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The Last Hunt
In the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, the Imperium is protected by Space Marines, superhuman warriors who battle tirelessly to protect humanity from aliens and the dark powers of Chaos. The White Scars are an old and noble Chapter, their apparent wildness and savagery hiding a cultured and spiritual nature. When one of their recruiting worlds comes under threat from a splinter fleet of Hive Fleet Leviathan, Joghaten Khan leads the 4th Company to protect the planet from the rampaging tyranids. But all is not as clear as it seems. Though the White Scars find their efforts hampered by mysterious enemies, they also receive an offer of aid from a most unexpected quarter. Without help, their mission looks next to impossible, but are their newfound allies to be trusted?
Read it Because
The White Scars get a rare outing in the 41st millennium in a high-octane action novel which sees the Khan's sons defend their hunting grounds from the might of the hive fleets.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2017
26 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Robbie MacNiven
123 books116 followersRobbie MacNiven is a Scottish author and historian. His published fiction includes over a dozen novels, many fantasy or sci-fi works for IPs such as Warhammer 40,000 and Marvel's X-Men. He has also written two novellas, numerous short stories and audio dramas, has worked on narrative and character dialogue for multiple digital games (SMITE: Blitz and Age of Sigmar: Storm Ground), has written the colour text for multiple RPG rulebooks and has penned the scripts for two graphic novels and three comics, for Osprey Publishing and Commando Comics respectively. In 2022 his X-Men novel "First Team" won a Scribe Award.
On the non-fiction front, Robbie specialises in Early Modern military history, particularly focussing on the 18th century. He has a PhD in American Revolutionary War massacres from the University of Edinburgh - where he won the Compton Prize for American History - and an MLitt in War Studies from the University of Glasgow. Along with numerous articles for military history magazines he has written six books on different aspects of the American Revolutionary War, five for Osprey Publishing and one for Helion Books. He has also written the scripts for ten episodes of the hit YouTube educational channel Extra Credits.
Outside of work and writing, his passions include re-enacting, gaming, and football.
On the non-fiction front, Robbie specialises in Early Modern military history, particularly focussing on the 18th century. He has a PhD in American Revolutionary War massacres from the University of Edinburgh - where he won the Compton Prize for American History - and an MLitt in War Studies from the University of Glasgow. Along with numerous articles for military history magazines he has written six books on different aspects of the American Revolutionary War, five for Osprey Publishing and one for Helion Books. He has also written the scripts for ten episodes of the hit YouTube educational channel Extra Credits.
Outside of work and writing, his passions include re-enacting, gaming, and football.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 23, 2018
The Last Hunt is a rather interesting story. It seems to be the standard Space Marines vs Tyrannid swarm, but that is misleading. There is a lot going on here.
The White Scars chapter is called to the defense of the Imperial world of Darkand. A splinter of the main Hive fleet is coming. But why are the Eldar here as well? The conflict between the Hive and the White Scars was well done. The tactics actually are bright and , more importantly, based on Mongol tactics- that is quite cool as it shows the author did some research about the hit and run style tactics of the real life Mongols. The White Scars are modeled after the Mongols, so it makes sense and it works. Well done! Good to see the use of strategy instead of the usual "Me see enemy. Me hit enemy. Me kill enemy." line of tactics.
I won't spoil why the Eldar are working with the humans. I won't even say why their Dark kindred are also involved. But suffice to say- it is a interesting fight.
A good story. Interesting tactics and some new insight into the odd relatiosnhip between Eldar and Humanity. Recommended for any Warhammer fan.
The White Scars chapter is called to the defense of the Imperial world of Darkand. A splinter of the main Hive fleet is coming. But why are the Eldar here as well? The conflict between the Hive and the White Scars was well done. The tactics actually are bright and , more importantly, based on Mongol tactics- that is quite cool as it shows the author did some research about the hit and run style tactics of the real life Mongols. The White Scars are modeled after the Mongols, so it makes sense and it works. Well done! Good to see the use of strategy instead of the usual "Me see enemy. Me hit enemy. Me kill enemy." line of tactics.
I won't spoil why the Eldar are working with the humans. I won't even say why their Dark kindred are also involved. But suffice to say- it is a interesting fight.
