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Space Marine Battles #14
Malodrax
All-out soul-shredding action from the author of the fan-favourite Soul Drinkers series.
Held prisoner for years at the hands of the Iron Warriors Chaos Space Marines, Captain Darnath Lysander returns to the world of Malodrax with the Imperial Fists Chapter at his shoulder to exact revenge on his one-time captors. But what bargains did Lysander make to escape the world that had become his gaol? And to what lengths will he go to keep those pacts veiled from his battle brothers?
Held prisoner for years at the hands of the Iron Warriors Chaos Space Marines, Captain Darnath Lysander returns to the world of Malodrax with the Imperial Fists Chapter at his shoulder to exact revenge on his one-time captors. But what bargains did Lysander make to escape the world that had become his gaol? And to what lengths will he go to keep those pacts veiled from his battle brothers?
416 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2013
About the author
Ben Counter
143 books236 followersBen Counter, as well as making several contributions to Inferno magazine, has written the Soul Drinkers and Grey Knights series and two Horus Heresy novels for the Black Library. He is an ancient history graduate and avid miniature painter with a bronze demon under his belt.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 2, 2014
What length would you go to achieve victory? What are you willing to give up?"
Malodrax is about Darnath Lysander, formally First Captain of The Imperial Fists who was lost in the warp while en-route to put down a xeno incursion into Imperium space. He is taken to the Iron Warriors stronghold on Malodrax, where he subsequently escapes the prison and then finds himself making dubious pacts with even more so, dubious beings. The story jumps between Lysander's originally imprisonment on Malodrax and then to a thousand years later, where he has escaped the planet and brought back friends to pacify and annihilate both the xenos and Iron Warriors of Warsmith Kraegon Thul on the planet. It is intelligently handled in the sense that Ben Counter writes a three-pronged story, that being from varying times of Lysander and then there is a short of historiography of the planet itself, chronicled by a curious Imperial Inquisitor.
I wouldn't say the story is original, I can go back to The Siege of Castellex which saw a Iron Warriors planet besieged by Orks. Also the Iron Warriors in Malodrax seem to be different. Where those in the novel Castellex seem to shorn all forms of worship to the Chaos gods, those in Malodrax seem to do the reverse. Then there is also a scene where the Iron Warriors wish to impress upon 'someone' their deeds and cruelty to mere humans. I'm not sure it fitted in with (my) impression of the Iron Warriors. That of having total belief in themselves and of iron - they have no time for petty humans and especially no time for bestowing trinkets or showing off to others. A bit of a leap if you know your stuff.
Someone mentioned in a review I read regarding Malodrax that the Imperial Fists aren't shown as super-heroes, that they are fallible. I disagree that they aren't presented as super-beings, I mean they seem to go through everything they face (including Iron Warriors with ten thousand years of war behind them) like a knife through butter. Fallible, yes, but only Lysander who ends up making deals with the devil to save his squad who was ripped from the warp and then by extension, off planet.
A interesting posit by the author was how he presented to the reader that the planet was alive. Sounds silly right? Yes it reads silly also. However, it is much more subtle than thrown into the readers face - most of the time it is hinted at by highlighting the mirror conflict between Warsmith Thul and a lovely Chaos prince named Shalhadar. The planet wants them to fight for possession of it, it WANTS to be ruled, but first you must pay for it - the inhabitants pay for it with their blood and worship. Your see through the attrition of himself, that Lysander is affected by the planet. This is certainly highlighted by his return to Malodrax and himself and his comrades from the original imprisonment start to feel... well nothing.
Let's sum up - the story has some very good ideas, but they don't come together well (for me). It's sort of a Labyrinth style tale, which is a bad thing itself, but the portrayal of Lysander was distinctly lacking - I didn't fully understand his persona. He didn't lead the Imperial Fist strike force. Which was strange. He deferred to a squad sergeant. What really disappointed me was how the Iron Warriors were shown as pious warriors. That's not who they are, if you've read any Horus Heresy or 40K then your realise what I'm talking about. A nice touch by Ben Counter was the embodied of daemons into machines, it was rather a amusing idea. Give it a try, you may think differently to me - hopefully you will as I struggled with this one.
