Scan barcode
wiljkie's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Really good book for lovers of 40k
astator's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A fun and fast paced read. This is not the greatest space marines (battle) book in the world (it is just a tribute), but is a solid one. The pacing is good, the characters are decent if somewhat a checklist of tropes. The action is good and there is never a dull moment. My only gripe is that there are some plotlines that remain unresolved and they are never touched upon again. Almost as if there is a second book concerning events in the same war. Apart from that is a solid entertaining read. Not the best 40K book but well worth your time.
arsenic094's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
gelert's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Read for the second time slightly accidentally. Enjoyable but the chest thumping gets a bit much.
arthurbdd's review
2.0
Generic Space Marine stuff. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2014/04/06/fists-of-mediocrity/
trackofwords's review
4.0
The very first Space Marine Battles novel, published back in 2010, this kicked the series off in style with an action-packed story of Crimson Fists battling a vast ork invasion. Despite the apparent folly of attacking a Space Marine home world, the Arch-Arsonist Snagrod’s unusual tactics surprise the Crimson Fists, resulting in huge numbers of orks landing onto Rynn’s World. When a million-to-one accident sees the Fists’ ancient and treasured fortress-monastery destroyed and the majority of their warriors slain, a determined defence turns into a desperate fight for the survival of the Chapter itself.
It’s not a truly in-depth exploration of the Crimson Fists as a Chapter, as that’s not really the purpose of the book (or this series), but it does take in a little of their ritual and philosophy, and gives them plenty of character. Seeing Space Marines with their backs against the metaphorical wall might not be to everyone’s tastes, but there should be enough here for any 40k fan to enjoy. Come for the brutal action and satisfying plot, but stay for the surprisingly relatable and interesting characters – and chances are you’ll want to read more about the Crimson Fists after this.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/04/07/rynns-world-steve-parker/
It’s not a truly in-depth exploration of the Crimson Fists as a Chapter, as that’s not really the purpose of the book (or this series), but it does take in a little of their ritual and philosophy, and gives them plenty of character. Seeing Space Marines with their backs against the metaphorical wall might not be to everyone’s tastes, but there should be enough here for any 40k fan to enjoy. Come for the brutal action and satisfying plot, but stay for the surprisingly relatable and interesting characters – and chances are you’ll want to read more about the Crimson Fists after this.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/04/07/rynns-world-steve-parker/
potato_d's review
4.0
This book was one of the better Space Marine books that I’ve read. If I didn’t know the background in advance I would have been more ‘on the edge of my seat’. I was more invested in the characters and what they went through in this book than in some other Space Marine books.
Recommended to anyone that likes action.
Recommended to anyone that likes action.
utbw42's review against another edition
4.0
While not as deep or developed as some of the Horus Heresy books I've read, this is probably the best pure WH40K book I've read to date. The overwhelming scope of a massive ork invasion and the fairly linear plot make this a fairly fast and damn interesting read. I really liked the author's description of the surviving Crimson Fists and how they fought overwhelming odds not only to survive but to hold on to control of the planet until help arrives from Imperial fleets beyond the warp. Parker manages to make the super-human Space Marines seem downright human in these impossible situations. This is how you know you've read an outstanding novel: by the end of the book you really care quite a bit about the fate of the protagonists and desperately want all the orks to DIE. This book is also not for the feint of heart, as it contains graphic descriptions of characters demise, but this is not Star Wars either....