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The Horus Heresy #43
Shattered Legions
This great value anthology incudes the following stories from some of Black Library's most loved authors:
Meduson by Dan Abnett
The Noose by David Annandale
The Keys of Hel by John French
Unforged & Unspoken by Guy Haley
Immortal Duty by Nick Kyme
The Either & The Seventh Serpent by Graham McNeill
Deeds Endure by Gav Thorpe
Grey Talon & The Hand Elect by Chris Wraight
Driven almost to the brink of self-destruction at Isstvan V, the Iron Hands now seek vengeance for the murder of their primarch Ferrus Manus. Gathering survivors from the Raven Guard and the Salamanders aboard any vessels capable of warp travel, these Shattered Legions wage a new campaign of annihilation against the traitor forces across the galaxy – a campaign masterminded by legendary warleader Shadrak Meduson.
This Horus Heresy anthology contains ten short stories by authors including Dan Abnett, Chris Wraight, John French and many more. Also, in the novella The Seventh Serpent, Graham McNeill revisits the ragtag crew of the starship Sisypheum as they are drawn into a war of subterfuge against the Alpha Legion.
Meduson by Dan Abnett
The Noose by David Annandale
The Keys of Hel by John French
Unforged & Unspoken by Guy Haley
Immortal Duty by Nick Kyme
The Either & The Seventh Serpent by Graham McNeill
Deeds Endure by Gav Thorpe
Grey Talon & The Hand Elect by Chris Wraight
Driven almost to the brink of self-destruction at Isstvan V, the Iron Hands now seek vengeance for the murder of their primarch Ferrus Manus. Gathering survivors from the Raven Guard and the Salamanders aboard any vessels capable of warp travel, these Shattered Legions wage a new campaign of annihilation against the traitor forces across the galaxy – a campaign masterminded by legendary warleader Shadrak Meduson.
This Horus Heresy anthology contains ten short stories by authors including Dan Abnett, Chris Wraight, John French and many more. Also, in the novella The Seventh Serpent, Graham McNeill revisits the ragtag crew of the starship Sisypheum as they are drawn into a war of subterfuge against the Alpha Legion.
496 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2017
100 people are currently reading
1469 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Goulding
66 books43 followersL. J. Goulding is a British novelist, scriptwriter and editor, living and working in Los Angeles, California. His credits include 'League of Legends: Realms of Runeterra', the Black Library audio dramas 'Malcador: First Lord of the Imperium', 'The Heart of the Pharos', 'Scythes of the Emperor: Daedalus', and 'Mortarion's Heart', the novel 'Slaughter at Giant's Coffin', and many short stories for publishers in the UK and US.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 15, 2017
Meduson by Dan Abnett: 5+++ stars
Unforged by Guy Haley: 3 stars
Immortal Duty by Nick Kyme: 4 stars
Grey Talon by Chris Wraight: 5 stars
The Keys of Hel by John French: 5 stars
Deeds Endure by Gav Thorpe: 5+++ stars
The Noose by David Annandale: 3 stars
Unspoken by Guy Haley: 4 stars
The Seventh Serpent by Graham McNeill: 5 stars
The Hand Elect by Chris Wraight: 4 stars
The Either by Graham McNeill: 5 stars
Final vote: 4,5 rounded to 5 stars.
There are lots of precious gems in this anthology, maybe best one of the long spanning Horus Heresy saga.
The quest for vengeance of the steadfast Xth Legion, beheaded by the death of its primarch during the Drop Site Massacre on the world of Istvaan V at the start of the Heresy, is just thrilling and epic.
And Shadrak Meduson, reluctant new War Leader of the Iron Hands, is just born by the stuff great heroes are made of.
July 6, 2021
-Propuesta poco común en esta saga y entre las antologías en general.-
Género. Relatos.
Lo que nos cuenta. El libro Legiones quebradas (publicación original: Shattered Legions, 2018) nos lleva hasta los acontecimientos posteriores a la masacre de legiones y primarcas en Isstvan V, que arrasa con el liderazgo y la mayoría de los efectivos de los Manos de Hierro, Salamandras y Guardia del Cuervo. A partir de las ideas de Shadrak Meduson del clan de Sorrgol, capitán de la Décima Compañía de los Manos de Hierro, muchas tradiciones serán cambiadas para unir las fuerzas de capítulos diferentes en un mismo grupo de combate, las Legiones Quebradas, que pueda resultar útil bajo unas condiciones tan difíciles. Libro cuadragésimo tercero de la serie La herejía de Horus.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
https://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com...
Género. Relatos.
Lo que nos cuenta. El libro Legiones quebradas (publicación original: Shattered Legions, 2018) nos lleva hasta los acontecimientos posteriores a la masacre de legiones y primarcas en Isstvan V, que arrasa con el liderazgo y la mayoría de los efectivos de los Manos de Hierro, Salamandras y Guardia del Cuervo. A partir de las ideas de Shadrak Meduson del clan de Sorrgol, capitán de la Décima Compañía de los Manos de Hierro, muchas tradiciones serán cambiadas para unir las fuerzas de capítulos diferentes en un mismo grupo de combate, las Legiones Quebradas, que pueda resultar útil bajo unas condiciones tan difíciles. Libro cuadragésimo tercero de la serie La herejía de Horus.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
https://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com...
December 16, 2017
Shattered Legions was quite good. It is a collection of short stories set during the Horus Heresy directly after the events of Istavaan IV. Cataloging the adventures of Shadrak Meduson as he tries to lead a hybrid force of Iron Hands, Salamanders and Raven Guard survivors of the Dropsite Massacre are banding together to bring the fight to the traitor legions. Both Ferrus Manus and Vulkan, Primarchs of the Iron Hands and Salamanders, have fallen betrayed and killed by those they called brother. In the wake of this disaster, while struggling to come to grips with the extent of the Heresy, Meduson grabs the survivors and tries to strike back.
This is a dark and grim tome. The overwhelming sense of despair, loss and anger is on display throughout these stories. No one knows whom to trust. Little to none suspect the forces of Chaos and think Horus has just gone rogue. No one knows which legions are trustworthy. By far the most dark tone I've run into. But that is what makes this so good. A collection of tales of how the "Shattered Legions", the moniker for the 3 legions that were decimated at Istvaan. A great background book for a look at the true scope of the tragedy that was the Heresy. A great collection for any Warhammer 40K fan looking to see what it was like during the Heresy.
This is a dark and grim tome. The overwhelming sense of despair, loss and anger is on display throughout these stories. No one knows whom to trust. Little to none suspect the forces of Chaos and think Horus has just gone rogue. No one knows which legions are trustworthy. By far the most dark tone I've run into. But that is what makes this so good. A collection of tales of how the "Shattered Legions", the moniker for the 3 legions that were decimated at Istvaan. A great background book for a look at the true scope of the tragedy that was the Heresy. A great collection for any Warhammer 40K fan looking to see what it was like during the Heresy.