Malodrax is about Darnath Lysander, formally First Captain of The Imperial Fists who was lost in the warp while en-route to put down a xeno incursion into Imperium space. He is taken to the Iron Warriors stronghold on Malodrax, where he subsequently escapes the prison and then finds himself making dubious pacts with even more so, dubious beings. The story jumps between Lysander's originally imprisonment on Malodrax and then to a thousand years later, where he has escaped the planet and brought back friends to pacify and annihilate both the xenos and Iron Warriors of Warsmith Kraegon Thul on the planet. It is intelligently handled in the sense that Ben Counter writes a three-pronged story, that being from varying times of Lysander and then there is a short of historiography of the planet itself, chronicled by a curious Imperial Inquisitor.
I wouldn't say the story is original, I can go back to The Siege of Castellex which saw a Iron Warriors planet besieged by Orks. Also the Iron Warriors in Malodrax seem to be different. Where those in the novel Castellex seem to shorn all forms of worship to the Chaos gods, those in Malodrax seem to do the reverse. Then there is also a scene where the Iron Warriors wish to impress upon 'someone' their deeds and cruelty to mere humans. I'm not sure it fitted in with (my) impression of the Iron Warriors. That of having total belief in themselves and of iron - they have no time for petty humans and especially no time for bestowing trinkets or showing off to others. A bit of a leap if you know your stuff.
Someone mentioned in a review I read regarding Malodrax that the Imperial Fists aren't shown as super-heroes, that they are fallible. I disagree that they aren't presented as super-beings, I mean they seem to go through everything they face (including Iron Warriors with ten thousand years of war behind them) like a knife through butter. Fallible, yes, but only Lysander who ends up making deals with the devil to save his squad who was ripped from the warp and then by extension, off planet.
A interesting posit by the author was how he presented to the reader that the planet was alive. Sounds silly right? Yes it reads silly also. However, it is much more subtle than thrown into the readers face - most of the time it is hinted at by highlighting the mirror conflict between Warsmith Thul and a lovely Chaos prince named Shalhadar. The planet wants them to fight for possession of it, it WANTS to be ruled, but first you must pay for it - the inhabitants pay for it with their blood and worship. Your see through the attrition of himself, that Lysander is affected by the planet. This is certainly highlighted by his return to Malodrax and himself and his comrades from the original imprisonment start to feel... well nothing.
Let's sum up - the story has some very good ideas, but they don't come together well (for me). It's sort of a Labyrinth style tale, which is a bad thing itself, but the portrayal of Lysander was distinctly lacking - I didn't fully understand his persona. He didn't lead the Imperial Fist strike force. Which was strange. He deferred to a squad sergeant. What really disappointed me was how the Iron Warriors were shown as pious warriors. That's not who they are, if you've read any Horus Heresy or 40K then your realise what I'm talking about. A nice touch by Ben Counter was the embodied of daemons into machines, it was rather a amusing idea. Give it a try, you may think differently to me - hopefully you will as I struggled with this one.
June 26, 2015
There's nothing "wrong" with the writing or story but I found this book really (really) hard going. So hard going I read another book in the middle.
August 31, 2017
There is enough in here to keep one captivated. One of few Warhammer novels I have read in such a quick time, but I was sick. The start was hard going, but in my opinion this book was thought out well and executed equaly well. If you have time, pick it up and read how grim the "grim dark future" can be.
January 17, 2025
A very mid grade 40K boom. I can’t point to anything “wrong “ with the book and at times it was quite good.
The story follows the 1st Chapter of the Imperial Fists focusing on the efforts of its Captain Lysander. It also has a side story following in Inquisitor in his journey on the planet Malodrax. The story focuses on Imperial Fists against Iron Warriors which is an ancient feud I expected better out of . Maybe that expectation lead to the disappointment when the great clash didn’t really materialize to its potential.
at times it was dull and hard to keep reading . I suppose it’s a very mid grade book with moments of greatness surrounded by stretches of boredom.
