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The Horus Heresy #Audio Drama
Blackshields: The Red Fief
Endryd Haar leads his battered warband of renegade Blackshields into battle once more. Answering a distress call from an old friend, Haar seeks out the tithe-world of Duat, intent on plunder.
Following on from 'The False War', it's another fascinating look at a band of Space Marines who have forsaken loyalty to either side in the Heresy, trying to forge their own destiny.
As the forces of the Warmaster close in on Terra, Endryd Haar leads his warband of renegade Blackshields into battle once more. With his forces battered in the wake of their raid on Xana, Haar finds himself in desperate need of warriors. Answering a distress call from an old friend, Haar seeks out the tithe-world of Duat, intent on plunder. But when he discovers what is hidden there, Haar is faced with a decision that will determine his fate – and perhaps that of Terra itself.
Following on from 'The False War', it's another fascinating look at a band of Space Marines who have forsaken loyalty to either side in the Heresy, trying to forge their own destiny.
As the forces of the Warmaster close in on Terra, Endryd Haar leads his warband of renegade Blackshields into battle once more. With his forces battered in the wake of their raid on Xana, Haar finds himself in desperate need of warriors. Answering a distress call from an old friend, Haar seeks out the tithe-world of Duat, intent on plunder. But when he discovers what is hidden there, Haar is faced with a decision that will determine his fate – and perhaps that of Terra itself.
- GenresAudiobookScience Fiction
1 pages, Audible Audio
First published May 1, 2018
About the author
Joshua Reynolds
313 books348 followersJosh Reynolds’ work has previously appeared in such anthologies as Historical Lovecraft from Innsmouth Free Press and Horror for the Holidays from Miskatonic River Press, and his novel, Knight of the Blazing Sun, is currently available from Black Library. He can be found at: http://joshuamreynolds.wordpress.com
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 25, 2018
As was hoped, it seems that the Blackshields has become the latest spin-off from the Horus Heresy saga. Even with the decades-spanning series finally winding down, it seems as if authors are looking for more ways to explore and examine this universe at the last minute. Such things have had mixed results in the past - notably, a few of the major alterations to events have opened up more than a few questions - but the minor stories have been more successful. As this has been set up as a very minor part with few to no major figures involved, the Blackshields have a multitude of advantages other series lack, especially when it comes to creative freedom. Well, that and character examinations.
While every author has their distinct thumbprints on their work, Josh Reynolds' stories are always the ones which emphasise character. They're willing to delve into the histories of figures, even retell major events, but his stories often serve as a vehicle for character-defining moments and studies of those involved. This isn't to say that they're badly written, but he's less ready to jump at the chance to introduce a massive battle than the likes of Ben Counter or Graham McNeill. That's mostly what we get here, and it proves to be the story's greatest strength and weakness in one.
The Synopsis
Following the events on Xana, Endryd Haar's depleted forces are searching for a location to rebuild their strength. With their numbers thinned and ammunition running low, the group opts to raid an armory world held by Haar's former legion. A distress beacon has been originating from it for some time and an old comrade of his governs the world. Even as it is besieged by remnants of the Iron Hands legion, Haar attempts to both pillage anything of worth from the world, and convince his former friend to part from his colours.
The Good
As mentioned in the introduction, this is very much a character piece first and foremost. The emphasis is placed on Haar himself above all others, as the additional figures largely serve to forward his own story in one way or another. However, while this certainly repeats the same focus and style as the first story, it doesn't simply rehash the same elements. It slots in neatly as a second part to an ongoing tale, and to further develop Haar's disposition toward his troops and the war. One major appeal within The False War was the hints about Haar's unique history and serving a possible bridge between the Thunder Warriors and Astartes. It worked for a single tale, but emphasising that once again would have been tedious so, outside of a few general mentions, it's less "Is he or isn't he?" and instead "How has his past shaped him?"
