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The Legacy of Caliban #3
The Unforgiven (Legacy of Caliban 3) by Gav Thorpe
The gripping conclusion to the Legacy of Caliban seriesThe Legacy of Caliban echoes down through the ages, and the secretive mission of the Dark Angels to atone for the sins of their forefathers and capture all of the renegades and heretics known as the Fallen. With the most famous of these Fallen Dark Angels – the elusive Cypher – now firmly in their grasp after his unexpected surrender, the Dark Angels are given fresh hope that they can redeem themselves in the eyes of the Emperor. But what game is Cypher playing? What plans does he have? And can the Dark Angels ever really atone, or will they always remain the Unforgiven?
Paperback
First published June 18, 2015
11 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Gav Thorpe
377 books571 followersGav spent 14 years as a developer for Games Workshop, and started writing novels and short stories in the worlds of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 when the Black Library imprint was launched in 1997.
He continues to write for Black Library, and his first 'homegrown' novel series The Crown of the Blood has been released via Angry Robot.
Currently living in Nottingham, Gav shares his home with his loving and very understanding partner - Kez, and their beautiful little boy - Sammy.
He continues to write for Black Library, and his first 'homegrown' novel series The Crown of the Blood has been released via Angry Robot.
Currently living in Nottingham, Gav shares his home with his loving and very understanding partner - Kez, and their beautiful little boy - Sammy.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 3, 2017
Vote: 4, 5
A great grimdark ending to the Legacy of Caliban Trilogy and maybe the darkest ending in Warhammer 40000 setting history, I just read it and re-read it with my jaw open wide. A very good and epic story full of twists and a must read for all Dark Angels fans.
Not best book of the trilogy for me, but one of the best ones (and without doubt the most important one) in the saga of the unforgiven sons of the Lion.
June 23, 2015
Pedestrian at best mediocre at its worst. This title by Mr. Thorpe seemed rushed the entire way through. If I had to note a positive aspect of the book it would be the lack of disjointedness with the novels events and chapters common in 40k fiction. But there is little to sink your teeth into except for a few mundane revelations. Overall, this was a book about something grand happening that in the end has no consequence at all to the first legion in terms of better explaining who they are and what they do.
This is not Gav's fault at all either. Had this story been given more freedom to ply the depths of the Dark Angels and bring some of their unique character to light than it would have been an excellent novel. None of that can happen of course, due to Games Workshop's myopic outlook to its own universe.
In conclusion The Unforgiven is a potentially good novel held back greatly by the subject of its own telling and the head scratching way the Dark Angels comport themselves in universe.
This is not Gav's fault at all either. Had this story been given more freedom to ply the depths of the Dark Angels and bring some of their unique character to light than it would have been an excellent novel. None of that can happen of course, due to Games Workshop's myopic outlook to its own universe.
In conclusion The Unforgiven is a potentially good novel held back greatly by the subject of its own telling and the head scratching way the Dark Angels comport themselves in universe.
September 23, 2015
The Hunt is a never ending cycle....
March 17, 2021
Most of this was a really good read, though the end felt a bit flat.
Something that stuck out rather unfortunately was a conversation between Azrael and one of the chief villains near the end (avoiding spoilers) - they both speak openly about the 'Dark Angel renegades', as if both are quite familiar with them, and to top things off, this villain survives. Minor plot hole, but we spent the entire omnibus being told that if anyone found out the secret of the Fallen it would mean the end of the Dark Angels. Well... if our villain knows it, why hasn't he let that secret out and so destroyed them? The Inquisition don't mind acting on rumour, and if our villain was clever in how he got the word out, he could cause a devastating civil war in the Imperium by getting all of the Unforgiven denounced by the Inquisition? So why doesn't/hasn't he?
Just a thought
Something that stuck out rather unfortunately was a conversation between Azrael and one of the chief villains near the end (avoiding spoilers) - they both speak openly about the 'Dark Angel renegades', as if both are quite familiar with them, and to top things off, this villain survives. Minor plot hole, but we spent the entire omnibus being told that if anyone found out the secret of the Fallen it would mean the end of the Dark Angels. Well... if our villain knows it, why hasn't he let that secret out and so destroyed them? The Inquisition don't mind acting on rumour, and if our villain was clever in how he got the word out, he could cause a devastating civil war in the Imperium by getting all of the Unforgiven denounced by the Inquisition? So why doesn't/hasn't he?
Just a thought
April 10, 2018
This is a satisfying conclusion to the Dark Angels trilogy (Ravenwing & Master of Sanctity being the others) and follows on from Angels of Darkness and Purging of Kadillus. You will need to have read all of them in order to fully enjoy this story.
The story is as complex as you would expect from a book that ties up threads from so many other books, the short version is that the secretive and enigmatic Dark Angels find that their efforts to protect their history and shame leads them into being manipulated into almost destroying themselves and all they hold dear .
This being Warhammer 40,000 there is plenty of fight scenes that are well handled by Gav Thorpe. The best characters are Azrael and Cypher whose clashes are highlights of the book.
The story is as complex as you would expect from a book that ties up threads from so many other books, the short version is that the secretive and enigmatic Dark Angels find that their efforts to protect their history and shame leads them into being manipulated into almost destroying themselves and all they hold dear .
This being Warhammer 40,000 there is plenty of fight scenes that are well handled by Gav Thorpe. The best characters are Azrael and Cypher whose clashes are highlights of the book.
September 4, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyable finish to the trilogy where the ending left me in a proper "Woah" moment.
The short chapters made it really easy to bounce around the many characters viewpoints because at this point, there are many.
I started getting confused by the end (last 10 chapters, as one of the major scenes feels almost too big in scope) but the final chapters manage to not just stitch it all together, but give you a sense of reward for investing in the trilogy
The short chapters made it really easy to bounce around the many characters viewpoints because at this point, there are many.
I started getting confused by the end (last 10 chapters, as one of the major scenes feels almost too big in scope) but the final chapters manage to not just stitch it all together, but give you a sense of reward for investing in the trilogy
October 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this final part of the trilogy. I will admit I was confused AF at the end but i think that was deliberate so that the reader has the same feeling as the characters in the book.
On to Lords of Caliban…..
On to Lords of Caliban…..
July 7, 2024
Amazing trilogy
Everyone one of these books is top tier work and must reads. Complex and subtle but moves at a perfect pace. Really enjoyable.
Everyone one of these books is top tier work and must reads. Complex and subtle but moves at a perfect pace. Really enjoyable.
April 4, 2025
Quite boring.
November 5, 2025
Sadly, a very rushed finish to the end of a pretty good series!
October 13, 2015
Picking up straight after the Master of Sanctity, The Unforgiven describes that the Dark Angels' plan has failed with the escape of Astelan. The chapter looks like it could be turned to turmoil and with the capture of the thrice-cursed traitor Cypher and his revelation that the chapter is in grave danger, the Dark Angels must make a decision on what their future entails. Do they trust the Fallen and follow his guidance or do they risk everything by ignoring him and carrying on as they always have done, casting further lies and secrets on the already allusive Chapter? Supreme Grand Master Azrael and his close advisors must come up with a plan of action to counter the danger posed to them by the Fallen Space Marines.
After disobeying orders and saving his friend Sabrael, Annael is serving a long penance. Under the stern gaze of Chaplain Malcifer, the boring and menial tasks of cleaning and maintenance work have worn Annael’s mind down to a pulp as he still cannot accept that his actions were wrong. As destruction looms over the Dark Angels all Space Marines are needed to fight against the traitors. But until Annael truly repents and understands the consequences of his actions his superiors will not allow him back into the Black Knights. With his strong will (and sometimes thick skull) it may be too late for Annael to help his comrades in the ensuing chaos!
The brutal mutilation on the world of Ulthor has not dampened Telemenus’s spirit. With the Emperor at his side and a new understanding and zeal for his role in humanities’ protection against the Xenos, Mutant and Traitor, Telemenus’s spirit and blood has become ignited! As a reward for his dedication the injured Space Marine is rewarded by Grand Master Belial, becoming entombed within the battle armour of a Dreadnought. Though emerging as a legend amongst the Deathwing for his actions on Ulthor, Telemenus knows that he still has his duty to do and will use his new body to further the Dark Angels’ and the Emperor’s cause.
I was so excited to start reading this book! Master of Sanctity is probably my favourite book that I’ve read this year and the ending absolutely leaves you wanting for more! However, I’m sad to say that I was a little disappointed.
One of the main reason I liked Master of Sanctity was because of the characters Sapphon and Asmodai. Their bitter rivalry caused some great tension in the second book and their very different styles and personalities complemented each other perfectly. In The Unforgiven, they are reduced to smaller roles as Azrael becomes a dominant character. So small in fact, that about two thirds of the way into the book they are totally cut adrift and not heard of again until the very end of the novel! And even then there is only a few paragraphs quickly summarising their fates. I wouldn’t mind so much if there was going to be another book and they remerged there, but there isn’t and I can’t quite understand how a character as important as Sapphon, which the second book in the series is named after, can be so easily removed. It’s like removing Harry Potter from the final book and then quickly mentioning him at the end, so you know he is alive and has survived the trauma the whole series has been building up to.
Nevertheless, the book did have some really good points such as the final battle between the Dark Angels and Chaos. I especially liked that other chapters of the ‘Unforgiven’ were included in the battle and it was pretty cool seeing the difference between them and the secretive Dark Angels. In addition, I did like that Thorpe brought Azrael into the series as he is such an important character and I enjoyed reading about the secrets the Supreme Grand Master knew about the Chapter, such as the Watchers and Luther. Even though I liked Azrael’s introduction, I think it was done at the expense of losing Sapphon and Asmodai. I would have preferred if Telemenus’s had been replaced because I don’t think his story added that much extra to The Unforgiven, I honestly forgot that he survived Ulthor!
To summaries, this was by far my least favourite book in the series and I was disappointed by that. The ending was pretty epic and I think it leaves the series open for later novels by Thorpe or possibly by other authors. I’d love to see a one off novel about Sapphon, maybe him getting his judgement from the Council for his failings with Astelan and his eventual seppuku (falling on his sword)?
I’d suggest this book to anyone who’s a fan of Gav Thorpe and has read his other Dark Angels novels. I’d also suggest it to anyone who is looking to get into the Science-Fiction genre because I think Warhammer 40K have some of the best novels in that genre.
If you are a fan of Warhammer 40K novels please leave me some suggestions on other books to read, I really want to get accustomed with other Space Marine chapters and authors so please leave me a comment with a suggestion or go to my Facebook.
For more book reviews google adam-p-reviews
After disobeying orders and saving his friend Sabrael, Annael is serving a long penance. Under the stern gaze of Chaplain Malcifer, the boring and menial tasks of cleaning and maintenance work have worn Annael’s mind down to a pulp as he still cannot accept that his actions were wrong. As destruction looms over the Dark Angels all Space Marines are needed to fight against the traitors. But until Annael truly repents and understands the consequences of his actions his superiors will not allow him back into the Black Knights. With his strong will (and sometimes thick skull) it may be too late for Annael to help his comrades in the ensuing chaos!
The brutal mutilation on the world of Ulthor has not dampened Telemenus’s spirit. With the Emperor at his side and a new understanding and zeal for his role in humanities’ protection against the Xenos, Mutant and Traitor, Telemenus’s spirit and blood has become ignited! As a reward for his dedication the injured Space Marine is rewarded by Grand Master Belial, becoming entombed within the battle armour of a Dreadnought. Though emerging as a legend amongst the Deathwing for his actions on Ulthor, Telemenus knows that he still has his duty to do and will use his new body to further the Dark Angels’ and the Emperor’s cause.
I was so excited to start reading this book! Master of Sanctity is probably my favourite book that I’ve read this year and the ending absolutely leaves you wanting for more! However, I’m sad to say that I was a little disappointed.
One of the main reason I liked Master of Sanctity was because of the characters Sapphon and Asmodai. Their bitter rivalry caused some great tension in the second book and their very different styles and personalities complemented each other perfectly. In The Unforgiven, they are reduced to smaller roles as Azrael becomes a dominant character. So small in fact, that about two thirds of the way into the book they are totally cut adrift and not heard of again until the very end of the novel! And even then there is only a few paragraphs quickly summarising their fates. I wouldn’t mind so much if there was going to be another book and they remerged there, but there isn’t and I can’t quite understand how a character as important as Sapphon, which the second book in the series is named after, can be so easily removed. It’s like removing Harry Potter from the final book and then quickly mentioning him at the end, so you know he is alive and has survived the trauma the whole series has been building up to.
Nevertheless, the book did have some really good points such as the final battle between the Dark Angels and Chaos. I especially liked that other chapters of the ‘Unforgiven’ were included in the battle and it was pretty cool seeing the difference between them and the secretive Dark Angels. In addition, I did like that Thorpe brought Azrael into the series as he is such an important character and I enjoyed reading about the secrets the Supreme Grand Master knew about the Chapter, such as the Watchers and Luther. Even though I liked Azrael’s introduction, I think it was done at the expense of losing Sapphon and Asmodai. I would have preferred if Telemenus’s had been replaced because I don’t think his story added that much extra to The Unforgiven, I honestly forgot that he survived Ulthor!
To summaries, this was by far my least favourite book in the series and I was disappointed by that. The ending was pretty epic and I think it leaves the series open for later novels by Thorpe or possibly by other authors. I’d love to see a one off novel about Sapphon, maybe him getting his judgement from the Council for his failings with Astelan and his eventual seppuku (falling on his sword)?
I’d suggest this book to anyone who’s a fan of Gav Thorpe and has read his other Dark Angels novels. I’d also suggest it to anyone who is looking to get into the Science-Fiction genre because I think Warhammer 40K have some of the best novels in that genre.
If you are a fan of Warhammer 40K novels please leave me some suggestions on other books to read, I really want to get accustomed with other Space Marine chapters and authors so please leave me a comment with a suggestion or go to my Facebook.
For more book reviews google adam-p-reviews
January 2, 2016
First, I'm a Gav Thorpe fan. second, the Dark Angels are the best. Shrouded in mystery, honor, and righteous rage. This novel harkens back to the contemporary classic, "Angels of Darkness." Unforgiven is the best of the Caliban trilogy in my opinion. Typical military sci-fi action...and the best of political intrigue; and of course, the standard 40K theme of the good guys never REALLY winning. Not a criticism of Mr. Thorpe, just a fact of life in the world where there is only war. (Cyoher gets away again...#8?!?! Oh well, the search for the Fallen must go on. Regardless, I loved the dialogue and interaction of the chapter masters, chaplains, and company leaders- the inner circle. Ultimately, always more questions with the DAs as to what is true and what's not and the final quote at the end that leaves you guessing (or uneasy).
April 20, 2016
I have never read a Gav Thorpe book I did not enjoy, and his Dark Angels books are particularly bloody splendid. The Unforgiven concludes the trilogy The Legacy of Caliban, and it is crammed full of stuff to make the most ardent of Dark Angels fans go giddy.
But the author is judicious with his toybox of tricks n' reveals, and doesn't perhaps deliver everything that I as a fan felt I wanted from this book - but he did deliver what I needed, and that was to feel that the mythology of the Dark Angels space marines had been given a good explore. On the basis of the conclusion of this third part, I don't think that the author is done yet with the Dark Angels...
But the author is judicious with his toybox of tricks n' reveals, and doesn't perhaps deliver everything that I as a fan felt I wanted from this book - but he did deliver what I needed, and that was to feel that the mythology of the Dark Angels space marines had been given a good explore. On the basis of the conclusion of this third part, I don't think that the author is done yet with the Dark Angels...
July 20, 2015
Good ending to the Dark Angels series. In other times, I'd have given it five, but it seems that I am over saturated with space opera, so the usual theatrics like bada$$ space marine action and demonic magic did not impress me enough. Still, the book was full with harrowing revelations and had great dialogue and characters development, which made it a page-turner.
April 27, 2016
An absolutely awesome conclusion to a brilliant series.
April 10, 2017
After investing 1200 plus pages into the Legacy of Caliban, Gav Thorpe pulls out a GW corporate lawyer ending to protect their Intellectual Property! It sucked! I won't read another Gav Thorpe novel for a LONG, LONG, LONG Time.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews