The depth that the authors of the series went to allow the tragedy of the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy to be shown is to be applauded, abd this novel adds to that background and weaves the tapestry of destruction with a master's hands- even to the point of bringing forth questions to which this point there had been no answers. Though many authors write this series, the skill of the plotting makes it a magnificent whole. Because of that the books do not stand on their own, and in reading without the background of the other books, one is wont to get lost in the details. But for this along the ride, this is pretty amazing work.