The emphasis on using an unmentioned history and uncertain loyalty is core to Haar's depiction here. As he is now both following Malcador's orders and keeping their true nature hidden from his troops, he has more official oversight than he has since the outbreak of the war. Haar is someone who chafes under such control, despite its freedom, and yet it has offered him infinitely more direction than he has benefitted from in years. This allows him to contrast with the work's villain, someone who desires such purpose again but Is willing to go to almost any length to accomplish such a thing. Both are aged warriors, the last of their kind within the Legio XII it seems, but their nature differs in how they have come to define their lives. Each needed a purpose, a direction and reason to continue. Yet, while Haar has devoted his existence to personal revenge against Horus, his counterpart has slid into darkness and insanity, simply in order to follow Angron once more. Also, if you're wondering why i'm not naming the character, that might give the game away. Just a fair warning.
Almost the entire audio drama focuses on such conversation pieces, with the battle outside serving primarily as a backdrop. While the Blackshields conduct their operation and the war plays out in orbit, it is given little attention. This isn't so much of a hindrance as you might imagine, as it offers far more time to examine and contrast the main figures involved. The story places a great emphasis on dialogue and atmosphere, so attempting to insert this around multiple explosions would have hindered the work. As such, the battles are only seen fleetingly through the eyes of others. We are told of how the Blackshields initiate their operations through Haar's HUD, while the battle in orbit is detailed and conveyed through reports. As a result, these serve as more of a ticking clock than an excuse to produce bolter porn.
Interestingly, the story does make a few general efforts to flesh out more of the Blackshields themselves. While initially, it seemed as if this group consisted of Death Guard with a single World Eater at its head, but we now see contingents of Iron Warriors and Raven Guard among them as well. These figures are only briefly seen, but they do offer a few moments of insight into how the group operates and their disposition. The Blackshields are reavers and pirates, and as such there is a lack of discipline among them. They are skilled, and much more willing to remove unworthy leaders despite their positions over failure, but there is an odd sense of comradery despite this. It's akin to what was seen with some of the Night Lords and Space Wolves, and Haar's decisions to place certain figures in command or positions of power is not far from what we would see Ibram Gaunt do in his series. These are minor qualities on the whole, but it's less the Codex Astartes than it is Imperial Guard behaviour, and as such it helps to remind the reader that the astartes of this age were much more human. It's a reminder of just how great a failure that was, and just why such stringent measures were taken in the wake of the Heresy to enforce discipline.
The Bad
Of course, with the narrow emphasis on character comes another problem. You see, the character moments are genuinely great. It's what the audio drama focused on first and foremost, and even using other elements merely as a vehicle in order to get there isn't entirely bad. Yet, with that being said, it shares The False War's problem of lacking any notable figures behind Haar himself. The Garro series had the likes of Varren and Rubio to use in order to have returning figures, but once you get beyond Haar there isn't much of a supporting cast. You have Erud Vahn, but he's pushed into the background of the story, and beyond one brief moment he has little in the way of impact on events. As a single short piece this works well, but as the second installment in what should be an ongoing series, it seems to be turning into a single-character piece. It's a shame as the story has the potential to be much more than that.
Equally, the fact the heist itself quickly fades into the background is a point of frustration. The False War played with infiltration and heist elements rather than outright embracing them, but that assisted with the surprising twist and change in direction of the narrative. With The Red Fief, it's not quite so much the case. We know what they will do, when they will do it and how, and for the most part it goes off without a hitch. Even the typical spanner in the works is largely left out of focus, and as a result the actual events beyond Haar's character arc is unsatisfying. It's not an intentional bait and switch, but it seems at first as if it is going to deliver an honest take on what the first story played with, only to ignore it entirely. As such, it's a definite point of frustration.
Another definite issue within the audio drama is how it, unfortunately, plays a bit too close to territory we have seen before. Now, repeating a theme is never a bad thing in concept. Having a marine suffer from daemonic possession or corruption, a human confronting Chaos for the first time, or the eldar manipulating everyone and anyone. Those all work fine, and there is nothing wrong when there's a new take on an old idea to be had. However, in this case, the surprising twist cuts a little too close to something the series has dealt with a good three times thus far. The actual concept itself is fine and there is some unspoken horror to it, but there's not enough time spent on the element itself to help it stand out. Like so much here it's a tool to excuse character moments, but the fact it's tied so closely into the finale and serves as a surprising twist means that this isn't quite so excusable.
