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The Horus Heresy #Audio Drama
Grey Angel
On a distant world of the Imperium, an agent of Rogal Dorn finds himself the prisoner of a Legion whose loyalties may be divided. Shackled and bound, the former Luna Wolf must fight a battle of wits with his captor, lest the course of the Horus Heresy take an unexpected turn. Will his very presence drive his erstwhile allies into the arms of the Warmaster or will maintaining the status quo prevent another Legion from turning traitor? And just who is the mysterious Space Marine aiding him from the shadows?
A Horus Heresy audio drama written by John French. Performed by John Banks, Toby Longworth and Ramon Tikaram. Running time approx 35 mins.
A Horus Heresy audio drama written by John French. Performed by John Banks, Toby Longworth and Ramon Tikaram. Running time approx 35 mins.
Audiobook
First published August 3, 2012
4 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
John French
154 books298 followersJohn French is a writer and freelance game designer from Nottingham, England. His novels include the Ahriman series from Black Library, and The Lord of Nightmares trilogy for Fantasy Flight. The rest of his work can be seen scattered through a number of other books, including the New York Times bestselling anthology Age of Darkness. When he is not thinking of ways that dark and corrupting beings could destroy reality and space, John enjoys talking about why it would be a good idea... that and drinking good wine.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 28, 2017
Read in The Silent War anthology
It's always good for me to read about Loken, Qruze, Luther and the Angels of Caliban, but this really needed to be released before Vengeful Spirit to be fully appreciated.
And I still can't stand Loken's resurrection happened in audio-dramas (not my cup of tea, sorry) still not released in paperback format, but that's it. I like so much this series that I just have to forgive that and keep reading it.
But for that, this short tale is going to be a good setup for things to come.
May 21, 2024
May 2024 Re-Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order (https://www.heresyomnibus.com) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy series and extras - Now in Immaterium of everything outside the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project, before moving on to the last Omnibus XXI The Siege of Terra.
I don't have anything to add from my last review beyond the converting of audio dramas to short stories definitely loses some of the magic.
Through the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project and my own additions, I have currently read* all 54 Horus Heresy main series novels (+1 repeat), 25 novellas (+2 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, all 17 Primarchs novels, 3 Characters novels, and 148 short stories/ audio dramas across the Horus Heresy (inc. 10+ repeats). Plus, 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and 1 short story...this run, as well as writing 1 short story myself.
I couldn't be more appreciative of the phenomenal work of the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project, which has made this ridiculous endeavour all the better and has inspired me to create and collate a collection of Horus Heresy and Warhammer 40,000 documents and checklists (http://tiny.cc/im00yz). There are now too many items to list here, but there is a contents and explainer document here (http://tiny.cc/nj00yz).
*My tracking consistently proves shoddy, but I'm doing my best
***
April 2024 Re-Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order Omnibus XIV Shadows of the Warmaster II Lords of Death (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus series and extras.
Honestly, I think I was a bit harsh before.
Two Knight Errants on Caliban trying to find out where those on the Dark Angels' homeworld stand on the Heresy and things are already going wrong...
The prose is great, the little moments, reveals, and the thematic resonance of the ending echoing over ten thousand years later? That deserves something.
I also found the reflections and refraction of the characters present and those not present (being extremely vague to avoid spoilers) is nicely done. Something something, it's like poetry, it rhymes.
It doesn't knock my socks off, but it's solid and resonant and it's getting an extra star from me.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 24.64 Horus Heresy novels, 14 novellas (including 1 repeat), 84 short stories/ audio dramas (including 6 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 13 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and a short story...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.
***
Initial Review 3/5
A decent audio drama, but I am struggling to unpick my excitement that comes from seeing characters and things I know a like, what the story gestures towards, and what it actually does contain and how it does it.
See the lack of Garro and colon from the beginning of this title, that's because this is the other two classic Grey Boys on a whacky adventure to Caliban to see if Luther or anyone knows what's up with the whole Heresy shenanigans.
A quick jaunt to the planet Grimdark ages that probably sets something up, but doesn't really do anything itself, beyond a few cool scenes.
***Spoilers Below***
I will always be excited to Loken and Qruze and Luther and Loken have a meeting of minds and fists, and seeing certain mysterious lil cuties having a cryptic chat with Loken is obviously tailored made to make ridiculous nerds like me get ridiculous hype. Also, touching base with Z or N, I forget which ended up where...I think it's Z on Caliban?
But nothing really happens and the one moment that could have really been full of pathos and tragedy kinda got skimmed over.
While this is much, much better than when Star Wars does the references just to do references thing, this feels a bit like that, which is a shame because the only reason it actually feels like that is the lack of actual story and emotional weight. A little more heft on the feels and a bit more of a narrative would largely solve this issue and make it a much better audio drama.
This is the worst of the proto Grey Knights audio dramas, Garro: Ashes of Fealty takes that prize, if I remember correctly - I've listened to the whole collection in a few days - but this comes a close second. Both suffer from being too short and feeling like being a teaser for a coming story and/ or a being costrcuted around a scene opposed to an actual narrative.
The hit rate and general quality of the Knight Errant stories are still pretty great and the Errant Knights collection is great. Still planning to read the Novella and digital shorts to finish off the main Heresy Garro story (outside of the all of the everything actually reconstructed into a story, the novel, Garro), and I've heard good things about the three Blackshields audio dramas.
I don't have anything to add from my last review beyond the converting of audio dramas to short stories definitely loses some of the magic.
Through the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project and my own additions, I have currently read* all 54 Horus Heresy main series novels (+1 repeat), 25 novellas (+2 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, all 17 Primarchs novels, 3 Characters novels, and 148 short stories/ audio dramas across the Horus Heresy (inc. 10+ repeats). Plus, 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and 1 short story...this run, as well as writing 1 short story myself.
I couldn't be more appreciative of the phenomenal work of the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project, which has made this ridiculous endeavour all the better and has inspired me to create and collate a collection of Horus Heresy and Warhammer 40,000 documents and checklists (http://tiny.cc/im00yz). There are now too many items to list here, but there is a contents and explainer document here (http://tiny.cc/nj00yz).
*My tracking consistently proves shoddy, but I'm doing my best
***
April 2024 Re-Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order Omnibus XIV Shadows of the Warmaster II Lords of Death (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus series and extras.
Honestly, I think I was a bit harsh before.
Two Knight Errants on Caliban trying to find out where those on the Dark Angels' homeworld stand on the Heresy and things are already going wrong...
The prose is great, the little moments, reveals, and the thematic resonance of the ending echoing over ten thousand years later? That deserves something.
I also found the reflections and refraction of the characters present and those not present (being extremely vague to avoid spoilers) is nicely done. Something something, it's like poetry, it rhymes.
It doesn't knock my socks off, but it's solid and resonant and it's getting an extra star from me.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 24.64 Horus Heresy novels, 14 novellas (including 1 repeat), 84 short stories/ audio dramas (including 6 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 13 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and a short story...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.
***
Initial Review 3/5
A decent audio drama, but I am struggling to unpick my excitement that comes from seeing characters and things I know a like, what the story gestures towards, and what it actually does contain and how it does it.
See the lack of Garro and colon from the beginning of this title, that's because this is the other two classic Grey Boys on a whacky adventure to Caliban to see if Luther or anyone knows what's up with the whole Heresy shenanigans.
A quick jaunt to the planet Grimdark ages that probably sets something up, but doesn't really do anything itself, beyond a few cool scenes.
***Spoilers Below***
I will always be excited to Loken and Qruze and Luther and Loken have a meeting of minds and fists, and seeing certain mysterious lil cuties having a cryptic chat with Loken is obviously tailored made to make ridiculous nerds like me get ridiculous hype. Also, touching base with Z or N, I forget which ended up where...I think it's Z on Caliban?
But nothing really happens and the one moment that could have really been full of pathos and tragedy kinda got skimmed over.
While this is much, much better than when Star Wars does the references just to do references thing, this feels a bit like that, which is a shame because the only reason it actually feels like that is the lack of actual story and emotional weight. A little more heft on the feels and a bit more of a narrative would largely solve this issue and make it a much better audio drama.
This is the worst of the proto Grey Knights audio dramas, Garro: Ashes of Fealty takes that prize, if I remember correctly - I've listened to the whole collection in a few days - but this comes a close second. Both suffer from being too short and feeling like being a teaser for a coming story and/ or a being costrcuted around a scene opposed to an actual narrative.
The hit rate and general quality of the Knight Errant stories are still pretty great and the Errant Knights collection is great. Still planning to read the Novella and digital shorts to finish off the main Heresy Garro story (outside of the all of the everything actually reconstructed into a story, the novel, Garro), and I've heard good things about the three Blackshields audio dramas.
August 7, 2020
A nice little short following a couple of the Sigilite's Knights Errant as they try to ascertain the loyalty of one the Legions. Fun read, a fill in story.
February 2, 2025
Collected in the silent war anthology.
May 27, 2025
A great story BUT if you're reading all the Horus Heresy books in order and get to this in The Silent War, you're about to come across a major spoiler for something that happens 5 books later in the series in Garro. I would highly recommend doing the short story Garro: Legion of One before Grey Angel.
March 18, 2022
An enjoyable tale around what’s currently happening on Caliban. Some of the audio was difficult to understand but generally pretty good.
January 30, 2023
Short explanation of what's going on over on Caliban. Doesn't really add much.
September 5, 2023
Confusing. Not particularly interesting either.
January 21, 2025
This one felt like a vignette without much to latch on to. Curious if this leads to something more, but as it stands, it didn't feel overly impactful on its own
August 20, 2025
Relat curt per conèixer el món de Warhammer 40k
January 29, 2026
Pretty mediocre, I only listened to this because I got it as a bundle with the other garro audiobooks and I thought I might as well finish it lmao.
August 9, 2025
A solid entry into the stories of the Knights Errant, and the Dark Angels.
Taking place after Garro: Army of One. Two agents of the Sigillite have been sent to Caliban to discern the loyalty of Luther and the Dark Angels of Caliban. There are no major revelations here, just solid prose, good characterisation and interesting dialogue. Very well performed audio drama.
Taking place after Garro: Army of One. Two agents of the Sigillite have been sent to Caliban to discern the loyalty of Luther and the Dark Angels of Caliban. There are no major revelations here, just solid prose, good characterisation and interesting dialogue. Very well performed audio drama.
January 27, 2016
Having recovered somewhat in the short story Luna Mendax, Loken is sent on his first mission as a Knight Errant along with Iacton Cruze to Caliban. Since the outbreak of the Horus Heresy no-one has received any word from the Dark Angels under Luther's control. Fearing another Legion has turned traitor Malcador the Sigillite despatches Loken and Cruze to find out what is happening on the homeworld of the First Legion.
Having let himself be captured, Loken speaks with Luther to deterimine his loyalty while Iacton manages to make a precarious situation worse (although well meaning). With the help of a mysterious Astartes within the ranks of the Dark Angels the Knights Errant are able to escape.
Short and well acted, this audio drama is clearly a setup for a future novel.
Loken and Iacton Cruze will later be seen in the novel Vengeful Spirit.
The events unfolding on Caliban are further explored in the even shorter audio tale Cypher: Guardian of Order.
Having let himself be captured, Loken speaks with Luther to deterimine his loyalty while Iacton manages to make a precarious situation worse (although well meaning). With the help of a mysterious Astartes within the ranks of the Dark Angels the Knights Errant are able to escape.
Short and well acted, this audio drama is clearly a setup for a future novel.
Loken and Iacton Cruze will later be seen in the novel Vengeful Spirit.
The events unfolding on Caliban are further explored in the even shorter audio tale Cypher: Guardian of Order.
August 11, 2012
A very short audio drama (half an hour) about the predecessors of the Grey Knights being sent to Caliban to see where the loyalties of the 'banished' Dark Angels lay.
Being short, there's obviously not much room for Big Plot Advances, only some more insight in the prime players' motivations. And together with that, there's some more questions being asked and suspicions being raised.
For me personally, this is great ! Although I really would like to see some threads being wrapped up in the future. The whole Dark Angels/Luther/The Lion/Cypher/Caliban itself... and now the Grey Knights mess is slowly becoming unimaginable.
Only read (listento) if you are well-versed in the Horus Heresy/Dark Angels substory, else this audio drama will quickly become very boring
Being short, there's obviously not much room for Big Plot Advances, only some more insight in the prime players' motivations. And together with that, there's some more questions being asked and suspicions being raised.
For me personally, this is great ! Although I really would like to see some threads being wrapped up in the future. The whole Dark Angels/Luther/The Lion/Cypher/Caliban itself... and now the Grey Knights mess is slowly becoming unimaginable.
Only read (listento) if you are well-versed in the Horus Heresy/Dark Angels substory, else this audio drama will quickly become very boring
March 21, 2016
an interesting audio drama, that was rather too short for my liking. I always love to see our brothers in the Luna Wolves, and see how the Imperium is taking the Caliban Dark Angels' silence is interesting. Luther was amazing, as always, and I cant wait to see more of our friendly Knight Errant
February 6, 2013
Yet another pointless and sloppy Garro story fuck all effort put in and charging top price of course.
February 17, 2016
Rather mysterious I would say, we all want clear answers. Was Luther a traitor lying in wait or did he maintain his loyalties. I see the conspiracy growing, death to the lion and his false knights.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews