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Black Library Advent Calendar 2017 #1
Perturabo: Stone and Iron
A Primarchs audio drama
During the Great Crusade, Primarch Perturabo leads a newly raised unit of his Iron Warriors in battle, teaching them the difference between stone and iron – with the Imperial Fists unwitting tutors.
The 33rd Grand Battalion of the Iron Warriors, newly raised and seeing battle for the first time, have the honour of the primarch himself, Perturabo, leading them. But the Hammer of Olympia is there for more than just battle – he is evaluating his new officers and deciding their fates. And with a force of Imperial Fists allied to their cause, Perturabo sees the perfect opportunity to teach his new warriors the difference between the stone of the VII Legion and the Iron of his own.
During the Great Crusade, Primarch Perturabo leads a newly raised unit of his Iron Warriors in battle, teaching them the difference between stone and iron – with the Imperial Fists unwitting tutors.
The 33rd Grand Battalion of the Iron Warriors, newly raised and seeing battle for the first time, have the honour of the primarch himself, Perturabo, leading them. But the Hammer of Olympia is there for more than just battle – he is evaluating his new officers and deciding their fates. And with a force of Imperial Fists allied to their cause, Perturabo sees the perfect opportunity to teach his new warriors the difference between the stone of the VII Legion and the Iron of his own.
MP3
Published December 1, 2017
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About the author
Robbie MacNiven
123 books114 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 27, 2024
May 2024 Re-Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order (https://www.heresyomnibus.com) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy series and extras - Now in Immaterium of everything outside the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project working on the Primarchs and other stories, beige the Siege of Terra.
Perturabo is the worst, but this doesn't cut to the heart of the Hammer of Olympus and his Iron Warriors in the same way A Lesson in Darkness does for the Night Lords.
With a little more colour and shading this could really be something special.
Through the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project and my own additions, I have currently read* all 54 Horus Heresy main series novels (+1 repeat), 25 novellas (+2 repeats), Cthonia's Reckoning, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, all 17 Primarchs novels 1 Primarchs anthology, 3 Characters novels, and 179 short stories/ audio dramas across the Horus Heresy (inc. 12+ repeats). Plus, 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and 1 short story...this run, as well as writing 1 short story myself.
I couldn't be more appreciative of the phenomenal work of the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project, which has made this ridiculous endeavour all the better and has inspired me to create and collate a collection of Horus Heresy and Warhammer 40,000 documents and checklists (http://tiny.cc/im00yz). There are now too many items to list here, but there is a contents and explainer document here (http://tiny.cc/nj00yz).
*My tracking consistently proves shoddy, but I'm doing my best.
***
February 2024 Re-Listen as additional to the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus IV Shattersong (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.
I have very little to add to my initial review, although I think I enjoyed this less, especially after clocking that this came out six months after the phenomenal Hammer of Olympia.
There's the potential for a great story here, but there's nothing to grab on to or care about.
It feels like we're running out of ways to say the Iron Warriors are cold blooded and Perturabo is a cruel and merciless tyrant who appears to relish abusing his sons when they fail to meet his exacting standards.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 10 Horus Heresy novels, 5 novellas, 19 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 6 Primarchs novels, 4 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.
***
Initial Review:
I don't think I have encountered MacNiven before, so a Black Library Advent Calendar short audio drama is a difficult first impression, and I really am in two minds about this one.
In the before times the Iron Warriors and Imperial Fists are fighting Orks and ole Perty B is rolling with some of his less vaunted sons, making a teaching moment of the whole thing, which ultimately leads to increased tensions between the Iron 4th and the Stone 7th.
Honestly, this was a bit dull until the very end. Rather dry descriptions of military stuff and some dialogue, but the Lord of Iron being an absolutely messy bitch who loves drama at the end gave me something to enjoy. That man with read anyone for filth and then lay siege to the library!
It's fine. We do get an idea of just how cold, unforgiving, and calculating the Breaker can be, but otherwise it's just a flashback to the rival Legions being rivals. Iron Warriors fans will obviously enjoy this, but it's not one I think people should go out of their way for.
Perturabo is the worst, but this doesn't cut to the heart of the Hammer of Olympus and his Iron Warriors in the same way A Lesson in Darkness does for the Night Lords.
With a little more colour and shading this could really be something special.
Through the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project and my own additions, I have currently read* all 54 Horus Heresy main series novels (+1 repeat), 25 novellas (+2 repeats), Cthonia's Reckoning, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, all 17 Primarchs novels 1 Primarchs anthology, 3 Characters novels, and 179 short stories/ audio dramas across the Horus Heresy (inc. 12+ repeats). Plus, 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and 1 short story...this run, as well as writing 1 short story myself.
I couldn't be more appreciative of the phenomenal work of the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project, which has made this ridiculous endeavour all the better and has inspired me to create and collate a collection of Horus Heresy and Warhammer 40,000 documents and checklists (http://tiny.cc/im00yz). There are now too many items to list here, but there is a contents and explainer document here (http://tiny.cc/nj00yz).
*My tracking consistently proves shoddy, but I'm doing my best.
***
February 2024 Re-Listen as additional to the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus IV Shattersong (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.
I have very little to add to my initial review, although I think I enjoyed this less, especially after clocking that this came out six months after the phenomenal Hammer of Olympia.
There's the potential for a great story here, but there's nothing to grab on to or care about.
It feels like we're running out of ways to say the Iron Warriors are cold blooded and Perturabo is a cruel and merciless tyrant who appears to relish abusing his sons when they fail to meet his exacting standards.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 10 Horus Heresy novels, 5 novellas, 19 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 6 Primarchs novels, 4 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.
***
Initial Review:
I don't think I have encountered MacNiven before, so a Black Library Advent Calendar short audio drama is a difficult first impression, and I really am in two minds about this one.
In the before times the Iron Warriors and Imperial Fists are fighting Orks and ole Perty B is rolling with some of his less vaunted sons, making a teaching moment of the whole thing, which ultimately leads to increased tensions between the Iron 4th and the Stone 7th.
Honestly, this was a bit dull until the very end. Rather dry descriptions of military stuff and some dialogue, but the Lord of Iron being an absolutely messy bitch who loves drama at the end gave me something to enjoy. That man with read anyone for filth and then lay siege to the library!
It's fine. We do get an idea of just how cold, unforgiving, and calculating the Breaker can be, but otherwise it's just a flashback to the rival Legions being rivals. Iron Warriors fans will obviously enjoy this, but it's not one I think people should go out of their way for.
December 5, 2017
A short but chilling portrayal of Perturabo and the Legion rivalry between Imperial Fists and Iron Warriors. This one makes it easy to see why the two would be at such odds.
September 4, 2021
Another short story audio drama focusing this time on the pro arch Perturabo. I enjoyed it, hearing Perturabo speak and get an idea for his cold calculating nature was nice, though the story itself didn’t have a lot of drive. Much like the siege works his Legion destroys or holds it’s a solid work but doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere. Still a fun story to spend the 20 or so minutes listening to
March 1, 2018
Perturabo being a total bro.
September 30, 2018
Story
An Imperial Fist company is being pinned down by the ork invasion. The freshly reformed 33'rd grand battalion of the Iron Warriors is sent to help the Imperial Fist. But Perturabo has another plan for them than just rescuing.
Character
Character isn't that fleshed out due to the audio lenght.
I never read much about Perturabo, but i was told that he's cold and ruthless. In this audio drama Perturabo is shown to be cold and Calculative but not cartoonishly evil.
Updated: 10/02/2018
Perturabo has an interisting voice in the drama. Some including me would think his voice deep and flat. Bit apparently his voice was young, calm, and charismatic
The Iron Warriors is shown as reckless due to being freshly formed such as Mollox (?). There are also others character like Ferrex but his role is quite limited.
For the Imperial fist they have Captain Forren(?) and other minor character. The one noticable would be the captain since he has the most dialog for the Imperial Fist.
Sounds
For audio quality, it's quite immersive due to the background sound. They also have transition sounds that use to switch perspective.
