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Silver Skulls
Silver Skulls: Portents
The Silver Skulls Space Marine Chapter deploy on the world of Valoria Quintus to combat an insurrection backed by the dread forces of the Traitor Legions. Sent there by the visions of their Prognosticars, the mysterious psykers whose premonitions decree the path forged by the Chapter and the wars that they wage, they expect victory to be swift and easy. But they have not reckoned with their own allies, the servants of the Inquisition who are interested in the Prognosticars, their importance within the Chapter and the possibility that the Silver Skulls may be being manipulated by the very powers they fight against...
Read it because
They may be Ultramarines successors, but they're certainly not Codex-compliant... and the Inqusition wants to know why. How the Silver Skulls work and why it might just be their downfall is explored, with a series of shocking twists that will ensure that you never look at the silver-armoured Space Marines in the same way again.
- GenresScience Fiction40kNovels
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2014
6 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Cawkwell
59 books45 followersA freelance writer based in the north east of England, Sarah is old enough to know better, but still young enough not to care. When not slaving away over a hot keyboard, Sarah's hobbies include reading everything and anything, running around in fields with swords screaming incomprehensibly, and having her soul slowly sucked dry by online games. Her minimum bribe level is one chocolate orange.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 3, 2014
You can read the full review over at my blog:
http://sonsofcorax.wordpress.com/2014...
I’ve mentioned before, repeatedly so, that Sarah Cawkwell is one of my favourite authors right now, and has been since about late 2010 or so, ever since I started reading her short stories in Black Library’s monthly magazine, Hammer & Bolter, which is sadly discontinued now. She’s one of the best examples of fans of Black Library to have come up through the ranks to become a bona fide author for the publisher and pretty much everything that she has written to date has been spectacular or close it, even her original stuff such as The Ballad of Gilrain or Uprising.
Sarah is most noted for her Silver Skulls fiction for Warhammer 40,000 where she has taken the so-named Space Marine Chapter under her umbrella and told some really fascinating stories about characters from across the Chapter’s many and varied ranks. The most recent Silver Skulls fiction is the (currently) digital-only novel Portents, released just a few weeks ago. In it, she carries forwards threads she introduced in her previous work, whether short stories or her debut novel The Gildar Rift, and it is a most satisfying read indeed. It was great to have Sergeant Gileas Ur’ten back again for another outing, a sizable one this time, and the exploration of the Chapter culture in itself was most fascinating.
The primary plotline of the novel is that in recent years the Silver Skulls have come to the attention of the Inquisition. Specifically, Ordo Hereticus, the Ordo Majoris tasked with rooting out heresy and deviancy across all branches of the Imperium. Reports of over-reliance on the Chapter’s Librarius brotherhood, the Prognosticatum, have given the Inquisitor-Lords of Hereticus pause, as have some abnormalities in the Silver Skulls’ tithed gene-seed to the Adeptus Mechanicus. As such, an Inquisitor is sent to the Chapter’s homeworld Varsavia to gather evidence of these claims and gain confirmation. It is certainly an interesting twist to things and though such concepts have been dealt with before in various stories, nothing so extensive as what we see here in Portents has been shown.
With this entire premise in the background, Sarah brings back the (dare I say it) fan-favourite Sergeant Gileas Ur’ten of the Eighth Company and his Assault Squad for another rousing adventure along with First Captain Kerelan and some of his brothers of the Chapter’s First Company, the Talriktug. It is a great assemblage of characters from across Sarah’s many previous works with the Silver Skulls and it is basically a dream come true for a Silver Skulls fan like me.
There has been a long glut of Silver Skulls works from Black Library, and though we got an occasional story some two years back, Portents is the first novel-length feature to be published since The Gildar Rift, and that was a fairly excellent story by itself. With Portents, Sarah carries forward several plotlines she introduced in the previous works, such as the growing (subtle) schism within the Chapter with regards to how closely the Chapter follows the advice of its Prognosticatum, advice that is mercurial and fleeting and roundabout by its very nature. It is a very important of distinction and that’s what Sarah explores in the novel.
