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: Give it a chance, here is why.....
Summary: 3 Stars
I must start by saying I am a huge Horus Heresy fan, but I did not let that taint my review. The forces of Chaos were held at bay. This book actually WAS a prequel. The next book takes up where DESCENT OF ANGELS leaves off (FALLEN ANGELS which comes out June 30, 2009). Those of you looking for your next 'fix' in the Warhammer 40K universe will be disappointed because the author spends most of his time writing about the exploits of the Dark Angels BEFORE they are discovered by the Imperium. How the characters marvel at their long disabled power armour and stories of old Terra makes this book particularly unique. To be able to see a Space Marine Legion in its infancy, and reading about them being thrust into the Empire is really interesting. What I did not like was how the author wrapped up this book. The ending was short and seemed rushed. I was glad to find however that there was another book coming out this summer. If they clean up the loose ends left from this book, I will be happy. To sum up....give ANGELS a chance. If you are a true 40K fan, you will take note of the subtleties.Book Review: Great Dark Angel history. But where is the Heresy?
Summary: 3 Stars
As a former player of the table top game and fan of the 40k histories, I found this book to be a very entertaining and enlightening lesson on the founding of the Dark Angels Chapter.
As for it being the next installment of the Horus Heresy, I was somewhat disappointed. It may be that the intent was to establish some background for future Heresy novels, but the event was nowhere to be found. The only reference to the Heresy itself is on the cover of the book.
This could have been published as a stand alone Dark Angels novel with absolutely no change in the storyline and you would be totally unaware of the events unfolding elsewhere in the universe as the Heresy begins to take place.
This book seemed to be a definite step backwards compared to all the previous publishings. Where the earlier installments may have started prior to the Heresy, they all ended right in the midst of it. Unfortunately that was not the case here.
On a positive note, I only have to wait until April for the newest chapter in the Horus Heresy, Legion.
Book Review: nice but not what it should be
Summary: 3 Stars
This book is good more as a stand alone book then part of the Horus Heresy series.
The author does a good job at telling the background to how life on Caliban was in the time directly before and after the Emperor descended on the planet and doesnt even go into the Heresy at all. It simply sets the stage for what happens to the Dark Angels later on.
In fact, the book would make more sense if a sequel to it were planned due to plot lines that were left open and unfinished.
While it is rather well written, it really doesnt belong as part of the Heresy series as it doesnt have much to do with the Heresy at all, which is why it gets 3 stars from me.
On a side note, this same story could have been used to better effect if the author simply had abreiviated the early life of the main character and actually focused on the Heresy.
Book Review: Um...hello...relevance?
Summary: 3 Stars
I have been following the Horus Heresy series since its inception, and by far this is the most disappointing of the epic. I don't want to spoil the story for any viewers who have yet to read it, but the relevance to the overall heresy plot is conspicuously lacking. Further, entirely too much of the storyline was spent on the time prior to the coming of the Imperium. Back-story is great and serves a purpose in all of the novels of course, but the preponderance of this instalment was based on more back-story than this reader felt was relevant to the rise of Lion'el Jonson and his progeny.
Mitchell Scanlon's talent is undisputed, I just wish they'd have given the man more pages or more direction with which to tell the Dark Angels' story. With any luck there will be more to follow in that respect.
M.
Book Review: Great 40K book, terrible Heresy book
Summary: 3 Stars
This book has no connection to the central Horus Heresy plot that has been established through the previous books in the series. If there was an immediate sequel to this book that connected the Dark Angels with the Heresy, then this could be a great setup, but alas, it appears this was a one-off.
The book's description mentions, "When word of Horus's treachery reaches Caliban..." We can stop right there. That is not in this book. The only mention of Horus is that he was one of the first primarchs discovered by the emperor. That's it.
That said, if you are a Dark Angel's fan or even a Space Marine fan, this is a great read. As I mentioned earlier, however, if you're following this series simply for the Heresy theme, save your time.