The pacing is perfect. The characters are vibrant and intense and Abnett manages to avoid the harsh black and white contrasts a lot of Warhammer-novels suffer. First appearance of everybody's favourite Ultramarine, Aeonid Thiel and Rob G. is allowed to freak out and wreak havoc. There are moments of heartbreak and despair, balanced with fast-paced action and grand-scale devastation of a planet. The Battle of Calth is a well-known Warhammer historical event. But it's like watching "Titanic" - you know the ship is going to sink, it's the "how" that matters.