The story follows the 1st Chapter of the Imperial Fists focusing on the efforts of its Captain Lysander. It also has a side story following in Inquisitor in his journey on the planet Malodrax. The story focuses on Imperial Fists against Iron Warriors which is an ancient feud I expected better out of . Maybe that expectation lead to the disappointment when the great clash didn’t really materialize to its potential.
at times it was dull and hard to keep reading . I suppose it’s a very mid grade book with moments of greatness surrounded by stretches of boredom.
February 4, 2014
The Review: http://thefoundingfields.com/2014/02/...
“A fast paced, fun and enjoyable read - Malodrax may not be the best Space Marine Battles Novel but neither is it the worst, with Counter proving just how well he can write the forces of Chaos. Unfortunatley, this comes at a price – and his Imperial Fists don’t leave as much an impression as they should.” ~Bane of Kings, The Founding Fields
"Held prisoner for years at the hands of the Iron Warriors, Captain Darnath Lysander returns to the world of Malodrax with the Imperial Fists Chapter at his shoulder to exact revenge on his one-time captors. What bargains did he make to escape the world that had become his gaol and to what lengths will he go to keep those pacts veiled from his battle brothers?"
The fourteenth novel in the main multi-authored series set in the main Warhammer 40k Universe is Malodrax, written by veteran Black Library author Ben Counter. Counter has a sort of mixed reputation with fans and can either be hit and miss - both his early Soul Drinkers and Grey Knights novels have been enjoyable but Battle for the Abyss is widely regarded as one of the worst entries in the Horus Heresy series. When you’re putting Counter in a series that already has a reputation for being incosistent – the Space Marine Battles novels have seen more weak elements than successes, it’s always going to be a risky gambit. However, it’s safe to say that Malodrax is no Battle for the Abyss. It’s not something that you’ll struggle to get through. It is, in fact -a fun, action packed read that revels in bolter-porn, something that Counter is very familiar with writing. If you want the equivalent of a summer blockbuster movie in the grim-dark far future, Counter has established himself as the go-to-guy and that is very much the case with Malodrax.
MalodraxThe event of Malodrax is something that fans of Warhammer 40k lore and particularly those who have read at least the fifth edition Space Marine Codex will be familiar with. However, what will irk some fans is the changes to the story that was laid down in the Codex lore – don’t go in expecting a carbon copy. Changes to the lore will most likely be frowned upon by hardcore fans so if you’re somebody who holds what is written in the Codex as perfect canon and should not be altered in any way, then Malodrax is probably not the novel for you. However, if you’re open to change – you’ll be quickly swept into the engrossing, page-turning and action packed blockbuster that Counter brings to the table.
Malodrax mixes three ongoing plot threads with a mixture of success. You get a segment looking at Captain Lysander’s escape from the world of Malodrax, detailing how he survived. At the same time, you get the return of Lysander to the Imperial Fists and how the Chapter returns to the world to take revenge. Rather than be told in act breaks, the plots alternate every few chapters, which can make it difficult to follow especially with this many threads. Counter keeps the two entries separate which prevents them from being cluttered and even more complicated as a result, but you can’t help feeling that it would have been better if he’d split the book into the standard acts, shown how Lysander escaped from the prison first before showing him and his fellow Imperial Fists returning to extract revenge. However, that’s only the two main stories. One that doesn’t feel as successful as the main narrative primarily because it explores a different group altogether, and it seems its only purpose is to explore Malodrax in more depth that couldn’t be covered in the main story. This feels like the weakest part of the novel and it probably would have been better had Counter focused on the Imperial Fists and left the other group out of the storyline.
