The Face of Treachery

The Horus Heresy #Short Story

by Gav Thorpe

The Raven Guard have arrived at Isstvan V to rescue Corax and other survivors of the treacherous Dropsite Massacre, but the enemy still encircle the world. As starships clash in fierce void war and the life of a primarch hangs in the balance, the key to victory lies in the hands of one Space Marine in the rebel fleet, a warrior who is not what he appears.

Read it because
It bridges 'Raven's Flight' and Deliverance Lost, showing the trials of Commander Branne's fleet as it tries to rescue the primarch Corax from the Isstvan system. And it shows once again that the Alpha Legion are simply everywhere...

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

28 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

Gav 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.

Reviews

[RatGrrrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

April 2024 Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order Omnibus XVII Shadow of the Warmaster III Jaws of Defeat (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy series and extras.

Providing the umbilical between Raven's Flight and Deliverance Lost, The Face of Treachery does a great job of continuing the story of Bran and Valerius and setting up the mistrust and uncertainty that pervades the Raven Guard moving forward, as well as making a wonderful display of the contrary natures of the Come the Apocalypse allies* of the World Eaters and Alpha Legion.

This is one of those stories I must have read once or twice a really long time ago and totally forgot within context!

Just a solid short story and piece of the puzzle offering another perspective on the mayhem in the void above the Isstvan System and connecting some dots that for me just hops, skips, and jumps over the high four into low five line in the quality of the ending and just how perfectly the tone and threads of the audio drama and novel it weaves together.

Great stuff!

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 31 Horus Heresy novels, 16 novellas (including 2 repeats), 105 short stories/ audio dramas (including 6 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 15 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and a short story...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.

[Arnis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dažādajiem Horusa atbalstošajiem leģioniem ar pārsteiguma elementa palīdzību ir izdevies gūt neskaitāmas uzvaras, brutālas un nežēlīgas Imperatora lojālistu sakāves, bet pēc vairākiem stāstiem no ‘’slikto’’ tēlu nometnes, rodas jautājums, vai nesaskaņas un neuzticība pašu rindās nenovedīs uzurpatora Horusa centienus pie nozīmīgākās sakāves.

https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...

[fasz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I AM ALPHARIUS. Nah, this was kinda pointless and shit. It tells us that the Alpha Legion is not like the other girls, but really, we already knew that from their own book.

[Matt Argueta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quick follow-up to Raven's Flight. Seeing the alternate point of view as Corax and the remaining Ravens are saved from the planet's surface gave interesting perspective on what will follow. Corax seemingly escaping through Horus' desire adds an additional layer of complexity that will eventually play out 

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Diana H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alpharius - no more needs to be said.

[Troy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collected in age of darkness anthology.

[Thomas Langley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a little bit more interesting but mainly because of Alpha Legion shenanigans

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Raven's Flight Praefector Marcus Valerius is struck with visions that Corax is in need of rescue. He convnces Commander Branne of the Raven Guard that they must leave Deliverance to travel to Isstvan.

In the wake of the atrocity of Isstvan V, the surviving loyalist fleet are being hunted down and slaughtered. This is a time of treachery, where trust is easily misplaced. A strong prequel to "Deliverance Lost".

[Dylan Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another short following the World Eaters, and it is showing that they are having some changes from where have seen them thus far in the Horus Heresy. The short is interesting, as you really get to see the politics raging behind some of the battle. The other side of the short is the other side of the audio drama, Raven's Flight also by Gav Thorpe. We get to see Branne and Marcus's journey to Isvtvann V, and their reaction to learning about the Heresy. The short ends a great note. The Legion has a lot more to do with the Imperium's survival than I thought!

[Lucas · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed the space combat but was frankly hoping for more. Personally, im not a big 'insert Alpha Legion' to make it a mystery fan. I find that supremely lazy writing. HH has been far more subtle in the past and more appropriately nuanced. Also, why place this short story before any novel with Corvus on Istvaan V? It removes any fear for Corvus in said novel.

Update; Gav Thorpe doesn't get any better in the future with his 'Alpha Legion' pop out of nowhere because of ah ummmm plot...