Tyrant and Lion El'Jonson is second highlight of the novel. His words echo as a warning of a coming darkness but also as light of hope that darkness can be defeated.
thepattyshack's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was worried about what the rest of the Primearch series would be like after Roboute.
But I was pleasantly reaffirmed with this book.
I don't know if it is my love for the wolves, or if it's that primarchs are better when put with other primarchs, but this book was fantastic and showed a story that is referred to constantly and so integral to inter legionary relationships.
Strongly recommend to any space wolves fan, dark angel fan, or fan of brotherly conflict.
But I was pleasantly reaffirmed with this book.
I don't know if it is my love for the wolves, or if it's that primarchs are better when put with other primarchs, but this book was fantastic and showed a story that is referred to constantly and so integral to inter legionary relationships.
Strongly recommend to any space wolves fan, dark angel fan, or fan of brotherly conflict.
nraptor's review against another edition
adventurous
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
echotechne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
farilian's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
simonmee's review
5.0
HOORAY for Leman Russ and the Space Wolves Legion, our ever-dauntless heroes, doing their best for the galaxy!!!
Dulanian corpses, both armoured and in civilian robes, lay across the floor, disfigured by bolter-shell exit wounds.
...uh, you know, breaking a few eggs to make an omelette...
deck ankle-deep in blood
...I guess at least they mean well...
For the Allfather!' he thundered, hurling the broken pilot away and sending him slamming into the far wall of the dome.
...ok...uh, hooray?
Leman Russ is the inferiority complex made (trans)human. He's out to be the God-Emperor's goodest boy while him and his men constantly trip over his Primarch sized third leg.
Oops, our men went wolverine mode and slaughtered that ship’s crew we were meant to interrogate. Oops, probably should have answered our radios before blowing away our own allies. Oops, kinda got distracted on a side mission and pulled a Streisand effect while trying to cover up our men turning into wolverines. Oops, might try to kill my brother before belatedly realising the pointlessness of it all and laughing my way to a fist induced concussion.
Leman Russ is a tragic figure in that, while he is an unstoppable force against basic enemies, he's always a level below the top tier primarchs, your Guilliman, Sanguinius, Horus or, in this book, El-Johnson. What The Great Wolf demonstrates is why Russ didn't quite have what it took when he was later sent to deal with Angron and Magnus. A great warrior, for sure, but not one to advance your strategy.
Anyway, it's another dark story in a dark universe, with El-Johnson beheading his way to victory in a Melian Dialogue. No one's truly good, etc etc. You're not going to miss the jackhammer of a point.
That said, credit must be given to the epilogue. Warhammer 40K's emotional range doesn't stretch beyond the primary colours, but there's a hint of pastels in the final pages, both with Russ and the novella's framing character, with faded glories, self reflection and honouring the past. It's not an easy thing to pull off.
Finally, while the Space Wolves have become a meme for furries, the yiffing was kept to a minimum.
Dulanian corpses, both armoured and in civilian robes, lay across the floor, disfigured by bolter-shell exit wounds.
...uh, you know, breaking a few eggs to make an omelette...
deck ankle-deep in blood
...I guess at least they mean well...
For the Allfather!' he thundered, hurling the broken pilot away and sending him slamming into the far wall of the dome.
...ok...uh, hooray?
Leman Russ is the inferiority complex made (trans)human. He's out to be the God-Emperor's goodest boy while him and his men constantly trip over his Primarch sized third leg.
Oops, our men went wolverine mode and slaughtered that ship’s crew we were meant to interrogate. Oops, probably should have answered our radios before blowing away our own allies. Oops, kinda got distracted on a side mission and pulled a Streisand effect while trying to cover up our men turning into wolverines. Oops, might try to kill my brother before belatedly realising the pointlessness of it all and laughing my way to a fist induced concussion.
Leman Russ is a tragic figure in that, while he is an unstoppable force against basic enemies, he's always a level below the top tier primarchs, your Guilliman, Sanguinius, Horus or, in this book, El-Johnson. What The Great Wolf demonstrates is why Russ didn't quite have what it took when he was later sent to deal with Angron and Magnus. A great warrior, for sure, but not one to advance your strategy.
Anyway, it's another dark story in a dark universe, with El-Johnson beheading his way to victory in a Melian Dialogue. No one's truly good, etc etc. You're not going to miss the jackhammer of a point.
That said, credit must be given to the epilogue. Warhammer 40K's emotional range doesn't stretch beyond the primary colours, but there's a hint of pastels in the final pages, both with Russ and the novella's framing character, with faded glories, self reflection and honouring the past. It's not an easy thing to pull off.
Finally, while the Space Wolves have become a meme for furries, the yiffing was kept to a minimum.
trackofwords's review against another edition
4.0
The second book in The Horus Heresy Primarchs series, Chris Wraight’s Leman Russ: The Great Wolf deals with the origin of a key part of the Space Wolves’ background – their rivalry with the Dark Angels. During the Great Crusade, the VI Legion were tasked with the pacification of the Dulan empire, who refused compliance with the Imperium. In the final stages of the campaign Russ and his brother Lion El’Jonson famously came to blows, and now we get the story of why that happened…at least from Russ’ perspective.
There’s a lot to take in for such a short book, but it’s all the better for that, continuing in the tradition of the Horus Heresy series overall by offering much, much more than the simple, expected story.
Read the full review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/2017/02/25/leman-russ-the-great-wolf-chris-wraight-the-primarchs-book-two/
There’s a lot to take in for such a short book, but it’s all the better for that, continuing in the tradition of the Horus Heresy series overall by offering much, much more than the simple, expected story.
Read the full review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/2017/02/25/leman-russ-the-great-wolf-chris-wraight-the-primarchs-book-two/