January 7, 2025
An enjoyable collection that adds relevance to a hard done legion. It is definitely off the main track of the Horus Heresy, but I am pretty forgiving with the fun ones.
The perception of the Iron Hands that sticks with me is how they make do in the face of thousands of little (and occasional big) failures. The obvious major issue is how to re-organise themselves following the beheading of Ferrus Manus, but there are many individual ones. The flesh is weak (particularly if you’re a frozen semi-corpse full of bolter shells) but there are also degraded cybernetic limbs and pockmarked warships. Even their memories are damaged, as one Salamander has to correct them on the full context of the mantra that The flesh is weak.
The collection is about a shoestring tied together by a fraying piece of twine army but, along with some aid from orphaned Salamanders and Raven Guard (Sharrowkyn elevating the latter far more than his Primarch has managed in his series), the Iron Hands make a cool side story. They also provoke counters from the Traitors, which adds dynamism to the setting. I do question the editorial comment in the Afterword that the efforts of the Iron Hands delays Horus’ march on Terra by two years, as that raises many an eyebrow about the competences of (a) Horus and (b) the Loyalist forces granted this boon of time, but I get the desire to give the Iron Hands relevant – after all, their models have to be made marketable somehow (balance as the Afterword calls it).
The other major perception I have of the Iron Hands is that they just keep falling for treachery! Part of that is the book is a collection of novellas and short stories - a number of the authors saw an opportunity to reflect the treachery on Isstvan in the set pieces of their own stories. It does make the Iron Hands seem kind of goofy, but I reconcile it in my head with one of the earlier short story collections where Perturabo didn’t cover himself in glory against an Iron Fists fleet – it turns out that these super soldiers aren’t the tactical/strategic geniuses they think they are. It is a coping mechanism on my part, but with so many books, I have to plug the holes as I see fit.
The perception of the Iron Hands that sticks with me is how they make do in the face of thousands of little (and occasional big) failures. The obvious major issue is how to re-organise themselves following the beheading of Ferrus Manus, but there are many individual ones. The flesh is weak (particularly if you’re a frozen semi-corpse full of bolter shells) but there are also degraded cybernetic limbs and pockmarked warships. Even their memories are damaged, as one Salamander has to correct them on the full context of the mantra that The flesh is weak.
The collection is about a shoestring tied together by a fraying piece of twine army but, along with some aid from orphaned Salamanders and Raven Guard (Sharrowkyn elevating the latter far more than his Primarch has managed in his series), the Iron Hands make a cool side story. They also provoke counters from the Traitors, which adds dynamism to the setting. I do question the editorial comment in the Afterword that the efforts of the Iron Hands delays Horus’ march on Terra by two years, as that raises many an eyebrow about the competences of (a) Horus and (b) the Loyalist forces granted this boon of time, but I get the desire to give the Iron Hands relevant – after all, their models have to be made marketable somehow (balance as the Afterword calls it).
The other major perception I have of the Iron Hands is that they just keep falling for treachery! Part of that is the book is a collection of novellas and short stories - a number of the authors saw an opportunity to reflect the treachery on Isstvan in the set pieces of their own stories. It does make the Iron Hands seem kind of goofy, but I reconcile it in my head with one of the earlier short story collections where Perturabo didn’t cover himself in glory against an Iron Fists fleet – it turns out that these super soldiers aren’t the tactical/strategic geniuses they think they are. It is a coping mechanism on my part, but with so many books, I have to plug the holes as I see fit.
October 6, 2024
6.75/10
Como antología de relatos no está mal, pero peca de lo que no me termina de convencer de este tipo de historias, la calidad es bastante variable. Algunas de las historias me han gustado mucho y otras se me han hecho pesadas a pesar de ser un par de docenas de páginas.
Como parte del conjunto de la Herejía veo necesaria esta "novela", ya que nos muestra el POV de las legiones que quedaron descabezadas o al borde de la extinción en Istvaan V, aunque me hubiera gustado más una novela tradicional, con su trama, personajes y demás.
Seguiremos con la saga, que cada vez más nos acercamos a Terra.
Como antología de relatos no está mal, pero peca de lo que no me termina de convencer de este tipo de historias, la calidad es bastante variable. Algunas de las historias me han gustado mucho y otras se me han hecho pesadas a pesar de ser un par de docenas de páginas.
Como parte del conjunto de la Herejía veo necesaria esta "novela", ya que nos muestra el POV de las legiones que quedaron descabezadas o al borde de la extinción en Istvaan V, aunque me hubiera gustado más una novela tradicional, con su trama, personajes y demás.
Seguiremos con la saga, que cada vez más nos acercamos a Terra.
April 28, 2024
April 2024 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.
I should have know I had finished this one, but previously using this to review The Keys of Hel confused me!
Of all the anthologies, save Mark of Calth, which really is it's own specific thing and companion piece to Know No Fear and the Battle of Calth, covering the Underground War, this is unique in its specific, but disparate focus on the eponymous Shattered Legions.
While other anthologies may have more stories of higher quality overall, the narrative arc these stories tell is by far the most compelling. I have read these stories a number of times as part of my reading following the various Legions that make up and cross these narratives.
I have reviewed them all separately on here, though my review for Unspoken seems to have been eaten so I shall Re-Read and write that up at some point.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 38 Horus Heresy novels (including 1 repeat and 5 anthologies), 22 novellas (including 2 repeats), 113 short stories/ audio dramas (including 6 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 16 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, 2 Characters novels, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and 1 short story...this run, as well as writing 1 short story myself (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t...). 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.
***
This review is for The Keys of Hel by John French as it doesn't have its own entry and I've either read everything in this brilliant, if at times mixed anthology so far or will catch any I miss going forward.
April 2024 Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order Omnibus XII The Truth of Iron (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus series and extras.
What an en exquisitely perfect end to an anthology and The Truth of Iron Omnibus, especially with it being part of bookends of the after Isstvan majority of the collection with The Riven.
This is some wonderful and classic French, bringing in a uncanny, almost villanelle, poetry around the repetition around the question of what the Keys of Hel are. The prose is beautiful and has an almost oxymoronic rich, spartan aspect that perfectly captures this moment and tragic division in the Iron Hands.
The loss of Ferrus Mannus, the trauma of the Dropsite Massacre, and the pain of betrayal, both by their former brothers and their flesh as they fight this civil war is absolutely palpable here. The tragedy of the Heresy is humming in every word and the things people can do and become are very obviously on display here. There is, if not sympathy, or even empathy, some level of compassion, as well as eternal pain of becoming something forbidden and breaking oaths in order to fight perfidy and serve other oaths.
