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agarnett76's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
miguelito_juanito's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
l0rdtim865's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This collection of stories had some excellent stories. Especially the Traveller. Other than that I found the stories gave a brief understanding for other books
areidfunk's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
3.25
zare_i's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting collection of short stories linked to the attack on Calth. Some of them will make you go 'huh', some of them are pretty dark and gritty (especially those related to Word Bearers), some remind me of Edward Wagner's Kane series where great people walk and ....
Highly recommended but keep in mind that if you do not know what disaster of Calth means for W40K history-line you may end up slightly puzzled....
Highly recommended but keep in mind that if you do not know what disaster of Calth means for W40K history-line you may end up slightly puzzled....
charliebk_2's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thepattyshack's review
4.0
Anthologies are the best.
As usual and naturally, some stronger stories over others, but all highly enjoyable.
Everything surrounding Calth I find fascinating and it is so cool to see the war of attrition happen with no hope of rescue but just to either survive or get revenge is amazing.
As usual and naturally, some stronger stories over others, but all highly enjoyable.
Everything surrounding Calth I find fascinating and it is so cool to see the war of attrition happen with no hope of rescue but just to either survive or get revenge is amazing.
duske's review
3.0
I loved how this anthology added to the stories in "Know No Fear" and how the battle for Calth continues; I just wish there was more!
ratgrrrl's review against another edition
5.0
Re-Listen February 2024 as part of a Heresy Omnibus+ complete readthrough of the Horus Heresy series, as additional to the Shadow Crusade II The Underworld War (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus/vi-shadow-crusade-ii-underworld-war):
I remember getting my hands on the hardback of this when it came out and finding the smooth cover nicely stimmy long before I became aware I was autistic. I also remember really having a good time with this anthology, but not remembering any of its contents, beyond The Shards of Erebus, which is seared into my mind after making so many Subtle Knife references.
Returning to this years later with the context of intensely following the enmity and atrocities the XIII and the XVII Legions bare and commit against one another a decidedly delicious, dark, and different experience with a cracking anthology.
I am genuinely surprised by the amount of tepid and cold renews I've seen on here.
I have reviewed each of the stories and novella in more detail a separately, but I will briefly describe the overall threads of this anthology and list and comment on the contents.
The bulk of the stories focus on the Underworld War that occurred in the arcologies beneath scoured and impossibly irradiated surface of Calth, exploring the conflicts the humans and Astartes face, both within and without, as they try to process the trauma of Calth being decimated at the hands of their once battle brothers, the Word Bears, being stuck underground, trapped, and abandoned, and still needing to keep fighting the increasingly disturbed and maniacal enemies. There are also a couple of prequels showing how things came to be joe and where they are.
The Shards of Erebus by Guy Haley: Erebus forges eight new Athames, powerful ritual blades, from the Anathame that laid Horus low for himself and those leading the attack on Calth, as well as returning to Davin to seeking to learn from the Serpent Lodge priest and get some much needed closure.
Calth That Was by Graham McNeill: This novella is continues Ventanus' narrative from Know No Fear with the gang getting together to take the fight to the Word Bearers. A brilliant coda for the novel that sees some of the last open combat, before the reprise of the Underworld War. A fantastic frenetic ensemble tale of action and heroics.
Dark Heart by Anthony Reynolds: The future star of Reynolds Word Bearer series, Marduk, flexes the powers he has gained from something other than his mentor, bringing them into conflict, and showing some very different perspectives to the use of the Warp, as well as getting new angle on Guilliman's heart-stopping confrontation with Kor Phaeron.
The Traveller by David Annandale: A gothic horror about belief, and the dangers and open mind, a jealous heart, and the sadistic righteousness of passing judgement.
A Deeper Darkness by Rob Sanders: A mythic horror about an unknowable monstrosity called forth from the Warp, stalking the dark, and the helplessness of being unable to save everyone.
The Underworld War by Aaron Dembski-Bowden: An incredible story taking place after the Underworld War had raged for nearly seven years and one of the few remaining Possessed Word Bearer embarks on a journey that will test their mettle as they try to escape Calth and ensure the fallen are remembered.
Unmarked by Dan Abnett: following on from where Oll Persson and his ragtag bang of survivors left Calth, they wander through strange places and times, pursued by a powerful entity from the Immaterium. Absolutely filled with wild classical references and fascinating information about Oll's past.
Truly a quality collection of stories that uses its focus to explore different perspectives and styles, making the most of the unique and awful circumstances of Calth.
Absolutely loved it!
***
Such an unbelievably amazing and impressively different anthology! Will write up a review later.
I remember getting my hands on the hardback of this when it came out and finding the smooth cover nicely stimmy long before I became aware I was autistic. I also remember really having a good time with this anthology, but not remembering any of its contents, beyond The Shards of Erebus, which is seared into my mind after making so many Subtle Knife references.
Returning to this years later with the context of intensely following the enmity and atrocities the XIII and the XVII Legions bare and commit against one another a decidedly delicious, dark, and different experience with a cracking anthology.
I am genuinely surprised by the amount of tepid and cold renews I've seen on here.
I have reviewed each of the stories and novella in more detail a separately, but I will briefly describe the overall threads of this anthology and list and comment on the contents.
The bulk of the stories focus on the Underworld War that occurred in the arcologies beneath scoured and impossibly irradiated surface of Calth, exploring the conflicts the humans and Astartes face, both within and without, as they try to process the trauma of Calth being decimated at the hands of their once battle brothers, the Word Bears, being stuck underground, trapped, and abandoned, and still needing to keep fighting the increasingly disturbed and maniacal enemies. There are also a couple of prequels showing how things came to be joe and where they are.
The Shards of Erebus by Guy Haley: Erebus forges eight new Athames, powerful ritual blades, from the Anathame that laid Horus low for himself and those leading the attack on Calth, as well as returning to Davin to seeking to learn from the Serpent Lodge priest and get some much needed closure.
Calth That Was by Graham McNeill: This novella is continues Ventanus' narrative from Know No Fear with the gang getting together to take the fight to the Word Bearers. A brilliant coda for the novel that sees some of the last open combat, before the reprise of the Underworld War. A fantastic frenetic ensemble tale of action and heroics.
Dark Heart by Anthony Reynolds: The future star of Reynolds Word Bearer series, Marduk, flexes the powers he has gained from something other than his mentor, bringing them into conflict, and showing some very different perspectives to the use of the Warp, as well as getting new angle on Guilliman's heart-stopping confrontation with Kor Phaeron.
The Traveller by David Annandale: A gothic horror about belief, and the dangers and open mind, a jealous heart, and the sadistic righteousness of passing judgement.
A Deeper Darkness by Rob Sanders: A mythic horror about an unknowable monstrosity called forth from the Warp, stalking the dark, and the helplessness of being unable to save everyone.
The Underworld War by Aaron Dembski-Bowden: An incredible story taking place after the Underworld War had raged for nearly seven years and one of the few remaining Possessed Word Bearer embarks on a journey that will test their mettle as they try to escape Calth and ensure the fallen are remembered.
Unmarked by Dan Abnett: following on from where Oll Persson and his ragtag bang of survivors left Calth, they wander through strange places and times, pursued by a powerful entity from the Immaterium. Absolutely filled with wild classical references and fascinating information about Oll's past.
Truly a quality collection of stories that uses its focus to explore different perspectives and styles, making the most of the unique and awful circumstances of Calth.
Absolutely loved it!
***
Such an unbelievably amazing and impressively different anthology! Will write up a review later.
finler's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0