Dan Abnett, a regular author for the warhammer 40k genre, brings us the first novel in the now 20+ long series, The Horus Heresy. The Horus heresy is arguably the most singularly defining moment in the warhammer (40k) universe. If you don't know the story, go read about that first, because to be honest you probably don't know very much about warhammer 40k in the first place. Assuming you've done that, then I can go on and explain how this book sets the foundation for Horus Lupercal to become Horus the betrayer.
Horus Lupercal, along with 8 other Primarchs, turned against the emperor, and joined forces with chaos. But how did they fall? How were they seduced? Why weren't they wary of chaos in the first place? Why didn't any external forces intervene? And who were those loyalists troops that ultimately meet their end on Isstvan III? How did the other brothers respond to their treachery? and what twisted their aims and goals so much that they were willing to give up on everything they had fought for up to that point in the Great Crusade?
The first three novels of the Horus Heresy series are, whilst written by different authors, part of a trilogy following the events leading to Horus' fall and the eventual betrayal of loyalists from Sons of Horus, Death guard, Emperor's Children and World Eaters on Isstvan III. Horus Rising details Horus relatively soon after his ascension to Warmaster and the Emperors return back to Terra. It explores the entirely human side of Horus, and introduces a number of previously unknown characters including but not limited to: Garviel Loken, Tarik Torgaddon, Horus Aximand, Saul tarvitz, and Lord-Commander Eidolon. Abaddon and Lucius (the eternal) are present in their pre-heresy form, and the Primarchs Sanguinius and Rogal Dorn have some cameo appearances. Also present in the series are Remembrancers. In typical Dan Abnett fashion, the inclusion of non-astrates personal were vital for the effect story-telling of the heresy, and so the unheard of (ok from my reading) inclusion of poets, historians, dramatists, painters, photographers etc are present aboard Horus battleships, and many other of his brother Primarchs (but not all it is noted). Some of these civilians play important roles in the character development of the Astrates as well as the plot line in the story.
The first book plots the core character, Garviel Loken, in his journey as captain of the 10th company to a member of the Mournival, a not-so-secretive group of four individuals who act as Horus' advisers. It covers the legions exploits on 3 alien worlds/civilisations, and highlights the burden and human nature of Horus and his legion. Without simply going through the whole story, Abnett in his classic fashion pulls you into the different personalities, and tells a wonderful initial tale for the characters. Ultimately Horus Rising is just that, the ever continual rise of Horus Lupercal, First among brothers and Warmaster to the entire Great Crusade. But with the fairly well know end to the story, it's all the more upsetting to see the great and magnificent being he is presented as, knowing his eventual path into darkness will follow.
If you want to read any books in the Horus heresy, read this one, especially if you don't have a massive allegiance to any other (chaos) space marine chapters, and even if you do, this book (and the following 2) are telling the story of the betrayal from the core antagonist (Horus), and thus worth a read for better clarity with the other books worth reading.
Score: 8/10
The first three novels of the Horus Heresy series are, whilst written by different authors, part of a trilogy following the events leading to Horus' fall and the eventual betrayal of loyalists from Sons of Horus, Death guard, Emperor's Children and World Eaters on Isstvan III. Horus Rising details Horus relatively soon after his ascension to Warmaster and the Emperors return back to Terra. It explores the entirely human side of Horus, and introduces a number of previously unknown characters including but not limited to: Garviel Loken, Tarik Torgaddon, Horus Aximand, Saul tarvitz, and Lord-Commander Eidolon. Abaddon and Lucius (the eternal) are present in their pre-heresy form, and the Primarchs Sanguinius and Rogal Dorn have some cameo appearances. Also present in the series are Remembrancers. In typical Dan Abnett fashion, the inclusion of non-astrates personal were vital for the effect story-telling of the heresy, and so the unheard of (ok from my reading) inclusion of poets, historians, dramatists, painters, photographers etc are present aboard Horus battleships, and many other of his brother Primarchs (but not all it is noted). Some of these civilians play important roles in the character development of the Astrates as well as the plot line in the story.
The first book plots the core character, Garviel Loken, in his journey as captain of the 10th company to a member of the Mournival, a not-so-secretive group of four individuals who act as Horus' advisers. It covers the legions exploits on 3 alien worlds/civilisations, and highlights the burden and human nature of Horus and his legion. Without simply going through the whole story, Abnett in his classic fashion pulls you into the different personalities, and tells a wonderful initial tale for the characters. Ultimately Horus Rising is just that, the ever continual rise of Horus Lupercal, First among brothers and Warmaster to the entire Great Crusade. But with the fairly well know end to the story, it's all the more upsetting to see the great and magnificent being he is presented as, knowing his eventual path into darkness will follow.
If you want to read any books in the Horus heresy, read this one, especially if you don't have a massive allegiance to any other (chaos) space marine chapters, and even if you do, this book (and the following 2) are telling the story of the betrayal from the core antagonist (Horus), and thus worth a read for better clarity with the other books worth reading.
Score: 8/10
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