The Purge

The Horus Heresy #Novella

by Anthony Reynolds

The Shadow Crusade spreads across Ultramar, with the Word Bearers 34th Company falling upon the isolated world of Percepton Primus. As the fighting draws out into a programme of extermination, embittered commander Sor Talgron begins to question his part in Lorgar’s grander scheme – for one who stood beside primarchs and high lords in the grand halls of the Imperial Palace, what glory can there now be in punishing Guilliman’s upstart sons? But the price of doubt is known all too well, and if the Word Bearers are ever to return to Terra in triumph then they must purge the last remnants of such unbelief from the face of the galaxy...

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction, Novella, Audiobook, Action, Fiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published July 25, 2014

About the author

Anthony Reynolds was a Games Developer and manager at Games Workshop in the UK. Since then he's written freelance for a number of companies, including Black Library Publishing, Mantic Games, THQ, Bandai-Namco, Behaviour Interactive, and River Horse Games. He currently lives in California.

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Anthony^Reynolds

Reviews

[RatGrrrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

March 2024 Re-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.

I still think the limited edition and event only Horus Heresy releases were a terrible and exploitative idea and I don't like putting something down to build something else up, but after being so disappointed with Cybernetica this really does have the feel a a premium novella.

This is very much the Sor Talgron Horus Heresy Characters book long before we had the Valdor and Luther ones. The novella is told through a duel narrative of two significant episodes that lead to the evolution of the stoic, honourable and strangely secular Word Bearer company commander to heretical Dark Apostle. The earlier narrative sees SorT sent to Terra as the perfect candidate for keeping up appearances and charming Rogal Dorn with his starched Imperial Fistiness, while on a mission for his Primarch and the Dark Gods he doesn't care for, while the latter finds him in a desperate situation during the Shadow Crusade and the unexpected and devastating response of the Ultramarines to the corruption of one of their worlds that leaves him behind the reach of mere material medicine.

There is just so much to love here and I think Reynolds truly knocked it out of the park with this one. I think the thing that really elevates this into something special, beyond simply being a wonderfully written and satisfying story, is the way it acts as an exploration of what honesty, honour, integrity, and individuality mean for someone who is not a believer, feels like an outsider within their Legion, and disagrees with the direction it is going and actions it is undertaking, but feels compelled to follow orders and commit atrocities, not in the name of idolatry and fervour, but in cold, sober stoicism and dedication to their Legion.

The cognitive dissonance, and even the ability to bypass the need for such aberrant thinking when honour bound and set in a path is fascinating to see unfold, and so much more tragic for the way honour and soul become tarnished and corrupted in the enacting of duty.

Beyond that brilliant thread there are just so many incredible scenes and interactions filled with truly top tier dialogue and some of the most viscerally brutal, disturbing and horrific acts of desecration and horrors enacted by Astartes on their cousins, both with perfidious zeal and frigid stoicism, which only serves to make them more horrifying.

This really has some wild and awful ideas and nightmare scenes and descriptions (complimentary).

Ultimately, this is a book that is written with such quality and care that the characters within and detaild of the setting and wider narrative exude so much more than the explicit plot. It is this richness and depth that really sets this apart as something special.

I can't believe just how much I love this Omnibus and I am so glad I had the willpower to not jump straight to here from Shadow Crusade II, but I'm so glad I did for this reward.

It's Butcher's Nails and Betrayer next! Feels like bloody christmas!!!

Be advised: this book was read and review written, while in an extremely rare patch of not being acutely depressed, so your mileage may vary.

***

This omnibus is absolutely spoiling me rotten!

Proper review later as I had a really nasty C-PTSD episode a little while ago and my brain is still scrambled, but this was unbelievable bleak, horrible, and disgusting...and I adored it!

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 18.41 Horus Heresy novels, 12 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.

[Callum Shephard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest in the rapidly growing list of limited edition novellas produced by Black Library, The Purge sees focus return to Anthony Reynolds’ ensemble of Word Bearers.

The 34th Host, also known as the 34th company of the Perpetual Spiral chapter, lays siege to the Perception system in Ultramar’s Five Hundred Worlds. With the last of the Ultramarines engaged in a bloody last stand, Captain Sor Talgron commits his troops to finally finishing off the remnants of Guilliman’s legion. Resenting his battle-brothers’ urgent need for faith in higher powers, Talgron has become increasingly jaded with their clandestine operations.

