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: Another good installment to the HH series
Summary: 4 Stars
Some of the bad reviews I don't believe are justified. The book emphasizes the life on Caliban prior to the Dark Angels reuniting this world with the Imperium. The story is well known to 40k fans. The Index Astartes, another background book, explains the story as well as a version of the story in Angels of Darkness but some may not have read these. If you haven't I can understand your frustration with the emphasis on pre-discovery of Caliban.
As far as the main character is concerned, his connection with Luther and his life keeps in line with the very dark theme of the 40k universe. Here you have a likeable character who does everything right and still loses all so-to-speak in the end. Not uncommon in 40k novels.
Most know the story of what happens next and to detail that without setting up the stage for why the rift happened would be hollow. I think this is why Scanlon worked on this side of the story. To go into the actual rift between the Dark Angels would have been great too but the book would have been lengthy. I for one would have liked to have read that story as well so I gave a 4 instead of a 5 but I understand that there are many other stories left to be told in the HH series without focusing too much on just one.
Overall a good book that brings clarity to another part of the 40k Universe.
Book Review: Why all the haters? It's a good book
Summary: 4 Stars
I am about 3/4 of the way through, and I don't understand why so many people seem offended by this book.
Granted, it may not truly part of the "Horus Heresy" due to the time that it takes place. However, it is in itself a good book. It is entertaining and helps to give shape to the 40K universe. It paints a good picture of what humanity was like before the crusade really swings into full gear. It is about what it was like to be reunited with Terra after being separated for so long that Earth was becoming little more than the civilization's mythology.
Does it advance the Horus Heresy as a series? No, but really, neither do some of the other books. This is the 6th book in the series, and really, how far has the story as a whole been advanced? At this rate it will take 50 books or more to finish the saga.
It is a good book? Yes. I found it much more interesting than the Flight of the Einstein. All that book was was a rehash of the previous books. Einstein did even less to advance the series than Decent of Angels in my opinion.
Bottom line, I liked it, and would recommend it.
Book Review: A prequel, but a good one
Summary: 4 Stars
The majority of the negative comments on this chapter of the long-running Horus Heresy saga are based around either the unfinished nature of the story here or the fact that it does not slot into the more chronological order of the other books.
Both are valid criticisms but even so this is an excellent telling of the roots of the Dark Angel chapter and has hopefully set the scene for a follow up in which their fracure is tied into the Heresy proper.
It is slightly frustrating to have had several books in a row each follow on from the events of the last and then be taken out of the progress by something set even further in the Empire's past. The author might have benefitted by grounding the introduction in the era of the heresy and giving some hint of the Dark Angels role before going into flashback mode.
Still the charcters are well-developed, the action moves at a good pace and hopefully the issues of grounding the stories relevance will be dealt with in the follow up.
A worthy, yet disassociated, addition to the overall 40K backstory.
Book Review: Don't listen to the others
Summary: 4 Stars
This book was pretty damn good. In order to truly appreciate this novel, you must understand that this is a mid-series prequel.
This method of breaking up a story actually works, and is frequently used in anime/manga storytelling. Basically, it's to help prevent any monotony or repetition you may feel in a series.
Also note that all other books in the Horus Heresy series are given gold trim, whereas Descent of Angels has silver trim. This is an indication that the book doesn't quite fit into the current time of the main storyline.
It takes you back to an earlier time, so that you can gain an alternate perspective of this universe before going back into the main storyline with the next book, Legion.
In fact, an event in Descent of Angels is referenced in Legion.
It's true the book is slow to start with for the first half, but the last half is truly awesome.
I definitely recommend this.
Book Review: A fitting break in the Heresy
Summary: 4 Stars
I can understand the frustration some have with the book, but it is a good point to take "a break" from the battles of the Heresy and discover the background of one of the most prominent Space Marine chapters and how the order was split apart. Nobody can say if there will be a book 2, so taking points of for not knowing this is quite strange.
It explains well the background of the Dark Angels on Caliban and how Lion El'Johnson was so ill fated that he destroyed his chapter in the end. This is a great way of starting the whole prospect of the fallen angels and Luther! I hope there is another book, but there is nothing wrong with this one! A safe buy for all 40k enthusiasts and people who want more than splatter and gore from the series!