A good story. Interesting tactics and some new insight into the odd relatiosnhip between Eldar and Humanity. Recommended for any Warhammer fan.
August 13, 2023
This novel is set on a planet where the white scars get their recruits. This planet population is a bit like Berber like people going from place to place and a mighty city on the centre where all tribes come to trade. MacNivel really try to explain this divergences between the sand people and the people from the city and he really try to give it form , unfortunately there is so little time that delve on that, that it felt a bit flat. White Scars are based on mongol, tribal fighters and you really get that as they explain some of their internal procedures of defense and such.
Tyranids are attacking, it's a small splinter from the main force and still there are too many to destroy a simple world. The only solution is to defend and wait for time where the planet will basically become insupportable due to the heat. But there are other parties involved, includingelves sorry, eldar ops Aeldari. The ending was a bit too much and weird to me. I don't like time travel stuff. IT becomes weird.
One of the most scaries moments was on chapter 4 I think where we've got a probe in space being swallow by a tyranid bio ship. It was creppy as hell. I've read it twice I must say haha.
Overal a OK Tale. Advisable to anyone who enjoy White Scars. Apart from that I wouldn't advise to anyone else unless you want to read everything publish in that universe. Dealings with tyranids I think Last Days of Ector is better.
Tyranids are attacking, it's a small splinter from the main force and still there are too many to destroy a simple world. The only solution is to defend and wait for time where the planet will basically become insupportable due to the heat. But there are other parties involved, including
One of the most scaries moments was on chapter 4 I think where we've got a probe in space being swallow by a tyranid bio ship. It was creppy as hell. I've read it twice I must say haha.
Overal a OK Tale. Advisable to anyone who enjoy White Scars. Apart from that I wouldn't advise to anyone else unless you want to read everything publish in that universe. Dealings with tyranids I think Last Days of Ector is better.
October 18, 2017
The Last Hunt is...An interesting novel; one which plays to the strengths of its writer and also makes good use of the New Normal post-Gathering Storm. It is a novel that exemplifies the contrary nature of the White Scars in what must be one of the best 40k renditions of the Chapter thus far.
The Last Hunt sets itself amidst the chaos of 8th; with Cadia broken and rumours of a Primarch's return abroad, as well as Baal reeling from tyranid attack. These aren't simply background observations but serve instead to ground the narrative. The White Scars face one of the many bastard splinters of Leviathan after the opening of the Great Rift, in this case classified as Hive Fleet Cicatrix. They also find themselves aware of the "call of the Khagan", as their Stormseers seek word of him on the winds, and the brotherhoods feel the call at their hearts. With one primarch awakened, might others return?
This pull seeks to derail them from their duty; relieving the honour-world of Darkand from the hive fleet. The introduction indicates, however, that this will not be an easy task. An atmospheric opening introduces the looming threat of one of my favourite returning concepts to canon; Genestealer Cultists. With their return to codex being one of the highlights of 7th, the Cults have been a joy to read in their appearances thusfar, and this is no different. They add a creeping human veneer to the tyranid menace, and lace the narrative with the promise of betrayal.
In addition to this is a B plot involving the Eldar, which ties together most interestingly by the end. I'm not a fan of the particular trope invoked at the novel's end, but the execution truly makes it pay off. It makes me hopeful that we return to these characters in the future; something that feels likely, or else this could have been a Space Marine Conquests novel. Suffice to say, by the end, the novel feels as though it has earned its title; though perhaps not as we might have assumed.
The action throughout is handled with a flowing frenetic grace that truly honours the Chapter; MacNiven makes each engagement feel dynamic and vital. The tyranid bioforms are rendered in a sickening riot of prose, which drives home the bio-horror of their weaponry, often with cringe-inducing terminology. Orifice-cannons and brainsacs aplenty here.
All in all this is a glorious leap in the right direction for the new normal of the setting. While early in the new narrative, it stands alongside Dark Imperium and Watchers of the Throne in steadying the direction of the setting. Robbie MacNiven continues to define himself as the go-to for outliers and savage forces, while also being able to capture the culture, philosophy and grandeur that lies underneath. This is, in no small part, due to his apt use of native terms and ideas- just as with the Carcharadons.
Also worth noting is the use of quotes to break up the chapters of the book, all of which have an immediate or broader source and all of which are significant, thought provoking and memorable. The use of the countdown to the height of Furnace Season and the Xenos Invasion are also a useful and tension-managing tool; which pays off towards the end of the novel.
I would highly recommend this novel to fans of the White Scars and anyone wanting to have an enjoyable and bloody romp through the early days of the new setting.
The Last Hunt sets itself amidst the chaos of 8th; with Cadia broken and rumours of a Primarch's return abroad, as well as Baal reeling from tyranid attack. These aren't simply background observations but serve instead to ground the narrative. The White Scars face one of the many bastard splinters of Leviathan after the opening of the Great Rift, in this case classified as Hive Fleet Cicatrix. They also find themselves aware of the "call of the Khagan", as their Stormseers seek word of him on the winds, and the brotherhoods feel the call at their hearts. With one primarch awakened, might others return?
This pull seeks to derail them from their duty; relieving the honour-world of Darkand from the hive fleet. The introduction indicates, however, that this will not be an easy task. An atmospheric opening introduces the looming threat of one of my favourite returning concepts to canon; Genestealer Cultists. With their return to codex being one of the highlights of 7th, the Cults have been a joy to read in their appearances thusfar, and this is no different. They add a creeping human veneer to the tyranid menace, and lace the narrative with the promise of betrayal.
In addition to this is a B plot involving the Eldar, which ties together most interestingly by the end. I'm not a fan of the particular trope invoked at the novel's end, but the execution truly makes it pay off. It makes me hopeful that we return to these characters in the future; something that feels likely, or else this could have been a Space Marine Conquests novel. Suffice to say, by the end, the novel feels as though it has earned its title; though perhaps not as we might have assumed.
The action throughout is handled with a flowing frenetic grace that truly honours the Chapter; MacNiven makes each engagement feel dynamic and vital. The tyranid bioforms are rendered in a sickening riot of prose, which drives home the bio-horror of their weaponry, often with cringe-inducing terminology. Orifice-cannons and brainsacs aplenty here.
All in all this is a glorious leap in the right direction for the new normal of the setting. While early in the new narrative, it stands alongside Dark Imperium and Watchers of the Throne in steadying the direction of the setting. Robbie MacNiven continues to define himself as the go-to for outliers and savage forces, while also being able to capture the culture, philosophy and grandeur that lies underneath. This is, in no small part, due to his apt use of native terms and ideas- just as with the Carcharadons.
Also worth noting is the use of quotes to break up the chapters of the book, all of which have an immediate or broader source and all of which are significant, thought provoking and memorable. The use of the countdown to the height of Furnace Season and the Xenos Invasion are also a useful and tension-managing tool; which pays off towards the end of the novel.
I would highly recommend this novel to fans of the White Scars and anyone wanting to have an enjoyable and bloody romp through the early days of the new setting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2019
“How strange the irony, he thought, that the galaxy’s horrors could arrive clad in such beauty.”
It is one of the most compelling traits of Warhammer universe that many of its stories and heroes are firmly but inventively grounded in real-world culture and history, making it a great source of inspiration for players and writers alike. So, like the Space Wolves (and for some degree Ultramarines and Dark Angels), the White Scars possess a lot of unique traits based on historical and cultural realities of the Old Earth. Reading about these honourable, philosophical warriors feels so refreshing compared to the overall grim and grimy setting of Warhammer40K. Their wonderful homeworld Chogoris feels a genuinely and unusually serene place in the times of constant war. Their battleships’ interiors strongly remind of steppe yurts and palaces of Far-Eastern kings. Their very outlook and philosophy are unique and full of wisdom. They bear themselves with measured calm and smile to their enemies – quite a rarity in the ever-troubled Imperium... Overall, the Scars are a staunchly loyal and indisputably very likeable Chapter, and for all their expected savagery in battle, they are protectors of humankind first of all, and to this end nothing shall stand in their way… for they know it in their hearts that their long-missed Primarch would be proud of them.
The Last Hunt is the story about the Fourth Brotherhood (Chapter Company) which does get plenty of work carved out for its warriors. There’s a predatory shadow steadily nearing one of the White Scars’ honour worlds – and a sudden coup within Darkand’s own elites threatens to further weaken the planet’s Imperial population made up of different tribes with little love lost between them. Fortunately, the sons of Jaghatai have foreseen the impending threat, arriving on the steppe world just barely in time to mount a Space Marine-led resistance. To add to the predicament, the leader of the local Church turns out to be something other – xenos connoisseurs out there would guess what exactly – and so the danger to the planet and its defenders is even much nearer than it seemed…
It would prove an easy choice to exterminate the doomed primitive world unable to organize a fitting resistance against the alien hordes, but the White Scars are determined to save as many of its natives as possible. Admittedly, the Fourth is a pretty fractious and restless brotherhood, albeit its warriors fight with excellence, all of them veritable artists of the blade and unsurpassed bikers/pilots. The Chapters’ unique spirit is mainly related through a number of protagonists: restive but stalwart Joghaten Khan, broken and troubled Lau Feng, crippled yet proud Tzu Shen, young though sage Qui’Sin, and Landspeeder pilots Timchet and Hagai (who I think must be blood-brothers).
I was greatly interested to see Robbie MacNiven’s take on these noble, perceptive and highly-cultured Astartes. (He is one of several 40K authors whose works I first discovered when my interest in the Black Library fiction had just begun). Despite being one of the youngest BL writers to date, Robbie is a prolific author who has already secured his own distinctive place in the Warhammer literature. There are still notably fewer books about these proud Sky Warriors than most other Chapters, and MacNiven’s work is a nice addition to the White Scars’ chronicle. In the novel, they are still very much your trademark Space Marines, although with daring and tranquility of soul in equal measure, as befits the legacy of the Fifth Primarch.
Regarding the main antagonists – the horrifying Tyranids – it’s obvious that Robbie had much fun writing about them. Especially, the entire chapter devoted to the giant bio-spacecraft inescapably approaching a tiny, isolated void-station in total silence before disgorging its payload of slavering, ravening organisms was rendered spectacularly. (Honestly, it’s one of the best WH40K scenes I’ve read so far!). And the very sense of dire urgency hanging over the characters as they realize just how little time they have left until the worst arrives is expressed perfectly. It might seem that the Adeptus Astartes take all in their stride, but the tyranids quickly demonstrate that even the sons of Chogoris – this swiftest of all Chapters and thus a force ideally suited against just such an enemy – may not be so indefatigable…
Oh, and the other alien race featured in the book, the Aeldari (with their darker kin!), were also a highly welcome presence – after all, they’re my second favourite faction, perhaps unsurprisingly… As the story progresses, the White Scars have to admit that they are hardly able to save the planet from an incredibly numerous and formidable enemy. The proud Scars have no choice but to strike an uneasy alliance with the ‘perfidious Eldar’ - and this is where the sudden intervention of a craftworld Iyanden farseer, playing upon the khan-commander’s yearning to avenge his fallen predecessor, becomes so timely.
In general, this tale of aliens versus nomads – meaning, hive mind-linked aliens from beyond the galaxy versus transhuman warrior nomads of the far future – is a nicely-written, dynamic and well-paced novel where the alien monstrosities are fought not just in the rubble-strewn city alleys but also in humble yuruts. For the most part, it consists of intense action scenes, but you certainly wouldn’t expect anything less from a novel about a full-scale Tyranid invasion, yes? In some episodes, this same invasion is seen with the eyes of simple tribesmen very little versed in the complexities of the broader Imperium. Meanwhile, the epigraphs between the chapters help set the right mood for the events to come and lend the plot a distinctly philosophic dimension – which suits both the White Scars and Aeldari just right.
Each person in the story has enough individuality and depth of character to make them engaging to read about. Despite featuring quite a lot of characters and viewpoints, the plot manages not to feel overpopulated, while at the same time leaving enough revelations until later to sufficiently stoke the reader’s interest for the unfolding events. The book definitely gives you a sweet spot for the Scars, although I’d really like to learn even more of their native customs and maybe some pre-Astartes backstories for the main characters (like Robbie did in his Carcharodons or Blood of Iax). Well, who knows – perhaps we shall get more tales of the Tulwar Brotherhood in the future…
It is one of the most compelling traits of Warhammer universe that many of its stories and heroes are firmly but inventively grounded in real-world culture and history, making it a great source of inspiration for players and writers alike. So, like the Space Wolves (and for some degree Ultramarines and Dark Angels), the White Scars possess a lot of unique traits based on historical and cultural realities of the Old Earth. Reading about these honourable, philosophical warriors feels so refreshing compared to the overall grim and grimy setting of Warhammer40K. Their wonderful homeworld Chogoris feels a genuinely and unusually serene place in the times of constant war. Their battleships’ interiors strongly remind of steppe yurts and palaces of Far-Eastern kings. Their very outlook and philosophy are unique and full of wisdom. They bear themselves with measured calm and smile to their enemies – quite a rarity in the ever-troubled Imperium... Overall, the Scars are a staunchly loyal and indisputably very likeable Chapter, and for all their expected savagery in battle, they are protectors of humankind first of all, and to this end nothing shall stand in their way… for they know it in their hearts that their long-missed Primarch would be proud of them.
The Last Hunt is the story about the Fourth Brotherhood (Chapter Company) which does get plenty of work carved out for its warriors. There’s a predatory shadow steadily nearing one of the White Scars’ honour worlds – and a sudden coup within Darkand’s own elites threatens to further weaken the planet’s Imperial population made up of different tribes with little love lost between them. Fortunately, the sons of Jaghatai have foreseen the impending threat, arriving on the steppe world just barely in time to mount a Space Marine-led resistance. To add to the predicament, the leader of the local Church turns out to be something other – xenos connoisseurs out there would guess what exactly – and so the danger to the planet and its defenders is even much nearer than it seemed…
It would prove an easy choice to exterminate the doomed primitive world unable to organize a fitting resistance against the alien hordes, but the White Scars are determined to save as many of its natives as possible. Admittedly, the Fourth is a pretty fractious and restless brotherhood, albeit its warriors fight with excellence, all of them veritable artists of the blade and unsurpassed bikers/pilots. The Chapters’ unique spirit is mainly related through a number of protagonists: restive but stalwart Joghaten Khan, broken and troubled Lau Feng, crippled yet proud Tzu Shen, young though sage Qui’Sin, and Landspeeder pilots Timchet and Hagai (who I think must be blood-brothers).
I was greatly interested to see Robbie MacNiven’s take on these noble, perceptive and highly-cultured Astartes. (He is one of several 40K authors whose works I first discovered when my interest in the Black Library fiction had just begun). Despite being one of the youngest BL writers to date, Robbie is a prolific author who has already secured his own distinctive place in the Warhammer literature. There are still notably fewer books about these proud Sky Warriors than most other Chapters, and MacNiven’s work is a nice addition to the White Scars’ chronicle. In the novel, they are still very much your trademark Space Marines, although with daring and tranquility of soul in equal measure, as befits the legacy of the Fifth Primarch.
Regarding the main antagonists – the horrifying Tyranids – it’s obvious that Robbie had much fun writing about them. Especially, the entire chapter devoted to the giant bio-spacecraft inescapably approaching a tiny, isolated void-station in total silence before disgorging its payload of slavering, ravening organisms was rendered spectacularly. (Honestly, it’s one of the best WH40K scenes I’ve read so far!). And the very sense of dire urgency hanging over the characters as they realize just how little time they have left until the worst arrives is expressed perfectly. It might seem that the Adeptus Astartes take all in their stride, but the tyranids quickly demonstrate that even the sons of Chogoris – this swiftest of all Chapters and thus a force ideally suited against just such an enemy – may not be so indefatigable…
Oh, and the other alien race featured in the book, the Aeldari (with their darker kin!), were also a highly welcome presence – after all, they’re my second favourite faction, perhaps unsurprisingly… As the story progresses, the White Scars have to admit that they are hardly able to save the planet from an incredibly numerous and formidable enemy. The proud Scars have no choice but to strike an uneasy alliance with the ‘perfidious Eldar’ - and this is where the sudden intervention of a craftworld Iyanden farseer, playing upon the khan-commander’s yearning to avenge his fallen predecessor, becomes so timely.
In general, this tale of aliens versus nomads – meaning, hive mind-linked aliens from beyond the galaxy versus transhuman warrior nomads of the far future – is a nicely-written, dynamic and well-paced novel where the alien monstrosities are fought not just in the rubble-strewn city alleys but also in humble yuruts. For the most part, it consists of intense action scenes, but you certainly wouldn’t expect anything less from a novel about a full-scale Tyranid invasion, yes? In some episodes, this same invasion is seen with the eyes of simple tribesmen very little versed in the complexities of the broader Imperium. Meanwhile, the epigraphs between the chapters help set the right mood for the events to come and lend the plot a distinctly philosophic dimension – which suits both the White Scars and Aeldari just right.
Each person in the story has enough individuality and depth of character to make them engaging to read about. Despite featuring quite a lot of characters and viewpoints, the plot manages not to feel overpopulated, while at the same time leaving enough revelations until later to sufficiently stoke the reader’s interest for the unfolding events. The book definitely gives you a sweet spot for the Scars, although I’d really like to learn even more of their native customs and maybe some pre-Astartes backstories for the main characters (like Robbie did in his Carcharodons or Blood of Iax). Well, who knows – perhaps we shall get more tales of the Tulwar Brotherhood in the future…
May 14, 2019
A pretty good read. The White Scars doing thier thing.
November 7, 2017
Dear Robbie, thank you for the fun read. I really enjoyed the fast paced plot and characters that were more than archetypes but were also not so philosophically burdened. The action was first rate. The inclusion of the Aeldari and Drukhari added a twist to the story and the way it ended, to me, was bittersweet. I really liked the choice of Tyranid and Genestealer Cultists as the main protagonists and I look forward to reading more about these xenos in future Black Library offerings as much as I look forward to your writing in general.
May 1, 2018
I really enjoyed MacNiven’s take on the white scars. He added a depth of character to them which I feel had been lacking in other stories. The cultural elements were well researched and implemented. Story wise, I initially felt that there was too much going on with the white scars, genestealer cults, thranids and the Eldar and dark Eldar all featuring in the novel. But MacNiven ties everything together quite nicel in the end.
February 9, 2019
Quite an interesting read.
I'm not a big fan of the Space marine novels as they usually just amounts to super humans in powered armour being super. This one feels a bit different. The White scars are actually using tactics that fit their chapter and lore. It's quite intense from time to time. Bonus points for both the Biker vs. Lictor and the land speeder crew.
And not least the Eldar.
One of the greatest strengths of this story is that the Eldar are pictured as very competent. They are very much in control of the situation and feel like a very powerful force. But this is without taking the focus from the White scars. They are both awesome and all three (well, four) factions get to show of just how awesome and lethal they are. A very well balanced story.
I'm not a big fan of the Space marine novels as they usually just amounts to super humans in powered armour being super. This one feels a bit different. The White scars are actually using tactics that fit their chapter and lore. It's quite intense from time to time. Bonus points for both the Biker vs. Lictor and the land speeder crew.
And not least the Eldar.
One of the greatest strengths of this story is that the Eldar are pictured as very competent. They are very much in control of the situation and feel like a very powerful force. But this is without taking the focus from the White scars. They are both awesome and all three (well, four) factions get to show of just how awesome and lethal they are. A very well balanced story.
July 31, 2019
This book really helped to make me feel legitimately outraged to find out how young Robbie MacNiven actually is. Hardly seems fair.
Anyway, needless to say I thought this was great - MacNiven does an excellent job capturing the alien horror of the tyranids (that chapter on the space station, jesus christ) and I absolutely loved how he portrayed the White Scars here. On those (rare) occasions I've seen the chapter used elsewhere, they've been rendered as more than a bit one-note speed fanatics. Whereas MacNiven does a great job grounding the chapter in their unique, quite distinctly Mongol-inspired culture and style of warfare. Plus, no spoilers, but the whole ending sequence with the Eldar I thought was truly clever and set up a really uniquely satisfying ending.
Anyway, needless to say I thought this was great - MacNiven does an excellent job capturing the alien horror of the tyranids (that chapter on the space station, jesus christ) and I absolutely loved how he portrayed the White Scars here. On those (rare) occasions I've seen the chapter used elsewhere, they've been rendered as more than a bit one-note speed fanatics. Whereas MacNiven does a great job grounding the chapter in their unique, quite distinctly Mongol-inspired culture and style of warfare. Plus, no spoilers, but the whole ending sequence with the Eldar I thought was truly clever and set up a really uniquely satisfying ending.
January 15, 2025
I never knew anything about the White Scars tbh, so this was a really good entry point to their chapter for me. I was recommended this book based mainly around what it’s like to fight the Tyranids, as all my previous 40K books generally revolved around fighting Chaos/heretics etc.
The depictions of the Tyranids was really well done and super visceral, made it easy to really imagine what it would be like to fight them as a regular Guardsman.
With that in mind, I would have loved to see a bit more from regular humans’ perspective. We get a bit with the tribespeople and some Guardsmen, but I would’ve loved a bit more as I do love seeing how people of the Imperium react to Space Marines.
The combat scenes were written extremely well, especially for something that could easily have been convoluted or confusing.
The only reason I went with 4 stars instead of 5 was because of the ending - once you get into time travel and alternate versions of people in different realities and the like, it makes the stakes feel less high, and honestly makes you kind of care less about all of the drama we spent the entire book dealing with.
But overall I really enjoyed it, I’m just wary of the implications of the ending.
The depictions of the Tyranids was really well done and super visceral, made it easy to really imagine what it would be like to fight them as a regular Guardsman.
With that in mind, I would have loved to see a bit more from regular humans’ perspective. We get a bit with the tribespeople and some Guardsmen, but I would’ve loved a bit more as I do love seeing how people of the Imperium react to Space Marines.
The combat scenes were written extremely well, especially for something that could easily have been convoluted or confusing.
The only reason I went with 4 stars instead of 5 was because of the ending - once you get into time travel and alternate versions of people in different realities and the like, it makes the stakes feel less high, and honestly makes you kind of care less about all of the drama we spent the entire book dealing with.
But overall I really enjoyed it, I’m just wary of the implications of the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2022
It was very interesting novel. At first it looks like typical bolter porn and there is no denying that it has a lot of it but it also has a lot of going on in the background. The characters are interesting and I liked author take on white scars culture.
Not a big fan of but overall it was enjoyable read. Defintly give it a try.
Not a big fan of but overall it was enjoyable read. Defintly give it a try.
May 11, 2018
I loved this!
I mean, really, anything Scars YASSSS!!
But the details of it were perfect. Information like mounting a Lictors head as a trophy.
I had already modelled some of my guys this way, being scars and nids i collected first.
Very enjoyable read.
I mean, really, anything Scars YASSSS!!
But the details of it were perfect. Information like mounting a Lictors head as a trophy.
I had already modelled some of my guys this way, being scars and nids i collected first.
Very enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2019
As a teenager (and just starting again as an adult) I collected Tyranids and this book not only got me up to speed with some of the new types of nids but was great to actually read a novel about what it would be like to face a Tyranid army.
December 3, 2023
A good White Scars not vel!
Fast paced with natural flow between the chaos of war and smaller, intense, emotional connections.
Especially how the White Scars are shown to have a better and possibly more natural connection with Humanity
Fast paced with natural flow between the chaos of war and smaller, intense, emotional connections.
Especially how the White Scars are shown to have a better and possibly more natural connection with Humanity
August 2, 2024
Interesting concept, but a bit dragged out in places and a very deus ex machina ending. I enjoyed the combat, and it's worth reading just for the section where a Tyranid ship eats an Imperial station. Good 40k content, but nothing particularly groundbreaking.
September 23, 2020
Starts off really well, I liked the small scale and build up of this book. But alas, it all caves in at about 2/3 of the story due to being sidetracked into a totally unnecessary sub-storyline.
January 5, 2023
Pretty solid if a traditional imperium v aliens v a secret third enemy. Characters were pretty engaging, especially Haiga and Temet.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews