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Black Library Advent Calendar 2013 #21
Lucius: The Eternal Blade
Renowned as one of the finest duelists the galaxy has ever known, Lucius seeks ever greater challenges against which to test himself. After the Emperor's Children Legion scattered in the wake of their primarch's apotheosis on Iydris, he finds his way into the domain of a similarly legendary swordsman - Sanakht of the Thousand Sons. But which of these infamous warriors carries the greater favour amongst their new masters?
A Horus Heresy Audio by Graham McNeill
A Horus Heresy Audio by Graham McNeill
Audiobook
First published December 21, 2013
About the author
Graham McNeill
342 books938 followersHailing 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.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 18, 2016
A great epilogue of The Last Phoenix Horus Heresy omnibus.
February 25, 2024
February 2024 Re-Listen using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus IV Shattersong (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.
I generally stand by my initial review, though this is a rare case of me appreciating it more, not through being necessarily being improved by it's place and context within the wider series, which is part of the eternal need for the Forces of Chaos to 'Professor X' themselves with infighting so they don't just win everything all the time, but rather my appreciation for the concise story it manages to tell within the limitations of being a Black Library Advent Calendar short.
At the end of the day, it really is just Lucius rocking up to the the Planet of the Sorcerers (which he hangs a wonderful lantern on by remarking on how on the nose the name is) to have a fight with a character who has magic. plot armour. The action and refernces are cool, but this is absolutely one soley for the completionists, Lucius stans and Thousand Sons fans, as it doesn't really add anything. That doesn't mean this isn't a diverting enough shirt listen.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 11 Horus Heresy novels, 5 novellas, 22 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 6 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.
***
Initial Review:
When I was a kid, I remember seeing a group of rough looking teenagers stomping through the bus station saying (read: practically shouting) they had beaten up the hardest in X, Y, Z towns, so they would have to go somewhere else for a challenge. This is the energy Lucius gives off.
This is a Black Library Advent Calendar short audio drama following Lucius after he has died and come back from the first time and is on Highlander Pokemon quest to be the very best their ever was.
There are some incredible descriptions of the Planet of the sorcerers and was fascinating to see that the Thousand Sons had expert researchers on more than just magic. Possibly the biggest sword nerd ever lol.
The story and fight stop abruptly with the interruption of the vaguest reference to another story, so the whole thing, while well written and nicely detailed, doesn't really do anything of go anywhere.
Also, I just hate Lucius so very much, regardless of his assumed loyalties, unlike Eidolon who, in Noise Marine Boom Boon mode is finally growing on me.
I generally stand by my initial review, though this is a rare case of me appreciating it more, not through being necessarily being improved by it's place and context within the wider series, which is part of the eternal need for the Forces of Chaos to 'Professor X' themselves with infighting so they don't just win everything all the time, but rather my appreciation for the concise story it manages to tell within the limitations of being a Black Library Advent Calendar short.
At the end of the day, it really is just Lucius rocking up to the the Planet of the Sorcerers (which he hangs a wonderful lantern on by remarking on how on the nose the name is) to have a fight with a character who has magic. plot armour. The action and refernces are cool, but this is absolutely one soley for the completionists, Lucius stans and Thousand Sons fans, as it doesn't really add anything. That doesn't mean this isn't a diverting enough shirt listen.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 11 Horus Heresy novels, 5 novellas, 22 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 6 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.
***
Initial Review:
When I was a kid, I remember seeing a group of rough looking teenagers stomping through the bus station saying (read: practically shouting) they had beaten up the hardest in X, Y, Z towns, so they would have to go somewhere else for a challenge. This is the energy Lucius gives off.
This is a Black Library Advent Calendar short audio drama following Lucius after he has died and come back from the first time and is on Highlander Pokemon quest to be the very best their ever was.
There are some incredible descriptions of the Planet of the sorcerers and was fascinating to see that the Thousand Sons had expert researchers on more than just magic. Possibly the biggest sword nerd ever lol.