Truly a bittersweet and beautifully bleak tale.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 22.41 Horus Heresy novels, 13 novellas, 71 short stories/ audio dramas (including at least 3 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 13 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...this run. I am not counting the anthologies among the books as I am keeping track of all stories individually. 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.
I should have know I had finished this one, but previously using this to review The Keys of Hel confused me!
Of all the anthologies, save Mark of Calth, which really is it's own specific thing and companion piece to Know No Fear and the Battle of Calth, covering the Underground War, this is unique in its specific, but disparate focus on the eponymous Shattered Legions.
While other anthologies may have more stories of higher quality overall, the narrative arc these stories tell is by far the most compelling. I have read these stories a number of times as part of my reading following the various Legions that make up and cross these narratives.
I have reviewed them all separately on here, though my review for Unspoken seems to have been eaten so I shall Re-Read and write that up at some point.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 38 Horus Heresy novels (including 1 repeat and 5 anthologies), 22 novellas (including 2 repeats), 113 short stories/ audio dramas (including 6 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 16 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, 2 Characters novels, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and 1 short story...this run, as well as writing 1 short story myself (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t...). 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.
***
This review is for The Keys of Hel by John French as it doesn't have its own entry and I've either read everything in this brilliant, if at times mixed anthology so far or will catch any I miss going forward.
April 2024 Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order Omnibus XII The Truth of Iron (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus series and extras.
What an en exquisitely perfect end to an anthology and The Truth of Iron Omnibus, especially with it being part of bookends of the after Isstvan majority of the collection with The Riven.
This is some wonderful and classic French, bringing in a uncanny, almost villanelle, poetry around the repetition around the question of what the Keys of Hel are. The prose is beautiful and has an almost oxymoronic rich, spartan aspect that perfectly captures this moment and tragic division in the Iron Hands.
The loss of Ferrus Mannus, the trauma of the Dropsite Massacre, and the pain of betrayal, both by their former brothers and their flesh as they fight this civil war is absolutely palpable here. The tragedy of the Heresy is humming in every word and the things people can do and become are very obviously on display here. There is, if not sympathy, or even empathy, some level of compassion, as well as eternal pain of becoming something forbidden and breaking oaths in order to fight perfidy and serve other oaths.
Truly a bittersweet and beautifully bleak tale.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 22.41 Horus Heresy novels, 13 novellas, 71 short stories/ audio dramas (including at least 3 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 13 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...this run. I am not counting the anthologies among the books as I am keeping track of all stories individually. 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.
July 21, 2025
I was looking forward to hearing more about the Iron Hands but most of these stories were disappointing for me. In a lot of the stories they came across as very whiny and without guys like Sharrowkyn and Tarsa to remind them how badass they are every five minutes it seems like they would just give up and give in to infighting. The story with Alpharius was amazing, like truly spectacular, but all the rest were mediocre at best not shiny and chrome.
May 29, 2017
Featuring Graham McNeill’s novella The Seventh Serpent as well as all the stories from the previously released Meduson collection, this is as close to a definitive picture of the Shattered Legions as we’re going to get.
With a clear theme and a strong sense of tone, this is perhaps one of the most successful anthologies in the series to date.
Read the full review at http://www.trackofwords.com/2017/05/2...
With a clear theme and a strong sense of tone, this is perhaps one of the most successful anthologies in the series to date.
Read the full review at http://www.trackofwords.com/2017/05/2...
May 12, 2025
Тема сборника - последствие резни на Истваане 5. А точнее - как себя потом вели остатки Железных Р��к, Саламандр и Гвардейцев Ворона. Больше внимания уделяется Железным Рукам, ведь их потрепало больше всего - их отец, Феррус Манус, лишился головы. А легион без головы - так себе легион.
Несмотря на то, что авторы у рассказов разные, нет ощущения, что произведения "гуляют" по духу и атмосфере. Все постарались максимально объективно описать уныние и печаль, которое поразило разбитые на Истваане легионы. Железные Руки не знают, как им быть дальше, ведь без руководства сложно говорить о будущем. Существует ли их легион вообще? Расходится или искать нового лидера? Да и как вообще кто-то другой может заменить самого примарха??? У Саламандр примарх тоже пропал, но по крайней мере есть надежда, что он жив. Почти все рассказы из сборника рассказывают об одном и том же - о потере веры, об отсутствии перспектив и надежд. Но вместе с этим часть рассказов повествует о Медузоне, который был выбран в качестве нового лидера Железных Рук. Персонаж действительно интересный, который не боится высказывать своё мнение. А в одном из рассказов Медузон был обыгран в совершенно необычной ипостаси, за что спасибо Альфарию.
В некоторых рассказах разбитые легионы пытаются мстить. Они понимают, что им терять уже нечего, поэтому можно делать разные сумасбродные вещи. Например, сделать попытку убить примарха Альфа-Легиона. Но мне вообще не очень понятно, зачем было связываться с Альфа-Легионом, зная, что они не совсем те, за кого себя выдают. Есть всё же предатели попроще...
Сборник ровный, но не показался мне выдающимся. Есть неплохие рассказы, есть просто рассказы ака фанфики. Шедевров не нашёл, но и не расстроился, что прочитал. 6,5/10.
Несмотря на то, что авторы у рассказов разные, нет ощущения, что произведения "гуляют" по духу и атмосфере. Все постарались максимально объективно описать уныние и печаль, которое поразило разбитые на Истваане легионы. Железные Руки не знают, как им быть дальше, ведь без руководства сложно говорить о будущем. Существует ли их легион вообще? Расходится или искать нового лидера? Да и как вообще кто-то другой может заменить самого примарха??? У Саламандр примарх тоже пропал, но по крайней мере есть надежда, что он жив. Почти все рассказы из сборника рассказывают об одном и том же - о потере веры, об отсутствии перспектив и надежд. Но вместе с этим часть рассказов повествует о Медузоне, который был выбран в качестве нового лидера Железных Рук. Персонаж действительно интересный, который не боится высказывать своё мнение. А в одном из рассказов Медузон был обыгран в совершенно необычной ипостаси, за что спасибо Альфарию.
В некоторых рассказах разбитые легионы пытаются мстить. Они понимают, что им терять уже нечего, поэтому можно делать разные сумасбродные вещи. Например, сделать попытку убить примарха Альфа-Легиона. Но мне вообще не очень понятно, зачем было связываться с Альфа-Легионом, зная, что они не совсем те, за кого себя выдают. Есть всё же предатели попроще...
