Fulgrim (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Horus Heresy) by Graham McNeill
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Book Reviews of Fulgrim (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Horus Heresy)
Book Review: Setting the stage for the final conflict
Summary: 5 Stars
Another fantastic book setting the stage for the next "chapter" in the formation of the Imperium.
It seems many people arent seeing the pattern of this history of the Horus Heresy. Each book is based upon a particular primarch, legion, or very influential group of people that all interacted in the events that unfolded leading up to the heresy and after. Each book is told from a different viewpoint but set in the same simultaneous time frame, roughly the Isstvan massacre.
For years fans of Warhammer 40k have begged,pleaded and threatened to hear the FULL-LENGTH story of this historical event--and finally it is coming to light. But be patient, it is not near complete as of yet, the "stage" is still being set and what might seem as an unimportant character, might possibly return to play an important role in the future.
Personally I like how all the books are intertwined, it's a fantastic idea to write the books like this. For example, a meeting with the warmaster and several officers and primarchs in one book explains what certain members are thinking or feeling, another book describes what other characters are thinking and feeling. Instances like this had me flipping back to earlier books and re-reading what was said, I loved it!
This book as well as the others are geared more towards the WH40k Fluff fan rather then a random sci-fi book to read without reading the other books. The Horus Heresy is a SERIES, covering many many years and will make more sense when all the books have finally been written and read in order. Personally I cannot wait for the invasion of Terra and the local system, but on the other hand I am trying to enjoy each book to learn about the legion it represents. The story of Fulgrim and the Emperor's Children Legion give me insight of how the desire to attain perfection became an obsession, and the taint of Slaanesh caused everyone to become influenced one way or another.
Book Review: The Seduction of Chaos
Summary: 5 Stars
The Horus Heresy continues and in Fulgrim we are given an excellent look at the seductive and ultimately destructive power of chaos. Hitherto, the reader has been given a vision of the Astartes as embodying the most perfect attributes of humanity. Much of this novel focuses on the pursuit of perfection both among the human artisans, remembrancers and of course the Astartes themselves. We watch as the central players follow their individual paths to perfection and ultimately to personal ruin.
Ostian the sculptor, Serena the painter and of course Fulgrim the most perfect of Astartes seek to achieve a level of perfection, which is of course completely unattainable. Ahhh...but wait...enter the seeds of chaos and the whispers of true perfection.
The key to chaos' infiltration is the Battle against the Laer which culminates in the final battle within the Laer Temple. It's other worldly music infects all that come into contact with it.
McNeill does a terrific job of painting the chaos that inexorably infects, and finally overwhelms all those on Fulgrim's ship. The scenes described during the Maraviglia are unlike anything I have ever read. The Maraviglia depicts in microcoysm the truth of what will become the Horus Heresy. While the story does not end with the Maraviglia, everything that follows after seems anti-climatic. By the end of the Maraviglia we know that Chaos has achieved its victory over Fulgrim.
Not wanting to spoil it, I will simply say that Fulgrim's fate is truly frightening and foreshadows Horus' future.
So grab a copy of this outstanding novel and stick close to the likes of Saul Tarvitz and Gabriel Santor less the sweet, chaos laden chorus of the Laer deliver you into Chaos.
The Emperor protects.
Book Review: Finally! The Istvaan V Drop Site Massacres
Summary: 5 Stars
Unlike some of the other reviews for this book, I thought it was fantastic. Seriously, if you don't want to read about dark and horrible goings on in the 31st Millennium, then why are you reading this series. We all know the way it goes, so why are people surprised when they read a book about a legion that falls to chaos, and find that the story is dark, sinister and violent. If you want something about the loyalist legions, Black library has produced a huge number of books to satisfy you.
Being a World Eater fan, I love the series so far. We could do with a bit more of Angron, but I'm sure we'll see this crazy blood soaked legion get their debut in one of the future heresy novels. In fact, I found this book so good, it even nearly swayed me into starting to collect an Emperors Children army. Thank Khorne for that smack up the side of the head.
Spoiler Alert
My only problem with this story is the way that Fulgrim gets possessed at the end. I thought that Fulgrim was one of the primarchs who actually made it to daemonhood? If he is "possessed", he isn't going to ascend, is he? We'll have to wait and find out.
Also, the sheer scale of the violence of the Drop Site Massacres was mind blowing. We all knew it was going to "go off." But this is crazy. I expected it at the end of Galaxy in Flames, but alas, it was not to be.
Keep up the good work, Black Library. It feels to me that the 31st Millennium is even more brutal and violent that the 41st. I love it! These guys are the REAL space marines. Not the watered down ones that exist in 40,000. And you gotta love their fascism, even the loyalists: "You either join the Imperium, or you suffer the wrath of the Space Marines!" No wonder half the legions fell to Chaos!
Book Review: The Heresy continues
Summary: 5 Stars
The Heresy revealed!
once again were taken into the deep shrouded past of the 40k universe to the dawn of the imperium and the ending of a golden age of mankind, and the treachery that shatters it for all time. the tale of fulgrimis one of a noble warrior and beloved brother whos way of life is challenged and turned upsaide down by dark forces until all he turn against all that he once held precious and forever places him on the road to damnation.
another great book in an epic tale that spans the universe, if you have'nt read the other books in this series i advise you do, esspecially if your a 40k fanHorus Rising (The Horus Heresy)False Gods: The Heresy Takes Root (The Horus Heresy)Galaxy in Flames (Horus Heresy)The Flight of the Eisenstein (Horus Heresy)
Book Review: A good, but maybe flawed book...
Summary: 5 Stars
When I mention that this book is flawed I mean to say that it has few weaknesses, but many strengths. One flaw is the length of the book. It is easily 100 pages or so to short. The Dropsite Massacre on Isstvaan V, and Fulgrim's fall from grace, could easily have taken another 25 or 50 pages. The characterizations while done in fine fashion could have only benefitted from a longer book and finally the Iron Hands and Ferrus Mannus could have used more development as well.
On the other hand, the slow descent into corruption is well detailed and written by an author who clearly enjoys his subject matter. The final battle is a vital and gruesome record of the cost of superhuman warriors making war upon one another.
All together a fine, if to short, read.