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Black Legion #2
Die schwarze Legion
Abaddon returns from exile and raises the dreaded Black Legion.
The Sons of Horus may be no more, but rising from their ashes come the Black Legion. Returning after his long self-imposed exile, Abaddon offers the disparate Chaos Space Marine warbands within the Eye of Terror a simple choice - join him or die. As his newborn war host emerges from the Eye of Terror to ravage the galaxy, none can stand in Abaddon's path, not even the Black Templars Chapter - sworn to stand guard at the storm's edge - nor the Emperor's Champion himself.
The Sons of Horus may be no more, but rising from their ashes come the Black Legion. Returning after his long self-imposed exile, Abaddon offers the disparate Chaos Space Marine warbands within the Eye of Terror a simple choice - join him or die. As his newborn war host emerges from the Eye of Terror to ravage the galaxy, none can stand in Abaddon's path, not even the Black Templars Chapter - sworn to stand guard at the storm's edge - nor the Emperor's Champion himself.
Hardcover
First published August 22, 2017
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August 11, 2020
This was a re-read, my original review/rating stands:
This is the follow up to "The Talon of Horus". The first book was good but nothing amazing. The sequel? Awesome!
This is the foundational story for the Black Legion and how they differ from the other Chaos Legions (the original 9 traitor legions). While each of those 9 Legions, in one form or another, worship an individual Dark Power the Black Legion will use the powers of Chaos but not trust the intentions of the Dark Powers. The reason is simple-while they (the Dark Gods) offer tremendous power, it is only for their OWN purposes. Thus even when the Traitor Marines "win" by gaining certain abilities or powers, they end up losing in the final result unless it is the rare instance where the Dark God's and the Astartes' goal/desire perfectly align. Rather the Black Legion lived for "Vindicta" (Old Gothic for revenge). They felt betrayed first by the Emperor (or "Father") and then by the Dark Gods when Horus' Heresy failed. Thus the Black Legion looks for those who would rather serve Abbadon (the Warmaster- Abbadon was Horus' First Captain of his elite inner cadre) than the Dark Powers. But make no mistake-the Black Legion is no friend to the Imperium of Man. While they are not as worshipful of the Dark Gods they are still chaos Marines and tainted by the Warp and daemonic entities.
A great tale full of action and fascinating background lore on the Black Legion and Abbadon himself. The final part where the Black Legion run into Sigismund and the Black Templars (a loyal Chapter that has been awaiting the return of the traitors for a thousand years) is superb. The story also shows the deep similarities between the two units. They wear nearly identical armor heraldry (black with gold; skulls) but are on opposite sides of the coin. The Sigismund/Abbadon meeting on the Eternal Crusader battleship is superb.
Book Two was awesome. I enjoyed this far more than the first one. Some truly cool characters in this story. A required read for any Warhammer 40K fan. Not only for the sheer pleasure but also there is a lot of great history on the Black Legion and the final ending of Horus' Heresy. This explains the Long War. Since it could be argued the first "engagement" of the Long War (which continues to the current 40K timeline) is when the Black Legion attacks the Black Templars.
This is the follow up to "The Talon of Horus". The first book was good but nothing amazing. The sequel? Awesome!
This is the foundational story for the Black Legion and how they differ from the other Chaos Legions (the original 9 traitor legions). While each of those 9 Legions, in one form or another, worship an individual Dark Power the Black Legion will use the powers of Chaos but not trust the intentions of the Dark Powers. The reason is simple-while they (the Dark Gods) offer tremendous power, it is only for their OWN purposes. Thus even when the Traitor Marines "win" by gaining certain abilities or powers, they end up losing in the final result unless it is the rare instance where the Dark God's and the Astartes' goal/desire perfectly align. Rather the Black Legion lived for "Vindicta" (Old Gothic for revenge). They felt betrayed first by the Emperor (or "Father") and then by the Dark Gods when Horus' Heresy failed. Thus the Black Legion looks for those who would rather serve Abbadon (the Warmaster- Abbadon was Horus' First Captain of his elite inner cadre) than the Dark Powers. But make no mistake-the Black Legion is no friend to the Imperium of Man. While they are not as worshipful of the Dark Gods they are still chaos Marines and tainted by the Warp and daemonic entities.
A great tale full of action and fascinating background lore on the Black Legion and Abbadon himself. The final part where the Black Legion run into Sigismund and the Black Templars (a loyal Chapter that has been awaiting the return of the traitors for a thousand years) is superb. The story also shows the deep similarities between the two units. They wear nearly identical armor heraldry (black with gold; skulls) but are on opposite sides of the coin. The Sigismund/Abbadon meeting on the Eternal Crusader battleship is superb.
Book Two was awesome. I enjoyed this far more than the first one. Some truly cool characters in this story. A required read for any Warhammer 40K fan. Not only for the sheer pleasure but also there is a lot of great history on the Black Legion and the final ending of Horus' Heresy. This explains the Long War. Since it could be argued the first "engagement" of the Long War (which continues to the current 40K timeline) is when the Black Legion attacks the Black Templars.
September 13, 2017
From shame and shadow recast, in black and gold reborn.
Black Legion was everything I expected and more. It's not easy to write a review, even a little one, when your emotions swing between absolute rapture and miserable weeping about the fact you just finished it and a lot of time will pass till you'll be able to read the next part. It was fantastic, a worthy sequel to the Talon of Horus, just as amusing and powerful. One of my favorite things about these books is the first person narrative, we get to see the evolution of the Black Legion and Ezekyle Abaddon from a perspective of one of his closest brothers in arms, his loyal follower, which implies that this view is subjective to a point. A figure as legendary as the Despoiler can be presented very differently depending on the viewer. Speaking of which... Oh, Lekzahndru. Khayon keeps getting more depth to his personality, same for other characters. All of them are very well developed, diverse and unique, you will never confuse one for another. One-dimensional, interchangeable space marines IS a problem in Black Library books, it needs to go. I will avoid spoilers, this review could easily become waaay too long if i tried to describe each thing that i found especially interesting. If I had to pick my absolute favorite part, it would be everything around the Ghosts of Warp, just fascinating. I know I will read it again soon for this book will by all means become a major source of inspiration for my art.
Black Legion was everything I expected and more. It's not easy to write a review, even a little one, when your emotions swing between absolute rapture and miserable weeping about the fact you just finished it and a lot of time will pass till you'll be able to read the next part. It was fantastic, a worthy sequel to the Talon of Horus, just as amusing and powerful. One of my favorite things about these books is the first person narrative, we get to see the evolution of the Black Legion and Ezekyle Abaddon from a perspective of one of his closest brothers in arms, his loyal follower, which implies that this view is subjective to a point. A figure as legendary as the Despoiler can be presented very differently depending on the viewer. Speaking of which... Oh, Lekzahndru. Khayon keeps getting more depth to his personality, same for other characters. All of them are very well developed, diverse and unique, you will never confuse one for another. One-dimensional, interchangeable space marines IS a problem in Black Library books, it needs to go. I will avoid spoilers, this review could easily become waaay too long if i tried to describe each thing that i found especially interesting. If I had to pick my absolute favorite part, it would be everything around the Ghosts of Warp, just fascinating. I know I will read it again soon for this book will by all means become a major source of inspiration for my art.
February 23, 2025
(Reread 2025)
"So, you have returned. I never doubted that you would. [...] I looked for you, as Terra burned in the fires of your father's heresy. I hunted for you, day and night. Always lesser men blocked my path. Always they died so that you might live. But I have never stopped searching for you, Ezekyle."
Having read and enjoyed the previous installment of this series, I was most eager to get my hands on this book; the hints of what was to come left at the end of Talon of Horus were certainly designed to entice you with the prospect of great things to come, and in my opinion, that's exactly what this book delivered.
Continuing on from where Talon of Horus left off, Black Legion begins with the armies of Ezekyle Abaddon preparing to return to fight the only war that matters; the war with the Imperium of Man. Told once more from the perspective of Iskandar Khayon, one of Abaddon's lieutenants and close confidents, the story splits between the ongoing rise of the Black Legion and Khayon's relation of it to Imperial Inquisitors holding him captive to whom he is relating his story. As Khayon notes, the Black Legion's rise to power has made them as many enemies as allies, and as they muster their forces, the Legion finds itself pitted against the forces of Thagus Daravek, a Death Guard warlord who is unifying all those who refuse to bow to Abaddon. With Daravek determined to usurp Abaddon's place as the one who will lead the Traitor Legions back to fight the Long War, and with growing evidence that not all in the Imperium have forgotten them in their exile, Abaddon and his lieutenants face great struggles, tough choices and major sacrifices if they are to reclaim what is rightfully theirs...
It's a great thing about Aaron Dembski-Bowden that he manages to depict Chaos Space Marines (generally considered some of the worst and most terrible villains in the 40K universe) into compelling and strangely likeable characters; he makes Khayon and his cohorts so much more than the genocidal warlords and frothing zealots some depict them as (don't get me wrong, I rather enjoy such characters at times). The dialogue is brilliant, nuanced and intriguing, with frequent reference to classic lines and quotes from the 40K lore that always satisfy. The action sequences are also very good, restrained but still gripping; it's a pleasure to see the Black Legion fighting against Imperial Space Marines this time in the form of the Black Templars and the final battle between Abaddon and Sigismund, hinted at in the epilogue of Talon of Horus, does not disappoint; the final clash between two warriors who embody their cause so perfectly is brilliant, more an honourable duel between two worthy fighters, neither of whom can back down from what they believe is right, rather than a brawl between a sneering tyrant and a purer-than-the-driven hero.
Unfortunately, like the Inquisitors interrogating him, Khayon's story ends far too soon for me, with him yet again hinting at things to come as the Black Legion storm out of the Eye and begin the Long War anew. The climax is truly brilliant, sending a chill down my spine as the Black Legion simultaneously pay their respect to a worthy opponent and brag to the Imperium that their worst enemy has returned to finish what they started ten thousand years before. Truly, this book is a fine continuation to a series that shows ever more promise, and I eagerly await the next book.
As the Black Legion's battle cry goes, "We Are Returned", and that they have, in spectacular fashion!
"So, you have returned. I never doubted that you would. [...] I looked for you, as Terra burned in the fires of your father's heresy. I hunted for you, day and night. Always lesser men blocked my path. Always they died so that you might live. But I have never stopped searching for you, Ezekyle."
Having read and enjoyed the previous installment of this series, I was most eager to get my hands on this book; the hints of what was to come left at the end of Talon of Horus were certainly designed to entice you with the prospect of great things to come, and in my opinion, that's exactly what this book delivered.
Continuing on from where Talon of Horus left off, Black Legion begins with the armies of Ezekyle Abaddon preparing to return to fight the only war that matters; the war with the Imperium of Man. Told once more from the perspective of Iskandar Khayon, one of Abaddon's lieutenants and close confidents, the story splits between the ongoing rise of the Black Legion and Khayon's relation of it to Imperial Inquisitors holding him captive to whom he is relating his story. As Khayon notes, the Black Legion's rise to power has made them as many enemies as allies, and as they muster their forces, the Legion finds itself pitted against the forces of Thagus Daravek, a Death Guard warlord who is unifying all those who refuse to bow to Abaddon. With Daravek determined to usurp Abaddon's place as the one who will lead the Traitor Legions back to fight the Long War, and with growing evidence that not all in the Imperium have forgotten them in their exile, Abaddon and his lieutenants face great struggles, tough choices and major sacrifices if they are to reclaim what is rightfully theirs...
It's a great thing about Aaron Dembski-Bowden that he manages to depict Chaos Space Marines (generally considered some of the worst and most terrible villains in the 40K universe) into compelling and strangely likeable characters; he makes Khayon and his cohorts so much more than the genocidal warlords and frothing zealots some depict them as (don't get me wrong, I rather enjoy such characters at times). The dialogue is brilliant, nuanced and intriguing, with frequent reference to classic lines and quotes from the 40K lore that always satisfy. The action sequences are also very good, restrained but still gripping; it's a pleasure to see the Black Legion fighting against Imperial Space Marines this time in the form of the Black Templars and the final battle between Abaddon and Sigismund, hinted at in the epilogue of Talon of Horus, does not disappoint; the final clash between two warriors who embody their cause so perfectly is brilliant, more an honourable duel between two worthy fighters, neither of whom can back down from what they believe is right, rather than a brawl between a sneering tyrant and a purer-than-the-driven hero.
Unfortunately, like the Inquisitors interrogating him, Khayon's story ends far too soon for me, with him yet again hinting at things to come as the Black Legion storm out of the Eye and begin the Long War anew. The climax is truly brilliant, sending a chill down my spine as the Black Legion simultaneously pay their respect to a worthy opponent and brag to the Imperium that their worst enemy has returned to finish what they started ten thousand years before. Truly, this book is a fine continuation to a series that shows ever more promise, and I eagerly await the next book.
As the Black Legion's battle cry goes, "We Are Returned", and that they have, in spectacular fashion!
October 20, 2024
ADB’s writing somehow gets me jumping out of my chair and cheering while immersing me in the sounds, flavors, and sensations of battle. I need a third book in this series like I need oxygen… like, now. Stellar story with top notch writing, easy five stars.
August 20, 2017
Vindicta.
If there is one thing, one concept, one sentiment in the marrow of this novel, then it is that. Vindicta. Vengeance. Not casual revenge but the hate that burns inside every veteran of the Long War. While Talon of Horus took its time, caught in the weft and weave of its characters indecision and ennui, Black Legion burns with the desire to be free. The demand to be remembered.
Black Legion returns us to Khayon and his drawn out confession to the Inquisition; a format which continues to engage. Often he will drift into asides, or proclaim not to remember, or not to bother expanding upon events- often because they are already known to his captors. His teasing, almost mocking faux-flirtation with his captors (and especially Siroca), is enrapturing. His narration feels incredibly human, adding a vitality that other tenses might obscure.
The characters we knew from before are joined by new brothers, who sometimes do not get as much time to shine as they ought. Wizened Ilyaster is everything the Death Guard before him are not, dry and sepulchral instead of wet and glistening. Zaidu was a Night Lord, and comes across as a scheming murderous peacock, like an echo of Telemachon. Others, such as Vortigern, are playful mysteries, defined as much by their origins as their new allegiance. It is also refreshing to see familiar faces from other parts of Aaron's work, such as Delvarus from Betrayer.
The plot is essentially a two headed beast, caught between the threat of Thagus Daravek, self-proclaimed Lord of Hosts, within the Eye and the looming threat of the Black Templars without. The revelation of the waiting force of Loyalists is very well-handled; serving as the kick-off for the resolution of battles between Abaddon and his rival.
The novel is heavily invested with a sense of divine urgency and portent. The Gods squabble and quibble for Abaddon's soul and loyalty, and he wears himself down resisting them. He wobbles between exhaustion and urgency, his fluctuation girding his ironclad determination. The comparison is often drawn to Horus, of whom Abaddon is such a strong echo. Will he falter like the father? Is he greater than the First and False Warmaster? Is he, in more ways than one, his equal and not simply his heir?
Provoking these questions are driving the plot are seminal figures such as Moriana. The prophetess is a study in restrained power, apparently subdued and yet rich with revelation. As one character remarks, she is dangerous because she speaks like a primarch; ripe with surety. The counterpoint to Moriana is what she promises; Drach'nyen. After the sublime use of the daemon in Master of Mankind, we can well understand its potency and relevance. It is the key by which the Imperium shall fall and the Emperor be cast down.