The story and fight stop abruptly with the interruption of the vaguest reference to another story, so the whole thing, while well written and nicely detailed, doesn't really do anything of go anywhere.
Also, I just hate Lucius so very much, regardless of his assumed loyalties, unlike Eidolon who, in Noise Marine Boom Boon mode is finally growing on me.
September 20, 2025
Quality 2/5
Fun 4/5
"Quality" starts of higher, lightly touching on some deeper themes concerning maladaptive coping mechanisms, addiction and depression.
But progressively shifts this to raw fun/cool plotlines.
Could see readers going either way in terms of enjoyment.
Personally really liked it!
Fun 4/5
"Quality" starts of higher, lightly touching on some deeper themes concerning maladaptive coping mechanisms, addiction and depression.
But progressively shifts this to raw fun/cool plotlines.
Could see readers going either way in terms of enjoyment.
Personally really liked it!
March 21, 2016
Oh man, seeing Lucius in his prime again was a real treat, espeically right before I have to go to a 40 hour work weekend.
Lucius was, once again, glorious in this micro audio drama, and I cannot wait to see more of him.
I truly hope that we get to see Lucius in all his glory in a 40K novel or something soon, but my hopes are not high for that.
Really, a great audio drama, showing why Lucius is the best, and why he wont be beaten so easily again.
Lucius was, once again, glorious in this micro audio drama, and I cannot wait to see more of him.
I truly hope that we get to see Lucius in all his glory in a 40K novel or something soon, but my hopes are not high for that.
Really, a great audio drama, showing why Lucius is the best, and why he wont be beaten so easily again.
July 31, 2025
Lucius has always been an insufferable cringing vain swordsman, and death has not made him any more likeable.
Following his Primarch's apotheosis in "Angels Extermninatus" Lucius has decided to walk his own path, tracking down the best duelists among the Legions so that he can defeat them. Making his way to the Planet of the Sorceror's he challenges Sanakht to a duel.
Following his Primarch's apotheosis in "Angels Extermninatus" Lucius has decided to walk his own path, tracking down the best duelists among the Legions so that he can defeat them. Making his way to the Planet of the Sorceror's he challenges Sanakht to a duel.
January 18, 2025
I loved this, directly follows the aftermath of when lucious fought and lost to a raven guard. Anyone interested in lucious and his where abouts will enjoy this.
Collected in legacies of betrayal book.
Collected in legacies of betrayal book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2026
I like Lucius, I really do. I feel like he's one of the better characters to come out of Graham McNeill's rendition of Fulgrim and the 3rd. That being said, this is a 10-minute audio drama of him fighting a random sorcerer that's also a sword nerd. Fun, but highly skippable.
May 25, 2022
Always nice to have more Lucius even though it is a very short audio drama.
November 12, 2024
Lucius the defeated by Ahriman the goat 🗣🔥🗣🔥🗣🔥🗣🔥
January 5, 2026
Typical Lucius, a petulant child. Was really hoping Azak Ahriman would've put him down.
July 4, 2024
My man wont stop until he dies the way he wants to.
March 26, 2014
McNeill can write, and write well. There are a number of well done pieces of his fiction within the 40k universe, though most of them are longer works, and I am willing to bet all of them are longer than 'Lucius: The Eternal Blade'.
Released as part of the Black Library's Advent Day releases (Day 21) at a price of $4.99, I had a large feeling of being ripped off when this story finished playing. Loaned to me by a friend, I was excited to hear about Lucius' further adventures after his legion started to fall apart. I admit, I have never really been a fan of the character, but there were things about him that interested me into wanting to listen to this piece.
First off, the audio aspect of the story was amazing. The voices were chosen well, the sound effects eerie and suiting to the new home of the Thousand Sons, and all in all it helped to pull me into the story. If I was judging on that aspect alone, this story would have ranked far, far higher. The production company Black Library has chosen to do their audio dramas and books is an amazing company and I love their work.
However, the issue with this story is, well, the story itself. Though McNeill can write, and do it well, it seems as if he was stuck when it came to writing a extremely short piece such as this. Ask anyone to write a piece of flash fiction and they will usually relate as to how difficult it can be to fit both character development and plot progression into the piece.
'The Eternal Blade' tries to do both of these, and though we see a little development of Lucius' character through mentions of his death, time with his legion as it falls apart, as well as his continual hunt for new people to fight, the actual story itself falls flat. The climax of the story, the sword fight between the two warriors, is short, uninteresting and pretty much pointless. With the entire story building up to this one fight, the fact that it doesn't last is disappointing and hollow. A kind of literary set of blue balls as it were.
Sadly, the extremely high price Black Library is charging for such a short audio piece is the final nail in the coffin. The story just isn't that interesting, the character development only mildly more so, and despite the superb audio and voice work, 'Lucius: The Eternal Blade' is far from worth picking up, or its price. I do not recommend this piece to anyone unless you are an extremely avid Emperor's Children fan.
Released as part of the Black Library's Advent Day releases (Day 21) at a price of $4.99, I had a large feeling of being ripped off when this story finished playing. Loaned to me by a friend, I was excited to hear about Lucius' further adventures after his legion started to fall apart. I admit, I have never really been a fan of the character, but there were things about him that interested me into wanting to listen to this piece.
First off, the audio aspect of the story was amazing. The voices were chosen well, the sound effects eerie and suiting to the new home of the Thousand Sons, and all in all it helped to pull me into the story. If I was judging on that aspect alone, this story would have ranked far, far higher. The production company Black Library has chosen to do their audio dramas and books is an amazing company and I love their work.
However, the issue with this story is, well, the story itself. Though McNeill can write, and do it well, it seems as if he was stuck when it came to writing a extremely short piece such as this. Ask anyone to write a piece of flash fiction and they will usually relate as to how difficult it can be to fit both character development and plot progression into the piece.
'The Eternal Blade' tries to do both of these, and though we see a little development of Lucius' character through mentions of his death, time with his legion as it falls apart, as well as his continual hunt for new people to fight, the actual story itself falls flat. The climax of the story, the sword fight between the two warriors, is short, uninteresting and pretty much pointless. With the entire story building up to this one fight, the fact that it doesn't last is disappointing and hollow. A kind of literary set of blue balls as it were.
Sadly, the extremely high price Black Library is charging for such a short audio piece is the final nail in the coffin. The story just isn't that interesting, the character development only mildly more so, and despite the superb audio and voice work, 'Lucius: The Eternal Blade' is far from worth picking up, or its price. I do not recommend this piece to anyone unless you are an extremely avid Emperor's Children fan.
November 3, 2015
This story follows Lucius from the events in the novel Angel Exterminatus and ties-in with the audio drama Thief of Revelations.
Lucius is still smarting from his demise at the the hands of a Raven Guard warrior, eager to prove his worth and skill he seeks out the best swordsman of the Thousand Sons legion. While the story is short, the Black Library's audio dramas are really benefiting from being voiced by a whole cast of voice actors. Brilliantly acted with vivid descriptions of the Planet of the Sorcerers the listener is treated to an action packed story set in a well developed landscape.
The story has a good ending with the intervention of a popular character who has a destiny all of his own with hints of what is to come later.
While the plot is primarily about Lucius there is a clear intent by the author Graham McNeill to lay the foundations to his upcoming Thousand Sons novel The Crimson King.
Lucius is still smarting from his demise at the the hands of a Raven Guard warrior, eager to prove his worth and skill he seeks out the best swordsman of the Thousand Sons legion. While the story is short, the Black Library's audio dramas are really benefiting from being voiced by a whole cast of voice actors. Brilliantly acted with vivid descriptions of the Planet of the Sorcerers the listener is treated to an action packed story set in a well developed landscape.
The story has a good ending with the intervention of a popular character who has a destiny all of his own with hints of what is to come later.
While the plot is primarily about Lucius there is a clear intent by the author Graham McNeill to lay the foundations to his upcoming Thousand Sons novel The Crimson King.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews