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thewargrave's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
falcon's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
farilian's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jackb's review
3.0
I like Caliban as a setting and a concept, but I think it's been quite poorly handled in this one, with some pretty hollow characters. Some high points with good action but I think Lee tried to do too much.
dkrael's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
simonmee's review against another edition
4.0
One issue with a gigantic literary universe with multiple authors is the issue of inconsistencies/retconning of events and motivations. Certain portrayals might even be straightforward misdirections, subject to later revelations.
With Fallen Angels, I am going to take things mostly at face value, accepting that later books may modify my view that the Dark Angels' primarch Lion El'Jonson is the biggest rube in the galaxy.
Know Thy Enemy... ...or Friend... ...or even have some base level ability to assess Acquaintances
His expression darkened. 'Also, he lied to me. Better he had come at me with a knife, face to face, than play me false.'
There's two plotlines in Fallen Angels, and they both depend on El'Jonson banging his head against his personal brick wall:
Human emotion.
The Horus Heresy has settled into a groove: plot serves character. El-Jonson, the outstanding warrior, the brilliant tactician, the operational wizard, the strategical genius, the man who remembers minute details like where the weapons were stored last century, can't handle interactions with peers, subordinates, allies or foes. And, as the series requires, a primarch's flaw determines the fate of billions.
I don't need to list examples because the book makes them pretty clear that they are bad choices, or choices with bad consequences due to lack of communication or misreading of the recipient. If you hate the artificialness of it, then this book is definitely not for you, but you would have checked out of the series a long time ago.
What I like about Fallen Angels is you have a guy who should be awesome (and is awesome when he fights and strategises!) but frustratingly undermines his own base of support - less feet of clay than the quicksand of doubts from those that want to follow him. He's not Perturabo who's just... ...[b:well, I've set that out|32860977|Perturabo Hammer of Olympia (The Horus Heresy Primarchs #4)|Guy Haley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478123038l/32860977._SY75_.jpg|53465380]. El'Jonson will inspire you to victory with his competence, then literally hand over the prize to the enemy.
While El'Jonson's actions (explicit and implied) are the focal point, it is Zahriel and Nemiel from [b:Descent of Angels|768929|Descent of Angels (The Horus Heresy #6)|Mitchel Scanlon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1332438082l/768929._SY75_.jpg|754989] that are the protagonists for each storyline. Zaheriel is more important but a bit less interesting than in Descent of Angels. Nemiel's role is vastly expanded from that book but he mostly serves as exposition via combat, in a solid 'soldier of the line' kind of way.
Set Phasers to Kill
Without hesitation, he summoned up the full force of his will and unleashed the psychic fury of the warp.
Fallen Angels is relatively combat heavy, with the two story lines generally running together with the emotional climaxes.
I actually like it, because the combat is relatively varied to me. Finally in the series we get to see a Librarian unleash their Warp given powers to explode eyeballs and skulls. "Melta" weapons provide new tactical solutions in the storyline. The naval battles are short but interesting. When the heavy weapons come out, stuff gets blasted. And finally, we have glorious melee combat by crozius or chainsword.
We're fighting a range of enemies also, with a heavy emphasis on horror. You like it or you don't, I guess. I couldn't tell you unequivocally who's the best combat writer but Lee seemed fine, particularly as to pacing the build up to each fight, and I didn't tire of it personally.
'Such is the fate of all traitors'
‘Excellent,’ Jonson said. ‘In that case, you’re welcome to take possession of the siege guns at your convenience. On one condition, of course.'
'The primarch raised a thin eyebrow. ‘Oh?’
Jonson gave his guest a sly grin. ‘You must promise me they will be put to good use.’
Perturabo, Primarch of the Iron Warriors smiled, his eyes gleaming like polished iron.
‘Oh, yes,’ he said. ‘Of that you may be assured.’
Fallen Angels is a waystation to bigger stories in the Horus Heresy and I'm sure I've misread things. That said, I enjoyed it as it was.
With Fallen Angels, I am going to take things mostly at face value, accepting that later books may modify my view that the Dark Angels' primarch Lion El'Jonson is the biggest rube in the galaxy.
Know Thy Enemy... ...or Friend... ...or even have some base level ability to assess Acquaintances
His expression darkened. 'Also, he lied to me. Better he had come at me with a knife, face to face, than play me false.'
There's two plotlines in Fallen Angels, and they both depend on El'Jonson banging his head against his personal brick wall:
Human emotion.
The Horus Heresy has settled into a groove: plot serves character. El-Jonson, the outstanding warrior, the brilliant tactician, the operational wizard, the strategical genius, the man who remembers minute details like where the weapons were stored last century, can't handle interactions with peers, subordinates, allies or foes. And, as the series requires, a primarch's flaw determines the fate of billions.
I don't need to list examples because the book makes them pretty clear that they are bad choices, or choices with bad consequences due to lack of communication or misreading of the recipient. If you hate the artificialness of it, then this book is definitely not for you, but you would have checked out of the series a long time ago.
What I like about Fallen Angels is you have a guy who should be awesome (and is awesome when he fights and strategises!) but frustratingly undermines his own base of support - less feet of clay than the quicksand of doubts from those that want to follow him. He's not Perturabo who's just... ...[b:well, I've set that out|32860977|Perturabo Hammer of Olympia (The Horus Heresy Primarchs #4)|Guy Haley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478123038l/32860977._SY75_.jpg|53465380]. El'Jonson will inspire you to victory with his competence, then literally hand over the prize to the enemy.
While El'Jonson's actions (explicit and implied) are the focal point, it is Zahriel and Nemiel from [b:Descent of Angels|768929|Descent of Angels (The Horus Heresy #6)|Mitchel Scanlon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1332438082l/768929._SY75_.jpg|754989] that are the protagonists for each storyline. Zaheriel is more important but a bit less interesting than in Descent of Angels. Nemiel's role is vastly expanded from that book but he mostly serves as exposition via combat, in a solid 'soldier of the line' kind of way.
Set Phasers to Kill
Without hesitation, he summoned up the full force of his will and unleashed the psychic fury of the warp.
Fallen Angels is relatively combat heavy, with the two story lines generally running together with the emotional climaxes.
I actually like it, because the combat is relatively varied to me. Finally in the series we get to see a Librarian unleash their Warp given powers to explode eyeballs and skulls. "Melta" weapons provide new tactical solutions in the storyline. The naval battles are short but interesting. When the heavy weapons come out, stuff gets blasted. And finally, we have glorious melee combat by crozius or chainsword.
We're fighting a range of enemies also, with a heavy emphasis on horror. You like it or you don't, I guess. I couldn't tell you unequivocally who's the best combat writer but Lee seemed fine, particularly as to pacing the build up to each fight, and I didn't tire of it personally.
'Such is the fate of all traitors'
‘Excellent,’ Jonson said. ‘In that case, you’re welcome to take possession of the siege guns at your convenience. On one condition, of course.'
'The primarch raised a thin eyebrow. ‘Oh?’
Jonson gave his guest a sly grin. ‘You must promise me they will be put to good use.’
Perturabo, Primarch of the Iron Warriors smiled, his eyes gleaming like polished iron.
‘Oh, yes,’ he said. ‘Of that you may be assured.’
Fallen Angels is a waystation to bigger stories in the Horus Heresy and I'm sure I've misread things. That said, I enjoyed it as it was.
garybake's review against another edition
3.0
The Johnson half of the book was a little pointless. The Caliban half of the book was really good. On average it was a good-ish book.
yrrah's review against another edition
2.0
Slow start but Intense and twist filled Finale. Dual Plots worked well even though one was much better at the start. Good Characterization all round but nothing phenomenal. Audio book is also done very well.