Call of the Lion

The Horus Heresy #Short Story

by Gav Thorpe

The Terran and Calibanite commanders of the Dark Angels clash for the first time as the Great Crusade brings them to the world of Byzanthis.

The Dark Angels Legion is couched in layers of mystery and secrecy, harkening back to the days of the knightly orders of Caliban that helped to raise their infant primarch. But Lion El’Jonson’s greatest strength often proves to be one of the most divisive issues amongst his sons – rarely can any two commanders agree upon one single course of action from the start. As they seek to bring the world of Byzanthis to compliance, Chapter Masters Astelan and Belath are among those with very different notions of what victory might require.

The divisions in the Dark Angels are laid bare in this tale set before the Heresy ever began, as the commanders of the Legion differ on the best way to bring a world into compliance.

Running time: 1 hour, 16 minutes
Narrated by Peter Wickham
Written by Gav Thorpe

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

Audiobook

First published January 1, 2015

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 2 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 did not enjoy this at at all.

A cartoonishly uncaring and generally a total arsehole Dark Angels Chapter Master from Caliban and another from Terra with temperance as an entire personality are forced to work together in checking out a new potential planet for Compliance. Hijinks ensue.

I can't believe this is Gav Thorpe. It's from Tales of Heresy, so it's kinda old now, but Thorpe is so much better than this. I absolutely adored the Path of the Eldar trilogy when I read many years ago and plan to return to it, and he's, like, Mr. Dark Angels, but there's nothing of the Legion and the quality of prose and narrative just aren't there to the point where I'm actually surprised this made it into the first anthology.

Truly shocked and I don't like giving bad reviews, especially to good authors, but I really found this to be shocking in just how lacking craft and polish this is.

Thorpe so very much better than this and the Horus Heresy and it's readership deserve a lot more than this.

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 15.41 Horus Heresy novels, 7 novellas, 39 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.

[Arnis · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Oliver Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having only read the first two books in the 50+ HH books a couple of years ago, I decided to give it a go at reading the entire HH series in chronological order. Starting with the "Last Church" audiobook set in 30,800. I am using https://rateyourmusic.com/list/Tymell... as a guide on which books to read in chronological order.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story which takes place around 30,967. The story revolves around the compliance of Byzanthis and the two chapter masters Belath and Astelan. Both of these characters have very different approaches to compliance with Astelan seeking compliance through peaceful means and attempts to open a dialog with Byzanthis and then Belath who believes in compliance though military action. I wont give the story away but in future books both of these characters meet again...

I enjoyed the audiobook and highly recommend it, I found it easy to follow with just the right amount of action in the hour that it lasted to make it entertaining.

[Jann · Rating 1 out of 5]

2 dimensional characters in a paint by numbers short story
This short story is quite an annoying read. The Calibanite Dark Angel acts like a spoiled child. He comes across as being ruled by an inferiority complex towards the terrans. This influences all his decisions.
The terran leader is the sensible character, but all his plans are messed up by the poor decisions taken by his Caliban counterpart.

[Matt Argueta · Rating 3 out of 5]

The intent of this story is meant to further cement the discourse present within the Dark Angels legion, following the integration of Lion El'Jonson and those from Caliban

I don't expect there to be much more to come from the characters represented in this story, but this underscores more that I expect to see come to a head in Fallen Angels

[Maestitia Reclusiam · Rating 1 out of 5]

L’Appel du Lion est une nouvelle théoriquement importante mais narrativement faible. Elle voulait explorer les fractures internes des Dark Angels et la duplicité de leur Primarque ; elle n’offre qu’un récit fade, déséquilibré et sans âme. Une lecture dispensable, même pour les amateurs de la Première Légion.

Critique Complète :
https://reclusiam.net/appel-lion/crit...

[Eric Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cocky, smug little prick in this one really got under my skin. Those original Caliban “knights” that became Astartes seem to be some real arrogant shits. Got that lingering Death World energy going. Good story though. Really showed the fractures forming in the Dark Angels.

[Jalen Ries · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short novel. It sucked. I don’t know what this short novel was really for? Maybe the relationship between caliban born dark angels versus terra born dark angels?

Only gave it two stars for the following quote.

Be ready for battle at all times, but do not rush heedlessly towards it.

[Corby H · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dark Angels are jerks. #nuffsaid

[Neil Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Tyberius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Im going to call Dad!!!

[Troy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collected in tales of heresy anthology.

[Thomas Langley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda mid. It felt generically space marine-y with almost no Dark Angel specific lore apart from oh guess that's why the raven wing is called that.

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clash of ideology between Terran-born and Caliban-born Astartes turns bitter. Astelan is a character that has appeared in Gav Thorpe's 40k work, and his backstory is explored in this short story. If I'm being critical I didn't find this story too compelling, I haven't read any of the 40k Dark Angel stories in a long time and took a minute to remember Astelan.

[Lucas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Your average short story on an Astartes crusader campaign against a new world. Nothing interesting or new is really added to the lore. I found the "antagonist" of the story rather one dimensional without further understanding of his reasoning and background. Easily a skippable story, even if the Dark Angels are your favorite legion.