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itcamefromthepage's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another fantastic entry by Bowden!
zare_i's review against another edition
5.0
I am not that much into the bad-guy novels. What I like to read about is redemption, person going from complete baddie to someone who is fighting for a good cause.
Here.... there is no way Iskandar will ever become good guy. But what captures reader from start is perspective of this bloodthirsty bunch - they are right example of the hell-bound creatures that do despicable and twisted things as a routine, Emperor's Children champion especially (duh!), destroying their opponents while trying to survive in the Eye of Terror. So from perspective of psychopaths they live life of normal, outside the usual laws of physics. Think natural-born-killers perspective - for them all atrocities are normal things.
So when they bleed into real space ...... oh man what a twist, because for majority of them they are entering the crazy world because the ultimate looney-world is the normality. I especially liked this part of story and their coming to terms that while they fought eternal Legion Wars in the Eye, in real world ..... well things changed significantly.
From the perspective of mad warriors that have nothing to lose and everything to gain by aiming very high under the charismatic Abaddon they are on a crusade high, screaming Vengeance as a rally motto, and in perspective trying and gambling everything to gain glory for themselves. Aim is not brotherhood but bloodshed for the bloodshed sake, revenge for getting their butt kicked thousands years ago, ascending while saying that does not matter. Warriors with full coffers of apologies and justifications for their behavior, while they are all aware of their faults that make them what they are. And they embrace it, no shame about it.
Are they true to themselves? Definitely. But are they warped beyond recognition - oh, boy, definitely.
Lunatics have escaped the ultimate asylum, defeated the main opposition from asylum, met some even more Lovecraftian people outside (Ghosts are ...... brrrrr) and even clashed and had luck when encountering the Black Templars, first ever battle outside the Eye.
I can only say, I truly hope we get book 3 sometime in near future. This is epic story, told by Iskandar, the herald from the Mouth of Madness.
For fans of W40K, Chaos Marines and stories of tough, eternally bad, very bad guys, highly recommended.
Here.... there is no way Iskandar will ever become good guy. But what captures reader from start is perspective of this bloodthirsty bunch - they are right example of the hell-bound creatures that do despicable and twisted things as a routine, Emperor's Children champion especially (duh!), destroying their opponents while trying to survive in the Eye of Terror. So from perspective of psychopaths they live life of normal, outside the usual laws of physics. Think natural-born-killers perspective - for them all atrocities are normal things.
So when they bleed into real space ...... oh man what a twist, because for majority of them they are entering the crazy world because the ultimate looney-world is the normality. I especially liked this part of story and their coming to terms that while they fought eternal Legion Wars in the Eye, in real world ..... well things changed significantly.
From the perspective of mad warriors that have nothing to lose and everything to gain by aiming very high under the charismatic Abaddon they are on a crusade high, screaming Vengeance as a rally motto, and in perspective trying and gambling everything to gain glory for themselves. Aim is not brotherhood but bloodshed for the bloodshed sake, revenge for getting their butt kicked thousands years ago, ascending while saying that does not matter. Warriors with full coffers of apologies and justifications for their behavior, while they are all aware of their faults that make them what they are. And they embrace it, no shame about it.
Are they true to themselves? Definitely. But are they warped beyond recognition - oh, boy, definitely.
Lunatics have escaped the ultimate asylum, defeated the main opposition from asylum, met some even more Lovecraftian people outside (Ghosts are ...... brrrrr) and even clashed and had luck when encountering the Black Templars, first ever battle outside the Eye.
I can only say, I truly hope we get book 3 sometime in near future. This is epic story, told by Iskandar, the herald from the Mouth of Madness.
For fans of W40K, Chaos Marines and stories of tough, eternally bad, very bad guys, highly recommended.
alextrev's review against another edition
4.0
ADB does sad boys in space very well. Less bolter porn more grimdark chat.
warragh's review against another edition
4.0
Sequel to The Talon of Horus and second in the Black Legion series.
Following the events of the last book, the Black Legion has come out into the open and started to gather more and more forces around Abaddon. At the same time, another rival warlord rises under the blessings of the Chaos gods to challenge Ezekyle and his followers.
Meanwhile, Khayon struggles with the direction the Legion is moving in as well as his own role and purpose. This leads to an interesting and constantly changing dynamic between the main characters and some very tense confrontations.
All of this however is just set-up for the moment when the Black Legion emerge out of the Eye and engage the Black Templars. The ensuing battle is fierce, visceral and ruthless with a standout moment between Abaddon and Sigismund which leads to an ominous end.
This book further showcases how weel ADB writes heretics and chaos, how proficient he is at giving villains nuance and character beyond most other Black Library authors. It is somewhat predictable and doesn't carry the same emotional weight as some of his other standout works but it is a very enjoyable read nonetheless
Following the events of the last book, the Black Legion has come out into the open and started to gather more and more forces around Abaddon. At the same time, another rival warlord rises under the blessings of the Chaos gods to challenge Ezekyle and his followers.
Meanwhile, Khayon struggles with the direction the Legion is moving in as well as his own role and purpose. This leads to an interesting and constantly changing dynamic between the main characters and some very tense confrontations.
All of this however is just set-up for the moment when the Black Legion emerge out of the Eye and engage the Black Templars. The ensuing battle is fierce, visceral and ruthless with a standout moment between Abaddon and Sigismund which leads to an ominous end.
This book further showcases how weel ADB writes heretics and chaos, how proficient he is at giving villains nuance and character beyond most other Black Library authors. It is somewhat predictable and doesn't carry the same emotional weight as some of his other standout works but it is a very enjoyable read nonetheless
lukecostin's review against another edition
5.0
ADB really knows how to make you side with "the baddies" doesn't he?
kavinay's review against another edition
3.0
A good book. I feel it's weighed down a bit with having resolve a lot of connective tissue before getting on with the Black Legion proper. For example, the first four chapters might have been better as a short story, or maybe the entire series could have been a true anthology from more than just Khayon's perspective.
Still, the payoff is there with Sigismund. Dembski-Bowden seems to have a knack for really exposing the loyalist Astartes as twits.
Still, the payoff is there with Sigismund. Dembski-Bowden seems to have a knack for really exposing the loyalist Astartes as twits.
trackofwords's review against another edition
4.0
Once again narrated by Iskandar Khayon, this picks up some time after The Talon of Horus and sees the burgeoning Black Legion asserting their strength within the Eye of Terror. While rival warlord Thagus Davarek opposes them at every step, despite Khayon’s assassination attempts, Abaddon’s gaze turns to a power that will set him on his fateful path.
While this instalment perhaps doesn’t quite capture the magic of the first book, it’s clear that the series is developing into a slow-burning, character-led story that should please anyone looking for insight into one of the fundamental elements of 40k.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2017/09/26/black-legion-aaron-dembski-bowden/
While this instalment perhaps doesn’t quite capture the magic of the first book, it’s clear that the series is developing into a slow-burning, character-led story that should please anyone looking for insight into one of the fundamental elements of 40k.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2017/09/26/black-legion-aaron-dembski-bowden/
spikespiegel's review
relaxing
medium-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
2.0
Hey its another black library book, its not "good fiction" (ahhh - thats some gooood fiction) but like all warhammer media it was over the top, almost cartoonish, and more enjoyable than it probably had any right to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, and Gore