Conclusion
The story was a short one since it ranges for 21 minutes. It's an unique insight just how calculative Perturabo than other story about him than simply being cold and evil.
An Imperial Fist company is being pinned down by the ork invasion. The freshly reformed 33'rd grand battalion of the Iron Warriors is sent to help the Imperial Fist. But Perturabo has another plan for them than just rescuing.
Character
Character isn't that fleshed out due to the audio lenght.
I never read much about Perturabo, but i was told that he's cold and ruthless. In this audio drama Perturabo is shown to be cold and Calculative but not cartoonishly evil.
Updated: 10/02/2018
Perturabo has an interisting voice in the drama. Some including me would think his voice deep and flat. Bit apparently his voice was young, calm, and charismatic
The Iron Warriors is shown as reckless due to being freshly formed such as Mollox (?). There are also others character like Ferrex but his role is quite limited.
For the Imperial fist they have Captain Forren(?) and other minor character. The one noticable would be the captain since he has the most dialog for the Imperial Fist.
Sounds
For audio quality, it's quite immersive due to the background sound. They also have transition sounds that use to switch perspective.
Conclusion
The story was a short one since it ranges for 21 minutes. It's an unique insight just how calculative Perturabo than other story about him than simply being cold and evil.
December 22, 2017
The first audio drama in the Horus Heresy Primarchs series, this sees the Hammer of Olympia leading the inexperienced 33rd Grand Battalion of the Iron Warriors into battle. Though his officers seem leery of the VIIth Legion’s efforts, Perturabo sees an opportunity to impart an important lesson to his sons using the Fists as his example.
It’s 21 minutes filled largely with cold indifference or sneering condescension from Perturabo (voiced with aplomb by Andrew Wincott). It’s a story that works well in audio, even if it doesn’t absolutely make the most of the format, but it’s worth it just to hear Perturabo’s sneer.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2017/12/...
It’s 21 minutes filled largely with cold indifference or sneering condescension from Perturabo (voiced with aplomb by Andrew Wincott). It’s a story that works well in audio, even if it doesn’t absolutely make the most of the format, but it’s worth it just to hear Perturabo’s sneer.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2017/12/...
November 5, 2018
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. Next in the long list was "Lorgar: Bearer of the word" set roughly around 30,841 - 30,857 and then this audiobook set in 30,849.
I found the audiobook to be ok, it gives some insight into Perturabo's character and his mindset on his legion and other legions.
This audiobook was very well read and is ideal for anyone looking to listen whilst doing other things i.e. commuting or in the car etc. Although it wont take you long to finish it as its only about 21 minutes long.
I found the audiobook to be ok, it gives some insight into Perturabo's character and his mindset on his legion and other legions.
This audiobook was very well read and is ideal for anyone looking to listen whilst doing other things i.e. commuting or in the car etc. Although it wont take you long to finish it as its only about 21 minutes long.
January 22, 2018
A short and excellent portrayal of the cold and Calculated Primarch of the Iron Warriors, a character who lives up to his reputation once again in this piece.
At first I was a little uncertain as to where the drama was going but it all ends up unfolding in a nice manner that really hammers home the theme; in the way that only the way the Hammer of Olympia can.
A 4 out of 5
At first I was a little uncertain as to where the drama was going but it all ends up unfolding in a nice manner that really hammers home the theme; in the way that only the way the Hammer of Olympia can.
A 4 out of 5
December 20, 2017
A well written short piece. Nothing particularly new here, we all knew Perturabo is a certain type of person and here he is yet again. Wish it was a little longer though.
April 2, 2019
A pretty decent if not slighty amusing tale, Perturabo evolving further in a new writers hands is a welcome developmemt.
August 18, 2025
A chilling look at Perturabo's cruelty and jealousy. Perturabo has consistently been depicted as having a chip on his shoulder, a self-imposed martyrdom stemming in part from both an inflated ego and crippling self-doubt. That he sees Dorn and the Imperial Fists as a rival to tear down rather than an ally shows his immaturity.
This story is set during the Great Crusade era.
This story is set during the Great Crusade era.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews