Mortarion: Der fahle König (The Horus Heresy Primarchs 15)

The Horus Heresy: Primarchs #15

by David Annandale

Ein Primarchs-Roman

"Verbanne jegliche Gedanken an Gnade, denn die Gnade ist ein Spielball der Feiglinge und eine Lüge der Tyrannen. Heute senkt sich die Klinge auf den Nacken der Tyrannei."

Im fünfzehnten Primarchs-Roman feiert Mortarion seinen großen Auftritt und verliert keine Zeit, der Galaxis seine eigene Interpretation der Gerechtigkeit zu bringen.

WARUM DU DIESES BUCH LESEN SOLLTEST

Der Roman berichtet von den Schreckenstaten, die der Schnitter Mortarion im Namen der Gerechtigkeit begangen hat, und von den Folgen, die es nach sich zieht, seine Methoden infrage zu stellen.

DIE GESCHICHTE

Lange litt das Galaspar-System unter der grausamen Herrschaft der Ordnung und Milliarden Menschen schufteten ununterbrochen zum Wohle ihrer Herren, während sie selbst ein kurzes Leben in Armut, Elend und Furcht führten. Doch Galaspars Sünden blieben dem Imperium nicht verborgen und so verurteilte der Tod höchstpersönlich die Ordnung zum Untergang. Mortarion stürzte sich als neuer Oberbefehlshaber der Death Guard auf die Welt und ertränkte sie in einem bis dahin ungekannten Blutbad. Die Brutalität des Feldzuges entsetzte das Imperium. Um die Schrecken zu verstehen, machen sich zwei edle Primarchen auf den Weg nach Galaspar und wollen ihren Bruder zur Rechenschaft ziehen. Doch der Fahle König duldet keine Zweifel an seinen Methoden, denn wenn die Sense niederfährt, fordert sie einen grausamen Tribut.

Geschrieben von David Annandale
Übersetzt von Bent Jensen

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

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2022

Reviews

[AA_Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Primarchs series of Novels is, I think, intended to shed light on their nature and that of their Legions. Some have been origin stories, others exemplary battles. With The Buried Dagger and several shorts being dedicated to Mortarion’s life on Barbarus The Pale King inevitably falls into the latter camp.

A look at his first action in the Great Crusade, this book shows Mortarion in a his driven, dour glory. Like his brothers Perturabo, Angron and Curze he’s perhaps unexpectedly principled and dogmatic- his methods may be brutal, but then again, so is war itself. Annandale doesn’t portray him as likeable per se, but The Order, his opponents in this Compliance are pretty vile, even by the standards of 40k- every choice he makes is justifiable if not laudable.

As is often the case with this series, a hundred or so more pages would really help- the hints at the Legion’s preparation for this war are tantalising hints that id love to have seen more of, and likewise for the mentions of blending the Terran and Barbarus drawn recruits. Plenty of the Legion’s big hitters get cameos and there is plenty of interest in amongst the unrelenting gore.

If only I wasn’t scared of painting pale colours my Iron Warriors would be getting some allies after reading this…

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*
Some good insight into Mortarion’s character, through the lens of his first campaign and “compliance”.
Good if you’re looking for a bit more Heresy to tide you over until the next Siege of Terra novel.

[Juliano Dutra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[RatGrrrl · Rating 3 out of 5]

February 2024 Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus V Shadow of the Warmaster I Knives in the Dark (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) additional material as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.

Well, this was one way to end February and Shadow of the Warmaster I Knives in the Dark...

This seems to be one of the Horus Heresy novels that has divided people the most, so as always, but especially with this one your mileage may vary.

I enjoy Annandale's prose and think this is a well put together book that does what it sets out to do, but what that is and what the expectations of a Primarchs novel are don't seek to be aligned. In some ways the reading of this reminded me of seeing Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy in the cinema--impressed by the craft, but interminably bored and not caring about anything. While, The Pale King is nowhere near as boring as TTSS, it's always not as masterfully rendered, so it's swings and roundabouts.

Mortarion does a big, mean Compliance against a world that, much like his brothers, Corax and the Red Angel, is a nightmare dictatorship that enslaves the poor and works them to death, and powerfully reminds the Death Guard Primarch of his own horrifying homeworld and his complex layers of daddy issues. For some unexplained or even gestured at reason, beyond its not right for him, the Emperor it seems is unhappy about that she has sent Horus and the Encarnadine Angel to hear the story and tell him he's been a naughty boy.

I think the two things that make this such a disappointment for me are that it's actually written really well and I enjoy Annandale's perspective, and this is a story and a concept with so much potential that doesn't need a whole lot changed to make it so much better for me.

I just can't get past how much this book didn't make me care or take an interest in Mortarion. I totally get that he is a difficult character to write about because he's obstinately stoic, often quiet, and sometimes vaguely snarly mien is difficult to translate onto the page. It's a genuine problem with him and the Death Guard as a whole, with the only standouts of the Legion either being so wildly off the general personality of the Legion or being moustache-twirling bad guys. It's something that can also be an issue with the Iron Warriors, but time and again McNeill does a brilliant job of making them feel unique and Iron Warriors-y. There's something that's such a blank canvas about the Death Guard that they don't really come to life until ole Papa Nurgle starts painting things green.

I know with the myths and legends vibe of the series it kinda works, or rather it absolutely works when done well, but I couldn't help but feel Mortarion was given the MCU villain treatment--completely reasonable, even laudable intentions and drives, but done in the worst way possible for some reason. I just didn't buy it.

For me, the fundamental issue is the lack of access to Mortarion's mind. We get a bunch, but it's all rather perfunctory, aside from one phenomenal and truly disturbing aside about the nightmare creations of his home world's flesh smiths in coming up with a concept that makes servitors actually seem a pretty cool and chill thing to have and make. I needed more backstory and motivation and more concrete comparison of this world with his home, and so much more of tye emotional connections and difficulties he had with that.

There are some wonderful scenes and an impressive handling of the besieging and destruction of a world, but I need so much more than that from the Horus Heresy and a whole lot more of the deal of the person who the book is specifically about illuminating.

I absolutely don't think it's anywhere near as bad as some people make out and I would give this higher marks if it was a Space Marine Battles/ Conquests title, but I also don't feel like I read the same book as the people who loved this either.

Oh well, the Primarchs series continues to both giveth and taketh

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 12.41 Horus Heresy novels, 5 novellas, 35 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 7 Primarchs novels, 3 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...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.

[Simon Mee · Rating 3 out of 5]

'You are censured, Mortarion, and your first command will be commemorated by mourning.'

Fresh from blowing the character studies of Vulkan and Guilliman, Annandale takes the chance to reflect... ...and write yet more bolter porn. Weirdly, it works. This story is perfectly fine from an action perspective. Fun even.

But we're here for some insights. Why does Mortarion go bad?

I can't believe he made them count

There's this concept that Mortarion's methods of compliance were a bit harsh. How harsh? Well, he makes freed slaves count their dead overseers.

'And then there is this tally. They are doing it because it was a command. That's the only meaning they see in it - the meaning of obedience, not the point of the tally itself.'

And that's it, really. The idea that Mortarion's style of fighting is materially different from the average Primarch is a joke. If anything, Mortarion is more considerate than a number of his brothers! His Legion recommends the slaves get out of the way! He even takes one with him to tour the galaxy!

The Death Guard in the "present" setting do carry a distinct sense of horror with their rotting carcasses. Yet in the Horus Heresy they're just some dudes with a predilection for chemical warfare, which makes no practical difference to what the other legions inflict on the average noncompliant human world or xenos.

At least the Night Lords, distasteful or not, are different in their approach and bring a perspective worth arguing about. Mortarion's told off for wiping a savage tyranny from the face of existence.

For humanity to be freed, its oppressors must die.

But let's assume that Mortarion's methods are wrong. That he is an outlier, unlike Angron who, uhhhh, wrecks fetuses... ...or uhhhhh, the explicitly genocidal Ferrus Manus. Does this book set him on the path to Heresy?

Within the limitations of the existing lore, it does. Mortarion's inferiority complex over being unable to overthrow the tyrant of his homeworld is developed here. Festered even. Here he looks at an insuperable problem and solves it. He "frees" the world. Yet his brothers censure him for it.

It would kind of piss you off.

Outside of this book, Mortarion's motivations for joining the Heresy are comparatively weak. Annandale fleshes out why Mortarion holds a grudge. First, he can't do free his homeworld on his own, then he can't do it “the right way” here. It might be just enough motivation for him to try something different.

I mean, not really, but at least Annandale tried.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely cool, but unnecessary

An action packed romp into the early days of the great crusade, where Mortarion was juat trying to find his path and way.
An interesting peek into how justice in the Imperium works, and their checks and balances function. As we all know, not very well.
The book is very well written and fun, it was cool seeing Typhon and Garro when they were just legionnaries, and we get brief glimpses of their personalities, but in the end, it is not part of the core of novels of 40K that are fundamental for your understanding of the story or characters. We already knew Mortarion would come to this decision and learn this lesson, there was no need to see the process that led to it.
While unnecessary, if you like the Death Guard and Morty, this is a fun addition to the roster, just don't expect anything to change because of it.

[Kate Curtis-Hawkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Primarchs are some of the most interesting characters in all of science fiction. Take twenty heavily genetically modified superhumans and scatter them across the milky way galaxy and you end up with an incredibly diverse cast of characters who have all been shaped by their experiences on the planets they landed on. Give them a legion of superhuman warriors and you see even further developments in their character. Exploring those developments, and the upbringing of each Primarch seems to be the overall purpose of the novels in this series. An exploration intended to give readers not only a better understanding of the men themselves but also the legions they command.

In my opinion, the backstory and motivation for each of the traitor Primarchs are significantly more interesting than that of their loyalist brothers. Each of them seemed to have been dropped into a significantly awful world, and each of them has struggled greatly to achieve what little they may have in their life. All of them have very unique perspectives not only on their father, the Emperor but also on the Great Crusade and the burgeoning Imperium as a whole. Mortarion is no exception to this rule, and while the novel which bears his name has little to do with his upbringing, it does have a lot to say about his views on the Imperium.

Mortarion: The Pale King addresses the first campaign that the newly-renamed Death Guard embark upon after being reunited with their Primarch. Mortarion has been called back to the site of the campaign by Horus and Sanguinius to explain why the war he waged was so brutal. Not only in sheer loss of life but also in the weapons and tactics used that led to so much death. Mortarion has left the system nearly uninhabitable, and the Emperor wishes to know why. What follows is a tale of exploitation, slavery, slaughter, and eventual liberation.

This is a book of two halves, one good and one bad. In the parts where we get a glimpse into the thought processes of the characters, both good and bad, we see a depth and a complexity that the author is capable of reaching. However, in the parts where the author is left to merely describe combat or simple dialogue, we see not only a lack of clear reportage but also a lack of quality in the prose overall. Thusly, Mortarion lands in a very strange place when one has to consider its overall quality.

What Mr. Annandale does incredibly well is the introspection and reflection on the motives of his characters and the events that unfold. Mortarion, when the reader gets time with him, comes across as a truly complex and compelling man. He has a deep desire to use his station as the commander of an army to liberate, which is rare in the world of Warhammer. He wants to release the downtrodden and spare anyone who has been exposed to cruelty similar to the experiences of his childhood. He is unwilling to let those in bondage suffer any longer than is absolutely necessary and he has very little patience for anyone who is willing to view human suffering as a single piece in a larger puzzle. Mr. Annandale makes these passions clear, and in so doing, accomplishes the purpose of writing such a book.

This quality of character writing extends beyond the protagonist of the novel as well. Mr. Annandale devotes time to the enemies of his protagonist in an effort to show the overwhelming power of the space marines, but it also leads the reader to an understanding of just how evil the antagonists of the Death Guard really are. By devoting space on the page to the philosophy and world view of the tyrants in power on Galaspar we get a better understanding of why Mortarion has to be so brutal in removing them from power, which builds understanding and sympathy towards the Primarch as he’s questioned by his brothers. These narrative elements which build characterization for the protagonist are brought to their full conclusion in the last pages by the conversation between Mortarion and the citizen of Galaspar who’s been searching for him through the whole novel, and the way that conversation connects everything Mr. Annandale has written is remarkable.

These moments of quality become harder to find in the portions of the book that do not directly involve character writing, and unfortunately that represents most of the story. Most of the book follows the Death Guard as they fight through the hallways and wider rooms of the arcology that contains the seat of power in the Galaspar system. These battle scenes aren’t particularly compelling in their description and they aren’t well-written enough to truly put an image into the mind of the reader. Mr. Annandale doesn’t give the reader an understanding of what the arcology looks like or how the different zones of battle relate to one another. It’s a particularly bad lapse in the prose because what little descriptions we get describe the arcology as an incredibly tight space, which stands in direct contrast to the moments where Mortarion and the Death Guard fight against vehicles inside of the city. Nothing is done to establish the size of these larger spaces, or what they were for prior to the arrival of the Death Guard. A fact that leads to an overall deterioration in the realism of the space where most of the novel is set.

The eventual fight between Mortarion and the reinforcements from the other cities on Galaspar is significantly better written, and it proves that Mr. Annandale is capable of much more than he gave his reader in the first half of the novel. Perhaps this is because the fight takes place on a flat plane of ground, which requires no description at all, but I believe that the quality of the prose surrounding the fight within the capital city could have been significantly improved if it had been focused on one area like this latter battle was. Either that or make the narrative follow one squad so that the character-focused prose could keep the reader tied into the story. Such easy alterations, in my mind, prove there is a better book buried within the one that was published, but perhaps Mr. Annandale didn’t have the time to do another rewrite.

I haven’t yet read a book by Mr. Annandale, but I do know that he has been writing entries in the Black Library canon for some time. I only mention this because I don’t know if these issues with his writing are present in everything that he’s penned, or if they’re unique to Mortarion. I believe that he’s capable of more than this novel represents, and if this story had been focused more on the character of Mortarion than recounting a conquest it would likely be one of my favorite Warhammer books. As it currently sits, I can’t recommend taking a trip aboard The Fourth Horseman with the Primarch of the fourteenth legion.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given that I entered with a serious concern after the last death guard book I read, the buried dagger, which I really did not like, I am happy to say this is what warhammer is all about. It is gritty, it is big, it is horrifying, it is insane it is grimdark. The pale king is not written overly complex nor is it cheap bolterporn. It does not wallow in endless repetitions of combat yet nor does it strand in long high minded dialogues. It is, quite like the death guard themselves, brutally to the point and embodying the "arriving precisely when it needs too when it comes to pace.

I for one loved the detail and time given to the order, the 1984 big brother state that dominates the world refusing the imperial truth. One is almost obliged to compare this order to the hive cities of warhammer 4OK imperial rule and discover how for all it's horror, the warhammer hive cities are not the totalitarian nightmare one might assume, but they aren't because of two reasons; the existence of the imperial cult which does not allow for the sort of nihilistic view of fellow man as the order maintains but secondly and more importantly; because the imperium is highly inefficient. The hives have gangs and mass food riots, cultists and genestealers because of the bloated nature of the imperium as a whole and the hive cities in particular. The order meanwhile is totalitarian lean and mean, sickening in its own suffocating way.

Off course the order and the conflict as well as the aftermath of total destruction serves as a reminder that Mortarion is a flawed and disturbed person. It takes something truly horrifying as the order to make Mortarion out as a liberator and even then more in the sort of destroyer then builder. Good book, good setting up what Mortarion will do in the Horus Heresy, no remarks from my part, might even have been a bit longer.

[Brandon Manzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed encountering mortarion in such a positive spotlight, but I feel the author losses the sense of the book several times. The boom is called Mortarion, but at times I felt as tho the book was about the beginnings of the death guard.

I enjoyed the changing if perspectives between the death guard and the order, but I'm not sure why Typhus got so much writing time.

I really enjoyed the battles and how they were described. The writing and descriptions were very well, just, again, it's focus and identity gets lost at times.

[movedbyair · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10
My first real glimpse into the 40K canon is largely comfortable and expected. The Order are 1-dimensional villains, and Mortarion is the grim-dark universe's simple, destructive answer. Generally not very flashy, but it's always fun to read about such exaggeratedly bloody battles. It's kind of funny that this homicidal maniac Primarch is entirely justified in intent, and had he reduced collateral damage, would be laudable for it.

[Mark Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morty is a damn good Primarch.

[Gracelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This narrowly avoided a one-star rating thanks to the decent prose and amazing audiobook rendition. However, these things alone were not enough to completely make up for the incredibly edgy at times narrative that I find hard to believe anyone above the age of 15 would be able to take seriously.

I adore my real-life Mortarion miniature and really wanted to like this one but sadly, the few good moments of character growth and introspection were buried beneath tons of edgy gore, atrocious worldbuilding and battle scenes that drag on for too long.

I will not dwell on every single element that annoyed me but some honorable mentions would be Mortarion's terrible LARP-ing, the fact that a planetary system that has been separate from the rest of mankind for (at least) centuries speaks the same language and has very similar tech concepts to the Imperium and the cartoonishly evil and highly dysfunctional societal system of the Order.

As for things I liked, Mortarion's point of view was actually interesting once you manage to get past his LARP-ing as "death incarnate." The parallels he saw between Galaspar and Barbarus were compelling (although not entirely convincing at times) and reflected his character well.

However, my favorite part were perhaps the Digger/Sinis scenes and the way in which she perceived Morty. And would you guess it, she is (I think) never mentioned again in 40K media.

[Troy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some cool action scenes with mortarion carving it up with his scythe but there are better books featuring him. Was still pretty good I just had high hopes and expectations for these primarch novels.

[Jessie Shiprack · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great book. Even with little knowledge of Warhammer 40k, I feel people can jump into this story set in this universe and come out wanting to read more or just enjoy the book by itself

[Happy Cake · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maaan, the edge was unbearable at some points.

[James L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look into the mind and heart of the death guards primarch.

[Benjamin Alig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. Unlike longer from books this shorter book was mostly action and very well described. I also find that pre fall mortarion is one of my favorite primarchs.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mortarion shows the reader his innermost beliefs and values, that will eventually turn him against the Imperium. An interesting read for anyone interested in the events of the Horus Heresy and its protagonists.

[Wesley Fleure · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably Annandale’s best book. The primarch stuff is actually good! (I know I’m shocked!!) but the main body/the conquest is fairy standard ‘bolter porn’

Which is a shame. I wish they had spent more time on the primarchs discussion.

Unfortunately, and this isn’t the author’s fault, I find mortarian to be such an unlikable character that I’m always kinda rooting against him. At the first least I feel an opportunity was missed to show the flaw in his ideology and actions at the end in terms of his interactions with the people he ‘liberated’

[Skywalker5853 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Generally speaking, I thought this book was very well written. The action scenes flow nicely, and the dialogue is good. The story sheds light on Mortarion’s personality, but also showcases the tragedy of Mortarion. Spoilers follow. After Mortarion takes Galaspar, he crushes The Order, but instead of liberation, he comes as death. It’s a tragedy, as his hatred of tyrants leads him to become one, and he does not realize it.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent addition to the, often lackluster and pointless, Primarchs series. This really captures the character of its subject, much as Sigismund did before it.

The only weak point here is the monotony of the movement through the hive, which feels like it needs more connection, as the rest of the book is very strong with deep, interesting, characters within and without the death guard.

Many of the books in this series are just awful, but this one really deserves your time.

[Alberto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Conocer más a fondo al personaje fue un punto a favor del libro, porque te muestra muy bien sus motivaciones y su forma de actuar antes de la herejía. Pero el grueso del libro es la primera campaña de Mortarion y su Guardia de la Muerte, la cual se narra con un ritmo y falta de soltura que a mi en lo particular me hizo eterna su lectura.
No es mi libro favorito de black library, definitivamente.

[Gordon Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meet Mortarion - the immortal demi-god with an intense hatred of brutal, oppressive regimes but who also really, really enjoys scything his was through enemies who are inevitably weaker than he is.

Readers will almost certainly have come across Morty at some point in the past, but possibly not as we see him here in his pre-Heresy days as a newly-enlegioned Primarch looking to make his mark on the galaxy and impress his father and brothers. We don't actually get to learn much about the leader of the Death Guard that we didn't already know, but we do get to glimpse fan-favourites Garro and Typhon in their earlier days and, through the framing device, get some insight into Mortarion's relationship with Sanguinius and Horus.

Overall not a bad effort, but with too many fairly drab action scenes this one is probably only of real interest to Death Guard mega-fans.

[Daniel Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giving some much needed and fascinating backstory to the Primarch of the Death Guard, alongside some recognisable characters, this book was excellently performed and paced as it told a classic siege story. Mortarian is given plenty of depth around his relationship to both his adopted father and the Emperor, as well as how he acts with his marines and with the very concepts of tyranny and freedom. As with most 40k books all of the side characters are interesting enough to warrant their inclusion and I especially enjoyed the glimpse into the Order as we usually don't get that side of a 40k story. I also enjoyed the framing device of Horus and Sanguinius judgement upon Mortarian and the relationship between the Primarchs was as well done as ever.

[Mike H · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was really disappointing. I was expecting more about Mortarion's character, his past, his relations with the other primarchs and the Emperor, etc. and what I got was an absurdly lengthy and uninteresting recounting of how Mortarion destroyed "the Order". The minuscule amount of character study that does exist in the novel may as well function as a prologue and epilogue, bookending a drab play by play of how a horribly ran star system gets invaded by an equally horrible primarch who lacks any sort of strategy. To be fair, the morality discussion that played out between Mortarion, Sanguinius, and Horus was a very interesting read. It's just a shame there wasn't more of it.

[Gamer Gamersson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was by far my favourite depiction of Mortarion, in all his traumatized glory. His liberation of a planet and subsequent carrying forward of the trauma of his own upbringing is a gorgeously tragic tale, and is written really, really well. And finally, Mortarion is a villain, so he does not learn his lesson, and instead the seeds of treason are planted. Seeing references to Typhus' future transformation come up here again was also pretty cool - though I can't call it foreshadowing since we all know where we are going at this point. Extremely solid read.

Johnathan Keeble also does an unbelievably good job with the audiobook, highly recommended.

[Mark Marquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

as a short novel, it was alright. the action sequences were decent. it was basically just a subjugation book and how the primarchs horus and sanguinius came to judge mortarion for how he made the planet galaspar compliant (he eliminated all the leadership even though they wanted to surrender; basically, no quarter). this isn't what the emperor wanted, and they both reminded him that how you conquer a world and the surrounding system mattered. (a blockade would have taken much longer and far more resources; but mortarion instead did a spearhead attack straight for the capital planet). 6/10. read this via epub on iphone.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never read any HH books by this author before and was pleasantly surprised. Mortarion who is usually quite a predictable character, was cast in more of a favourable and complex light which I found interesting considering his usually cold calculating nature and the villain he later becomes. The parallels between the enemy that he fights in this book, the tyranny that he fought on his homeworld in the past, and the monstrous entity that the Imperium later becomes is a clever plot device which works really well in this book. Will definitely look out for more books by this author in the future.

[Jacob Bennike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read the Burried Dagger instead, seriously. This isn’t really a bad book, it’s just so boringly inconsequential that you’re really going to get nothing from it. It’s a primarch book, but we learn absolutely nothing about Morty that isn’t soooo much better described in the burried dagger, which is a shame considering that one is half death guard half grey knights.

Anyway, two stars isn’t really for the writing, the writing is good, it’s not even really for the story which is okish. It’s because of how “safe” this book is, it really only wastes your time in the grander HH scheme.

[Cat Face Gargoyle Vesta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made a Mortarion fan out of me. His stark personality, the way his men love him, his backstory (which I hadn't known beforehand)...

The development of this story felt visceral and intense, and the city itself being used as an antagonist was reminiscent of a TTRPG dungeon crawl. It fully immersed me in the brutal and horrific battle featured in this novel.

As of now, it's my favourite Primarchs novel, can't wait to read more of Annandale's Black Library books.