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miguelito_juanito's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pinkeyeofsauron's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
everlaerian's review against another edition
3.0
I own many books from The Horus Heresy but unfortunately Age of Darkness wasn't a hit for me. The writing was phenomenal but once I started short 3, I was truly bored. It felt repetitive even though they were written by different authors, with different characters and stories, it still felt the same in every way. The first story of an simulation was epic to say the least, the second story was long, and although I felt the pain of the characters, and the struggles of they came in contact with, it felt dragging. Afterwards, I don't particularly remember as my mind went blank.
I definitely want to give this book a second shot but it may have to be in a few months or years, as it just wasn't the right time for me. Which is sad as the writing, structural narration, characters design and development (even for shorts) was truly enjoyable.
I definitely want to give this book a second shot but it may have to be in a few months or years, as it just wasn't the right time for me. Which is sad as the writing, structural narration, characters design and development (even for shorts) was truly enjoyable.
thepattyshack's review against another edition
4.0
Me: I'm going to take a break as I've smashed out 15 40k books in a few months and don't want to burn myself out on something I'm enjoying.
Also me: Oooooooi a short stories one?! Don't mind if I do!
As always, not all short stories are created equal, but this is one of my favourite stepping stones types of books because it helps bridge the gap for curtain stories and characters and just helps expand everything that bit more.
The little horrus one was a favourite as the last I heard of him was off the back of the split of the maunivel and I was very curious as to his standing afterwards.
Also me: Oooooooi a short stories one?! Don't mind if I do!
As always, not all short stories are created equal, but this is one of my favourite stepping stones types of books because it helps bridge the gap for curtain stories and characters and just helps expand everything that bit more.
The little horrus one was a favourite as the last I heard of him was off the back of the split of the maunivel and I was very curious as to his standing afterwards.
itcamefromthepage's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One of the best short story collections in the Horus Heresy with some really strong stories, unfortunately it is just the first story in the collection that brings it down a bit...it isn't a bad story but it doesn't hold up to the others here.
seven_of_ten's review against another edition
4.0
Decent read, only story I didn't really like was 'Rebirth' the rest where very interesting and defiantly fun...but at the same time nothing extremely special.
beorn_101's review against another edition
3.0
I really have mixed feelings on Short Story compilations. They lack the growth and development that tends to get me invested in a book, but the variety of perspectives here was pretty solid.
I would rate the last two stories, Iron Within and Savage Weapons as my favorite and must reads. Each explore their respective legions in compelling and interesting ways, while also addressing some of the wider events of the Heresy.
Rebirth was also pretty good. I enjoy anytime we see interplay between potential loyalists and traitors. It also has the Thousand Sons which is always a perk.
The rest were mostly a variety of interesting, but not amazing, but one stood out as particularly boring.
Liar's Due tries to do something unique, but ends up being rather bland and uninspiring. It focuses on a backwater planet, with characters that are basic imperial citizens. In doing so it wants to show the ways this conflict is spreading to smaller imperial worlds and outposts, but it also means this story is rather slow, and in my opinion, rather boring.
Overall, this is about what I come to expect from short story compilations, a few standouts, most ok, and 1-2 ones I don't like.
I would rate the last two stories, Iron Within and Savage Weapons as my favorite and must reads. Each explore their respective legions in compelling and interesting ways, while also addressing some of the wider events of the Heresy.
Rebirth was also pretty good. I enjoy anytime we see interplay between potential loyalists and traitors. It also has the Thousand Sons which is always a perk.
The rest were mostly a variety of interesting, but not amazing, but one stood out as particularly boring.
Liar's Due tries to do something unique, but ends up being rather bland and uninspiring. It focuses on a backwater planet, with characters that are basic imperial citizens. In doing so it wants to show the ways this conflict is spreading to smaller imperial worlds and outposts, but it also means this story is rather slow, and in my opinion, rather boring.
Overall, this is about what I come to expect from short story compilations, a few standouts, most ok, and 1-2 ones I don't like.
fastasashark's review
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The second short story collection in the Horus Heresy.
Rules of Engagement by Graham McNeill
4.25/5 - An Ultramarines story
Liar's Due by James Swallow
3.5/5 - mainly humans on a remote agricultural planet
Forgotten Sons by Nick Kyme
3.75-4/5 - mainly Salamander
The Last Remembrancer by John French
4.75/5 - Awesome Iron Fist story without giving too much away
Rebirth by Chris Wright
4.25/4 - Thousand Sons
Face of Treachery by Gav Thorpe
4/5 - World Eaters, Raven Guard
Little Horus by Dan Abnett
3.75/5 - Sons of Horus/Luna Wolves
The Iron Within by Rob Sanders
3.5-3.75/5 - Iron Warriors
Savage Weapons by Adam Dembski Bowden
4.25/5 - Dark Angels and Night Lords
Rules of Engagement by Graham McNeill
4.25/5 - An Ultramarines story
Liar's Due by James Swallow
3.5/5 - mainly humans on a remote agricultural planet
Forgotten Sons by Nick Kyme
3.75-4/5 - mainly Salamander
The Last Remembrancer by John French
4.75/5 - Awesome Iron Fist story without giving too much away
Rebirth by Chris Wright
4.25/4 - Thousand Sons
Face of Treachery by Gav Thorpe
4/5 - World Eaters, Raven Guard
Little Horus by Dan Abnett
3.75/5 - Sons of Horus/Luna Wolves
The Iron Within by Rob Sanders
3.5-3.75/5 - Iron Warriors
Savage Weapons by Adam Dembski Bowden
4.25/5 - Dark Angels and Night Lords
warragh's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of short stories from various points in the course of the Heresy, mostly working as prequels to longer works.
1.Rules of Engagement
Takes place after the Heresy, after Guilliman finished the Codex Astartes. The Ultramarines go through different battles testing the tactical and strategic value of the Codex. The Ultramarines are usually quite dull and this makes no exception.
2. Liar's Due
A Alpha Legion agent infiltrates and sows dissent in a random backwater world. Predictable and devoid of any meaningful action, just serves as a pedestal for human stupidity.
3. Forgotten Sons
A Ultramarine and a Iron Hand are sent as ambassadors (?!) to a heavy militarized world who has not declared allegiance to either the Loyalists or the Traitors and have organized a debate to settle the mater. Absurd concept with an equally flabbergasting conclusion.
4. The Last Remembrancer
The greatest and most famous of the remembrancers is found in the Sol system aboard a Sons of Horus ship. Is interrogated by Dorn, who starts by denouncing the need for secrets and subterfuge, only to be promptly executed and the truth of his words burnt. The first short story that is actually quite good.
5. Rebirth
A Thousand Sons squad lands on Prospero in search of answers. They are confronted by an unexpected foe. Serves as a prequel of sorts to Scars explaining how Revuel Arvida got where he got. Again a very good story full of both action and character moments.
6. The Face of Treachery
A World Eaters ship hunts in the Istvaan system for surviving loyalists. Bamboozle ending courtesy of the Alpha Legion. Decent story, serves as a prequel for Deliverance Lost.
7. Little Horus
Character study for Horus Aximand. Nothing really very exciting but sets up a future confrontation between Garviel Loken and Aximand.
8. The Iron Within
Traitor Iron Warriors fight Loyalist Iron Warriors. Fun and filled with action and great moments. Serves as backstory for Warsmith Dantioch and explains how he ended up working with the Ultramarines. Very good. Maybe the best of the bunch.
9. Savage Weapons
Lion El'Johnson and his Dark Angels vs Konrad Curze and his Night Lords. A cool fight but nothing really more.
Overall a decent collection of stories which provides some background to other Horus Heresy books but at the end of the day nothing really special.
1.Rules of Engagement
Takes place after the Heresy, after Guilliman finished the Codex Astartes. The Ultramarines go through different battles testing the tactical and strategic value of the Codex. The Ultramarines are usually quite dull and this makes no exception.
2. Liar's Due
A Alpha Legion agent infiltrates and sows dissent in a random backwater world. Predictable and devoid of any meaningful action, just serves as a pedestal for human stupidity.
3. Forgotten Sons
A Ultramarine and a Iron Hand are sent as ambassadors (?!) to a heavy militarized world who has not declared allegiance to either the Loyalists or the Traitors and have organized a debate to settle the mater. Absurd concept with an equally flabbergasting conclusion.
4. The Last Remembrancer
The greatest and most famous of the remembrancers is found in the Sol system aboard a Sons of Horus ship. Is interrogated by Dorn, who starts by denouncing the need for secrets and subterfuge, only to be promptly executed and the truth of his words burnt. The first short story that is actually quite good.
5. Rebirth
A Thousand Sons squad lands on Prospero in search of answers. They are confronted by an unexpected foe. Serves as a prequel of sorts to Scars explaining how Revuel Arvida got where he got. Again a very good story full of both action and character moments.
6. The Face of Treachery
A World Eaters ship hunts in the Istvaan system for surviving loyalists. Bamboozle ending courtesy of the Alpha Legion. Decent story, serves as a prequel for Deliverance Lost.
7. Little Horus
Character study for Horus Aximand. Nothing really very exciting but sets up a future confrontation between Garviel Loken and Aximand.
8. The Iron Within
Traitor Iron Warriors fight Loyalist Iron Warriors. Fun and filled with action and great moments. Serves as backstory for Warsmith Dantioch and explains how he ended up working with the Ultramarines. Very good. Maybe the best of the bunch.
9. Savage Weapons
Lion El'Johnson and his Dark Angels vs Konrad Curze and his Night Lords. A cool fight but nothing really more.
Overall a decent collection of stories which provides some background to other Horus Heresy books but at the end of the day nothing really special.