One thing that Counter does well is write the Chaos element of a novel. He really gets it. Regardless of what you may think of Counter’s writing you can’t help but argue that he’s one of the best people in Black Library’s writing stable when it comes to handling the worlds within the Eye of Terror and exploring them in all their full and gory detail – and it really works here. However, it comes as a price – the Chaos elements come at a cost to Counter’s ability to write Imperial Fists, and instead of feeling like the strongest elements of the characters like they should be, the Imperial Fists themselves feel flat with Lysander’s character only being really memorable because he is such an iconic character in Warhammer 40k lore.
If you enjoy Counter’s ability to write portrayals of Chaos forces and don’t mind a divergence from canon and don’t mind a fun bolter-porn read, then Malodrax comes recommended. Don’t expect an amazing novel by any means, but Malodrax is far from the worst book in Black Library’s arsenal and is something that can be cautiously recommended if you are familiar with the Warhammer 40,000 Universe.
VERDICT: 3/5
SPACE MARINE BATTLES NOVELS: Rynn’s World by Steve Parker, Helsreach by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Hunt for Voldorius by Andy Hoare, The Purging of Kadillus by Gav Thorpe, Fall of Damnos by Nick Kyme, Battle of the Fang by Chris Wraight, The Gildar Rift by Sarah Cawkwell, Legion of the Damned by Rob Sanders, Architect of Fate by Various Authors, Wrath of Iron by Chris Wraight, The Siege of Castellax by C.L. Werner, The Death of Antagonis by David Annandale, Death of Integrity by Guy Hayley, Malodrax by Ben Counter
“A fast paced, fun and enjoyable read - Malodrax may not be the best Space Marine Battles Novel but neither is it the worst, with Counter proving just how well he can write the forces of Chaos. Unfortunatley, this comes at a price – and his Imperial Fists don’t leave as much an impression as they should.” ~Bane of Kings, The Founding Fields
"Held prisoner for years at the hands of the Iron Warriors, Captain Darnath Lysander returns to the world of Malodrax with the Imperial Fists Chapter at his shoulder to exact revenge on his one-time captors. What bargains did he make to escape the world that had become his gaol and to what lengths will he go to keep those pacts veiled from his battle brothers?"
The fourteenth novel in the main multi-authored series set in the main Warhammer 40k Universe is Malodrax, written by veteran Black Library author Ben Counter. Counter has a sort of mixed reputation with fans and can either be hit and miss - both his early Soul Drinkers and Grey Knights novels have been enjoyable but Battle for the Abyss is widely regarded as one of the worst entries in the Horus Heresy series. When you’re putting Counter in a series that already has a reputation for being incosistent – the Space Marine Battles novels have seen more weak elements than successes, it’s always going to be a risky gambit. However, it’s safe to say that Malodrax is no Battle for the Abyss. It’s not something that you’ll struggle to get through. It is, in fact -a fun, action packed read that revels in bolter-porn, something that Counter is very familiar with writing. If you want the equivalent of a summer blockbuster movie in the grim-dark far future, Counter has established himself as the go-to-guy and that is very much the case with Malodrax.
MalodraxThe event of Malodrax is something that fans of Warhammer 40k lore and particularly those who have read at least the fifth edition Space Marine Codex will be familiar with. However, what will irk some fans is the changes to the story that was laid down in the Codex lore – don’t go in expecting a carbon copy. Changes to the lore will most likely be frowned upon by hardcore fans so if you’re somebody who holds what is written in the Codex as perfect canon and should not be altered in any way, then Malodrax is probably not the novel for you. However, if you’re open to change – you’ll be quickly swept into the engrossing, page-turning and action packed blockbuster that Counter brings to the table.
Malodrax mixes three ongoing plot threads with a mixture of success. You get a segment looking at Captain Lysander’s escape from the world of Malodrax, detailing how he survived. At the same time, you get the return of Lysander to the Imperial Fists and how the Chapter returns to the world to take revenge. Rather than be told in act breaks, the plots alternate every few chapters, which can make it difficult to follow especially with this many threads. Counter keeps the two entries separate which prevents them from being cluttered and even more complicated as a result, but you can’t help feeling that it would have been better if he’d split the book into the standard acts, shown how Lysander escaped from the prison first before showing him and his fellow Imperial Fists returning to extract revenge. However, that’s only the two main stories. One that doesn’t feel as successful as the main narrative primarily because it explores a different group altogether, and it seems its only purpose is to explore Malodrax in more depth that couldn’t be covered in the main story. This feels like the weakest part of the novel and it probably would have been better had Counter focused on the Imperial Fists and left the other group out of the storyline.
