Mechanicum
by Graham McNeill
The Horus Heresy Novels (9), The Horus Heresy (IX), Warhammer 40,000 (fiction) (Horus Heresy novel #9)
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As the flames of treachery spread throughout the Imperium, Horus plots to subvert or destroy all those who would stand against him. On Mars, home world of the Mechanicum priesthood, the great manufactory-cities have long produced much of the weaponry required for the expeditionary fleets across the galaxy – making the world invaluable to whoever controls it in the coming war. Now, the Warmaster's agents begin to stoke the fires of rebellion, turning the loyalist forges and the mighty Titan show more Legions against one another. And, with whispers spreading of an ancient terror lurking beneath the Red Planet's surface, the Dark Mechanicum rises.... show less
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"Horus Heresy" originally started as a trilogy and then evolved into something completely different. I guess they came to conclusion at BL that such a important event in W40K should be explored in detail. As a direct consequence almost every book after the third book in the series takes place immediately before or during the Istvaan massacre leading to constant re-telling of events described in "Galaxy in Flames" novel.
That is the reason I was disappointed with "Descent of Angels" and "Battle for the Abbys" - it is just re-writing of events described in "Galaxy of Flames" and nothing new could be revealed (only difference being main protagonists and their relative distance form the Istvaan battleground) .
On the other hand "Legion" and show more "Mechanicum" (I am not so sure about "Fulgrim" since I haven't read it yet) do reveal some new elements - "Mechanicum" describes how did all technical knowledge [used to propel humanity among the stars] just disappear [for the second time - and for the looks of it never to be recovered again]. I agree that it feels somewhat "hurried" but does explain the way technology is treated in the later periods.
Story feels slightly rushed-up but again it [book] holds materiel for at least two decent-sized novels (I won't go into details here because I do not want to give away spoilers). Again it is a rather "depressing" story because all the facts (more or less) of how the story ends are known - and yet one cannot but feel for all the people that are trying to preserve humanity from falling back into savage ways while Emperor himself behaves in a very strange ways (as one reviewer said - one can just wander what are his goals).
Mars Mechanicum society is described as society divided into castes - servants (be it Servitors, Protectors or Skiitari), researchers (Adepts) and warriors (Knights fighting as pilots in BattleTech-like mechas and Titan Legions). Religion [again] plays a pivotal role in the events on Mars and is a main reason for clash with Emperors "science is key to everything" approach.
Again, as it was case with "Legion" novel I cannot but to be concerned about the humanity in W40K novel - after blowing itself back to the preindustrial society during the Age of Strife and being rebuilt by Emperor just to end up like a dogma-driven unforgiving, vengeful, xenophobic and blood-thirsty society .... Beginning from that fateful day on Istvaan W40K humanity is stalling in their progress and just moving down the slope to the faith unknown.
Horus Heresy was a pivotal moment in the W40K history and I guess story got somewhat "watered-down" by constant retelling of events and attempts to tell every (even the smallest) detail [I can understand this - there will always be fans that want to know everything].
"Mechanicum" story line is linked to Istvaan incident but it describes events on Mars not revealed before. This and portrayals of Knight and Titan war machines fighting among themselves are great. Story pace is fast and although story itself gets somewhat confusing at the end this is great addition to Horus Heresy series. Hopefully this means that following novels in the series will concentrate on the events after Istvaan massacre. show less
That is the reason I was disappointed with "Descent of Angels" and "Battle for the Abbys" - it is just re-writing of events described in "Galaxy of Flames" and nothing new could be revealed (only difference being main protagonists and their relative distance form the Istvaan battleground) .
On the other hand "Legion" and show more "Mechanicum" (I am not so sure about "Fulgrim" since I haven't read it yet) do reveal some new elements - "Mechanicum" describes how did all technical knowledge [used to propel humanity among the stars] just disappear [for the second time - and for the looks of it never to be recovered again]. I agree that it feels somewhat "hurried" but does explain the way technology is treated in the later periods.
Story feels slightly rushed-up but again it [book] holds materiel for at least two decent-sized novels (I won't go into details here because I do not want to give away spoilers). Again it is a rather "depressing" story because all the facts (more or less) of how the story ends are known - and yet one cannot but feel for all the people that are trying to preserve humanity from falling back into savage ways while Emperor himself behaves in a very strange ways (as one reviewer said - one can just wander what are his goals).
Mars Mechanicum society is described as society divided into castes - servants (be it Servitors, Protectors or Skiitari), researchers (Adepts) and warriors (Knights fighting as pilots in BattleTech-like mechas and Titan Legions). Religion [again] plays a pivotal role in the events on Mars and is a main reason for clash with Emperors "science is key to everything" approach.
Again, as it was case with "Legion" novel I cannot but to be concerned about the humanity in W40K novel - after blowing itself back to the preindustrial society during the Age of Strife and being rebuilt by Emperor just to end up like a dogma-driven unforgiving, vengeful, xenophobic and blood-thirsty society .... Beginning from that fateful day on Istvaan W40K humanity is stalling in their progress and just moving down the slope to the faith unknown.
Horus Heresy was a pivotal moment in the W40K history and I guess story got somewhat "watered-down" by constant retelling of events and attempts to tell every (even the smallest) detail [I can understand this - there will always be fans that want to know everything].
"Mechanicum" story line is linked to Istvaan incident but it describes events on Mars not revealed before. This and portrayals of Knight and Titan war machines fighting among themselves are great. Story pace is fast and although story itself gets somewhat confusing at the end this is great addition to Horus Heresy series. Hopefully this means that following novels in the series will concentrate on the events after Istvaan massacre. show less
A great addition to the Horus saga, this one details the concurrent civil war on Mars raging between loyalists to the Emperor and the Horus motivated Dark Mechanicum. Adept Zeth rescues Dalia, a transcriber, from execution with the aim of using her to develop a machine that can allow mankind to reach unheard of levels of intelligence. Zeth, along with many others who make up the massive fabrication machine that Mars has evolved into for the Emperor's use, is unaware that elements exist who want to separate Mars from the Emperor's control. What follows is an exciting, well-written, slam-bang story that details the war that breaks out and the agonizing choices the sympathetic characters make as a result. I was very anxious to read this show more one due to how hard it was to obtain (rare book for some reason), and I wondered how the back-story of the Mechanicum figured into the galaxian wide war that the Horus series is developing into. These two major plot lines mesh together very well. show less
Starts well, trails off, and finished well. Could lose almost everything in the middle half. Was a grind.
This book deals with the Civil War coming to Mars and the Mechanicum Faction. It is really hard to review books based on a hobby. The Warhammer Universe needs no introduction to fans of the hobby games. Most people who are interested in these books, are familiar with the lore, as they play the games, and are introduced to parts of the lore through gaming materials and codex. This series give an in-depth look at the timeline of the gaming lore. Basically this series, (The Horus Heresy) is about civil war in the 38th millennium. The universe is filled with aliens, war, and humanities slow decline into dystopian madness. The language used in the books is a bit different, but if you are a big science-fiction reader you will have no problems show more getting use to the vocabulary. The series is long, and an investment in time, but are also well written and very good. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did. No spoiler from me as a reviewer. If you are looking for a complete reading list, just google "The Horus Heresy reading order" and you will find a good bit of information. show less
The Horus Heresy series continues in Graham McNeill’s epic Mechanicum. Graham McNeill is one of the Black Library’s “dream team” writers. The other members of the trio include the hyper-prolific Dan Abnett and Ben Counter. The trio wrote the first three novels of the Horus Heresy series.
http://driftlessareareview.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/mechanicum-the-horus-heresy-...
http://driftlessareareview.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/mechanicum-the-horus-heresy-...
(Review coming soon)
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- Canonical title
- Mechanicum
- Original title
- Mechanicum
- Alternate titles
- Mechanicum : Knowledge is power; Mechanicum : War comes to Mars
- Original publication date
- 2008-11
- People/Characters
- Kelbor-Hal (Fabricator General of Mars, Forge Master of Olympus Mons, Mechanicum); Zagreus Kane (Fabricator Locum of Mars, Forge Master of Mondus Occulum, Mechanicum); Urtzi Malevolus (Forge Master of Mars, Mechanicum); Lukas Chrom (Forge Master of Mondus Gamma, Mechanicum); Regulus (Mechanicum representative of Horus Lupercal, Mechanicum); Melgator (Ambassador, Mechanicum representative to Terra, Mechanicum) (show all 30); Koriel Zeth (Mistress of the Magma City, Mechanicum); Ipluvien Maximal (Forge Master of Mars, Mechanicum); Semyon (Adept, Adept of Mars, Mechanicum); Indias Cavalerio (The Stormlord, Princeps of the Warlord, Victorix Magna, Legio Tempestus); Suzak (Princeps of the Warlord, Tharsis Hastatus, Legio Tempestus); Mordant (Princeps of the Reaver, Arcadia Fortis, Legio Tempestus); Sharaq (Princeps of the Reaver, Metallus Cebrenia, Legio Tempestus); Basek (Princeps of the Warhound, Vulpus Rex, Legio Tempestus); Kasim (Princeps of the Warhound, Raptoria, Legio Tempestus); Lamnos (Princeps of the Warhound, Astrus Lux, Legio Tempestus); Camulos (Princeps of Aqulia Ignis, Legio Mortis); Verticorda (Lord Commander, Rider of Ares Lictor, Knights of Taranis); Caturix (Lord Commander, Rider of Gladius Fulmen, Knights of Taranis); Stator (Preceptor, Rider of Fortis Metallum, Knights of Taranis); Raf Maven (Rider of Equitos Bellum, Knights of Taranis); Leopold Cronus (Rider of Pax Mortis, Knights of Taranis); Dalia Cythera (Transcriber, Servant of the Mechanicum); Zouche Chahaya (Machinist, Servant of the Mechanicum); Severine Delmer (Schematic Draughter, Servant of the Mechanicum); Mellicin Oster (Technical Overseer, Servant of the Mechanicum); Caxton Torgau (Component Assembler, Servant of the Mechanicum); Rho-Mu 31 (Mechanicum Protector, Servant of the Mechanicum); Remiare (Tech-priest Assassin, Servant of the Mechanicum); Jonas Milus (Empath, Servant of the Mechanicum)
- Important places
- Mars; Imperium of Man
- Epigraph
- Behold the coming of the One Supreme Master of Machines!
He comes to you from heaven in the drops of rain.
Sons of Mars listen well, for one will come,
mighty and strong, holding the sceptre of power in his hand.
... (show all)Clothed in light and fire, his mouth shall utter eternal words,
while his mind shall be a fountain of knowledge and fact.
When the Saviour shall appear ye shall see him as he is,
a man like ourselves and yet greater by far.
This will be the first step in the greatest endeavour of Man.
It shall begin on the highest peak of the dominion of Ares.
When Deimos and Phobos are at apogee and perigee,
there thou shalt see the face of the Omnissiah.
Clad in a body of gold, and wreathed in the firmament of the storm,
the Lord of all Machines will stand in the midst of his people,
and shall reign over all the dominion of Man.
Great shall be the glory of his presence, that the sun shall hide his face in shame.
For verily I say unto you that he shall be the Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the end, the master of flesh and the forger of metal.
He shall be a light that shineth in darkness and a banisher of ignorance.
He shall be the object of devotion and love, which kings might envy and emperors sigh for in vain!
He shall desire the good of Ares's realm and the happiness of Man.
All must become one in loyalty and see all men as brothers.
Ruinous wars shall pass away, and peace shall reign among the stars.
Strife and bloodshed and discord will cease.
All men shall be as one kindred.
The divisions of the stars shall be as one!
The Coming of the Omnissiah, exloaded by Pico della Moravec, Primus of the Brotherhood of Singularitarianism - Dedication
- To the staff at Lee Rosy's, for keeping my creative juices flowing with a regular supply of tea and cookies.
- First words
- Mighty heroes battle for the right to rule the galaxy.
Introduction: The Horus Heresy / It is a time of legend.
It never rained on Mars, not any more.
0.01 - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)+ Ten thousand years would pass before the next Guardian was drawn to the Noctis Labyrinthus, but by then the damage had been done.
Addenda ends.
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