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A review by trackofwords
Apocalypse by Joshua Reynolds
4.0
Part of Black Library’s Space Marine Conquests series, Josh Reynolds’ Apocalypse is the first in the range to not focus on a single specific Chapter of Space Marines. Instead, it features a mixed Imperial force defending an isolated system against Word Bearers intent on conquest. As Amatnim Ur-Nabas Lash leads his fractious forces towards the Ecclesiarchy world of Almace, Lieutenant Calder of the Imperial Fists plans the loyalist defences with the aid of Suboden Khan of the White Scars and Raven Guard Lieutenant Karros. If he’s to succeed Calder knows he must play to his forces’ unique strengths but also get the most out of Almace’s Ecclesiarchy overlords.
It’s a long book, with a lot going on and plenty of variety and excitement to maintain the reader’s interest. It’s perhaps not quite to the grand scale that the title Apocalypse might imply, but semantics aside, narratively it sits at an interesting intersection of faith, politics and warfare which aptly reflects the Imperium as a whole. In particular there’s an ongoing theme of the contrast between faith as espoused by the Imperium and the Word Bearers, largely shown through Amatnim’s eyes, as well as some tantalising glimpses of a different age of the Imperium via Calder’s occasional recollections of his pre-stasis youth. Overall it’s a typically Reynolds sort of story, combining conventional Space Marine action and adventure with wry observational humour and satisfying storytelling.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2019/07/15/apocalypse-josh-reynolds/
It’s a long book, with a lot going on and plenty of variety and excitement to maintain the reader’s interest. It’s perhaps not quite to the grand scale that the title Apocalypse might imply, but semantics aside, narratively it sits at an interesting intersection of faith, politics and warfare which aptly reflects the Imperium as a whole. In particular there’s an ongoing theme of the contrast between faith as espoused by the Imperium and the Word Bearers, largely shown through Amatnim’s eyes, as well as some tantalising glimpses of a different age of the Imperium via Calder’s occasional recollections of his pre-stasis youth. Overall it’s a typically Reynolds sort of story, combining conventional Space Marine action and adventure with wry observational humour and satisfying storytelling.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2019/07/15/apocalypse-josh-reynolds/