One thing that Counter does well is write the Chaos element of a novel. He really gets it. Regardless of what you may think of Counter’s writing you can’t help but argue that he’s one of the best people in Black Library’s writing stable when it comes to handling the worlds within the Eye of Terror and exploring them in all their full and gory detail – and it really works here. However, it comes as a price – the Chaos elements come at a cost to Counter’s ability to write Imperial Fists, and instead of feeling like the strongest elements of the characters like they should be, the Imperial Fists themselves feel flat with Lysander’s character only being really memorable because he is such an iconic character in Warhammer 40k lore.
If you enjoy Counter’s ability to write portrayals of Chaos forces and don’t mind a divergence from canon and don’t mind a fun bolter-porn read, then Malodrax comes recommended. Don’t expect an amazing novel by any means, but Malodrax is far from the worst book in Black Library’s arsenal and is something that can be cautiously recommended if you are familiar with the Warhammer 40,000 Universe.
VERDICT: 3/5
SPACE MARINE BATTLES NOVELS: Rynn’s World by Steve Parker, Helsreach by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Hunt for Voldorius by Andy Hoare, The Purging of Kadillus by Gav Thorpe, Fall of Damnos by Nick Kyme, Battle of the Fang by Chris Wraight, The Gildar Rift by Sarah Cawkwell, Legion of the Damned by Rob Sanders, Architect of Fate by Various Authors, Wrath of Iron by Chris Wraight, The Siege of Castellax by C.L. Werner, The Death of Antagonis by David Annandale, Death of Integrity by Guy Hayley, Malodrax by Ben Counter
April 4, 2023
I can't praise this book highly enough.
Three interwoven narratives (one taking place a thousand years earlier and featuring the same main protagonist, Darnath Lysander), each one as action packed and engaging as the next. Ben Counter's writing is superb and with the planet he's created, one of "hells within hells" he's brought a Clive Barker feel to the Warhammer universe.
I should point out this is the first Warhammer novel I've read and I read it cold, knowing almost nothing about this universe. (Something I've corrected now).
I plan to read a lot more Counter and Warhammer from now on. If they're all as good as this one, I think I've found my favourite SF series.
Three interwoven narratives (one taking place a thousand years earlier and featuring the same main protagonist, Darnath Lysander), each one as action packed and engaging as the next. Ben Counter's writing is superb and with the planet he's created, one of "hells within hells" he's brought a Clive Barker feel to the Warhammer universe.
I should point out this is the first Warhammer novel I've read and I read it cold, knowing almost nothing about this universe. (Something I've corrected now).
I plan to read a lot more Counter and Warhammer from now on. If they're all as good as this one, I think I've found my favourite SF series.
July 16, 2017
This book shows at what lengths a space marine is willing to go, in order to take his revenge. I thing that the book is well written, and the passing from chapter to chapter is good, and for me , with no boring parts. I enjoyed it very much.
May 9, 2022
Quite fun.
November 13, 2022
The world of Malodrax manipulates the Imperial Fists and the Iron Warriors.
December 8, 2025
If there was a signifier to show which chapter was in which part of the story's timeline, then it would be easier to follow. It's great, otherwise.
April 13, 2014
I was a mite worried opening up this book's jacket. Ben is a decent write, but these are Space Marines.
And we don't forget the Soul Drinker Abomination Trilogy.
What's more is that he is now writing about the Imperial Fists, a chapter/legion rich in history and legend, not some disposable made-up chapter for his own devising (yes, I am well aware all the components of this mythology are made up).