Ever the loyal soldier to Lorgar, he none the less bitterly remembers the operations and choices he was called to make before Rogal Dorn at the outbreak of the Heresy. However, the Ultramarines are far from beaten and they yet have one hand left to play. As Talgron moves to face them one final time, the fickle hand of fate may yet tip the balance of power against him…

As you might have guessed from that description, The Purge is far more a character examination rather than a varied look at the entire legion as a whole. It follows Talgron’s role within the legion and just why someone loyal but without faith in the Chaos gods would be permitted to exist following the purge. However, it does so in order to further examine greater themes; about how even the most staunch non-believer of their kind will turn to Chaos, and ultimately what impact such zealous faith has so many of Lorgar’s sons has on them. For remarkably few pages it sheds a surprising amount of light upon the Imperium following news of Horus’ betrayal. It depicts how the Word Bearers were viewed after their time revering the God-Emperor as a deity while at the same time showing the level of preparation already underway for the coming siege of Terra. Preparations both by Dorn’s praetorians and by secret elements of Talgron’s own detachment.

It goes without saying of course that this ties into Anthony Reynolds’ Word Bearers trilogy and many characters who will later become prominent in that series are present here. While the likes of Kol Badar are kept to a brief if important role, Jarulek is present as a secondary character while the book shows why Talgron would be so revered when he later took the moniker Warmonger. Rather than being following Fulgrim however, it does not make the mistake of bringing their story to an ultimate end, leaving them in the exact state we will later find them in the M41. Instead it is far more akin to Angel Exterminatus, setting up many characters and just beginning to push them down the path towards being the corrupted monsters fans know and love. Unlike that tale however, it does not require prior reading of that series to truly understand or enjoy, it’s merely an added bonus which helps to make it stand out.

What remains additionally interesting is not only the intelligent insights on the part of Talgron, with his thoughts on the Custodes, Imperial Fists or the primarchs themselves, but also how both sides are treated. A big problem with any book is that one side may end up being glorified over the other or running rings around them. This can be due to varying reasons, from possible bias on the author’s part, or the researched material used by the author being written by an upstart fanboy determined to marginalise every army besides the one he likes. The last time the Ultramarines and Word Bearers truly clashed it was in Betrayer, and it was easily the worst part of an otherwise fantastic book. Whereas the World Eaters were presented as drooling fools, the Ultramarines were so insanely skilled they could apparently outdo the Imperial Fists at their own game, and only lost due to overwhelming numbers and sheer attrition. It’s insulting as it showed the traitors as utter incompetents, while at the same time carried the message that the Ultramarines need to be better than all others at everything to retain any importance in the setting.

By comparison, both sides here are thankfully treated with far more dignity. While the Ultramarines lose, their tactical genius, sheer tenacity and willingness to sacrifice all in order to accomplish their task means they do some serious damage as they fall. Even before enacting a final operation to try and prevent the Word Bearers taking the planet Perception Primus, those we see are fighting just as hard as the protagonists. When we are first introduced to them, what remains of Aecus Decimus’ 17th chapter are waist deep in a savage melee with Word Bearers’ bodies piled around them, reflecting Talgron’s actions in an early victory. While he is willing to show both sides as the true elite of the astartes, Reynolds is not afraid to show them dying in some truly brutally described battles.

However, as with every book for all that is good there are some problems.

The quality of Anthony Reynolds’ writing here does vary from page to page, and far too often it seems as if he is stating details rather than truly telling them. While there are definitely some fantastic moments where everything clicks, too many times scenes lack real impact or description and seem like run-of-the-mill sections of the tale. A greater variety of descriptive terms could have definitely helped, as could some more meaningful details of the book’s scenes.

Furthermore, while the novella lists a total of twenty-three characters in its dramatis personae, very few of these are of real importance to the tale. Aecus Decimus is largely a background figure, only appearing for a few scenes at a time and while mentioned early on, Nathaniel Garro is limited to effective a cameo appearance at the beginning. This would be fine in of itself, but many of the characters listed obviously had greater potential for bigger stories. The likes of Korolos have the potential for more stories and greater focus to better explain their histories.

While what we get is good it’s definitely hamstrung by the novella’s short length, and this is infuriating given the story potential here, especially due to how much it really harms Talgron’s story. The novella needed another fifty to eighty pages to really smooth things out, as Talgron’s final development is incredibly sudden. He effectively pulls a full one-eighty turn in his characterisation and goes from someone who internally mocks Erebus to a figure believing in the dark gods. If people thought Horus’ turn was sudden, it really is nothing compared to this and there needed to be much more before his revelation took place. Said revelation itself is well written, but there is nothing to really back what happens. No moments of real doubt or questioning his personal faith, and there really needed to be far more leading into the final instant which truly turns him to Chaos. Especially given the sheer amount of information beforehand establishing Talgron as loyal to his legion but ultimately disgusted the methods needed by the Ruinous Powers.

