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Sarja

Sarja@bookwyrm.social

Joined 2 years ago

Ratings:

[1] - this is shit [2] - this is also shit [3] - this is decent [4] - now we're talking [5] - woah

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James Swallow: Buried Dagger (2019, Black Library, The)

Review of 'Buried Dagger' on 'Goodreads'

I will admit it right away: I've been reading like 10 WH40k novels from the Horus Heresy straight up and down and while I have enjoyed them immensely, sometimes they are subpar. Upon starting on this book, what I wanted was the story of Mortarion's fall from grace and, yes, I did skip basically the whole Garro/Loken/Malcador-plotline. I read some of it, but far from everything.

As often is the case with Swallow, I was not disappointed. He did a splendid job with the Mortarion plotline and frankly I liked the fall of the Death Guard more than that of the Emperor's Children. I love to hate Typhus. What a piece of shit. I want to kick his ass. Only gripe I have is that I'd want more of a punch to the climax of Mortarion's fall. It's good, but not as grand as it could have been.

I think …

Review of 'Slaves to Darkness' on 'Goodreads'

Within the HH, and specifically regarding portraying the traitor primarchs, the nature of Chaos and their conflicting forces, French does an excellent job in this novel. It is not too much and not too little. He also manages to keep three plotlines going in a brilliant way. I do like Maloghurst and the bitterness of the Iron Warriors. The ending of the book is spectacular.

There's a lot to like about this book and I'm inclined to give it a 4, but it's more like a 3,5.

"'This is the beginning of the victory,' said Argonis from behind Volk. 'Even if the view from here does not allow us to see it - victory is coming.'

'Is it? said Volk. 'Is that belief or hope talking?' He turned away. Black smoke was drifting over the trench from lower down the mountain. The stuttering boom of a distant explosion rolled through …

reviewed Vengeful Spirit by Graham McNeill (Horus Heresy, #29)

Graham McNeill: Vengeful Spirit (Paperback, 2014, Games Workshop)

Review of 'Vengeful Spirit' on 'Goodreads'

To my great surprise, Graham McNeill was actually able to write a compelling story. After slogging through the pile of hay that is Fulgrim (and Mechanicum) and now this, I realize that McNeill is an "okay" writer but just fucking sucks at keeping his different shits ogether. And being original. And not being boring. I'm not sure, I think I retract my previous statement --- he still sucks.

That said, this is one of his better books but if you, as I, do not like reading McNeill, just skim the boring ass parts and get the plot points. The book is worth reading and you kinda have to as it contains important parts of the Heresy, so yeah. Make the best of it.

I still give it 3 stars. It's decent.

reviewed Wolfsbane by Guy Haley (Horus Heresy, #49)

Guy Haley: Wolfsbane (2018, Games Workshop, Limited)

Review of 'Wolfsbane' on 'Goodreads'

It had its exciting moments, and I enjoyed the Cawl subplot in particular, but other than that I found the book to be below average compared to other HH books I have read.

Read it if you like Leman, Cawl or general Space Wolf fan. Otherwise, keep on trucking.

John French: Praetorian of Dorn (Paperback, 2017, Games Workshop)

Review of 'Praetorian of Dorn' on 'Goodreads'

A solid 3,5. It's a great book about the defence of Terra and the initial attack. I'm happily surprised at how well John French wrote it and I'll be pleased to read more of his works.

One paragraph in particular stuck out:

"Orn shrugged and looked at his hands, continuing to run them slowly over each other. Myzamadra found her eyes pulled to the movement. In someone as precisely still as Orn, it was like a scream."

Not to mention the badass meeting with Dorn and Alpharius:

"From across the chamber Alpharius met his brother's gaze.
'There are things we should talk of, brother,' said Alpharius.
Dorn's face didn't move.
'Fire,' he said. The huscarls fired."

Worth the read.

reviewed Fear To Tread by James Swallow (The Horus Heresy, #21)

James Swallow: Fear To Tread (2012, Games Workshop)

Since the earliest days of the Great Crusade, Sanguinius — angelic primarch of the IXth …

Review of 'Fear To Tread' on 'Goodreads'

It was a little less than decent. A load of text sprinkled with a topping of three or four great scenes. The epilogue is perfect. I miss Horus.

reviewed Scars: A Legion divided by Chris Wraight (The Horus Heresy, #28)

Chris Wraight: Scars (Paperback, 2014, Games Workshop)

Of all the Legiones Astartes, the White Scars of Jaghatai Khan remain the most enigmatic …

Review of 'Scars' on 'Goodreads'

A positively delightful read. I liked the difference in perspective between the beginnings of Torghun and Shiban, and seeing how their relationship evolved through the novel.

Good writing, possibly worth 4 stars, but for now 3 will suffice.

Kurt Vonnegut: Slaughterhouse-Five (Paperback, 1999, Chelsea House Publishers)

Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best novels of all time, …

Review of 'Slaughterhouse-Five' on 'Goodreads'

I was at first skeptical, but after a few chapters it really got started and I must admit to this being a piece of excellent writing. I can't help but applaud Vonnegut for writing this novel the way it is written.

So it goes.

Highly recommended, it's part sci-fi, part slice of life, part warstory, but most of all it's about experiencing a perspective.

To reread.

Robin Cook: Mindbend (1986, Penguin Books)

Review of 'Mindbend' on 'Goodreads'

Decent, readable, wouldn't hurt to have more horror elements to it though. A solid 3.

I liked the post script by the author regarding business and medicine. He makes quite a few good points, seeing how things have turned out.

Robert Rath: The Infinite and the Divine (Paperback, 2021, Games Workshop, Limited)

Review of 'Infinite and the Divine' on 'Goodreads'

It is actually a great book and I really do like the characterization of Trazyn and Orikan.

It has several memorable moments and I think it's a great book for anyone interested in necrons or WH40k.

It reads very much like an action movie, and I suppose my own taste is for something more gritty, but that said, it's a good read.

reviewed Prospero Burns by Dan Abnett (Horus Heresy, #15)

Dan Abnett: Prospero Burns

Review of 'Prospero Burns' on 'Goodreads'

The rating is 3,5.

What started out as a pretty slow start ended in a roaring bang. It finishes the story of Prospero and introduces the Space Wolves in the 30K universe.

I would, however, like to give Mr Abnett a slap over his face for the constant use of "wet leopard growl", not to mention "wet leopard purr". What even is that?

All in all, it's a good read. Probably better on the reread.