Lindsey Priestley

A mixed bag. Now theoretically I have read this before but most of the stories here I couldn't remember! Blood Games is a good story, it looks at bits of the Imperium we don't ususally see and is fine worldbuilding. Wolf At The Door is pretty decent, but doesn't really make sense. Scions of the Storm doesn't make a lot of sense either but is also decent. The Voice is James Swallow doing things to Sisters of Silence that don't make sense and manages to be a boring horror story. I have another show more of his books in my immenant To Read pile and this makes me dread it a bit. Call of the Lion fits nicely into the over-arching Gav Thorpe Dark Angels storyline that I've been reading and has all usual GT faults but is still satisfying. The Last Church is a horrible story, badly written and containing every bad cliche of writing about religion going. It gives theological debate a bad name. Graham McNeill should be ashamed of himself. Finally After Deshea is pretty good but leaves a lot of unanswered questions. show less

This is basically a conglomeration of short stories that pertain to the Heresy saga. Enjoyable read....I particularly enjoyed the story The Last Church, which details how the Emperor basically eliminated houses of worship on Terra to pave the way for his strictly secular rule of Terra and his anticipated galaxy conquest. Some eerie parallels there with respect to the U.S.

Very interesting story collection. From Legio Custodes (as far as I know first story about these mysterious warriors), Battle Sisters (interesting story how internal conflict can prevent people from thinking straight) to Astartes legions (in very disturbing stories, especially those concerning Dark Angels (again, brilliant old-shool vs new generation conflict) and Word Bearers) and their Primarchs (story of rather deranged Angron) to the Emperor himself (this story raises the same question show more as “Mechanicum” novel – what are exactly Emperor’s intentions with humanity?).

Humanity’s future truly looks grim – they depend on almost invincible warriors that have a rather no-compromise approach to life… and aren’t compromises what life is mostly made of?

It will be interesting to see what happens next.

Recommended. show less

“Heroes of the Space Marines” is collection of stories based around champions of both loyal and traitor Adeptus Astartes. Here we find Imperial, Salamanders (can’t wait for the Salamander trilogy – story in this collection is a true teaser), Chaos Space Marines (weird and terrifying bunch) and my favorite – Deathwatch of the Inquisition, Special Forces within already elite combat force.

Fight scenes are great but so are the characters – from merciless Chaos captains seeking ever show more more power (especially interesting is story of Sons of Malice) to devout Chaplain of the loyalist Crimson Fists on a mysterious mission.

All in all great collection – Space Marines are shown with all their fears and doubts and [of course] unquestionable commitment to the cause (no matter if they are loyal Imperial subjects or if they serve the forces of corruption).

Recommended, will keep you glued to the last page. show less