Andy Clark (6)

I was absolutely not expecting good Horus Heresy level stuff here, complete with the interesting and horrifying purgatory Celestine exists in between lives. It doesn’t hit the absolute heights of some of the character arcs in the better parts of the HH, but the writing is absolutely in the top tier of Warhammer 40K novels.

The different perspectives on the Imperial Creed, Celestine's relationship with her Saintly existences, the conflicts within the Imperial forces are handled well and show show more some really interesting dynamics.

Performance is spectacular and I hope to hear more from this narrator. I didn't know how much I needed a Welsh Sister of Battle as a background character. show less

Short story about the Imperial Fist legion and their Primarch Rogal Dorn.

Story is rather short and centered around the skirmish Imperial Fist's find themselves in after entering the space of one of the isolated humanity enclaves in deep space.

There is very little room for doubt on who will prevail but story does raise some questions on actions of the Imperial forces - is the all-or-nothing approach against the isolated humanity the proper approach to things? Does not it mark the mighty show more legions only as tools of utter destruction and not like builders of unity (as they see themselves)? Is the almost automatic loyalty and obedience of legions to their Primarch leaders safety switch or something that is result of years of serving with their leaders? Is this devotion more result of religious-like fervor than camaraderie in arms?

Interesting short story that shows that legionnaires are not just automated killing machines. show less

This is a wonderful action story. I have to admit that I do not read that much stories of traitor legions for simple reason majority of characters are downright psychotic and in most cases when not cackling as lunatics, act as a gateway to Warp creatures. One book then gets pretty much the same as any other.

Well it is not case here. Main protagonists in this story are Alpha legionnaires, Unsung war-band. And man, they are truly an echo (of sorts) from years past. Being heretic marines, they show more do come into contact with the Warp and its creatures but they keep tot he maxim of Alpha Legion - never to succumb to the Dark Gods and their promises. While acting as mercenary band it is visible that beliefs of Alpha legionnaires are very different from other traitor legions. I truly wonder where will these stories about post-Heresy Alpha Legion take us to.

And what to say about Unsung - kick ass outfit for sure :) We first find them on the planet-turned-arena, Bloodforge, where they got stranded and then for years bested any Chaos troops and champions and killed them all off. This brought them to attention of Emperors Children who decides to use them in quest on world of Tsandrekha with goal to capture the Imperial beacon, only light remaining in the sector after rift from Chaos infested space threw the shroud of night across it. Thrown into fray Alpha's will show their martial prowess and their specific approach to warfare while fighting both Imperial forces and Khorne berserkers led by Kharn. Author manages to show the raw bestiality of World Eaters and Khorne's Warp creatures and the sheer desperation of Imperial forces while defending the hive cities against these berserker hordes. This is also time of introduction of Primaris Space Marines in greater numbers and it was funny to watch Alpha's coming toe to toe with them.

I wont go into any more details here because I do not want to spoil the story for others but considering that story spans several days of heavy combat on Tsandrekha characters got fleshed out pretty good on all sides. Ending is executed in a way that we might expect more Unsung adventures in the future (which I personally I just cannot wait for :)).

Highly recommended. show less

An enjoyable heist tale featuring everyone's favourite special ops crew, the Alpha Legion. There is nothing special about this, its just a good tale, good characterisation, some great set-pieces and Kharn the Betrayer as an unstoppable force of nature. Really this is crying out for a sequel.