Lysander's tale is a good one. A lost hero from his Legion, he washes up out of the warp after 1,000 years. Lost in Chaos after a horrific defeat, he returns to the 'here and now'. He's been proven to still be untainted, still pure grade-a psychotic fighting machine. So they suit him up and send him back with 30 fellows to punish the monsters who have been torturing him for the last aeon.
His tale of return-and-revenge is overlaid with his tale of what-happened-the-first-time-around, in interleaving chapters. All in all, the book is vaguely reminiscent of Memento, where you realize you are watching two separate stories (albeit those two are converging).
There are problems here, though. Big shocker. There has to be a dramatic reveal, so Lysander has to have hidden some details from the Inquisition/Interrogation upon returning to real time. Which would have been utterly impossible. It breaks canon. Ben again discards items of canon that he finds uncomfortable for his narrative. The Space Marine Legion/Chapter psycho-conditioning and indoctrination would disallow for some of the moral ambiguity Lysander is running into.
Moreso, in this new attempt at tale-telling, Ben introduces us to rage, which is probably his attempt to steel up the assassination of canon. Oh yes, Lysander is very mad he is not a proper Space Marine. Very angry. Wrathful. FULL of rage. Except its just a word. Rage should be enormous and force very stupid people to do pretty short-sighted things. Otherwise, its just anger, and its easily controlled. Like Lysander finds the ability to do.
There are nice things in here. Lysander's flying dutchman compatriot Ha... umm.. Haleastus, was a great idea... but was pretty much ignored. ANother brother, Skelpis by name, ran through the same unimaginable ordeal, only to die offstage in the beginning of the book for no real purpose. In fact, he should have even been in the story. You deliberately took a solider out of the hospital and put him in a triage unit on a warship, where he could lay and... not contribute in any meaningful way? That was dumb, sorry.
My real hope for Ben's next book is that they return him to another fictitious chapter/legion so he can't damage anything that is is value to the franchise. Someone get this guy a copy of Abnett's books so he can understand the laws of the 40k universe.
And we don't forget the Soul Drinker Abomination Trilogy.
What's more is that he is now writing about the Imperial Fists, a chapter/legion rich in history and legend, not some disposable made-up chapter for his own devising (yes, I am well aware all the components of this mythology are made up).
Lysander's tale is a good one. A lost hero from his Legion, he washes up out of the warp after 1,000 years. Lost in Chaos after a horrific defeat, he returns to the 'here and now'. He's been proven to still be untainted, still pure grade-a psychotic fighting machine. So they suit him up and send him back with 30 fellows to punish the monsters who have been torturing him for the last aeon.
His tale of return-and-revenge is overlaid with his tale of what-happened-the-first-time-around, in interleaving chapters. All in all, the book is vaguely reminiscent of Memento, where you realize you are watching two separate stories (albeit those two are converging).
There are problems here, though. Big shocker. There has to be a dramatic reveal, so Lysander has to have hidden some details from the Inquisition/Interrogation upon returning to real time. Which would have been utterly impossible. It breaks canon. Ben again discards items of canon that he finds uncomfortable for his narrative. The Space Marine Legion/Chapter psycho-conditioning and indoctrination would disallow for some of the moral ambiguity Lysander is running into.
Moreso, in this new attempt at tale-telling, Ben introduces us to rage, which is probably his attempt to steel up the assassination of canon. Oh yes, Lysander is very mad he is not a proper Space Marine. Very angry. Wrathful. FULL of rage. Except its just a word. Rage should be enormous and force very stupid people to do pretty short-sighted things. Otherwise, its just anger, and its easily controlled. Like Lysander finds the ability to do.
There are nice things in here. Lysander's flying dutchman compatriot Ha... umm.. Haleastus, was a great idea... but was pretty much ignored. ANother brother, Skelpis by name, ran through the same unimaginable ordeal, only to die offstage in the beginning of the book for no real purpose. In fact, he should have even been in the story. You deliberately took a solider out of the hospital and put him in a triage unit on a warship, where he could lay and... not contribute in any meaningful way? That was dumb, sorry.
My real hope for Ben's next book is that they return him to another fictitious chapter/legion so he can't damage anything that is is value to the franchise. Someone get this guy a copy of Abnett's books so he can understand the laws of the 40k universe.
February 17, 2015
The novel is a strange breed. From one half of the book - it is undoubtedly good then it's writing about Chaos. But then it comes to Lysander and IF - it's so boring and generally crappy, that i dont even know how to rate it correctly. It's like 2 different authors were writing it. Counter explores the nature of a Space Marine in regards to victory, defeat, despair, humiliation and the purpose of hatred and revenge. But i do not have any feelings for his Imperial Fists.
For a more of the intense and darkly beautiful, to me at least, depictions of Chaos that is the aspect of Counter's writing that I like the best, I give Malodrax a score of 3/5. This is a novel that I would suggest most for 40k Chaos fans to try, as with most of Ben Counter's work it's something you'd have to try yourself to see if you like it.
For a more of the intense and darkly beautiful, to me at least, depictions of Chaos that is the aspect of Counter's writing that I like the best, I give Malodrax a score of 3/5. This is a novel that I would suggest most for 40k Chaos fans to try, as with most of Ben Counter's work it's something you'd have to try yourself to see if you like it.
March 11, 2022
Worst W40K novel I've yet read (and I've read close to 100 now), even worse than Gav Thorpe's Dark Angels novels. It was a task to get through, but being the completionist I am I fought to the end, and fight I had to. Taken by it's sum parts this should have been exciting, but it is dull and boring. I was so pleased to escape the planet of the title by the end, I wished never to hear the name Lysander again.
June 22, 2014
Very interesting indeed. My favourite part is the portrayal of Lysander. Not how I expected him, but I have a better sense of his nature. My admiration of the Imperial Fists wasn't lessened, in fact it was probably made stronger. I recommend this to those who like Space Marines or Chaos (which does play a big part in the tale).
September 20, 2014
Finished malodrax-was easily a 4 star!
A unique outlook on a chaos world, the planet itself having sentience and wishing to be ruled, playing its part in manipulating its commanders to squabble to create one worthy ruler. The book Had a very distinct chaotic flavour to it that i hadnt tasted before
A unique outlook on a chaos world, the planet itself having sentience and wishing to be ruled, playing its part in manipulating its commanders to squabble to create one worthy ruler. The book Had a very distinct chaotic flavour to it that i hadnt tasted before
June 2, 2016
I liked the Soul Drinkers books Ben wrote better, but this was an interesting read.
June 10, 2016
I've read other Ben Counter books and enjoyed them but I couldn't finish this one. I thought this book was quite boring.
March 22, 2014
Enjoyable book, this book solidifies Lysander as the coolest Imperial Fist since Sigismund.
May 16, 2017
I don't want to give this novel a star rating, because I don't think I can do so fairly. Ben Counter is a very talented writer, and I've loved many of his 40k novels. But this isn't one of them.
I don't dislike it because of the writing. Rather, I didn't care for it because I found so little to like among the characters. Lysander was unpleasant. The chaplain was as dour and meh as are many of them. The Inquisitor was unlikable. Really, it was only First Sergeant Kaderic, and some of the rank-and-file Marines, who were easy to root for.
And, to be honest, I began skimming/skipping sections describing Chaos palaces, parades, and plays. They just didn't interest me, and they went on and on. So I suppose this IS a fault with the writing, in my opinion.
The more I think about it, the more I guess that I can, in fairness, rate this novel.
I don't dislike it because of the writing. Rather, I didn't care for it because I found so little to like among the characters. Lysander was unpleasant. The chaplain was as dour and meh as are many of them. The Inquisitor was unlikable. Really, it was only First Sergeant Kaderic, and some of the rank-and-file Marines, who were easy to root for.
And, to be honest, I began skimming/skipping sections describing Chaos palaces, parades, and plays. They just didn't interest me, and they went on and on. So I suppose this IS a fault with the writing, in my opinion.
The more I think about it, the more I guess that I can, in fairness, rate this novel.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews