Where Dan Abnett's initial novel for the starting trilogy of the Horus Heresy lays the groundwork for the characters, the universe and possibly most importantly draws you in to care and value the people involved, it is not until Graham McNeil takes over with False Gods does the actual start of the Horus Heresy truly take place (ignoring certain facets pertaining to the Word Bearers etc if we are being pedantic).
False Gods predominately looks at the events on the moon of Davin where the Warmaster returns to a previously "complaint" system under the information given by Erebus, First Chaplain of the Word Bearers. What unfolds is often a well known piece of information for warhammer 40k enthusiasts (so anyone who isn't and genuinely wants it to be a surprise should look away now). Horus is struck by a weapon which harms him unto death, and the only aid that can potentially save him is in the care of the Davinite Priests. The outcome leads to Horus's change in allegiance from his father to the forces of chaos. But the specifics as we've been told have often been shrouded in mystery. Why would they have trusted the priests with someone as precious to them as Horus? What lead to the rebellion against the Imperium on the Davin moon in the first place? How could someone as previously so utterly devoted to the Emperor fall so far. These were the questions people were looking for in False Gods, and Graham McNeil does, in my opinion, a pretty sound job of it.
All throughout (for most of us) you know what's coming, but you want so much to believe there is still a chance, that things might change, that people will survive the events as they unfold. I'd like to say its down to good story telling that even in the face of the inevitable you still can desire for a different outcome if the pull of the story teller is strong enough. The path the Luna Wolves take alongside their accompanying Remebrancers builds this attachment and hope, even to some of the ones you might know fall along a darker path. Following on from the trend in Horus Rising, it's often the smaller, not previously discussed members or events which often draw the most attention. Who is this person? What role do they play? Is there any likeliness they will survive? and probably most importantly whether they are a source for good, evil or quite often both.
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(Aerion the faithful (http://aerion-the-faithful.deviantart.com/art/The-Mournival-113448588) has made some fantastic Horus heresy/Gw artwork. genuinely some lovely stuff (I believe this piece is technically property of Chris Borer, so all rights etc belong to him.)
Ultimately I probably preferred False Gods to Horus Rising, but then again I knew a lot more of what to expect from this novel, as Horus Rising laid down the ground work and this is more familiar territory. Obviously all three novels are intertwined to the point that their major differences comes simply from each different author's style. I think the settings and characters just see some growth and development in this book, and ultimately the environment was one I found more interesting and enjoyable on a personal level.
False Gods- 8.0 (8.5)/10-8.5 in relation to Horus Rising
False Gods predominately looks at the events on the moon of Davin where the Warmaster returns to a previously "complaint" system under the information given by Erebus, First Chaplain of the Word Bearers. What unfolds is often a well known piece of information for warhammer 40k enthusiasts (so anyone who isn't and genuinely wants it to be a surprise should look away now). Horus is struck by a weapon which harms him unto death, and the only aid that can potentially save him is in the care of the Davinite Priests. The outcome leads to Horus's change in allegiance from his father to the forces of chaos. But the specifics as we've been told have often been shrouded in mystery. Why would they have trusted the priests with someone as precious to them as Horus? What lead to the rebellion against the Imperium on the Davin moon in the first place? How could someone as previously so utterly devoted to the Emperor fall so far. These were the questions people were looking for in False Gods, and Graham McNeil does, in my opinion, a pretty sound job of it.
All throughout (for most of us) you know what's coming, but you want so much to believe there is still a chance, that things might change, that people will survive the events as they unfold. I'd like to say its down to good story telling that even in the face of the inevitable you still can desire for a different outcome if the pull of the story teller is strong enough. The path the Luna Wolves take alongside their accompanying Remebrancers builds this attachment and hope, even to some of the ones you might know fall along a darker path. Following on from the trend in Horus Rising, it's often the smaller, not previously discussed members or events which often draw the most attention. Who is this person? What role do they play? Is there any likeliness they will survive? and probably most importantly whether they are a source for good, evil or quite often both.
(Aerion the faithful (http://aerion-the-faithful.deviantart.com/art/The-Mournival-113448588) has made some fantastic Horus heresy/Gw artwork. genuinely some lovely stuff (I believe this piece is technically property of Chris Borer, so all rights etc belong to him.)
Ultimately I probably preferred False Gods to Horus Rising, but then again I knew a lot more of what to expect from this novel, as Horus Rising laid down the ground work and this is more familiar territory. Obviously all three novels are intertwined to the point that their major differences comes simply from each different author's style. I think the settings and characters just see some growth and development in this book, and ultimately the environment was one I found more interesting and enjoyable on a personal level.
False Gods- 8.0 (8.5)/10-8.5 in relation to Horus Rising
