Massacre

The Horus Heresy #Short Story

by Aaron Dembski-Bowden

Released for free on the Warhammer App over 5 days, Massacre is a a Horus Heresy short story focusing on the Night Lords.

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

ebook

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good Horus Heresy short story featuring fan favourite Night Lords' First Claw.
It was really great reading about them in action slaughtering loyalists on Isstvan V... And their VIII Legion brothers in space before moving there. And at last we see Primus and how Talos started ruining the aquila symbol on his armours.



A must read if you liked Aaron Dembski-Bowden's Night Lords: The Omnibus and wanna read more about apotechary Talos, Xarl and all the other wicked members of First Claw at their best in a bleak humour filled dark "origin" tale.



Ave Dominus nox

[RatGrrrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

March 2024 Re-Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus VIII Angels of Darkness (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.

I absolutely loved this!

Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Night Lords, and John Banks is one hell of a combo!

Not to be left our of the Veterans of the Long War action, ADB introduces Talos and First Claw of the tenth company the VIII Legion as they muster for Isstvan V. We follow the grimdark Apothecary as he kills his cousins until his arm is knackered and grapples with the confusion of what seems to be latent psychic potential.

I had a real 'hey, I know that guy!' moment, after loving the Night Lords 40k books, and thoroughly enjoyed this look at the character of the Night Lords as they and a snapshot on the ground Traitor Legion perspective of Isstvan V.

The details and specifics are truly incredible.

I just found this to be a wonderfully written and read tale about a fascinating character and really had a good time.

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 16.41 Horus Heresy novels, 7 novellas, 40 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 8 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.

[Dylan Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well done short story where we get to see Aaron Dombski-Bowden's signature Night Lords apothacary during the Horus Heresy. Seeing the Night Lords take on The Dropsite, as well as some of their customs was great fun, and I am really dying to read ADB's Night Lord series!

[Jose Antonio Ruiz Estudillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

El autor por excelencia de los Night Lords realiza con este pequeño relato un magnífico prefacio para su magnífica trilogía. Sobresaliente!!

[Michael Dodd]

Also available in the Eye of Terra anthology, Aaron Dembski-Bowden’s Horus Heresy short story Massacre takes a quick look at the cast of the Night Lords trilogy in their pre-40k incarnations. That’s right, it shows Talos, Xarl, Cyrion and even the Exalted as they all were back in the days of the Heresy, pre- and during the Dropsite Massacre. Seen through Apothecary Talos’s eyes it’s a rare chance to see these fan-favourite characters in their prime – cynical, callous warriors given to black humour, snide commentary and an unfair fight.

Read the rest of the review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/20...

[Kassar Krennic · Rating 4 out of 5]

For sure a must read before starting the Night Lords trilogy. Sure it doesn't add much to the story as a whole but it introduces our characters, shows how they acted and what they thought of the Horus Heresy and also gives us some insight into a younger, bit more naive Talos which was nice.
Going from this to Shadow Knight ensures you know everything you need to before starting the trilogy. As I said in another review I'd recommend going with Massacre, Shadow Knight and then starting the trilogy.

[Lanfear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se que es un relato y nada más, pero habiendo leído los libros de la octava, la historia de la garra es muy especial. Una de mis legiones favoritas a pesar de Curze, que no es una locura. Aún siendo traidores y lo que les hicieron a sus propios hermanos, los amos de la noche son geniales.

[Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice to see First Claw again, in this prequel short story we see a bit of their participation at Istvaan V and the start of Talos’ visions foreshadowing events in the Night Lord series. Not an essential read but it’s always fun to read more about Talos and First Claw.

[Urgewyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talos and the boys get ready for Isstvan.

[Tyberius · Rating 5 out of 5]

You there. Boy on the street what day is it?

[Connor Pulis · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Matt Argueta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Night Lords perspective of events at Istvaan. Further emphasizes the Heresy not being black and white across all the Legions

[Quinn Stutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read if you have read or plan to read the night lords omnibus.

[Thomas Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice first little peak into the horror of the 7th Legion

[Luke Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at what the main cast of the Night Lords trilogy by Aaron Dembski Bowden did during the Dropsite Massacre

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sons of our Father, stand in midnight clad. We bring the night.”

ADB’s Nightlord Trilogy is probably one of the most popular BL collections and so it is only natural that he would return to the characters for a short story set during the Heresy. Talos, Malcharion, Anthrati, Xarl, and Cyrion all make appearances.

A fantastic, atmospheric short story, that provides a quick look at the Night Lords on Isstvan V, and also hints at what is to come in the future.

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

No mercy indeed