Сборник ровный, но не показался мне выдающимся. Есть неплохие рассказы, есть просто рассказы ака фанфики. Шедевров не нашёл, но и не расстроился, что прочитал. 6,5/10.
November 20, 2017
This, the 43rd book in the Horus Heresy series describes through many stories and a novella, the machinations and trials the Shattered Legions endure. These are the remnants of three Space marine chapters, fled from the Dropsite Massacre of Istvaan 4. The Sons of Ferrus Manus, the Iron Hands, the Sons of Vulkan, the Salamanders and the Sons of Corvus Corax, the Raven Guard are fighting against the Traitor Legions. In these stories we see the Loyalists learn to make war together after almost falling apart. We read and hear of the rogue Warleader, Shadrak Meduson attempting to pull the Shattered Legions into a solid fighting force. We read of the change of battle approach these legions have. We read of the triumphs and failures of the Shattered Legions in the face of all adversity. And we see the fight delivered to the Alpha Legion, the last Legion of Space Marines, the XX. Led by the Primarch Alpharius, these marines, as a multi-headed Hydra being their symbol, portray this icon with great determination. They have plots and plans inside deceit and lies. There are none better than the Sons of Alpharius.
This was a great collection of stories, plain and simple. The Seventh Serpent, the included novella is Graham McNeill at his best. I really enjoyed these stories and as always, they keep me excited for the next book in the series. The wait is on and it is excruciating!
Always well worth it though.
Read this if you are a fan of the Horus Heresy and you want to read how these three Legions learn to accept change and work in ways their chapters may have never made war before. The strength of the Shattered Legion relies on the individual chapters becoming a unified fighting force. This was a great book!
Danny
This was a great collection of stories, plain and simple. The Seventh Serpent, the included novella is Graham McNeill at his best. I really enjoyed these stories and as always, they keep me excited for the next book in the series. The wait is on and it is excruciating!
Always well worth it though.
Read this if you are a fan of the Horus Heresy and you want to read how these three Legions learn to accept change and work in ways their chapters may have never made war before. The strength of the Shattered Legion relies on the individual chapters becoming a unified fighting force. This was a great book!
Danny
April 11, 2019
The tenth legion have truly been broken by the Dropsite Massacre. Sure the Raven Guard have been reduced but guerrilla warfare suits them anyway. The Salamanders too were hard hit but they have faith that Vulkan lives and have a pragmatic view of events, tasks need to be completed. But the Iron Hands were hit hardest of all. Their Primarch, Ferrus Manus lies dead upon the sands and a great number of their leadership and veterans alongside him.
So scattered across the void and filled with a fatalistic hatred, a desire to rain vengeance down on Horus and the traitors in general but on Fulgrim and the Emperor's children in particular. But is burning the last of their strength away on a doomed strike the best thing for Imperium or can cooler heads (including none legion allies stranded alongside them) convince them to change their tactics and spend their lives more steeply?
An anthology of short stories mostly focusing on the 10th legion in the time following the Massacre with Medusason being a major character leading the legion.
It's a nice and varied set a stories but maybe falls down on some of the character being only so memorable, not helped by the unusual names and titles.
So scattered across the void and filled with a fatalistic hatred, a desire to rain vengeance down on Horus and the traitors in general but on Fulgrim and the Emperor's children in particular. But is burning the last of their strength away on a doomed strike the best thing for Imperium or can cooler heads (including none legion allies stranded alongside them) convince them to change their tactics and spend their lives more steeply?
An anthology of short stories mostly focusing on the 10th legion in the time following the Massacre with Medusason being a major character leading the legion.
It's a nice and varied set a stories but maybe falls down on some of the character being only so memorable, not helped by the unusual names and titles.
December 28, 2018
The Raven Guard/Iron Hands marriages of convenience are becoming as tropey and boring as anything to do with Calth.
The Seventh Serpent might be the best story in the lot, but even then, you struggle to keep the cast of characters straight. Is it because it's too complex or really just that it's so hard to care about any of these interchangeable marines?
Move along.
The Seventh Serpent might be the best story in the lot, but even then, you struggle to keep the cast of characters straight. Is it because it's too complex or really just that it's so hard to care about any of these interchangeable marines?
Move along.
July 27, 2022
A great selection of Iron Hand books including the rise of Shadrak Meduson!
December 19, 2022
Cannot believe I’m saying this but - finally a consistently good story collection in the HH series.
October 15, 2019
Another meh in the series. This book in the Horus Heresy series focuses on the Iron Hands legion and how they cope after the death of their Primarch on Isthvan. They are written as single minded automatons, that only want revenge and vengeance, and rely on other legions to remind them of what they once were. It doesn't make for a very interesting book, and this book can totally be skipped in the HH series, nothing of import will be missed.
This book is another anthology of shorter stories.
This book is another anthology of shorter stories.
March 20, 2024
A couple of good stories in here but my god it's so dull. Same story repeated over and over again. Iron Hands are outnumbered, they fight despite this, rince and repeat.
November 4, 2024
Saved by more tales of the crew of the Sisypheum
June 12, 2025
As a HH book/anthology this is up and down in scale, some are really good with excellent plots, and truly contribute to the universe. Others are clearly padding and just don't add anything except a little bit of iron hands episode of the week.
September 17, 2025
Meduson by Dan Abnett ****
"He stared out. He saw only infinite blackness. He knew that somewhere in its enfolding embrace, lost and scattered in the darkness, were the souls of the ones that had lived, souls that he would struggle to unite until death claimed him. And out there too, blacker than the void by far, were the treacherous souls of the ones he would destroy."
No Legion was more broken by the Dropsite Massacre than the Iron Hands. You can graft a new hand, but not a new head. Leaderless with Ferrus Manus, the Legion faces the threat of slow death from inaction.
Before he was an Iron Warrior Shadrak Meduson was a Storm Walker fighting in the last years of the Unification Wars. Experience of life outside of the rigid hierarchy of the Clans and their Iron Fathers has prepared him to be flexible in the face of adversity, an uncommon trait in the Iron Hands.
This story also sees the start of the rivalry between Tybalt Marr of the Sons of Horus, and Meduson.
Overall a strong introduction to an important character in the Heresy.
The Noose by David Annandale ****
In "The Damnation of Pythos" the crew of the Veritas Ferrum strike a blow against the Emperor's Children's Fleet. This short story opens with Captain Theotormon getting dressed down by Lord Commander Ariston for his failure to defeat the Iron Hands ship. To earn redemption, Throtormon must use his ship as bait to lure out the remaining Iron Hands' vessels.
Khalybus is an Iron Hands Captain and survivors of Isstvan, who briefly appeared at the opening of "The Damnation of Pythos". Spotting that the Emperor's Children have set a trap, but needing to spring it all the same, Khalybus engages the bait. And so begins a game of cat and mouse.
This short story works best when read in conjunction with "The Damnation of Pythos", in which Captain Atticus' resentment and stubbornness stops him from properly integrating the Raven Guard and Salamanders into his force. Here Khalybus reforges his force, using Raven Guard tactics and philosophy. to enhance the strength of the Iron Hands.
The story also plays around with the theme of "perfection" something that the Emperor's Children believe they have perfected, but is also a core facet of the Iron Hands' identity with their mantra of "The Flesh is Weak". They belive that perfection is found in the machine, which can make them uncompromising, however in this short story Khalybus was willing to adapt and change, finding a new kind of perfection.
I enjoy reading about the trials and tribulations of the Shattered Legions, each warband can be quite different, as ideologies and philosophies clash, and attitudes change from the trials and tribulations faced.
Khalybus later appears in "Ruinstorm"
The Keys of Hel by John French ****
"Ours was a war fought from beyond death. It was a war of obliteration not victory, and its end always lay in a moment like this, in fire and ruin."
French delivers a stylised and tragic tale about the Iron Hands. This is a follow up to the short story "Riven" which saw Iron Father Crius of the Iron Hands seeking revenge against the traitors for the Dropsite Massacre. Now he has the tools to enact his revenge, the Keys of Hel, but what are they exactly? In short, zombie making technology that allows the Iron Hands go on fighting long after their bodies succumb to their wounds.
A creepy little horror story of pain and suffering unending in the name of revenge. The repetition throughout the story adds a poetic element to the writing. Crius has sacrificed everything of himself because he believes there is nothing to live for. The trauma of loss has made him despondent, he was one of the walking dead long before using the keys of Hel.
What Crius does, he does from pain. But what makes it worse is that he has broken his oath to his Primarch. To use the keys of Hel is to become a pariah at best and a traitor at worst. Crius has sacrificed everything in the name of revenge.
A bleak but compelling tale."
Unforged by Guy Haley ***
The survivors of the Dropsite Massacre haunt the battlefields of Isstvan V, looking for allies and trying to evade the traps and lures set by the Traitors.
Unspoken by Guy Haley ****
The direct follow up to the short story "Unforged".
In the aftermath of Isstvan the surviving Loyalist forces are few in number, their brotherhoods slaughtered, their trust shattered, and minds shaken.
Iron Hands, Raven Guard, and Salamanders, it does not matter the gene-father, they are the Shattered Legion. This story looks at the disarray of the Loyalists as they deal with separation from their Primarchs and a lack of coherent leadership structure. Communications are tense as deception is rife. Old rivalries flare up and make co-operation difficult.
Immortal Duty by Nick Kyme ****
I’m usually not a big fan of the Iron Hands, but this story of a boarding action above Istvaan V offered some intense and exciting action. Ahrem Gallikus is an Immortal of the Iron Hands. The Immortals of are made up of Legionaries that have erred, that have brought shame on the Legion, and so they fight in suicidal fashion. There is no honour for them. Some fun action.
The Either by Graham McNeill *****
Compelling character drama focusing on Tybalt Marr of the Sons of Horus. This audio drama takes place after the events of "Meduson", "Little Horus", and "The Vengeful Spirit".
Tybalt Marr was tasked with cleaning up the remnants of the Shattered Legions in the wake of the Dropsite Massacre, in the process making an enemy of Shadrak Meduson.
Now the Mournival has been reformed, and Tybalt Marr was not selected to join. Feeling spurned and rejected, resentment grows within him. There is an insecurity to Marr over being passed over, he is wounded by the rejection. Part of this stems from his nickname "The Either" to pair with his doppelganger Verulam Moy "The Or". Marr feels like his achievements never received the respect he deserved.
The politics and debates of the Mournival really brought me back to "Horus Rising". I enjoyed seeing this aspect of the Sons of Horus. That they waged the war against Terra with purpose and focus, and not like cackling Saturday morning cartoon villians. All the characters felt like they were written with a degree of emotional vulnerability, there was a tangibility to them that I really bought into.
Depsite being the anatgonist of the Meduson saga, Tybalt Marr really grew on me in this story. He has a vulnerability and humanity to him that makes it difficult to not to connect with him. We next see Tybalt Marr in "The Old Earth".
The Seventh Serpent by Graham McNeill
Prior to this novella, the crew of the Sisypheun appear in "Kryptos" and later "Angel Exterminatus".
The novella opens with the Sisypheun crew battling the Alpha Legion, dealing with the usual issues of deception and subterfuge. Outnumbered, the Sisypheun is saved by the appeaeance of Shadeak Meduson, hero of the Iron Hands and scourge of the traitors. Meduson has appeared in a number of short stories, taking the fight to the traitors. But now he is planning something grander, the assassination of Alpharius.
I really enjoyed this story, Sharrowkyn is probably my favorite Raven Guard from the Heresy and I'm growing quite attached to the crew of the Sisypheun.
The next appearance for the crew of the Sisypheun is during the Siege of Terra in "Sons of Selenar".
Deeds Endure by Gav Thorpe ***
"The flesh is weak but deeds endure.!
Differing approaches to war leads to arguments between the Salamanders and Iron Hands. In the wake of Isstvan the Iron Hands will take any chance to get back at the traitors, whereas the Salamanders are concerned with the welfare of the future of the Imperium.
Perfectly fine short story, but it's a topic that has been explored quite often in short stories concerning the Shattered Legions.
Pyre Warden Ari'i and Spearhead-Centurian Kratoz actually reappear much later in the Siege of Terra series in "The End and the Death Vol 1".
Grey Talon by Chris Wraight *****
A character study of the ship "Grey Talon" and the Marines found aboard it. A good example of the overlapping narratives of the Heresy coming together in a really satisfying way.
Bion Henricos first appeared in "Feat of Iron" and later in the novel "Scars". His final appearance came in "Little Horus".
Hibou Khan's first appearance was in "Scars" as a leader of the Brotherhood of the Dawn Sky. Now Hibou is one of the Sagyar Mazan, an honourless oathbreaker who seeks atonement through suicidal raids on enemy strongpoints.
They make for a bit of an odd-couple. Henricos is sullen and spiteful, while Hibou is filled with regret, shame, and frustration. But an Intergalactic civil war can make for strange bedfellows.
Shadrak Meduson also makes another appearance. (So in order it would go Meduson, Grey Talon, The Noose, The Seventh Serpent, the Hand Elect, the Either, and finally Old Earth)
It's just great character work that builds upon previous stories in a really satisfying way to tell a much larger narrative about identity and companionship.
The Hand Elect by Chris Wraight ****
A big part of the tragedy of the Iron Hands is that they prove to be their own worst enemy. With the death of their Primarch they were shattered, but the possibility to become something better existed. But jealousy, insecurity and resentment consistently hold the Iron Hands back.