The Purge is a great story, but there was a truly outstanding one here which could have been made were this given more time. If this were released as an extended audio drama or a far more lengthy novella, it would be one of the best releases in the series. As it stands however, it’s merely well above average. If you are a fan of the Word Bearers and want to see a different take on a figure similar to the Iron Warriors’ staunch realists turning to Chaos, The Purge is definitely a book you should pick up. Just be wary that it’s a story that’s more recommended than a must buy when it comes to its price.

[Dylan Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the Gods Anthony Reynolds does do the Word Bearers justice! A lot of authors do them as being fanatical and therefore weak, whereas Reynolds keeps the fanaticism but makes them the super soldiers of the 30th millennium as well. There were tons of scenes that were just awesome, and the writing was just fantastic. The interactions between all the soldiers(both Word Bearers and Ultramarines) was phenomenal. Really believable, drawing the reader in with the characters. Damn good stuff. As soon as a character was introduced, you had to start liking him. Though Sor Talgron, Loth, and the Breachers were definitely the highlight for me.
Sor Talgron, whom later becomes a being known as the Warmonger I am told, is quite the Word Bearer. He still has his honour intact, and is not as religious as his other more zealous brothers. Though after the events of the novella, I really hope to see where he goes with his new path.
Damn good stuff.

Really damn good stuff. As great as ADB is at writing Chaos, I would really love to see Reynolds take the lead from here on out.

[Veronica Anrathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanted to squeeze one last novella into 2018... I was not expecting much, being quite fed up with all the Ultramarines versus Word Bearers shenanigans. This surprised me, an interesting story that entertained me quite a lot. Anthony knows how to do Lorgar's sons some justice. Very lovely.

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captain Sor Talgron of the 34th Host, who first appeared in the short "Scions of the Storm" was previously stationed on Terra, but now hr is fighting in the Shadow Crusade to destroy the Ultramarines. (Sor Talgron later known as the Warmonger appeared in the book "Dark Apostle" also by Anthony Reynolds).

I really enjoyed the characterisation of the Word Bearers in this story. Sor Talgron still has a code of honour and appears unsure of the path his Legion are treading. There is a bit more complexity to him than simply evil for the sake of evil. The book tells a duel narrative that sees a noble, pragmatic and disciplined Marine become a heretical Dark Apostle.

The books contains a lot of great scenes between Talgron and his fellow Legionnaires. The Ultramarines were follow in the story are fantastically tragic, they are "red-marked" and seeking to make up for their failures. The book has a richness and depth to it that really adds to the overall narrative of the Heresy.

The title "Purge" can be interpreted in a number of ways. Prior to the onset of the Heresy, many traitor Legions culled their ranks of loyalists. Indeed the events of Isstvan III (which are addressed in this story as we see the early days of Dorn preparing the Imperial Palace) was a mass purge of loyalist Space Marines from the traitor legions. Also Talgron mentions sending his most fanatical Marines to Calth (which it was revealed was a orchestrated culling by Lorgar, to remove the most unstable of his sons). Further there is a purge of Volkar Wreth, friend and mentor to Talgron, and who is one of the last remaining Terran loyalists, in a sacrificial ritual . Finally "Purge" could be taken to mean the removal of any trace of Talgron's doubts or hesitancy towards the Heresy. By the end of the story he is committed to the Dark Powers.

Both Kol Balar and Jarulek who also make apperances in Anthony Reynolds' "Word Bearers Trilogy" appear in this story, as does Nathaniel Garro from "Flight of the Eisenstein" and Dorn, Primarch of the Imperial Fists.

This story also ties into the short story "Templar". In that story Sigismund leads the Imperial Fists to eliminate the Word Bearers stationed on an Imperial Monument on a comet passing through the Sol System. In this book it is revealed that Talgron is responsible for desecrating the Imperial Monument and preparing the Sol System for the Heresy.

[Jean-Luc · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Lorgar turned his back on the Emperor's light so he could worship false gods, he carefully purged the XVII Legion (Word Bearers) of anyone who could not be trusted, especially every space marine who had come to the legion from Terra. Although this purge was almost complete, there was one last Terran-born Word Bearer remaining: Sor Talgron's mentor, Wreth, has been imprisoned along with the rest of the Crusader Host.

The first half of the book involves Sor Talgron sneaking his way past Rogal Dorn's suspicions in order to free his mentor. The second half is about Sor Talgron's 34th Chapter laying waste to the Ultramarine-held planet Percepton Primus.

No one is on ADB's level in terms of dialogue, but the banter here is still top notch. The Word Bearers are depicted neither cartoonishly evil nor hilariously incompetent. The author clearly knows that there can't be a serious rivalry if one side are jobbers! It was frustrating to read yet another book about Ultramarines dying so cruelly, but they give as good as they get. This novella was so expertly written it made me want to pick up the author's Word Bearers omnibus immediately.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The determination and faith of the word bearers are well demonstrated, and the flashbacks to Terra were a nicetouch, though a little weak, on explaining how Sor Talgron got such unfettered access within the imperial palace.

A decent story for fans of Anthony's previous works, though in terms of Horus heresy impact, it barely registers for me as some of the other word bearer stories already told so well.

[Matt Argueta · Rating 3 out of 5]

With how this story ends, I don't think this is the last we'll see of Sor Talgron. If I'm being honest, there's a large host of "we'll see what happens with XXX later" that I'm seeing with alot of these HH short stories, and don't know if they'll ultimately loop back to fruition 

That being said, whatever creature is being manifested through Volkhar Wreth, and the lengths the Ultramarine will take to ravage their enemies are the core pieces of this story. 

[fasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good story. Despite it being a novella, it has a lot of breathing room to establish itself.
The jumping around on the timeline was not very well executed, but otherwise good characterization of a Word Bearer, and overall well led.
Good action too.

[Jakub Sládek · Rating 4 out of 5]

'You speak poison, traitor,' said the Ultramarine. 'My infraction is as nothing next to the scale of your treachery.'
Such is how all treachery is born - by small degrees,' said Sor Talgron.

[Henry Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. A great look at the last remnants of the loyal word bearers falling to chaos. Mr. Reynolds is a great writer.

[SuáRomXim]

I read this book and then watched the movie...i seems that the story that the book shows is very interesting and the plot is well written.

[Troy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collected in the silent war anthology.

[Regan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story but annoyingly broken up with a back and forth time skip that doesn't pay off well

[Tyberius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy moly. Was a little hard to follow at time due to time jumps. Had to reset once about a ¼ in but it was worth it. I understand why so many enjoy the Word Bearers.

[Jakob M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty solid. Nice way to flesh out the traitor legions.

[Lanfear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me ha gustado mucho ver los recuerdos de Sor Talgron relacionados con Dorn, aunque no ha mejorado mi opinión sobre el. Como puede ser que los primarcas leales sean tan estúpidos? Todo acabará donde empezó... en Isstvan:dice. Jajajaja
Enviar a siete legiones a una trampa tan clara...
A todo esto, solo con mencionar Isstvan 5 se me ponen los pelos de punta, es aterrador. Esos guerreros gigantescos luchando unos contra otros, la pelea entre Manus y Fulgrim, hasta la traición es tan monstruosa que hiela la sangre. Algo realmente abominable, cuantos grandes guerreros habrán muertos en esa batalla.
Sobre la batalla de Ultramarines y los cobardes portadores de la palabra, voy a decir lo mismo que dije cuando leí la batalla de Calth, en una batalla en igual de condiciones los portadores de la palabra jamás habrían tenido una simple oportunidad contra los ultramarines, son la legión más cobarde de todas, más sacerdotes que guerreros.

[Garry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story I highly recommend to fans of the Horus Heresy series. This novella has two plot-lines running through it.

The primary plot of this story is all about Sor Talgron and his forces attempts to wipeout all loyalists on the world of Percepton Primus during Lorgar's Shadow Crusade against the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar. The supprising and enjoyable thing about the story is the Ultramarines and the lengths they are willing to go to inorder to kill as many traitors as possible, this is perfectly shown by the use of a squad of censured Ultramarines.

The secondary plot of the novella is set in the Imperial Palace about two/three years previously while Sor Talgron and his 34th Company were stationed on Terra. Here we get to learn of the identity of all the members of the Crusader Host. Most crucially in this story arc we are shown a horrific plan set in motion ready to imperil the Palace defences when Warmaster Horus and his armies finally arrive.

[Michael Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot on the heels of the 30th Horus Heresy book's official release comes the latest limited edition novella – The Purge, by Anthony Reynolds. It's the author's first Heresy book, following on from a couple of short stories and an audio drama, and is a welcome return to his beloved Word Bearers. Some will undoubtedly wish for a non-limited release, but once again Black Library have produced a beautiful object complete with blood-stained cover and silver page edges. Is it worth the asking price? Irrelevant really, as for collectors and completionists it's another piece of the Heresy puzzle.

Read the rest of the review at http://trackofwords.wordpress.com/201...

[Andrey Nalyotov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic limited edition novella. As a standalone it is an epic and astounding title. The best limited edition from BL to date.

[Ackers61]

40k, what can I say...