Vulkan: Lord of Drakes

The Horus Heresy: Primarchs #9

by David Annandale

A Primarchs novel

The XVIII Legion faces annihilation. In the Taras Division, they make their last stand against a monstrous ork invasion. Their only hope for survival lies with their newly discovered primarch, Vulkan.

READ IT BECAUSE
It's an untold tale from the earliest days of the Salamanders, as they are united with Vulkan for the first time. With their very existence in the balance, can they be forged into one indivisible whole?

THE STORY
As the Emperor marshals his armies to reclaim the galaxy for the glory of mankind, one by one his Space Marine Legions are reunited with their missing primarchs. The XVIII Legion are still waiting to find their true identity, unaware their own lord has been found. In the Taras Division, legionaries face annihilation as they take a last, desperate stand against a monstrous ork invasion. Meanwhile, on Nocturne, Vulkan has raised and trained a new force of warriors. Now it is the time for him to lead his sons into battle. Now it is the time for him to truly don the mantle of primarch, not only to save one half of his Legion, but forge a new, indivisible whole.

Genres: Science Fiction, 40k, Fiction, Audiobook, Fantasy, Space, Novella

161 pages, Hardcover

First published July 21, 2018

Reviews

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a year of war, Vaughn had not yet been able to determine precisely how large the enemy’s force was. There were more than a million orks, that much the XVIII had been able to estimate. Their numbers might as well have been infinite. A million against the nineteen thousand of the XVIII Legion.
And that was at the start of the war. Vaughn’s legionaries had slowed the ork advance, but they could not stop it

Vulkan: Lord of Drakes is very similar to David Annandale's previous book in the Primarchs series Roboute Guilliman: Lord of Ultramar: a straight action-packed bolter-porn tale about "SPESS MAHREENS SMASH PUNY ORKS!!!" without much character development, depth or twists, and no insights at all about Vulkan's past since his arrival on Nocturne.



‘A year!’ Vulkan exclaimed.
‘They have done much,’ said the Emperor. ‘But they have reached the end. Soon, they will be able to do nothing more.’
‘Why did you not tell me sooner?’
‘They were not ready for you until this moment, and you were not ready for them,’ the Emperor told him. ‘Go to Antaeum. Save the old Legion.’
‘I will forge a new one,’ Vulkan promised.
‘Forge the true Legion,’ said the Emperor.

Besides that I enjoyed a lot this book about the  birth of the Salamanders and the two battlefield settings of this tale, with legionaries of XVIII Terran fighting a Thermopilae-like last stand against a monstrous ork invasion, luring the xenos on a volcanic death world to spare innocent lives, and the newborn forces of XVIII Nocturne fighting a Death Star-like battle inside the orks' attack moon, with a huge boarding torpedo bearing a thousand astartes equipped with explosives in place of a well aimed bomb inside a thermal exhaust port design flaw...



The orks fired back. Some of their ships exploded as they attempted to engage, dying without being struck by a single Imperial shell. But there were always more. The swarm grew thicker. Ork ships collided with each other in their eagerness to take on the enemy.
But there were always more.
And the attack moon loomed in the centre of the ork fleet, the greatest monster.

Not a masterpiece at all and final outcome was never in doubt, but the ending was so good that I was cheering together with Vulkan and his sons, at last reunited and forged on the anvil of war as a whole newborn legion of the Imperium.

He saw the threat the orks represented. He saw what the human galaxy struggled against. He understood now that the duty to protect was not limited to Nocturne. He knew that truth viscerally. He gazed upon the orks with fury. This was what the Terrans had been fighting for a year, and at the thought, a rush of brotherhood spread through his veins like fire.



Three stars and one half rounded up.

[Veronica Anrathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book greatly reminded me of another Annandale's work, first tale in the Primarchs series, the book of Roboute Guilliman. I draw this comparison because both of them were enjoyable to a point, but not insightful enough to wear the name of a Primarch. I would say Vulkan is a stronger story, it has a decent ending and overall mood, but it still is just a tale of Astartes struggling fighting orks, then succeeding at the end, learning a certain lesson. Unfortunately I don't think it's enough, after reading Perturabo: Hammer of Olympia or Lorgar: Bearer of the Word, I expect Primarch books to tell us about important events of the past, to let us peak behind the curtain and hopefully end up with a better understanding of a character. I don't think I've learned anything new about Vulkan. It wasn't bad by any means, I just expect more from these.

[Javir11 · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10

Si no fuera porque los libros de esta saga son cortitos, creo que ya hubiera dejado de leerlos. Al final aportan poco o casi nada al mundo de la Herejía, pero como digo al ser un 200 páginas, pues los lees rápido.

Como en todos los demás, solo recomendable si eres muy fan de la Herejía o del primarca/legión sobre la que trata la novela en cuestión.

[RatGrrrl · Rating 2 out of 5]

March 2024Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus VII Anvil of War (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) additional material as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.


Well, I'm glad that's over!

I have very little to say beyond this being offensively inoffensive and I would still have been bored and only given this middling marks if this was a Space Marine Battles book (which it 99% is), so for the Horus Heresy and being a closer look at Vulkan and the Salamanders? Unacceptable.

I usually don't go lower than 3/5 for books that aren't seriously flawed or problematic, which this isn't, beyond the flaw of being an incredibly boring, soupy mess that could be any Space Marines who's Legion got down to very low numbers in the early days if the Great Crusade or before. So...pretty much any of them!

My brain simply glazed over with nothing of interest to latch on to, which is ridiculous because the actual events of the story and the beats of the narrative could be used to incredible effect!

Also, seriously. Black Library. You've had multiple audiobooks now where everyone or nearly everyone, including the narrator have a vaguely African accent because the Salamanders and black, literally, black, and not necessarily Black (it's a whole thing and I'm absolutely not interested in gatekeeping or canon or whatever. If anyone gets anything out of reading them as Black I fully support that), but you have white guys doing vaguely African accents for entire books...just hire a Black person to do the narration, maybe even someone with more knowledge of African accents. I get that the 'debate' about accents in audiobooks is a thing--my take, if a white person is narrating and they can't do a flawless and respectful accent, just don't do one, and, better yet, don't do accents and hire a diverse array of narrators who can do the job!--but if it's a while book...in an accent...that's an open and shut case of hire someone appropriate for the job and don't have a white English guy doing vaguely African accent for so many books and stories!

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 13.41 Horus Heresy novels, 7 novellas, 37 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.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started learning about Warhammer 40,000's various Space Marine Legions I found myself drawn to the Salamanders. All of the legions were heroic, but the Salamanders had something to go with that heroism; a large streak of humanity and compassion. They are renowned amongst the Space Marines for their kindness and devotion to humans. While other Legions are more big picture the Salamanders are more about saving lives. That compassion can sometimes get them in trouble though. It forces them to take on almost suicidal challenges and endure against impossible odds. Fortunately, they have a pretty great example to look up to; their Primarch Vulkan; a brilliant and calculating bad-ass who combines Tony Stark's engineering process with the stoicism and inspirational qualities of Marcus Aurelius. So he's a fascinating character, and he's also the protagonist of David Annandale's novel in Black Library's “Primarchs” series, “Vulkan: Lord of Drakes.”

Annandale has written some of my favorite 40K novels, and it's clear he understands and enjoys writing his protagonist. You get insights into Vulkan's psyche. You see his doubts, you see his hopes. And you see why he's special. Also each chapter begins with a passage from Vulkan's writings that gives insights into what drives him. They feel like could come from Marcus Aurelius's “Meditations.”

In “Vulkan” Annandale take his protagonist and the Salamanders back in time to a pivotal point in their history; when the original Terran incarnation of the Legion and the newer Nocturne based one were forged into one. It fits perfectly with the spirit of the Salamanders who are renowned for their craftsmanship of armor and weapons. And it's even more perfect that a large portion of the novel takes place on a volcanic deathworld.

That deathworld is where the Terran incarnation of the Salamanders are making a final stand against a marauding ork horde. They must hold the line until Vulkan and the new forces of the Legion arrive to enact a desperate plan to save their brothers and destroy the ork's attack moon (I'll never tire of typing those words. So over the top and METALl).

So, “Vulkan” is a novel about finding hope in hopeless situations. It's about risking your neck for humanity and your fellow soldiers. It's about standing tall against immeasurable odds and going down swinging if you have to. But it's also a novel about hope and faith being rewarded. Near the end of the book that happens and Vulkan gets a scene so fun, and cool that all I could do after reading it was throw up metal horns. That's because with that scene Annandale performs the sci-fi writer's equivalent of a blistering guitar solo.

As I mentioned, I loved Annandale's take on Vulkan, but the writer also gives us some fun individual Salamanders as well. I especially loved the leaders of the Terran based Salamanders; Vaughn and Numeon. Those two performed some inspiring and exciting acts of heroism while trying hold back the ork onslaught.

So, with “Vulkan: Lord of Drakes” David Annandale tackles my favorite loyalist Space Marine Legion and Primarch and does them justice. The book is not that long, but it's got a huge scope and scale, is packed with fun, exciting action, heroes you can root for, and an emotional and inspiring climax that will make Salamanders fans stand up and cheer.

[Frédéric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!The XVIII is finally reunited.Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!Orks!

[Oliver Patrick · Rating 4 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 going forward. https://rateyourmusic.com/list/Tymell... That is the list I am following for anyone else who wishes to do the same.

Whilst I enjoyed the book I cant recommend it to anyone who wants to delve into the origin story of Vulkan as this story is set after the initial discovery of Vulkan. But I can recommend it for anyone who is looking for some Vulkan flavored goodness. I was very disappointed not in the book but in GW\BL as the book does not cover the initial origin story of Vulkan, it only glances over the initial discovery in a few sentences. Upon further research I found that the initial meeting between Vulkan and the emperor can be found in the anthology of short stories book "Sons of the Emperor". Wonderful you might think ill go read that before reading this book to give context and background, until you realize that "Sons of the Emperor" book was limited print for a GW event and you can no longer purchase it. The only copy I found of this book was on Ebay for... wait for it.... £150.

As a result I honestly feel I didn't enjoy this book as much as I could have, but it was still worth a read. Again I found it very helpful to look up in advance of reading the book http://wh40k.lexicanum.com to give an overview on Vulkan to fill in some missing pieces in the initial discovery which I feel would have been great as the starting chapters of this book.

[Andrew Ziegler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storywise I think this novel is not really great. I mean, it reminds me of the DA Ravenwing book, or some others that where not terrible books, but not the knock down drag out or insightful tomes I want them to be. Sometimes a good story is just a good story. However, compared to some of the other Primarch novels, this one was nothing really new. That is unfortunate to me because I have been steeped in the lore of this universe since 1992 and Legions like the 18th were this weird outlier, or name on a list of the other legions that we would just stare at in wonder. Since the launch of the Horus Heresy series I have taken the novels that followed as kind of the connection to the universe that I did not have as consistently with playing the game itself. I would paint and read. In fact I painted legions, like the Salamanders, who have become so amazing since these novels have helped flesh them out. I think this was a great opportunity to maybe dive into a little more of the Primarch himself, considering his...um...special gift...I think the joining of the terrans and the Nocturnians and the forging of the legion was a cool tale, but I also think this was a missed opportunity for something really special.

[Sarah Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars because Vulkan is the best primarch and it was such an enjoyable little story. Very self contained and throughly enjoyable.
10/10 would kiss him because he is perfect.

[William Bainbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Simply incredible. One of my favourite reads in a long long time.
This book has well and truly cemented my love for the salamanders, if I was already convinced beforehand, I am now absolutely head over heels. Vulkan is by far more my favourite 40k character that ive had the pleasure of meeting thus far, he and his legion represent things that I hold dear to my heart, INTO THE FIRES OF BATTLE UNTO THE ANVIL OF WAR. Vaugh was a great character, and there were many many more. Speaking of Vaugh, the way the book positions Vaughn and the rest of the salamanders from Terra as being caught in an unwinnable and constant battle with the orks was so interesting, to see a legion in two halves, with Vulkan being with his new boys on his home planet of Nocturne. Although Nocturne was only featured at the start, it was awesome to see the home world explored, and I love the legions links to dragons and how they somehow thrive in such harsh and volcanic conditions. Seeing Vulkan lead the Nocturne boys to the aid of the Terra boys was beautiful.
The orks were an interesting enemy, and I paticularly loved seeing how the 'Termite' ripped through their attack moon.
Vulkan vs the warchief was an epic fight. My boy was aura farming near the end, and I loved the little quotes we got from him at the start of every chapter that spoke about the legion and his personal thoughts in detail.
The ending. Wow. The now combined legion of both halves kneel to their King, and he tells them to stand, for he is not their King, he is their Father, and they should not kneel, for they have succeeded in every way possible. And then, the huge man falls to his knees, and he kneels to his sons, for they have earned his honour. I will now copy and paste Vulkans final speech that the book closes out on.
HEAR ME SONS, KNOW YOUR NAMEEEE, YOU ARE THE FIREBORN, YOU ARE THE SALAMANDERSSSSSSS.

[Jacob Bennike · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With ORK problems

So if I only could
Be running up that hill
With ORK problems

If I only could, be running up that hill
If I only could, be running up that hill


This isn’t a primarch book, it’s a book about how there are en infinite amount of ORKs.

[Amanda]

Proofread, so no review.

[Troy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like the the salamanders or orks this book is for you. I was up to the vulkan lives book in the horus heresy so felt like reading some vulkan and salamander history first. This book largely is just about a big battle with a huge ork army against vulkan and the salamanders. Some good battle scenes. It's a pretty quick read.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatively straightforward bolter story about Marines vs. Orks. Seen it a dozen times. But this book had an unusual highlight: the moment in which a Space Marine Legion is reunited with its Primarch, and watching that moment instantly transform the legion. So all throughout the Marines vs. Orks portion, you're just waiting for the moment in which the Eighteenth gets their Primarch.

I enjoyed it, but then again I like Vulkan.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rousing action packed and inspiring adventure of the early Salamanders while avoiding too much introspection. ‘Nuff said.

[Michael Botterill · Rating 4 out of 5]

As regular listeners of Edge of Empire will know, I am not a huge fan of David Annadales Heresy books, mostly due to his writing style, but this is probably his best Heresy book thus far.

A solid instalment which sees the newly forged Nortunian XVIIIth come to the rescue of the Terran XVIIIth.

Although there are bits of fluff that made me cringe, such as what he described a Termite as, and the ridiculousness of 800 Astartes taking on an entire attack moon filled with 10’s thousands of Orks and not suffering horrendous losses.

It’s a rip roaring tale with tons of action in it, and a few familiar faces in it, but my main criticism is that the conclusion feels a bit rushed, it easily could have had another chapter to finish it off better.

But I know have more faith in Annandale and really have to say that, yes his writing style is frustrating, but this really is his best book to date and he really has grown as a storyteller.

[Matthew Beeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine. I had higher hopes for this since I liked the idea of Vulkan and finished Russ's book recently. There just didn't seem like there was a lot to it. Sorta felt like I was reading the Brad Pitt version of World War Z meets Fast & The Furious. Orks were just something to kill. Could have replaced them with anything and it wouldn't have mattered. The termite drill being sent into the base had me howling for a few mins. After reading the buried dagger, maybe I'm just spoiled but I would love some transition markings to the other legion's portion. Going from two diffrent areas was confusing at times because there was a pretty good amount of death and I couldn't keep up with who was who.

After not really getting into the Magnus book and now this, I'm probably done with the Primarch book. Will probably pick up Mortarion's when he gets one.

[Jack Volante · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, one of the later Primarchs to be found is detailed in this novel. It appears at the start of the story that he hasn't yet met up with the Terran-based 'half' of his legion. Who are busy getting rofl-stomped by orcs in another system.
I was pleasantly surprised to read that some of the higher ranking Salamanders are dismayed that the other legions think that the Salamanders are suicidal, just because they prefer to fight to the last man to save civilians. We all knew that the Salamanders were the most 'civvy-friendly' of legions, but now we know how the other legions thought they were nuts.

A decent story, although I would have liked to have seen something about Vulkan's immortal abilities being shown in action.

[Fox Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a ton of fun to read and a really cool set up for the story to take place in. Only give this a three because it is in essence bolter porn with very little analysis of the titular Vulkan. There are a few character study scenes with him and his son but when compared to the other primarchs they are a tad superficial and don’t lead anywhere near the same depth as something like the Lion or Curze. That being said this is damn good bolter porn with excellent set pieces and a writing style that immediately teleports me into the world.

[Ronnie Geddes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an incredible example of what The Horus Heresy: Primarchs series should be. The only thing stopping this from being 5-stars is the long sections of the book focused around the actual combat with the orks. If that's your thing just add it on there for yourself. The majority of the book however is focused on The Salamanders becoming a whole legion after Vulkan is found. It allows for a perfect mosaic of perspectives throughout the legion in what I feel really gets to the heart of who the Salamanders are as a legion.

[Michael Blank · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit I’m not a huge fan of Annandale’s writing, but this one ended up being a pretty solid entry in the Primarchs series. The ending was kind of rushed, but not in a sloppy way. The only thing that seemed somewhat silly was when groups of (at most) a hundred Astartes were surrounded by “tens of thousands” of Orks that somehow didn’t mow them all down in an instant. Ah, well. I liked this more than I thought I would, so I won’t complain.

[Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vulkhan being my favourite primarch, I knew going into this the book was going to peak my interest. It did not disappoint, this book truly shows the human side to primarchs with Vulkhan having doubts on his rule of his new legion and how he is going to combine the Nocturne legion with the Terra Legion. Through in a whole bunch of crazy orks and you have a fun packed book with some fantastic action scenes.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the idea of the Salamanders and Vulkan and there is so much that I should love.

But fuuuck.

Every time I read one of their books I am board to death.

The worst part of warhammer is when it is primarily battles and not enough of the "politics" and character development for the lack of a better word.

Compared to others that have either an even Mix or more story then battle, this one has like a small part at the start a paragraph at the end and drops in the middle.

Sad 

[Aric Hagy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not impressed. This was my first 40K book. I read it because Vulkan is my favorite Primarch and I used to play this army in the table top game. That being said, I was not really impressed at all. It was basically just a 5 hour action story with almost no character development and felt more like FPS video game level story telling. I hope other 40k books are better.

[Pavle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather glorious as I do have a bias of favoritism for the Salamanders as a Legion. That being said, it certainly would be better had Annandale fleshed more out of the Terran XVIII. Worth the read but wish there was more, seemed to condensed and lost his pacing at times.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, action-rich read. It's just...you know, my expectation when reading a book called "Vulkan" was that it would be about the primarch. Instead I just read another Space Marine novel. One with far too many spelling mistakes and a translation into german that could've been done better at times.

[Isaac Blackwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of disappointed with this one. I love Vulkan and the Salamanders but this book just didn't do it for me.

The story was just very generic and just the same as a dozen other books about fighting the Orks. Not really much to keep me engaged.

Pity.

[hoang huu do · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father, Sons, Fire & the Anvil of War

It's basically an epic campaign uniting the Terran and the Nocturnean and the 'forging' of the 18th. Vulkan is just..... a good dad! The Salamanders are so nice I think I need some to read some Night Lords to re-stained my soul

[Daniel Timmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had very little to do with Vulkan, which I wouldn't have minded, except that it was consumed with generic bolter battles. This book could have been amazing but it bored me to death. 3 stars is generous for this one.

[Keifer Gove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book about my favorite character in this universe and his legion loved the last few pages a lot thought it was well written and just a treat to read