For myself, I was far too invested in Gileas’ personal story rather than anything else. I love the character, have ever since I read of him in Sarah’s first credit for Black Library, Primary Instinct in the Victories of the Space Marines anthology. He is a fascinating character, in part because he is an Assault Marine and I love Assault Marines, whether in BL fiction or in Warhammer 40,000 tabletop. Assault Marines were ever the core of any strike force I fielded during my games and much of my armies used to be centered around getting them up close and personal as soon as I could. In Portents, Sarah give Gileas and his squad a great outing, showing off the Eighth’s preferred method of warfare to spectacular effect, and as always, her action scenes are intricate and engaging unlike those of some of the other newer authors.
But that’s not all that the novel is about of course, and the debate of the schism is reflected in microcosm through the animosity between Gileas and one of Kerelan’s stickler-for-rules-conservative battle-brother Djul, who hates Gileas with a passion and for more than his views about the Prognosticatum. It is a racial animosity, with roots in the specific tribal culture Gileas was born in when compared to Djul who was much more well-off and came from high station, relatively. That Space Marines often have dissent between them is no surprise certainly, even when their differences are theological or tactical or whatever else you fancy. Rob Sanders and David Annandale used the same to great effect in Legion of the Damned and The Death of Antagonis respectively. The animosity between Djul and Gileas is quite interesting and so is the resolution of it post-climax, though it is by no means fully resolved, merely put on hold you can say.
http://sonsofcorax.wordpress.com/2014...
I’ve mentioned before, repeatedly so, that Sarah Cawkwell is one of my favourite authors right now, and has been since about late 2010 or so, ever since I started reading her short stories in Black Library’s monthly magazine, Hammer & Bolter, which is sadly discontinued now. She’s one of the best examples of fans of Black Library to have come up through the ranks to become a bona fide author for the publisher and pretty much everything that she has written to date has been spectacular or close it, even her original stuff such as The Ballad of Gilrain or Uprising.
Sarah is most noted for her Silver Skulls fiction for Warhammer 40,000 where she has taken the so-named Space Marine Chapter under her umbrella and told some really fascinating stories about characters from across the Chapter’s many and varied ranks. The most recent Silver Skulls fiction is the (currently) digital-only novel Portents, released just a few weeks ago. In it, she carries forwards threads she introduced in her previous work, whether short stories or her debut novel The Gildar Rift, and it is a most satisfying read indeed. It was great to have Sergeant Gileas Ur’ten back again for another outing, a sizable one this time, and the exploration of the Chapter culture in itself was most fascinating.
The primary plotline of the novel is that in recent years the Silver Skulls have come to the attention of the Inquisition. Specifically, Ordo Hereticus, the Ordo Majoris tasked with rooting out heresy and deviancy across all branches of the Imperium. Reports of over-reliance on the Chapter’s Librarius brotherhood, the Prognosticatum, have given the Inquisitor-Lords of Hereticus pause, as have some abnormalities in the Silver Skulls’ tithed gene-seed to the Adeptus Mechanicus. As such, an Inquisitor is sent to the Chapter’s homeworld Varsavia to gather evidence of these claims and gain confirmation. It is certainly an interesting twist to things and though such concepts have been dealt with before in various stories, nothing so extensive as what we see here in Portents has been shown.
With this entire premise in the background, Sarah brings back the (dare I say it) fan-favourite Sergeant Gileas Ur’ten of the Eighth Company and his Assault Squad for another rousing adventure along with First Captain Kerelan and some of his brothers of the Chapter’s First Company, the Talriktug. It is a great assemblage of characters from across Sarah’s many previous works with the Silver Skulls and it is basically a dream come true for a Silver Skulls fan like me.
There has been a long glut of Silver Skulls works from Black Library, and though we got an occasional story some two years back, Portents is the first novel-length feature to be published since The Gildar Rift, and that was a fairly excellent story by itself. With Portents, Sarah carries forward several plotlines she introduced in the previous works, such as the growing (subtle) schism within the Chapter with regards to how closely the Chapter follows the advice of its Prognosticatum, advice that is mercurial and fleeting and roundabout by its very nature. It is a very important of distinction and that’s what Sarah explores in the novel.
For myself, I was far too invested in Gileas’ personal story rather than anything else. I love the character, have ever since I read of him in Sarah’s first credit for Black Library, Primary Instinct in the Victories of the Space Marines anthology. He is a fascinating character, in part because he is an Assault Marine and I love Assault Marines, whether in BL fiction or in Warhammer 40,000 tabletop. Assault Marines were ever the core of any strike force I fielded during my games and much of my armies used to be centered around getting them up close and personal as soon as I could. In Portents, Sarah give Gileas and his squad a great outing, showing off the Eighth’s preferred method of warfare to spectacular effect, and as always, her action scenes are intricate and engaging unlike those of some of the other newer authors.
But that’s not all that the novel is about of course, and the debate of the schism is reflected in microcosm through the animosity between Gileas and one of Kerelan’s stickler-for-rules-conservative battle-brother Djul, who hates Gileas with a passion and for more than his views about the Prognosticatum. It is a racial animosity, with roots in the specific tribal culture Gileas was born in when compared to Djul who was much more well-off and came from high station, relatively. That Space Marines often have dissent between them is no surprise certainly, even when their differences are theological or tactical or whatever else you fancy. Rob Sanders and David Annandale used the same to great effect in Legion of the Damned and The Death of Antagonis respectively. The animosity between Djul and Gileas is quite interesting and so is the resolution of it post-climax, though it is by no means fully resolved, merely put on hold you can say.
November 11, 2014
In brief: I've found Cawkwell's writing very fresh, for want of a better description. I found that here too. It presents a somewhat more realistic and plausible depiction of Space Marines than we're usually treated to - a bit more depth, more personal (or more plausible) set-ups for schism and strife. Better, it allows a much more restrained, arguably more mature look at what actually makes the setting tick.
Leading with a main character in the form of Sergeant Gileas of the 8th Company is a bold choice. So-often in Black Library fiction we're treated to Company Captains and Chapter Masters (and in HH: Primarchs and First-Captains) - at this, we've just got a squad leader. And not even a plot-protected one: one of the earliest pieces of the book deals full-on with how 'not that special' he is - which is very uncommon, in my experience of the BL books, at least.
In any case: there's lots of appreciable details here. The themes are very lightly touched, barely brushed past as the story moves along. Even then, the major one of doubt is only sort-of dealt with. It's pleasing, especially when some authors are given to chasing grand themes and (to my tastes) massively bungling them, to see someone so deftly present their thoughts in a way that feels so light as to be almost ghostly, seen in so calm, so characterful and so restrained a manner makes for surprisingly pleasant reading.
I'd contend that the book slightly escapes itself in the very end, and with the introduction of some newer characters throughout the final half of the book as it moves on, it loses the tightness and skill that really marked out the start of the book. But that, I think, might be my slight aversion to assemble-cast novels that aren't tightly segregated by structure. (I typically prefer a more focussed, more limited-view story.) Here, the newer characters mostly add, and even then contribute memorably to the story.
The only serious criticism then is in the main antagonists of the novel - I just didn't feel they had much life to them. Not really poorly presented, certainly, and they have a fair enough, basic enough presentation of motive that's sufficiently consistent for me to really not mind them. Hell, mechanically, they serve as quite an adept and clever foe. Rather more, they just come over as a bit faceless - and it's my suspicion that their portrayal might have come over much better had we been wholly restricted in seeing anything of them save what the protagonists can see. (In short: the 'cut to villain' scenes didn't do much for me. There's no real reason they can't be done well, though.)
In any event: the style is a great example of 'tell don't show' in action - the amount of exposition is pleasing and, for the most part (again: my thoughts on villains), is done in a manner that is light and pleasing rather than clunky. That's something to be applauded in itself. Again, my preference is usually for 'show don't tell' - but reading a book that reads brilliantly in places, that feels like there's a proper story being relayed directly to my brain (skipping the medium of marks on a surface, photons, eyes etc.), that's definitely to be appreciated.
Leading with a main character in the form of Sergeant Gileas of the 8th Company is a bold choice. So-often in Black Library fiction we're treated to Company Captains and Chapter Masters (and in HH: Primarchs and First-Captains) - at this, we've just got a squad leader. And not even a plot-protected one: one of the earliest pieces of the book deals full-on with how 'not that special' he is - which is very uncommon, in my experience of the BL books, at least.
In any case: there's lots of appreciable details here. The themes are very lightly touched, barely brushed past as the story moves along. Even then, the major one of doubt is only sort-of dealt with. It's pleasing, especially when some authors are given to chasing grand themes and (to my tastes) massively bungling them, to see someone so deftly present their thoughts in a way that feels so light as to be almost ghostly, seen in so calm, so characterful and so restrained a manner makes for surprisingly pleasant reading.
I'd contend that the book slightly escapes itself in the very end, and with the introduction of some newer characters throughout the final half of the book as it moves on, it loses the tightness and skill that really marked out the start of the book. But that, I think, might be my slight aversion to assemble-cast novels that aren't tightly segregated by structure. (I typically prefer a more focussed, more limited-view story.) Here, the newer characters mostly add, and even then contribute memorably to the story.
The only serious criticism then is in the main antagonists of the novel - I just didn't feel they had much life to them. Not really poorly presented, certainly, and they have a fair enough, basic enough presentation of motive that's sufficiently consistent for me to really not mind them. Hell, mechanically, they serve as quite an adept and clever foe. Rather more, they just come over as a bit faceless - and it's my suspicion that their portrayal might have come over much better had we been wholly restricted in seeing anything of them save what the protagonists can see. (In short: the 'cut to villain' scenes didn't do much for me. There's no real reason they can't be done well, though.)
In any event: the style is a great example of 'tell don't show' in action - the amount of exposition is pleasing and, for the most part (again: my thoughts on villains), is done in a manner that is light and pleasing rather than clunky. That's something to be applauded in itself. Again, my preference is usually for 'show don't tell' - but reading a book that reads brilliantly in places, that feels like there's a proper story being relayed directly to my brain (skipping the medium of marks on a surface, photons, eyes etc.), that's definitely to be appreciated.
January 23, 2017
Considered something of a rogue element by his superiors as a result of his fiery temper and unusual heritage, Gileas Ur'ten leads his squad into battle against the archenemy on Valoria Quintus at the behest of the chapter’s Prognosticators. With the Inquisition involved in the mission however, there’s more at stake than just Gileas’ place in the chapter.
It's another good instalment in the Silver Skulls’ ongoing saga, looking at the nature of the chapter and how it's perceived internally and externally. The structure might divide readers but there should be plenty for everyone to enjoy overall.
Read the rest of the review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/20...
It's another good instalment in the Silver Skulls’ ongoing saga, looking at the nature of the chapter and how it's perceived internally and externally. The structure might divide readers but there should be plenty for everyone to enjoy overall.
Read the rest of the review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/20...
January 8, 2016
As an author, Cawkwell seems to be one of those creators who is extremely divisive among fans. It seems that you either wholeheartedly love her works for their established ideas, the themes they explore and tight writing, or you criticise the book for dragging its feet at every turn and its spartan descriptions which fail to convey the grandeur of the setting. Unlike other authors, there really seems to be no middle-ground at all here and those same points seem to arise again and again. Well, whatever hill you've picked to die on in this particular argument, Portents isn't going to change your mind, as it seems Cawkwell is sticking to her guns even as she experiments with her pet chapter.
The story here follows the Silver Skulls' Eighth Company as they are deployed to counter a major insurrection. Having lost their commander, the company is undergoing several major changes and Sergeant Gileas' return to their Fortress Monastery is as much a time for celebration as concern. Welcome as he is to see his home once more, he faces an uncertain future thanks to the histories of his battle brothers, and from forces without. Drawn to the chapter, members of the Inquisition hunt for signs of corruption within their ranks, concerned that the veneration of their Librarians may be turning humanity's champions into the unwitting pawns of Chaos...
Right out of the starting gate, anyone reading this may end up having very distinct flashbacks to Brothers of the Snake. Many elements and strengths of that book resonate here, and it seems that the same time and effort is being pushed to help seriously flesh out the Silver Skulls. After previously depicting them as bored watchmen, detailing their traditions potential future, Portents builds upon the chapter's character. Along with giving greater insight into how such a force of astartes operates on their homeworld, the introduction of the book builds up a gradual identity of the Silver Skulls' homeworld and the brotherhood of warriors there. From Gileas' past to the officers within the chapter, there's a slow, gradual introduction to the wider scope of the chapter, constructing the image of an elite and highly hierarchical group of warriors, who nevertheless retain a close bond and guard humanity from all foes.
While the novel does slip into the odd stereotype (notably Tenth Company Nasty Drill Officer Marine #192) this introduction is used to touch upon a multitude of ideas which offers an odd degree of realism to the setting. Chief among these, we see how the chapter is built and inducts its recruits, opting which threats to confront and which to leave in order to strengthen the population against all threats. However, this in turn is used to comment upon factors otherwise unseen within books, notably how certain warriors are effectively recruited from different eras. The chief example present in the book is how cultural rifts and racial conflicts have come and gone over the decades, with older attitudes emerging among certain marines despite their unity, and this serves as a driving force behind certain sub-plots.
There's a real sense of what the Silver Skulls' are fighting for as the world is built up, and because of this the insurrection carries more value. It's less the generic battlefield found in too many books and instead far more of a home to fight for. Along with creating serious meaning and worth for the conflict, it goes hand in hand with the intensity of the battles and ferocity of the Skulls' engagements. After taking so long to gradually establish its events, there's real tension and hunger for blood, which makes the abrupt violence all the more satisfying. It's depicted on a very individual level here, and the many key fights are seen directly through the eyes of the characters rather than general descriptions of the battle. While this would normally run the risk of making fights seem too small or too limited, constant updates and new details make this truly feel like a part of a running war.
Once the role of the Inquisition truly comes into play within the story, it strikes a very careful balance between violence and character drama. In many respects, the book sticks with Fall of Damnos' core elements, with internal politics fraying nerves and causing a bitter divide between Imperial servants. However, it makes far better use of this than anything found within that book and, combined with the aforementioned subjects involving the chapter's warriors, helps to explore some very interesting themes of loyalty.
The book itself serves as a slow burner, and thanks to this it takes some time to establish and gradually develop its concepts. The first we see of the Inquisition is via a number of astropathic telecommunices citing their concern for the chapter's traditions, and Gileas himself is built up gradually before word of the book's conflict even comes into play. This allows it to have some serious gravitas and time to develop its events, yet at the same time you would be forgiven for finding many early sections difficult to push through. Despite their themes and historical elements, many of Cawkwell's characters seem more like walking subjects for themes, and lack some of the overt flavour of Graham McNeill or Dembski-Bowden's figures. This can make them seem extremely bland or generic at times, kept alive only by the subjects they explore. While other authors, especially Ben Counter, might suffer from the same problem, he at least knows to open with action and rapid pacing to hook readers in.
Another key issue which doesn't help matters is how the book often seems to unintentionally pad itself out. Quite often scenes will appear slow or lack pacing thanks to an overt focus upon describing certain scenes and commenting upon every other element possible. There are few moments where the book seems to truly move free of heavy descriptions or focuses purely upon a direct conversation, which does bog down events. Even this might not have been so bad were it not for the fact that the descriptions themselves often seem oddly pedestrian. They're certainly emotive, certainly interesting and creative, but there's a lack of that same grim-dark spark which makes other M41 novels so distinctly vivid. It's perhaps thanks to this that, in the final pages, the story does seem to get away from the author and what was previously something tightly written and controlled loses some of its general coherency.
So, how is Portents as a whole? In a move which is definitely going to hack off both parties in this fandom, the book was okay. It was solid if a little basic in all honesty, with some good concepts and moments but it never seemed to truly try to push things or take real advantage of some ideas. While the world-building and concepts themselves are very welcome indeed, and it makes for some good, fun violence once the book reaches the war, but it never seems to truly excel. If you're a fan of Rob Sanders, Joe Parrino or Ben Counter's works this is one you would do well to take some time and read, but don't expect another Legion of the Damned.
December 30, 2017
Kind of a generic Space Marine novel, but also refreshing in its focus on an obscure chapter and had some good character arcs. In the final act, .
January 15, 2016
Bookworm Speaks!
Silver Skulls: Portents
by S. P. Cawkwell
Acquired: Barnes & Nobel Booksellers
Series: Warhammer 40,000 Novels
Mass Market Paperback: 431 Pages
Publisher: Black Library
Language: English
****
The Story: The Silver Skulls Space Marine Chapter deploy on the world of Valoria Quintus to combat an insurrection backed by the dread forces of the Traitor Legions The Silver Skulls Space Marine Chapter deploy on the world of Valoria Quintus to combat an insurrection backed by the dread forces of the Traitor Legions. Sent there by the visions of their Prognosticars, the mysterious psykers whose premonitions decree the path forged by the Chapter and the wars that they wage, they expect victory to be swift and easy. But they have not reckoned with their own allies, the servants of the Inquisition who are interested in the Prognosticars, their importance within the Chapter and the possibility that the Silver Skulls may be being manipulated by the very powers they fight against…
The Review: The first story where we saw the Silver Skulls was the Gildar Rift novel.
While the Gildar Rift was an enjoyable read, like most of the Space Marine Battles series, it was more of a “day in the life” story. We got to meet the Silver Skulls but aside from a few details, we never really got to know them. This is what this book rectifies. The reader finally gets down deep into the nitty-gritty and we really get to explore what it means to be a Space Marine of the Silver Skulls Chapter. We see their Fortress Monastery, explore their homeworld and the people who live there. Meet their Chapter Master and more important, we get into the minds of the Prognosticars, the warrior-oracles that serves as the backbone of the Chapter’s battle doctrine.
Slight spoilers here, but when we get a POV chapter from one of the Prognosticars, we finally get the truth of how they actually operate and the similarities they hold to other “oracles” from history.
Throughout the text, we receive briefs in form of transmissions from the Inquisition. Under the guise of priority transmissions, we are given exposition that explains the new parts of the lore that are introduced. These are some of the best ways to introduce new info without it becoming tedious. They fit into the story in a way that fits the canon.
Anyway, how this story benefits compared to the previous novel is how much more the character’s are developed. The main character is a Space Marine named Gileas who is something of an outcast due to the fact that he was recruited from a native tribe that normally does not offer recruits and the method of his recruitment was unusual. (Which is very fascinating). He is a young sergeant who is coming into his own among the Chapter and while skilled is eager for greater glory. This immediately sets him up as good character as the scenario he is in is very relatable. These are kind of Space Marine stories that work the best. We see past the power armor and bravado and the brothers inside and how despite being lauded as being a higher class of human being, they are still vulnerable to the same vices and sins as the mortals whom they think they are so superior to. Perhaps the reason they seem to be better than the average Joes and Janes of the Imperium because they live longer and can endure more and thusly learn from their lessons.
The reader travels alongside Gileas during the story and we see him grow as a character, due in no small part that he helps trains new Battle Brothers. The best stories are one where we watch characters grow and we get plenty of that in this story.
One thing that deserves to be mentioned is that the “S” in S.P. Cawkwell stands for Sarah. This book was written by a woman, the same one that wrote ‘The Gildar Rift.’ While Bookworm loves Warhammer 40k, he does acknowledge that women are sorely underrepresented in the lore as well as the fandom, at least from his perspective. To support a female author in this franchise can only help with that issue.
Building off on that, the focus may largely be on the male Space Marines, there are plenty of strong female characters to be had within this novel. We see a lot of female Inquisitors, Bookworm has just realized and they work well in that role. Ruthlessness from a woman feels a bit more authentic.
If this book has any flaws, it is one that is pretty common amongst tomes of the Black Library: Too much at once. The book’s middle is not as memorable as the beginning and the ending. Not due to a lack of story caliber, simply because there is a lot of story to remember. A lot of bolter fire, a lot of blood, a lot of characters with their own perspectives, and it all moves very briskly. The last part is not necessarily inimical to the story. If anything, it made the story into a page-turner. It all goes by so quickly, that it all tends to blur in the readers mind. Upon thinking about it, aside from a few key details, most of the story in the second act is a little muddled in Bookworm’s Mind.
Final Verdict: Silver Skulls: Portents is a fast-paced, action-packed, read that gives the reader everything they love about Warhammer 40,000. The characters are deep and fleshed-out and we meet a fascinating Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes.
Five out of Five Stars
thecultureworm.blogspot.com
Silver Skulls: Portents
by S. P. Cawkwell
Acquired: Barnes & Nobel Booksellers
Series: Warhammer 40,000 Novels
Mass Market Paperback: 431 Pages
Publisher: Black Library
Language: English
****
The Story: The Silver Skulls Space Marine Chapter deploy on the world of Valoria Quintus to combat an insurrection backed by the dread forces of the Traitor Legions The Silver Skulls Space Marine Chapter deploy on the world of Valoria Quintus to combat an insurrection backed by the dread forces of the Traitor Legions. Sent there by the visions of their Prognosticars, the mysterious psykers whose premonitions decree the path forged by the Chapter and the wars that they wage, they expect victory to be swift and easy. But they have not reckoned with their own allies, the servants of the Inquisition who are interested in the Prognosticars, their importance within the Chapter and the possibility that the Silver Skulls may be being manipulated by the very powers they fight against…
The Review: The first story where we saw the Silver Skulls was the Gildar Rift novel.
While the Gildar Rift was an enjoyable read, like most of the Space Marine Battles series, it was more of a “day in the life” story. We got to meet the Silver Skulls but aside from a few details, we never really got to know them. This is what this book rectifies. The reader finally gets down deep into the nitty-gritty and we really get to explore what it means to be a Space Marine of the Silver Skulls Chapter. We see their Fortress Monastery, explore their homeworld and the people who live there. Meet their Chapter Master and more important, we get into the minds of the Prognosticars, the warrior-oracles that serves as the backbone of the Chapter’s battle doctrine.
Slight spoilers here, but when we get a POV chapter from one of the Prognosticars, we finally get the truth of how they actually operate and the similarities they hold to other “oracles” from history.
Throughout the text, we receive briefs in form of transmissions from the Inquisition. Under the guise of priority transmissions, we are given exposition that explains the new parts of the lore that are introduced. These are some of the best ways to introduce new info without it becoming tedious. They fit into the story in a way that fits the canon.
Anyway, how this story benefits compared to the previous novel is how much more the character’s are developed. The main character is a Space Marine named Gileas who is something of an outcast due to the fact that he was recruited from a native tribe that normally does not offer recruits and the method of his recruitment was unusual. (Which is very fascinating). He is a young sergeant who is coming into his own among the Chapter and while skilled is eager for greater glory. This immediately sets him up as good character as the scenario he is in is very relatable. These are kind of Space Marine stories that work the best. We see past the power armor and bravado and the brothers inside and how despite being lauded as being a higher class of human being, they are still vulnerable to the same vices and sins as the mortals whom they think they are so superior to. Perhaps the reason they seem to be better than the average Joes and Janes of the Imperium because they live longer and can endure more and thusly learn from their lessons.
The reader travels alongside Gileas during the story and we see him grow as a character, due in no small part that he helps trains new Battle Brothers. The best stories are one where we watch characters grow and we get plenty of that in this story.
One thing that deserves to be mentioned is that the “S” in S.P. Cawkwell stands for Sarah. This book was written by a woman, the same one that wrote ‘The Gildar Rift.’ While Bookworm loves Warhammer 40k, he does acknowledge that women are sorely underrepresented in the lore as well as the fandom, at least from his perspective. To support a female author in this franchise can only help with that issue.
Building off on that, the focus may largely be on the male Space Marines, there are plenty of strong female characters to be had within this novel. We see a lot of female Inquisitors, Bookworm has just realized and they work well in that role. Ruthlessness from a woman feels a bit more authentic.
If this book has any flaws, it is one that is pretty common amongst tomes of the Black Library: Too much at once. The book’s middle is not as memorable as the beginning and the ending. Not due to a lack of story caliber, simply because there is a lot of story to remember. A lot of bolter fire, a lot of blood, a lot of characters with their own perspectives, and it all moves very briskly. The last part is not necessarily inimical to the story. If anything, it made the story into a page-turner. It all goes by so quickly, that it all tends to blur in the readers mind. Upon thinking about it, aside from a few key details, most of the story in the second act is a little muddled in Bookworm’s Mind.
Final Verdict: Silver Skulls: Portents is a fast-paced, action-packed, read that gives the reader everything they love about Warhammer 40,000. The characters are deep and fleshed-out and we meet a fascinating Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes.
Five out of Five Stars
thecultureworm.blogspot.com
November 24, 2024
Fairly standard space marine novel, good to learn what makes this force different to others.
Surprisingly good character building for space marines too.
Surprisingly good character building for space marines too.
March 28, 2024
A fairly solid novel, that is more like a 4/5 for the first half, but descends into 2/5 territory for the second half.
I find that Sarah Cawkwell and her Warhammer works get a lot of undeserved flak, and I really do not understand why. I think her work for the Silver Skulls chapter, especially Gildar Rift, is quite good. At least when she is focused on fleshing out a unique and interesting chapter.
And that is what this book does very well for the first half. If you liked the faction lore and details we got in Gildar Rift, this one is worth your time, as the first half focuses on the Chapter homeworld, their culture, who they recruit from and how, and what trials aspirants go through. All of this is great, and helps to show a lot of humanity and character to these astartes.
The second half is just action filler. Now 40k books should always have some good action, and I am not complaining that there is action here. But what is here is rather basic, disjointed, barely makes use of what makes this chapter (barely uses their unique psykers), and is a conflict that has so little impact of interest (given that it is introduced so late in the book after some 300 pages of chapter lore and initiates story).
So a bit of a mixed bag, but if you like unique Space Marine Chapters, and enjoyed the Gildar Rift at all, then I very much recommend checking this one out. You can get used copies really cheap, and can tap out after they leave the chapter base if you feel like it starts to drag!
I find that Sarah Cawkwell and her Warhammer works get a lot of undeserved flak, and I really do not understand why. I think her work for the Silver Skulls chapter, especially Gildar Rift, is quite good. At least when she is focused on fleshing out a unique and interesting chapter.
And that is what this book does very well for the first half. If you liked the faction lore and details we got in Gildar Rift, this one is worth your time, as the first half focuses on the Chapter homeworld, their culture, who they recruit from and how, and what trials aspirants go through. All of this is great, and helps to show a lot of humanity and character to these astartes.
The second half is just action filler. Now 40k books should always have some good action, and I am not complaining that there is action here. But what is here is rather basic, disjointed, barely makes use of what makes this chapter (barely uses their unique psykers), and is a conflict that has so little impact of interest (given that it is introduced so late in the book after some 300 pages of chapter lore and initiates story).
So a bit of a mixed bag, but if you like unique Space Marine Chapters, and enjoyed the Gildar Rift at all, then I very much recommend checking this one out. You can get used copies really cheap, and can tap out after they leave the chapter base if you feel like it starts to drag!
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