In seeking to make themselves pure of emotion, all the Iron Hands achieved was stripping away their compassion and empathy. Leaving them with nothing but anger and regret.
Meduson is Terran, and many of the Iron Fathers of Medusa cling to the old ways, believing it improper for a Terran to lead the Legion. They cling to the mantra of "The Flesh is Weak" above all else.
This short story sets up the Meduson plot-line in Old Earth.
"He stared out. He saw only infinite blackness. He knew that somewhere in its enfolding embrace, lost and scattered in the darkness, were the souls of the ones that had lived, souls that he would struggle to unite until death claimed him. And out there too, blacker than the void by far, were the treacherous souls of the ones he would destroy."
No Legion was more broken by the Dropsite Massacre than the Iron Hands. You can graft a new hand, but not a new head. Leaderless with Ferrus Manus, the Legion faces the threat of slow death from inaction.
Before he was an Iron Warrior Shadrak Meduson was a Storm Walker fighting in the last years of the Unification Wars. Experience of life outside of the rigid hierarchy of the Clans and their Iron Fathers has prepared him to be flexible in the face of adversity, an uncommon trait in the Iron Hands.
This story also sees the start of the rivalry between Tybalt Marr of the Sons of Horus, and Meduson.
Overall a strong introduction to an important character in the Heresy.
The Noose by David Annandale ****
In "The Damnation of Pythos" the crew of the Veritas Ferrum strike a blow against the Emperor's Children's Fleet. This short story opens with Captain Theotormon getting dressed down by Lord Commander Ariston for his failure to defeat the Iron Hands ship. To earn redemption, Throtormon must use his ship as bait to lure out the remaining Iron Hands' vessels.
Khalybus is an Iron Hands Captain and survivors of Isstvan, who briefly appeared at the opening of "The Damnation of Pythos". Spotting that the Emperor's Children have set a trap, but needing to spring it all the same, Khalybus engages the bait. And so begins a game of cat and mouse.
This short story works best when read in conjunction with "The Damnation of Pythos", in which Captain Atticus' resentment and stubbornness stops him from properly integrating the Raven Guard and Salamanders into his force. Here Khalybus reforges his force, using Raven Guard tactics and philosophy. to enhance the strength of the Iron Hands.
The story also plays around with the theme of "perfection" something that the Emperor's Children believe they have perfected, but is also a core facet of the Iron Hands' identity with their mantra of "The Flesh is Weak". They belive that perfection is found in the machine, which can make them uncompromising, however in this short story Khalybus was willing to adapt and change, finding a new kind of perfection.
I enjoy reading about the trials and tribulations of the Shattered Legions, each warband can be quite different, as ideologies and philosophies clash, and attitudes change from the trials and tribulations faced.
Khalybus later appears in "Ruinstorm"
The Keys of Hel by John French ****
"Ours was a war fought from beyond death. It was a war of obliteration not victory, and its end always lay in a moment like this, in fire and ruin."
French delivers a stylised and tragic tale about the Iron Hands. This is a follow up to the short story "Riven" which saw Iron Father Crius of the Iron Hands seeking revenge against the traitors for the Dropsite Massacre. Now he has the tools to enact his revenge, the Keys of Hel, but what are they exactly? In short, zombie making technology that allows the Iron Hands go on fighting long after their bodies succumb to their wounds.
A creepy little horror story of pain and suffering unending in the name of revenge. The repetition throughout the story adds a poetic element to the writing. Crius has sacrificed everything of himself because he believes there is nothing to live for. The trauma of loss has made him despondent, he was one of the walking dead long before using the keys of Hel.
What Crius does, he does from pain. But what makes it worse is that he has broken his oath to his Primarch. To use the keys of Hel is to become a pariah at best and a traitor at worst. Crius has sacrificed everything in the name of revenge.
A bleak but compelling tale."
Unforged by Guy Haley ***
The survivors of the Dropsite Massacre haunt the battlefields of Isstvan V, looking for allies and trying to evade the traps and lures set by the Traitors.
Unspoken by Guy Haley ****
The direct follow up to the short story "Unforged".
In the aftermath of Isstvan the surviving Loyalist forces are few in number, their brotherhoods slaughtered, their trust shattered, and minds shaken.
Iron Hands, Raven Guard, and Salamanders, it does not matter the gene-father, they are the Shattered Legion. This story looks at the disarray of the Loyalists as they deal with separation from their Primarchs and a lack of coherent leadership structure. Communications are tense as deception is rife. Old rivalries flare up and make co-operation difficult.
Immortal Duty by Nick Kyme ****
I’m usually not a big fan of the Iron Hands, but this story of a boarding action above Istvaan V offered some intense and exciting action. Ahrem Gallikus is an Immortal of the Iron Hands. The Immortals of are made up of Legionaries that have erred, that have brought shame on the Legion, and so they fight in suicidal fashion. There is no honour for them. Some fun action.
The Either by Graham McNeill *****
Compelling character drama focusing on Tybalt Marr of the Sons of Horus. This audio drama takes place after the events of "Meduson", "Little Horus", and "The Vengeful Spirit".
Tybalt Marr was tasked with cleaning up the remnants of the Shattered Legions in the wake of the Dropsite Massacre, in the process making an enemy of Shadrak Meduson.
Now the Mournival has been reformed, and Tybalt Marr was not selected to join. Feeling spurned and rejected, resentment grows within him. There is an insecurity to Marr over being passed over, he is wounded by the rejection. Part of this stems from his nickname "The Either" to pair with his doppelganger Verulam Moy "The Or". Marr feels like his achievements never received the respect he deserved.
The politics and debates of the Mournival really brought me back to "Horus Rising". I enjoyed seeing this aspect of the Sons of Horus. That they waged the war against Terra with purpose and focus, and not like cackling Saturday morning cartoon villians. All the characters felt like they were written with a degree of emotional vulnerability, there was a tangibility to them that I really bought into.
Depsite being the anatgonist of the Meduson saga, Tybalt Marr really grew on me in this story. He has a vulnerability and humanity to him that makes it difficult to not to connect with him. We next see Tybalt Marr in "The Old Earth".
The Seventh Serpent by Graham McNeill
Prior to this novella, the crew of the Sisypheun appear in "Kryptos" and later "Angel Exterminatus".
The novella opens with the Sisypheun crew battling the Alpha Legion, dealing with the usual issues of deception and subterfuge. Outnumbered, the Sisypheun is saved by the appeaeance of Shadeak Meduson, hero of the Iron Hands and scourge of the traitors. Meduson has appeared in a number of short stories, taking the fight to the traitors. But now he is planning something grander, the assassination of Alpharius.
I really enjoyed this story, Sharrowkyn is probably my favorite Raven Guard from the Heresy and I'm growing quite attached to the crew of the Sisypheun.
The next appearance for the crew of the Sisypheun is during the Siege of Terra in "Sons of Selenar".
Deeds Endure by Gav Thorpe ***
"The flesh is weak but deeds endure.!
Differing approaches to war leads to arguments between the Salamanders and Iron Hands. In the wake of Isstvan the Iron Hands will take any chance to get back at the traitors, whereas the Salamanders are concerned with the welfare of the future of the Imperium.
Perfectly fine short story, but it's a topic that has been explored quite often in short stories concerning the Shattered Legions.
Pyre Warden Ari'i and Spearhead-Centurian Kratoz actually reappear much later in the Siege of Terra series in "The End and the Death Vol 1".
Grey Talon by Chris Wraight *****
A character study of the ship "Grey Talon" and the Marines found aboard it. A good example of the overlapping narratives of the Heresy coming together in a really satisfying way.
Bion Henricos first appeared in "Feat of Iron" and later in the novel "Scars". His final appearance came in "Little Horus".
Hibou Khan's first appearance was in "Scars" as a leader of the Brotherhood of the Dawn Sky. Now Hibou is one of the Sagyar Mazan, an honourless oathbreaker who seeks atonement through suicidal raids on enemy strongpoints.
They make for a bit of an odd-couple. Henricos is sullen and spiteful, while Hibou is filled with regret, shame, and frustration. But an Intergalactic civil war can make for strange bedfellows.
Shadrak Meduson also makes another appearance. (So in order it would go Meduson, Grey Talon, The Noose, The Seventh Serpent, the Hand Elect, the Either, and finally Old Earth)
It's just great character work that builds upon previous stories in a really satisfying way to tell a much larger narrative about identity and companionship.
The Hand Elect by Chris Wraight ****
A big part of the tragedy of the Iron Hands is that they prove to be their own worst enemy. With the death of their Primarch they were shattered, but the possibility to become something better existed. But jealousy, insecurity and resentment consistently hold the Iron Hands back.
In seeking to make themselves pure of emotion, all the Iron Hands achieved was stripping away their compassion and empathy. Leaving them with nothing but anger and regret.
Meduson is Terran, and many of the Iron Fathers of Medusa cling to the old ways, believing it improper for a Terran to lead the Legion. They cling to the mantra of "The Flesh is Weak" above all else.
This short story sets up the Meduson plot-line in Old Earth.
March 17, 2019
Another collection of previously published stories, in fact this one seems identical to "Meduson" other than the addition of the Novella "The Seventh Serpent". Some good stuff here including the two Novellas but nothing new. Don't buy "Meduson" if you already have this one and don't get this one of you've read "Meduson" and "The Seventh Serpent".
June 19, 2022
I enjoyed it. Good.
February 13, 2024
Sharrowkyn and Waylon are the Legolas and Gimli of the Horus Heresy universe.
August 27, 2025
meh is how i’m feeling after this one. which is a shame cause I want to enjoy the iron hands but the authors are making it really hard. my main gripe with this is because the iron hands didn’t get any development before istvaan v, the authors are forced to try to give them an arc, strictly through short stories. and unfortunately it doesn’t work..
the Iron hands could be so so so so much more. they just need a passionate author to take them under their wings and let them fly.
anyways….
meduson: 3/5
- this was a basic intro story to Shadrak Meduson. I don’t think it was necessarily needed, as I found the other Meduson sons are better - but it was still good
unforged: 5/5
- damn… this was heart breaking.
immortal duty: 4/5
- this was another prologue to some of the other Iron Hands stories. Nyck Kyme keeps toying with my emotions hahha. his novels are so bad but his shorts seem to work for me…
grey talon: 3.5/5
- you know this wasn’t bad. but (I can’t believe i’m going to say this), but it was really cheesy. i didn’t know warhammer would ever have a real “cheese ball” sorry but here it is.
the keys of hel: 4/5
- this was a super cool concept!! it makes sense the iron hands COULD pursue immortality - but to know ferrus never wanted that is a nice touch. the problem with this however - is again we’re just killing iron hand characters which robs them of the ability of any future development.
deeds endure: 3/5
- meh. again another cheese ball story. they’re trying to humanize the iron hands, but to quickly. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY!!! SATURNINE DREADNAUGHTS!!!!!
the noose: 3.5/5
- cool concept! two chapters head-to-head assuming their plan is THE plan. but i’m starting to notice a theme here. all these short stories are revolving around the idea of “the iron hands are changing their ways”. which is odd to me. cause the raven guard and salamanders aren’t changing - just the iron hands. it’s a subtle jab at the iron hands, that we are essentially being told “they’re the least superior legion. their ideas don’t work so they need to change”… it’s hard to like a chapter when that’s the narrative
unspoken: 2/5
- uhhh. okay? what was the point of that?
the seventh serpent: 4/5
- this was one of the better stories in this anthology! the twists and turn were sadly quite predictable but overall I liked it. Sharrowkyn absolutely carries this story. without him I think this would be close to a 2. and as much as I love the Alpha Legion, in some stories their tactics are a little flat.
hand elect: 2/5
- swing and a miss with this one. just seemed very “why?”
the either: 3/5
- i think my problem with this story and this anthology as a whole is how out of place it seems. I already know the fate of 90% of these characters. their arcs have been competed for me already so this just feels unnecessary
the Iron hands could be so so so so much more. they just need a passionate author to take them under their wings and let them fly.
anyways….
meduson: 3/5
- this was a basic intro story to Shadrak Meduson. I don’t think it was necessarily needed, as I found the other Meduson sons are better - but it was still good
unforged: 5/5
- damn… this was heart breaking.
immortal duty: 4/5
- this was another prologue to some of the other Iron Hands stories. Nyck Kyme keeps toying with my emotions hahha. his novels are so bad but his shorts seem to work for me…
grey talon: 3.5/5
- you know this wasn’t bad. but (I can’t believe i’m going to say this), but it was really cheesy. i didn’t know warhammer would ever have a real “cheese ball” sorry but here it is.
the keys of hel: 4/5
- this was a super cool concept!! it makes sense the iron hands COULD pursue immortality - but to know ferrus never wanted that is a nice touch. the problem with this however - is again we’re just killing iron hand characters which robs them of the ability of any future development.
deeds endure: 3/5
- meh. again another cheese ball story. they’re trying to humanize the iron hands, but to quickly. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY!!! SATURNINE DREADNAUGHTS!!!!!
the noose: 3.5/5
- cool concept! two chapters head-to-head assuming their plan is THE plan. but i’m starting to notice a theme here. all these short stories are revolving around the idea of “the iron hands are changing their ways”. which is odd to me. cause the raven guard and salamanders aren’t changing - just the iron hands. it’s a subtle jab at the iron hands, that we are essentially being told “they’re the least superior legion. their ideas don’t work so they need to change”… it’s hard to like a chapter when that’s the narrative
unspoken: 2/5
- uhhh. okay? what was the point of that?
the seventh serpent: 4/5
- this was one of the better stories in this anthology! the twists and turn were sadly quite predictable but overall I liked it. Sharrowkyn absolutely carries this story. without him I think this would be close to a 2. and as much as I love the Alpha Legion, in some stories their tactics are a little flat.
hand elect: 2/5
- swing and a miss with this one. just seemed very “why?”
the either: 3/5
- i think my problem with this story and this anthology as a whole is how out of place it seems. I already know the fate of 90% of these characters. their arcs have been competed for me already so this just feels unnecessary
September 29, 2019
A distinctly ho hum anthology of stories featuring a couple of groups of the "Shattered Legions". This was an interesting idea when it was birthed but has suffered from a mixture of over exposure and some particularly dull stories over too many novels and anthologies.
That is a general complaint but it rings very true of this particular anthology. There is some good stuff in here the Graham McNeill novella "The Seventh Serpent" stands out not merely by it's length but by it's interest levels. The Raven guard Sharrowkyn is always good value and he does not let the reader down here. Otherwise they are on the whole pretty forgettable stories that are overly fixated on a single group of Iron Hands led survivors. The fixation on the Iron Hands in virtually all the stories is my greatest single complaint about this book.
The Iron Hands are at the best of times difficult to like. They take a psychopathic need to relace "weak" flesh with grim unrelenting iron. This leads them towards ,brutal not to say inhuman logic over eberything else. They are cold, relentless and will do whatever is necessary to achieve their goals This unsympathetic outlook is exacerbated by in Legion back stabbing and communal PTSD leaving them determined to give their lives to revenge over the "Traitor Legions" If this was divcided up over a couple of characters then it may make for interesting reading, Unfortunately, this is every single POV Iron Hand character and that accounts for 99% of the central characters in this anthology, so they become one note and interchangeable.
I give it three stars for the couple of occasions where it proves greater than the sum of it's parts and dares to highlight more interesting characters.
That is a general complaint but it rings very true of this particular anthology. There is some good stuff in here the Graham McNeill novella "The Seventh Serpent" stands out not merely by it's length but by it's interest levels. The Raven guard Sharrowkyn is always good value and he does not let the reader down here. Otherwise they are on the whole pretty forgettable stories that are overly fixated on a single group of Iron Hands led survivors. The fixation on the Iron Hands in virtually all the stories is my greatest single complaint about this book.
The Iron Hands are at the best of times difficult to like. They take a psychopathic need to relace "weak" flesh with grim unrelenting iron. This leads them towards ,brutal not to say inhuman logic over eberything else. They are cold, relentless and will do whatever is necessary to achieve their goals This unsympathetic outlook is exacerbated by in Legion back stabbing and communal PTSD leaving them determined to give their lives to revenge over the "Traitor Legions" If this was divcided up over a couple of characters then it may make for interesting reading, Unfortunately, this is every single POV Iron Hand character and that accounts for 99% of the central characters in this anthology, so they become one note and interchangeable.
I give it three stars for the couple of occasions where it proves greater than the sum of it's parts and dares to highlight more interesting characters.
May 27, 2024
I don't know. I certainly like the full novels more than the short story collections, but I also think that a short story collection is better for the Shattered Legions, a faction I think is very interesting. I know that this has to focus mostly on the Iron Hands, because they're not really getting books in the way that the Raven Guard and Salamanders are, but I think I would have liked to have more Raven Guard or non-mainline Salamander led stories (I am so sorry Nick Kyme I hope Old Earth knocks it out of the park). Still, Deeds Remain was excellent not least because it canonizes some wonderful oldhammer art, and I and I liked the Seventh Serpent quite a bit. It is fun as a reader to reminder yourself that
May 15, 2018
Strong, captivating collection of short stories revolving around the Iron Hands after the attack on Isstvan. They are a desperate legion who have seemingly accepted the fact that they are on the brink of extinction and all they want is a chance to hurt those that wronged them. They know full well that they won’t stop anyone from anything, so long as those responsible for the betrayal suffer a bloody nose by their hands. They just want to be remembered for not going without a fight. Fascinating characters.
January 27, 2023
I have no shied away from talking about how hard it is to get through anything involving the iron hands.
But this novel takes a lot of the grievances I have had with their single note characteristics and actually showed them after pushing threw and growing from their experiences.
It's great to see I'm a world this large all of the different lost factions just trying to hit the traitors out of some sort of pestering drive to do something no matter how big or how small.
Some interesting characters that I'm intrigued in following further and lovely intertwining of stories.
But this novel takes a lot of the grievances I have had with their single note characteristics and actually showed them after pushing threw and growing from their experiences.
It's great to see I'm a world this large all of the different lost factions just trying to hit the traitors out of some sort of pestering drive to do something no matter how big or how small.
Some interesting characters that I'm intrigued in following further and lovely intertwining of stories.
March 7, 2024
Between a 3 and a 4 for me - another anthology, and while another reasonably tightly linked one compared to others, I'm not a fan of the Iron Hands outside of the crew of the Sisypheum - which happily do feature in here in the Seventh Serpent, which brings the rating up (this novella itself towards 5 stars, but other stories in collection drag the overall score down).
Due to subject matter, some of the stories did drag a bit for me, and even Seventh Serpent was a bit bittersweet, but it did feel that most of it was still helping move the overall plot along, as we draw towards the close.
Due to subject matter, some of the stories did drag a bit for me, and even Seventh Serpent was a bit bittersweet, but it did feel that most of it was still helping move the overall plot along, as we draw towards the close.
October 20, 2018
Another enjoyable compilation. The HH series is starting to reach that point of such multi-layered storyline that a book like this is basically incomprehensible to anyone without a solid understanding of the series - and most of the books that are not this incomprehensible rely heavily on a solid understanding of the Warhammer 40,000 setting to keep the reader anchored. Tl:dr: Don't get this unless you're trying to do the whole series.
June 10, 2019
A top favorite collections of short stories regarding the Iron Hands as the main protagonists. The cultural differences and divides with their cousin legions is an interesting avenue the authors of this frequently explore ~ more particular ~ they give some love to the Iron Hands (what little you can) following the Istvaan V Massacre. I think it did the three shattered legions justice and I really appreciated the nods.
Shadrak Meduson is a legend.
Shadrak Meduson is a legend.
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