Serpent

The Horus Heresy #Short Story

by John French

Printed in the Black Library's Horus Heresy Weekender 2013.

Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction, 40k, Audiobook

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

John French is a writer and freelance game designer from Nottingham, England. His novels include the Ahriman series from Black Library, and The Lord of Nightmares trilogy for Fantasy Flight. The rest of his work can be seen scattered through a number of other books, including the New York Times bestselling anthology Age of Darkness. When he is not thinking of ways that dark and corrupting beings could destroy reality and space, John enjoys talking about why it would be a good idea... that and drinking good wine.

Reviews

[Seb · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would not call this a 'story', it's essentially only a 'scene'. It has no bearing on and makes no contribution to the wider Horus Heresy (or even 40K) narrative.

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Davinite Priest interrupts a Chaos ceremony. The faithful that have gathered are disturbed by his powers, never truly expecting such an exhibition of the primordial powers to be displayed.

I like the atmosphere of the story, but it lacks purpose. It is unclear what part of the larger narrative this serves, like a scene from a much larger story.

[Dylan Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

a supremely interesting short on some of the activities of the Serpent cult from Davin. Really interesting work, and I really liked the whole smoke serpent thing. Great idea for a being from the warp!

[RatGrrrl · Rating 2 out of 5]

March 2024 Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus X Shadow Crusade III Chosen of Chaos (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.

Originally released as a Horus Heresy Weekender 2013 exclusive this is an extremely short story about a Davinite priest causing a scene in a Dark Mechanicus fane...because they are unholier than thou, maybe?

I listened to this twice because it's ten minutes long and I thought I had ADHD'd away during it and missed something, but it really is just a more devout priest of Chaos rocking up and taking over an already profane congregation because reasons.

The writing and performance are fine, and I get what French is trying to put down--inter-Chaos conflicts and the less unholy being perturbed by the strangeness of the gifts the zealots receive are things that happen to be aware of, but this just happens.

Maybe it plays into something else and will mean more on a grander scale, but this was a scene essentially devoid of story and, even for the absolute completionist who wants to experience all the things regardless of how pointless they are that I am, this seems really kinda pointless, which is a real sHke as French can be amazing and there's nothing else wrong with this.

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 18.41 Horus Heresy novels, 11 novellas, 49 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 9 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.

[Regan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pointless book

[Troy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much of anything at all happen in this, one very quick uninteresting scene.
Collected in legacies of betrayal book.

[Tyberius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoopy!!!

[Lucas · Rating 1 out of 5]

More like a scene with absolutely no context. Writing was fine, just pointless. Skip this one.

[Gamer Gamersson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent short story. Not much you can do with something so short, but it sets the stage for Chaos shenanigans pretty well.