Lords of Mars

Forges of Mars #2

by Graham McNeill

An Adeptus Mechanicus Explorator fleet meets its fate beyond the Halo Worlds

Pursued by vengeful eldar, Magos Kotov’s Explorator armada heads into a newly revealed area of space in pursuit of ancient secrets. As the Adeptus Mechanicus forces and Black Templars Space Marines tackle the twin threats of the wrathful aliens and insurrection aboard the fleet, a greater danger reveals itself...

Genres: Science Fiction, 40k, Fiction, Fantasy, Audiobook, Novels, Military Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Hailing from Scotland, Graham McNeill narrowly escaped a career in surveying to work for Games Workshop as a games designer. He has a strong following with his novels Nightbringer, Warriors of Ultramar, Dead Sky, Black Sun and Storm of Iron.

Reviews

[Terrible Reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

"There's a cog in the machina! Now there's two, that would make it Deus Ex Machina?"

Well, well, well. It's easy to see how reviewers might find Lords Of Mars blown out of all proportions when it comes to the usual 40K canon, but then change is always hard for some. Why is Graham's novel overblown? Between the strange crystalline creatures mimicking humans and Astrates alike, between the strange artificial creature named Galatea, and the rebirth of a dying star system - what's overblown? Sarcasm?.. only a tad.

Disgraced (if you want to know why, read the first novel in this trilogy) Archmagos Kotor and his merry band of explorers including; Black Templers, a Titan Legion and a forgeworld formed into a spaceship, are seeking something, or someone - Telok, a former Archmagos himself. From many millennia's ago, he was trying to create something called 'The Breath of God.' As you might have guessed, Kotov is trying to seek out this lost expedition of Telok's. Think of this as a treasure hunt and you won't go far wrong.

There's a lot more going on with this novel other than the hunt for Telok - Mechanicus Cartographer and his specially gifted daughter. Titan Legio Sirius are a sort of human-Space Wolves (if you like). There command hierarchy is well played out and I enjoyed the way Graham portrayed 'the ghosts in the machine seen through the titans eyes. Then there is the difficult bit to believe, a workers strike, right in the middle of saving the Spectanza a machine touched human leads a industrial strike to get better living conditions and treatment for the human bondsman servicing the Mechancius. WHAT? OK, so he had a little help from a few servitors and a killer cyborg named X-42 Rassella. Did I say a few? No, I meant the entire ship. This was the only part of the novel I had difficulty wrapping my head around, I just found the timing of this strike to be... silly.

As for the Black Templars, their poorly handled in my opinion. They have major parts to play in this novel, but are written as almost if they are side characters; guest stars if you will, only there to take care of what the Mechanicus cannot. Which given the nature of the crystal constructs is a great many things. They can mimic human form, they can mimic Space Marines and Mechnicus alike. However they cannot fight like them, they are just hollow shells... but in numbers they do bite, which our explorers find out to their peril.

Roborte Surcorf takes a minor role in this novel, where in the first the rogue trader was a central character. The Eldar are obviously using him and are going to play a major role in some kind of conflict that stops Kotov, whatever happens. It all seems all to obvious.

For just over 350 pages Lords of Mars has a hell of a lot going on, which leads to confusion and at some point, the author has clearly decided to chop and change a fair bit of content, given that originally it was meant to be two books, not three. It's problematic what is going to happen - maybe the author has a few twists and turns up his sleeve. Who knows. Fairly fun - read Priests Of Mars before this novel.

Key -

Mechanicus - They are part human, part machine blend. They believe in the Ommisash - which in this case is the God Emperor.

Black Templar's - They fight the Eternal Crusade, which never ended ten thousand millenia ago. They are unrelenting, wear black and follow the strictures of any holy crusade. In this case, ridding the galaxy of xeno filth and bringing the glorious light of the Imperium to lost worlds.

Archmagos - A title given to a Mechnicus member who runs a forgeworld.

Forgeworld - Think of every factory on Earth and triple it tenfold, you get the idea.

Eldar - Think space elves and you've got it.

[David Guymer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A splendid follow-up to Priests of Mars, doing things and going places that no 40K series has dared go before. Everything that was great about the first instalment still holds, though I would have loved to have seen more of Abrehem and his workers' revolt (the most interesting bit for me, but sidelined for the most part) and of Galatea. The last scene with 'it' was anticipated, but still a masterclass of horror the equal of those brilliantly tense scenes aboard the abandoned station in Priests when the machine hybrid was first encountered. It left me biting my nails for Gods of Mars. Archmagos Kotov and the Rogue Trader, Roboute, continue to develop and Archmagos Blaylock is unexpectedly turning into an incredibly interesting character. The Titan princeps' feel a bit like decoration at times, but are an interesting viewpoint regardless, as are the Cadians, Black Templars and others here on Kotov's quest.

Gods of Mars has a lot of threads to pick up, but there's a definite sense of direction and momentum leading into the final chapter. Somehow I don't see it all ending happily.

[Gordon Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Second-book-in-a-trilogy-syndrome strikes here - we get to spend more time with all the excellent characters we met in the opener and get a good bit more insight into where the overarching story is going, but more effort goes into setting up what's to come in the finale than providing a ripping good yarn here.

The beyond-known-space setting, unusual in 40k literature, gives the opportunity to explore new themes; new external threats, strange phenomena, and the chains of oppression sitting a little less heavily on the servant classes away from Imperial society.

The satirical elements are a little less nuanced than in the first book and I don't think I'll ever fully understand why McNeill loves titans so much, but overall a solid if unspectacular entry. I won't rush out to buy the final book straight away, but I'll look forward to picking it up if/when it's included in a sale in future.

[Bookish Barbarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fantastic follow-up to Priests of Mars is filled with intrigue and character growth. While it’s always going to suffer as the second book of a trilogy, bridging the gap between the first and third, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and can’t wait to start the next one.
All Hail the Omnissiah

[vonblubba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't point my finger on the exact reason, but this second novel in the saga did not grab my attention as the first one did. Maybe there's a little too much figthing for my taste.

[Thomas Margot · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a lot going on in the book which made it a confusing read sometimes. Changes in narrator are sometimes unclear which adds to the confusion.

Kotov's quest continues, but this book gripped me less than Priests of Mars. Also, how is an arco-flagellant this powerful?

[Hawke Embers · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I have to read one more made up scientific word or concept that has no bearing on anything real; then I am going to start a book burning.

Lords of Mars truly is that dreary and convoluted! There are several main story branches, one following a squad of Black Templars, the other with the primary research team who wish to discover a long lost ship and the other following a slave who is developing some.... heretical techno related powers. I was slightly interested in the latter and while the former should stories should have been more interesting; they simply were not.

There is a..... Surprise, at the mid point in the story where things promise to get more interesting but I honestly didn't care at that point and stopped reading.

I'd give it 1.5 yawns out of 5

[Darrel Vater von Katzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really looking to the last part of this series. The only tip I would have is to read this shortly after the first title as it jumps straight into it!

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of the same. The problem with this trilogy is that there's nothing really interesting happening here. I'm a sucker for Warhammer 40k fiction, because the best writers use the ludicrousness of the setting to explore quite thought-provoking themes.

Here you've got a cast of people who are basically pushing the limits of what a human is. How much can you take away and replace and still have something that's a person.

The answer is "all of it except the brain, and you can pretty much fill that with computer chips and flashing lights too. Don't think about it, on to the action."

Fine. Some books are just good action thrillers. This isn't. It's pretty dour stuff.

Deserves some credit for one chapter of some absolutely absurd body horror that does raise interesting questions about crime and punishment ("should space Hitler really have his eyeballs plucked out with a torture machine?"), but it's otherwise a plodder.

On to part three.

[Sandra]

I feel a little bit less lost as to what's the plot than in book one. I still don't quite understand some stuff, but I understand enough stuff that it doesn't feel like just pleasant babble in the background. Mechanicus characters though have the problem that they're pretty impossible to write. Either they'd be impossible to relate to by human readers, or they are pretty human characters with caveats like "he wasn't feeling as human an emotion as rage, he just calculated that he had been done wrong" which sound kind of disingenuous. (Example completely made up by me and more clumsy than anything actually in the book.) I can see why the W40k world overall gets so many fans though. It's pretty cool.

[Derek Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, the middle entry of a trilogy can struggle to find itself among the major points of the overall story.

For Lords of Mars, not a problem:) Exciting, gut-wrenching, introspective, uplifting, horrifying. These are all just a sample of the words I would use to describe the book at differing points. If you got through all of the first book, you owe it to yourself to continue following our characters.

McNeill is doing a stellar job of making the vastly complex 40K world approachable.

[Baart Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as quite as intriguing as the first book because you know the characters, (if you read the first one) but provides greater depth into the mindset of the Mechanicum and as a result is a treat for anyone who really wants to delve into understanding the factional problems within that group.

Introduces a couple of non-mech characters who could have played a bigger role given their charisma but I am expecting they will come into their own in the third of the trilogy which I intend to read next.

[Lize · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic! Taking the Adeptus Mechanicus on a space expedition, with a strong measure of intrigue, is exquisite. Great character growth from book 1 and ending on a slightly unexpected cliffhanger. Book 3 is downloading at present. Similar to Book 1: if you are not familiar with Warhammer 40K or the Mechanicus then the book might be slightly difficult to follow.

[Phil Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of the trilogy. Again quite good. Titans, mystery, AdMech, etc from the first one. Even some Eldar in this one. Entertaining and well paced. The adventure beyond the scar continues and ends on a cliffhanger. I’ll read the third.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

the two stories meshed well but overall served more as a transition than anything else.

[Damaride · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linya Tychon they did you so dirty Queen, I will avenge you

[Jacob Bennike · Rating 2 out of 5]

All is glass…

What a weird book. It’s not bad as such, but it’s only half a book, ending with a nice “to be concluded in Gods of Mars, which can’t earn it a good rating from me.

[Igc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meh

[Brother · Rating 1 out of 5]

Battles for the title "The worst WH40k book produced"

[Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grim fun

[mcnooge · Rating 5 out of 5]

All hail the Omnissiah

[Nick Caris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot better pacing than the first book and great settup of the story. Love the more fleshed out characters, although sad that we won't see them all back in the next book

[Hajdu Marcell · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was slow at the beginning, but the turns were keeping me hooked till the end.

"I am an Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus," said Kotov. " I can do whatever I want."

[Harry MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong 3 1/2 stars 🌟

[Callum Shephard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you ever get the feeling as if a single story was stretched out to cover multiple instalments? You know, when you’re watching something and it just feels as if every new part you see is an extended act of a tale. That’s almost what Lords of Mars feels like. In the review of Priests of Mars it was noted that the tale felt less like the plot of a book and more like it was simply Part 1 of a tale. That carries on here, with Lords of Mars seeming less like a novel and more like “Priests of Mars: Act Two”.

Following on from the climactic events of the last book, the Explorator Fleet of Magos Kotov orbits the newly discovered territory beyond the Halo Worlds. The single distress signal emanating from the planet they now orbit is their one clue to hunting down the last Imperial ships which braved this unknown region of space. Even as tensions flare between the overworked crews of the massive Ark Mechanicus and their masters, the vanguard deployed soon discovers a heresy beyond comprehension…

As you might have guessed from that opening, if you’ve not read Priests of Mars you will likely be lost here. While there is a brief recap covering the events of the last book, many character introductions and relationships go unmentioned along with many need-to-know elements. This will lock out any new readers, but it does mean that the story gets to the point very quickly placing too much emphasis upon reintroductions.

While characters such as the Black Templars are quickly covered again with brief mentions commenting upon their scars and changes from the last story, this is more character development than anything else. Their perceived curse continues to haunt them at every turn and given their losses last time it is only right time be given to looking at their reactions. It speeds things up and means that, when this series is inevitably released on omnibus form, it can be read as a whole story.

The characters themselves remain as strong as ever, each with their own personal quirks and touches which make certain sections from their perspective distinct. Whether it be Robute’s perceived superiority of those born of Ultramar or Kotov’s overriding ambition, there is more than enough here to keep any reader interested. While certain elements have lost focus, this is only to help include certain other ideas and deal with events building up for some time. As such while the Templars and demi-Legion of Titans remain mostly in the background after the first chapters, it’s only to let someone else have the spotlight. Plus it’s hardly as if they have been completely forgotten and they still follow their own independent subplots.

The action additionally remains consistent here as it did with the last tale. Mostly reserved for big pieces or occasionally delivered through disasters than full conflict, it makes sure that the pace rarely drags. Unfortunately while this might provide excitement, there are times when the action almost feels as if it is getting in the way of a more interesting tale or is somewhat forced. A surprisingly large scale battle is soon added to the story very soon after the novel begins which feels out of place. As the start of a new novel it needed a bit more build up, and as part of an on-going story it follows on very soon after a much more impressive major engagement. Too many times these feel as if McNeill had added them out of perceived requirement to fulfil the novel’s required quota of bolter porn.

A further issue that that many of the points brought up within the story are not resolved or directly discussed. While there are some very interesting revelations and character moments, all of which easily justify this book’s worth despite its flaws, too often they seem to only be set-up for later on. While certain elements like the mutiny are resolved to varying degrees of success and give the characters something to react to, others are just ignored. Combined with the revelations provided in the final few chapters, it’s obvious a great deal of this book is just set-up for Gods of Mars.

As stated in the opening, this really is act two of a much bigger tale. In that respect it works perfectly fine, but as a story on its own it leaves a great deal to be desired and offers little to those who did not read Priests of Mars. While recommended for the character interaction, wide assortment of figures and a very interesting plot hook, too much payoff here is being saved for the finale of this trilogy.

[Michael Knolla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suffers for being a middle chapter that is expected to convey too much. While the deeper delving into individual character arcs is positive too many loose threads must be rapidly tied off in the final chapters. Too often this is done in unsatisfactory/perfunctory ways highlighting the re-narrowing of focus.

[Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second installment of the trilogy. It’s mostly action and it’s good at what it does.

Our explorers found what they were looking for but it wasn’t what they were looking for. Yadda yadda another clue comes and off to the next destination.

It’s a very fantastical sci fi. Zealots to the machine.

One more to go!

[Korneliusz IV · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one but still very enjoyable. The final act was a bit rushed and it felt that the writer wasn't as confident. Still the Omnisaiah approves 👍

[Jamie Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog


Book two of the Adeptus Mechanicus series, LORDS OF MARS (Black Library, 2014) represents the next stage of the journey beyond the Halo Scar. The series continues with the same cast as PRIESTS OF MARS. We find the Black Templars struggling the the loss of their chaplain, which contrasts with the Mechanicus elation that they have managed to make the journey…

McNeill’s characters drive you through this “middle leg” of the trilogy. The Tychon father-daughter relationship is, as in book one, great. It’s a far more emotional aspect to this universe that is present in many 40k novels. Some of the characters

There are other, lesser-examined elements to this story as well, such as descriptions of the Titan Legion crew and their individual rituals. I can only recall a couple of other books which have looked at this very interesting element of 40k lore (TITANICUS by Dan Abnett probably being the best). McNeill handles this really well, and the Legio sub-plot is one of the better aspects of the book.

The actual plot is more limited in scope that PRIESTS, but it does bring us comfortably into GODS OF MARS (the final book in the series). What with the Mechanicus receiving so much attention in the current 40k universe, if you missed LORDS OF MARS when it was first released I’d highly recommend going back to take a look…

[Silicon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mechanicus at the edge of the Galaxy?

It was reasonable.

Reasonable only because I jumped on this storyline late and was able to read books 1&2 after each other.

The story, in my opinion is not worth 3 books to tell it. I feel rather cheated that after the first book (which was not clear to me it would be a trilogy) the second book marches on to a ponderous conclusion that's never reached....

The book is like a Dreadnought with a gamy leg. It hobbles along slow time and never really gets anywhere.

That aside, I think the Mechanicus are poorly portrayed. They started off like Mechanicus, but now it seems the lead characters have lost their "machine personality" and adopted more human emotions just to make the story work. I think this portrayal is inaccurate and not in keeping with the Warhammer universe.

Will I read the 3rd book? If I get the chance I suppose, but I'm not sitting waiting for it with excitement. It seems with Novella's and series the Warhammer universe really does want to suck every penny out of its fan base. This story to me has similarities of Star Trek 2 the Wrath of Khan, sadly missing the iconic Captain Kirk shouting "KHAAAN" over the comms.