Descent of Angels (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Horus Heresy) (Pt. 6) by Mitchell Scanlon
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Book Reviews of Descent of Angels (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Horus Heresy) (Pt. 6)
Book Review: Dont listen to the haters, great book
Summary: 5 Stars
This book has a different tone than the previous Horus Heresy series but it is a great book. The book doesn't start off with Space Marines fighting aliens in space or on some God Forsaken planet but explains how regular men become Space Marines and how lanets become compliant. The story told here is very necesarry to understanding the whole Warhammer Universe. If you are a true fan you will understand and appreciate the point of view being told in this story. Granted the tone is different from the previous Heresy novels but it is still a valuable installment. uBook Review: An Excellent Start
Summary: 5 Stars
This novel ended so abruptly, I originally had it down for 4 or even 3 stars. Once I discovered there was a sequel, however, it went back to 5 stars. Although considered at best "deep background" for advancing the Horus Heresy storyline, Descent of Angels is still an excellent read, telling the tale of human warrior-heroes becoming something even more formidable: Astartes.Book Review: Enjoyable, but not essential
Summary: 4 Stars
There are two types of readers of Warhammer 40,000 fiction - those who are the fans of the universe or game first, and those who are the fans of science fiction or fantasy in general first. Your enjoyment of this title is likely to depend on why you are looking at this novel, and, paradoxically, is likely to be greater if you look at it less as a Warhammer 40,000 / Horus Heresy novel, and more as a fantasy/light science fiction book set in the same universe, but not essential to the progression of the main story.
If you are interested in the universe and the ongoing storylines within, "Descent of Angels" is little more than a side story that does not feature much in a way of everybody's favorite power armored fanatics, and does not advance the storyline of the Horus Heresy series, taking place long before the events of the Heresy. It almost feels like a "story within a story", especially considering that it is now a part of a separate Dark Angels segment within a greater Horus Heresy storyline, which so far does not intersect with the rest of the series in any meaningful way. If you evaluate "Descent of Angels" on its merits as a Horus Heresy novel, it falls far short.
However, if you look at it as a stand-alone, or a part of Dark Angels series within the greater universe, it holds up surprisingly well. Mitchell Scanlon writes well and with conviction, making for a good light science fiction or fantasy read. It does not force the reader to make an effort to read the book, and it is not intended this way. There are certain things that are a bit awkward, such as the supposed friendly rivalry between Zahariel and Nemiel, referenced time after time, and yet feeling like they are going through the motions, but altogether, the book does a decent job with suspension of disbelief. It is a fun romp through a world of Caliban where almost forgotten technology competes with the forces that could only be described as supernatural, and it works well enough for what it is.
Maybe it was the case of lowered expectations from me, reading "Fallen Angels" (a direct sequel) next, or even the case of caring less about the advancement of the Heresy storyline and more about an enjoyable way to spend an evening or two, but I liked "Descent of Angels". It is not great literature, but then if you go into Warhammer 40,000 novels expecting great literature, more often than not you would be disappointed. Yes, "Descent of Angels" is largely unnecessary to the overall storyline, and it is a side story at best, but it is enjoyable enough to recommend, with some reservations. If you want a book about Dark Angels Space Marines during the Horus Heresy, skip it and go directly to "Fallen Angels". If you want an enjoyable fantasy/science fiction novel that just barely ties into the Warhammer 40,000 storyline, "Descent of Angels" is as good as any.
Book Review: Dark Angels --stage is set...
Summary: 4 Stars
Story tells the origins of the Dark Angels Space marine chapter, how they formed, the history of the planet Caliban (there homeworld)and how life on caliban begins to change once the Primarch (the Lion) is re-united with the Emperor, and Caliban is taken into the fold of the Imperium of mankind.
Alot of people seem to be getting disappointed with the last few "Horus heresy" books written, but I believe if you are going to tell a story that in reality has been created and "sculpted" for over 20 years, its going to take some "stage setting". If no book two is written for the Dark Angels then yes I would have to agree this book will leave you hanging.
I feel confident in saying there will be a book two for the angels as all the "heresy" books released to date--none tell the complete story, they all tell the "foundations" and lay down the main background. Alot like completing a puzzle, we must first read the first half to understand the actions and reactions of the second half of the story.
All in all, an excellent description of the origins of the mysterious Dark Angels. Do not give up faith WH40k Readers! The best is yet to come! There are still many unanswered questions and storyline to follow.
EDIT--So here we are in Oct/Nov 2009 and there is a second book released for the dark angels(Fallen Angels http://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Angels-Horus-Heresy-Mike/dp/1844167283/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258337099&sr=8-3). The Horus Heresy Series IS NOT for readers that want to read one book that ends with "and they lived happily ever after". The title Horus Heresy "SERIES", sums it up--there's more then one book to tell the entire story. Alot of bad reviews posted because the book didn't "end", or claim it had nothing to do with the Series because it didn't have Horus in it, just because it's called the "Horus heresy series" doesn't mean its all about Horus, it involves entire galaxies.
Book Review: Background Story of the Dark Angels, Highly Recommended for DA fans
Summary: 4 Stars
It is fair to say that after reading through the first five books, chances are your adrenaline are already pumping high, as well as your expectation for the next book. The story of this book isn't about the heresy, yet, but it does shed some light on the most secretive Legion/Chapter. GW has deliberately kept this legion in the dark and gave a background story of how things turned out that led to the current state of the Dark Angels, now this story could be subjective subjective, but you will get the sense that things aren't what they seem.
The story starts off wonderfully, explaining the life of a young space marine, and how he raised between the ranks of the order, soon to be Calibanite Dark Angels. This part takes two third of the book, leaving only the last third of the book to a short astartes action. Sadly though, the book ends in a cliffhanger, leaving a possible sequel, which would make all the sense in the world, given that there is much more to tell about the civil war that almost turned the Dark Angels to chaos, but it does give a hint about who might turn out to be the future Lord Cypher (aka Cypher), WH40k most mysterious and popular rogue Dark Angel.
The writing is not that great, you'll feel towards the end that there is so much to tell in the story but only few pages to go (rushed?). Expect a sequel sometime after the series have finished with the Siege of Terra.