Finally, for all that has happened here, the ending proves to be a bit too clean. This isn't to say it's poorly done, or that the events did not have any impact on Haar, but for the events that played out it seemed to have too narrow a focus. It left a bit too much in question and for a great deal of payoff to be reserved for a future story. It was an ending, of sorts, but it's the kind of ending you would have in a mid-season television series episode or major revelation. It requires a further follow-up to truly work, and doesn't offer so much closure as one could hope. If we get another story this could lead to something great, but on its own you will probably be left wanting more.
The Verdict
The Red Fief is definitely a success and it does build on where The False War followed off. It helps to work with a good protagonist and it contrasts well with the majority of Heresy era stories. Yet, as obvious as its strengths are, it's also easy to pick out its weaknesses and it will definitely disappoint those who are after non-stop action or an emphasis on events over conversation. With that being said, I would personally still recommend it for its engaging ideas, dialogue and atmosphere. Though, you should definitely get The False War first, for obvious reasons.
While every author has their distinct thumbprints on their work, Josh Reynolds' stories are always the ones which emphasise character. They're willing to delve into the histories of figures, even retell major events, but his stories often serve as a vehicle for character-defining moments and studies of those involved. This isn't to say that they're badly written, but he's less ready to jump at the chance to introduce a massive battle than the likes of Ben Counter or Graham McNeill. That's mostly what we get here, and it proves to be the story's greatest strength and weakness in one.
The Synopsis
Following the events on Xana, Endryd Haar's depleted forces are searching for a location to rebuild their strength. With their numbers thinned and ammunition running low, the group opts to raid an armory world held by Haar's former legion. A distress beacon has been originating from it for some time and an old comrade of his governs the world. Even as it is besieged by remnants of the Iron Hands legion, Haar attempts to both pillage anything of worth from the world, and convince his former friend to part from his colours.
The Good
As mentioned in the introduction, this is very much a character piece first and foremost. The emphasis is placed on Haar himself above all others, as the additional figures largely serve to forward his own story in one way or another. However, while this certainly repeats the same focus and style as the first story, it doesn't simply rehash the same elements. It slots in neatly as a second part to an ongoing tale, and to further develop Haar's disposition toward his troops and the war. One major appeal within The False War was the hints about Haar's unique history and serving a possible bridge between the Thunder Warriors and Astartes. It worked for a single tale, but emphasising that once again would have been tedious so, outside of a few general mentions, it's less "Is he or isn't he?" and instead "How has his past shaped him?"
The emphasis on using an unmentioned history and uncertain loyalty is core to Haar's depiction here. As he is now both following Malcador's orders and keeping their true nature hidden from his troops, he has more official oversight than he has since the outbreak of the war. Haar is someone who chafes under such control, despite its freedom, and yet it has offered him infinitely more direction than he has benefitted from in years. This allows him to contrast with the work's villain, someone who desires such purpose again but Is willing to go to almost any length to accomplish such a thing. Both are aged warriors, the last of their kind within the Legio XII it seems, but their nature differs in how they have come to define their lives. Each needed a purpose, a direction and reason to continue. Yet, while Haar has devoted his existence to personal revenge against Horus, his counterpart has slid into darkness and insanity, simply in order to follow Angron once more. Also, if you're wondering why i'm not naming the character, that might give the game away. Just a fair warning.
Almost the entire audio drama focuses on such conversation pieces, with the battle outside serving primarily as a backdrop. While the Blackshields conduct their operation and the war plays out in orbit, it is given little attention. This isn't so much of a hindrance as you might imagine, as it offers far more time to examine and contrast the main figures involved. The story places a great emphasis on dialogue and atmosphere, so attempting to insert this around multiple explosions would have hindered the work. As such, the battles are only seen fleetingly through the eyes of others. We are told of how the Blackshields initiate their operations through Haar's HUD, while the battle in orbit is detailed and conveyed through reports. As a result, these serve as more of a ticking clock than an excuse to produce bolter porn.
Interestingly, the story does make a few general efforts to flesh out more of the Blackshields themselves. While initially, it seemed as if this group consisted of Death Guard with a single World Eater at its head, but we now see contingents of Iron Warriors and Raven Guard among them as well. These figures are only briefly seen, but they do offer a few moments of insight into how the group operates and their disposition. The Blackshields are reavers and pirates, and as such there is a lack of discipline among them. They are skilled, and much more willing to remove unworthy leaders despite their positions over failure, but there is an odd sense of comradery despite this. It's akin to what was seen with some of the Night Lords and Space Wolves, and Haar's decisions to place certain figures in command or positions of power is not far from what we would see Ibram Gaunt do in his series. These are minor qualities on the whole, but it's less the Codex Astartes than it is Imperial Guard behaviour, and as such it helps to remind the reader that the astartes of this age were much more human. It's a reminder of just how great a failure that was, and just why such stringent measures were taken in the wake of the Heresy to enforce discipline.
The Bad
Of course, with the narrow emphasis on character comes another problem. You see, the character moments are genuinely great. It's what the audio drama focused on first and foremost, and even using other elements merely as a vehicle in order to get there isn't entirely bad. Yet, with that being said, it shares The False War's problem of lacking any notable figures behind Haar himself. The Garro series had the likes of Varren and Rubio to use in order to have returning figures, but once you get beyond Haar there isn't much of a supporting cast. You have Erud Vahn, but he's pushed into the background of the story, and beyond one brief moment he has little in the way of impact on events. As a single short piece this works well, but as the second installment in what should be an ongoing series, it seems to be turning into a single-character piece. It's a shame as the story has the potential to be much more than that.
Equally, the fact the heist itself quickly fades into the background is a point of frustration. The False War played with infiltration and heist elements rather than outright embracing them, but that assisted with the surprising twist and change in direction of the narrative. With The Red Fief, it's not quite so much the case. We know what they will do, when they will do it and how, and for the most part it goes off without a hitch. Even the typical spanner in the works is largely left out of focus, and as a result the actual events beyond Haar's character arc is unsatisfying. It's not an intentional bait and switch, but it seems at first as if it is going to deliver an honest take on what the first story played with, only to ignore it entirely. As such, it's a definite point of frustration.
Another definite issue within the audio drama is how it, unfortunately, plays a bit too close to territory we have seen before. Now, repeating a theme is never a bad thing in concept. Having a marine suffer from daemonic possession or corruption, a human confronting Chaos for the first time, or the eldar manipulating everyone and anyone. Those all work fine, and there is nothing wrong when there's a new take on an old idea to be had. However, in this case, the surprising twist cuts a little too close to something the series has dealt with a good three times thus far. The actual concept itself is fine and there is some unspoken horror to it, but there's not enough time spent on the element itself to help it stand out. Like so much here it's a tool to excuse character moments, but the fact it's tied so closely into the finale and serves as a surprising twist means that this isn't quite so excusable.
Finally, for all that has happened here, the ending proves to be a bit too clean. This isn't to say it's poorly done, or that the events did not have any impact on Haar, but for the events that played out it seemed to have too narrow a focus. It left a bit too much in question and for a great deal of payoff to be reserved for a future story. It was an ending, of sorts, but it's the kind of ending you would have in a mid-season television series episode or major revelation. It requires a further follow-up to truly work, and doesn't offer so much closure as one could hope. If we get another story this could lead to something great, but on its own you will probably be left wanting more.
The Verdict
The Red Fief is definitely a success and it does build on where The False War followed off. It helps to work with a good protagonist and it contrasts well with the majority of Heresy era stories. Yet, as obvious as its strengths are, it's also easy to pick out its weaknesses and it will definitely disappoint those who are after non-stop action or an emphasis on events over conversation. With that being said, I would personally still recommend it for its engaging ideas, dialogue and atmosphere. Though, you should definitely get The False War first, for obvious reasons.
January 9, 2024
May 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 - Now in Immaterium of everything outside the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project, before moving on to the last Omnibus XXI The Siege of Terra.
With this the Blackshields trilogy is over and my conversion from hater to lover is complete!
This is the second outing of the Blackshields. Malcador, the Sigillite, has reached out to the former World Eater turned mercenary Blackshield, Endryd Haar, to take out a XII Legion outpost where new, mutated recruits for Angron's decimated Legion are being created. Haar has to make a choice over who and what he is, and where his loyalties lie. Who is he willing to work with? Who is he willing to betray?
I absolutely loved this!
It took a while to get cooking, but by the end I was truly getting emotional.
I go into my deep abiding love for the XII below, so. I'll just say that the conflict, both internal and external, and the lack of place and regard is portrayed so well, the writing is great and the performances are exquisite.
I'm actually going to go back and listen to the third one now that I know the order in the collection is wrong to see if I appreciate it more.
We got so many wonderful stories of the Shattered Legions, but it was so often, if not always, centred on Loyalist Legions. Honestly, a whole series that is just Renegades and could be from any time period, from the Thunder Warriors, resisting their culling, and their assistance in Magos Astartes' rebellion, through the mire sketchy elements of the Grey Crusade, Shatter Legions, Orphans of War, and Blackshields during the Horus Heresy, and the bizarre and fascinating history of Renegades from the Scouring through to Cursed Foundings and alterings of allegiances. I would absolutely read it and make my ridiculous checklist documents to make sure I got every one lol.
I cannot express how wrong I was initially about this miniseries and how much I desperately want more!
I have come to realise the following paragraphs are just an excuse to gush about Angron and the World Eaters, and why they resonate so much with me, so it's not essential to this review and you can totally skip them:
I have long-abiding love for the Angron and his sons. I've come to realise that, while my original and eternal devotion to Nurgle and the Grandfather's whole jolly 'just have fun with it' approach to the horrifying and nightmare and being the only Ruinous Power actually enjoying what they do, despite that side not really getting any play in the Horus Heresy, my hearts will always belong to the World Eaters. There's just something so fundamentally tragic and sympathetic about the one Primarch who didn't conquer his world and instead was made a slave and horrifically abused, including having his mind broken with the Butcher's Nails. He wasn't a bad boy, and Slave of Nuceria shows how he actively tried to help people and when that wasn't an option, do all he could to respect them and give them a quick death. Having his revolution or at the least his choice of death beside his freed siblings stolen from him by the Emperor and then thrown to his sons like a rabid dog remains one of the worst individual acts by the Master of Mankind in my opinion. Angron resenting his sons, them mutilating themselves with the Nails, desperate for his love, becoming resentful and ashamed of him, and then falling to Chaos and committing untold atrocities for the same love and need from a being given a chance for real feeling, despite everything, and having that ripped away, helpless as everyone he ever cared about were gunned down, possibly believing he abandoned them... (No, you're tearing up). I just love them, in spite of the absolute monsters they were all created to be and all the evil they did, first in the Emperor's name, then Horus, and finally the Blood God, Khorne. I just love them.
Adding the wrinkles of being one the earliest Astartes of the XII, even before they were even the War Hounds, one of the only in the Legion to refused the Butcher's Nails, being sent off to Terra as part of the Crusader Host, presumably because of this refusal, being imprisoned and forgotten because of a betrayal you had no part in and had no knowledge of, having to break out and be forced to kill countless former allies to be free, becoming a Renegade Blackshield; consumed with a desire to see Horus slain, but not being able to rejoin your bloody berserker betrayer brothers and losing all faith in the Imperium you once fought for, but threw you away without a second though...and I don't think I could feel more love and sympathy!
I also admit that there's no way my own childhood trauma, parental issues, neurodivergences, and generally being Queer in every Sphere, and the way so many aspects of me just existing sets so much of the world, those in power, and the society around me I rely on to live as someone unable to work with my chronic conditions, to look down on, hate, and actively try to make my existence illegal and impossible...doesn’t play a part in why I feel so much for them at all...
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), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, all 17 Primarchs novels, 3 Characters novels, and 150 short stories/ audio dramas across the Horus Heresy (inc. 10+ 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
***
Initial Review: 4/5
I have two questions:
Why couldn't I have heard this first and been made far more receptive to this series?
Why did they put this last in the Errant Knights collection?
Unlike the other two Blackshields audio dramas, I didn't actively dislike this. In fact, I might have actually enjoyed this, and probably could have really enjoyed if I wasn't already freaking broken by the other two.
This one actually has emotional stakes and interesting situations, dialogue, and scenes and conceits that make it feel like a Horus Heresy story, rather than any old Warhammer 40K one!
So Renegade McMaybeThunder needs to get some World Eaters geneseed because of reasons and to deny Angron, so they go all round the houses and catch up with his old buddy apothecary who has unfortunately drank the bloody Kool-Aid.
Through scenes that make me think of the station the first Leoban we see in Battlestar Galactica (re-imagined) and when the experiments and first Hybrid are revealed in BSG Razor combined with the Nibbelheim Mako Reactor SOLDIER Pods, Blackshield McBetweenSevereADHD&NotHavingAGoodTimeIGenuinelyDoNotRemeberHisName and his obscenely, probably offensively Russian brother share memories of good times, bond over being abandoned, and things ultimately have to come to violent end.
The majority is a two hanger between Angry Russian Fabius Bile Privateer McPirateFace and it's bloody good and actually says something about the war, their Legion, Primarch, and the Imperium in ways that are pertinent to the Heresy, which feels huge for Reynolds, and I love that for us. It's a shame the others come across as generic 40K MacGuffin tales, but I'll take this and I am happy the Errant Knights collection didn't end of such a colassal bummer.
I seriously recommend either only listening to one of the three here or listening to it first, regardless of the timeline.
With this the Blackshields trilogy is over and my conversion from hater to lover is complete!
This is the second outing of the Blackshields. Malcador, the Sigillite, has reached out to the former World Eater turned mercenary Blackshield, Endryd Haar, to take out a XII Legion outpost where new, mutated recruits for Angron's decimated Legion are being created. Haar has to make a choice over who and what he is, and where his loyalties lie. Who is he willing to work with? Who is he willing to betray?
I absolutely loved this!
It took a while to get cooking, but by the end I was truly getting emotional.
I go into my deep abiding love for the XII below, so. I'll just say that the conflict, both internal and external, and the lack of place and regard is portrayed so well, the writing is great and the performances are exquisite.
I'm actually going to go back and listen to the third one now that I know the order in the collection is wrong to see if I appreciate it more.
We got so many wonderful stories of the Shattered Legions, but it was so often, if not always, centred on Loyalist Legions. Honestly, a whole series that is just Renegades and could be from any time period, from the Thunder Warriors, resisting their culling, and their assistance in Magos Astartes' rebellion, through the mire sketchy elements of the Grey Crusade, Shatter Legions, Orphans of War, and Blackshields during the Horus Heresy, and the bizarre and fascinating history of Renegades from the Scouring through to Cursed Foundings and alterings of allegiances. I would absolutely read it and make my ridiculous checklist documents to make sure I got every one lol.
I cannot express how wrong I was initially about this miniseries and how much I desperately want more!
I have come to realise the following paragraphs are just an excuse to gush about Angron and the World Eaters, and why they resonate so much with me, so it's not essential to this review and you can totally skip them:
I have long-abiding love for the Angron and his sons. I've come to realise that, while my original and eternal devotion to Nurgle and the Grandfather's whole jolly 'just have fun with it' approach to the horrifying and nightmare and being the only Ruinous Power actually enjoying what they do, despite that side not really getting any play in the Horus Heresy, my hearts will always belong to the World Eaters. There's just something so fundamentally tragic and sympathetic about the one Primarch who didn't conquer his world and instead was made a slave and horrifically abused, including having his mind broken with the Butcher's Nails. He wasn't a bad boy, and Slave of Nuceria shows how he actively tried to help people and when that wasn't an option, do all he could to respect them and give them a quick death. Having his revolution or at the least his choice of death beside his freed siblings stolen from him by the Emperor and then thrown to his sons like a rabid dog remains one of the worst individual acts by the Master of Mankind in my opinion. Angron resenting his sons, them mutilating themselves with the Nails, desperate for his love, becoming resentful and ashamed of him, and then falling to Chaos and committing untold atrocities for the same love and need from a being given a chance for real feeling, despite everything, and having that ripped away, helpless as everyone he ever cared about were gunned down, possibly believing he abandoned them... (No, you're tearing up). I just love them, in spite of the absolute monsters they were all created to be and all the evil they did, first in the Emperor's name, then Horus, and finally the Blood God, Khorne. I just love them.
Adding the wrinkles of being one the earliest Astartes of the XII, even before they were even the War Hounds, one of the only in the Legion to refused the Butcher's Nails, being sent off to Terra as part of the Crusader Host, presumably because of this refusal, being imprisoned and forgotten because of a betrayal you had no part in and had no knowledge of, having to break out and be forced to kill countless former allies to be free, becoming a Renegade Blackshield; consumed with a desire to see Horus slain, but not being able to rejoin your bloody berserker betrayer brothers and losing all faith in the Imperium you once fought for, but threw you away without a second though...and I don't think I could feel more love and sympathy!
I also admit that there's no way my own childhood trauma, parental issues, neurodivergences, and generally being Queer in every Sphere, and the way so many aspects of me just existing sets so much of the world, those in power, and the society around me I rely on to live as someone unable to work with my chronic conditions, to look down on, hate, and actively try to make my existence illegal and impossible...doesn’t play a part in why I feel so much for them at all...
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), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, all 17 Primarchs novels, 3 Characters novels, and 150 short stories/ audio dramas across the Horus Heresy (inc. 10+ 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
***
Initial Review: 4/5
I have two questions:
Why couldn't I have heard this first and been made far more receptive to this series?
Why did they put this last in the Errant Knights collection?
Unlike the other two Blackshields audio dramas, I didn't actively dislike this. In fact, I might have actually enjoyed this, and probably could have really enjoyed if I wasn't already freaking broken by the other two.
This one actually has emotional stakes and interesting situations, dialogue, and scenes and conceits that make it feel like a Horus Heresy story, rather than any old Warhammer 40K one!
So Renegade McMaybeThunder needs to get some World Eaters geneseed because of reasons and to deny Angron, so they go all round the houses and catch up with his old buddy apothecary who has unfortunately drank the bloody Kool-Aid.
Through scenes that make me think of the station the first Leoban we see in Battlestar Galactica (re-imagined) and when the experiments and first Hybrid are revealed in BSG Razor combined with the Nibbelheim Mako Reactor SOLDIER Pods, Blackshield McBetweenSevereADHD&NotHavingAGoodTimeIGenuinelyDoNotRemeberHisName and his obscenely, probably offensively Russian brother share memories of good times, bond over being abandoned, and things ultimately have to come to violent end.
The majority is a two hanger between Angry Russian Fabius Bile Privateer McPirateFace and it's bloody good and actually says something about the war, their Legion, Primarch, and the Imperium in ways that are pertinent to the Heresy, which feels huge for Reynolds, and I love that for us. It's a shame the others come across as generic 40K MacGuffin tales, but I'll take this and I am happy the Errant Knights collection didn't end of such a colassal bummer.
I seriously recommend either only listening to one of the three here or listening to it first, regardless of the timeline.
November 14, 2018
A decent story, looking forward to the next one. Audio drama of a very high quality, amazing acting, applause!
August 6, 2025
"Are we monsters Kalaboss And if so can we be more? Or will it only be monsters that survive the fire to come?"
Tragic and bittersweet, even painful at times to read. Harr is being courted by Malcador the Sigillite, who wants to make use of Harr and his Blackshields as a weapon against the Warmaster. Harr is conflicted having been betrayed by the Sigillite once before, and not knowing what path to walk. Wracked with indecision about whether to follow the Sigillite's order, Haar leads his Blackshields in a raid on a World Eaters fief world to gather supplies and hopefully recruit his brother and comrade, Apothecary Kalaboss.
The Warhounds were loyal to a fault, and Angron was never worthy of their loyalty. A Legion that once prided itself in its bonds of brotherhood became slavering butchers because of the nails Angron dug into their heads. Haar seeks to reconnect with his brother, but does not realise how lost Kalaboss has become, how broken he is. It is tragic to listen to, as Haar slowly begins to realise how broken his brother has become, how the Legion he loved has been destroyed by Angron.
Harr is pragmatic and brutal, and this story is driven by his internal conflict, knowing that he must pick a side, but not being prepared to do so. This is a tragic tale of lost brotherhood and betrayal.
Reynold's strengths as a writer are apparent in this story. The dialogue between the characters is compelling and interesting, as he provides exposition in a way that feels natural and develops the characters.
Tragic and bittersweet, even painful at times to read. Harr is being courted by Malcador the Sigillite, who wants to make use of Harr and his Blackshields as a weapon against the Warmaster. Harr is conflicted having been betrayed by the Sigillite once before, and not knowing what path to walk. Wracked with indecision about whether to follow the Sigillite's order, Haar leads his Blackshields in a raid on a World Eaters fief world to gather supplies and hopefully recruit his brother and comrade, Apothecary Kalaboss.
The Warhounds were loyal to a fault, and Angron was never worthy of their loyalty. A Legion that once prided itself in its bonds of brotherhood became slavering butchers because of the nails Angron dug into their heads. Haar seeks to reconnect with his brother, but does not realise how lost Kalaboss has become, how broken he is. It is tragic to listen to, as Haar slowly begins to realise how broken his brother has become, how the Legion he loved has been destroyed by Angron.
Harr is pragmatic and brutal, and this story is driven by his internal conflict, knowing that he must pick a side, but not being prepared to do so. This is a tragic tale of lost brotherhood and betrayal.
Reynold's strengths as a writer are apparent in this story. The dialogue between the characters is compelling and interesting, as he provides exposition in a way that feels natural and develops the characters.
June 11, 2018
In the aftermath of his mission on Xana-Tisiphone (in Blackshields: The False War), Endryd Haar is being courted by Malcador, who wants to make use of him in the loyalists’ defence against Horus. Wracked with indecision about whether to commit to the Sigillite’s goals, Haar leads his warriors in a raid on a World Eaters fief world to gather supplies and hopefully recruit an old ally to his cause.
It feels like a natural extension of Haar’s story after the setup in The False War, and sees him wrestling with the core dilemma of how to achieve his goal – killing Horus – without compromising on his ideals. There’s very little action, so Haar's internal conflict is what drives the narrative, as Reynolds explores the way that he's driven by a different sort of pain to the rest of his World Eater brothers. It might not appeal to those who only want to see narrative forward motion, but Haar is a brilliant contrast to a character like Garro, and really fits the Heresy perfectly.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/05/...
It feels like a natural extension of Haar’s story after the setup in The False War, and sees him wrestling with the core dilemma of how to achieve his goal – killing Horus – without compromising on his ideals. There’s very little action, so Haar's internal conflict is what drives the narrative, as Reynolds explores the way that he's driven by a different sort of pain to the rest of his World Eater brothers. It might not appeal to those who only want to see narrative forward motion, but Haar is a brilliant contrast to a character like Garro, and really fits the Heresy perfectly.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/05/...
October 20, 2018
One great book, Dramatic and full of intense action and adventure. I loved it!!
October 26, 2022
Another excellent audio drama addition to the Heresy. A natural continuation of Harr’s side story that delivers on the promises of the first and improves on it.
January 31, 2023
Average exploration of the broken bonds of brotherhood resulting from the heresy
November 13, 2023
The Blackshields concept had a lot of promise, especially with Haar at the helm, but I don't feel like the executed it particularly well.
January 4, 2026
Endryd Haas, perro de la guerra...
August 19, 2018
Really good side story which probably ties to the "Silent War" cycle of stories, within the Heresy. As always, great production values and performances, although I must confess being hooked on audio dramas at this point. Feels as if reading a good book and binge watching a favorite tv show, all at the same time...
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