This looming sense of destiny truly kicks in as a late arc gut punch, which robs us of the familiar and then toys with the emotions it creates. This is then played upon and immediately drawn into a final conflict of breathtaking scale and yet intimate scope. The toying with perspective allows us to enjoy the brutal and visceral melee, itself threaded through with potent emotional beats, and also the just as pressing void war.
Black Legion builds upon everything that has gone before it, providing us with all of our favourite characters from the first book as they gain and regain their purpose, becoming something else entirely. The restraint in not simply plunging into the First Black Crusade, and instead building on already solid foundations shows that this is not simply a series of rote recollection, but a monumental undertaking with narrative bones and plot beats that hearken back to some of the earliest laid down lore.
ADB once again displays his talent for character building and world creation; for re-imagining the familiar and re-contextualising so much of what we already know. In the shadow of the Fall of Cadia, there is perhaps nothing as relevant and evocative for modern 40k.
In addition to this, in the Limited Edition, we have "A Flash of Silver Among the Corroded Ghosts", which serves as a plot hook going forward. Khayon meets a new foe, and sows the seeds of a conflict to come. To see Khayon confront these antagonists is an almost guilty pleasure, like a "Who would win" argument come to life; one that will have dire ramifications going forward.
I, for one, can't wait to see where they lead.
If there is one thing, one concept, one sentiment in the marrow of this novel, then it is that. Vindicta. Vengeance. Not casual revenge but the hate that burns inside every veteran of the Long War. While Talon of Horus took its time, caught in the weft and weave of its characters indecision and ennui, Black Legion burns with the desire to be free. The demand to be remembered.
Black Legion returns us to Khayon and his drawn out confession to the Inquisition; a format which continues to engage. Often he will drift into asides, or proclaim not to remember, or not to bother expanding upon events- often because they are already known to his captors. His teasing, almost mocking faux-flirtation with his captors (and especially Siroca), is enrapturing. His narration feels incredibly human, adding a vitality that other tenses might obscure.
The characters we knew from before are joined by new brothers, who sometimes do not get as much time to shine as they ought. Wizened Ilyaster is everything the Death Guard before him are not, dry and sepulchral instead of wet and glistening. Zaidu was a Night Lord, and comes across as a scheming murderous peacock, like an echo of Telemachon. Others, such as Vortigern, are playful mysteries, defined as much by their origins as their new allegiance. It is also refreshing to see familiar faces from other parts of Aaron's work, such as Delvarus from Betrayer.
The plot is essentially a two headed beast, caught between the threat of Thagus Daravek, self-proclaimed Lord of Hosts, within the Eye and the looming threat of the Black Templars without. The revelation of the waiting force of Loyalists is very well-handled; serving as the kick-off for the resolution of battles between Abaddon and his rival.
The novel is heavily invested with a sense of divine urgency and portent. The Gods squabble and quibble for Abaddon's soul and loyalty, and he wears himself down resisting them. He wobbles between exhaustion and urgency, his fluctuation girding his ironclad determination. The comparison is often drawn to Horus, of whom Abaddon is such a strong echo. Will he falter like the father? Is he greater than the First and False Warmaster? Is he, in more ways than one, his equal and not simply his heir?
Provoking these questions are driving the plot are seminal figures such as Moriana. The prophetess is a study in restrained power, apparently subdued and yet rich with revelation. As one character remarks, she is dangerous because she speaks like a primarch; ripe with surety. The counterpoint to Moriana is what she promises; Drach'nyen. After the sublime use of the daemon in Master of Mankind, we can well understand its potency and relevance. It is the key by which the Imperium shall fall and the Emperor be cast down.
This looming sense of destiny truly kicks in as a late arc gut punch, which robs us of the familiar and then toys with the emotions it creates. This is then played upon and immediately drawn into a final conflict of breathtaking scale and yet intimate scope. The toying with perspective allows us to enjoy the brutal and visceral melee, itself threaded through with potent emotional beats, and also the just as pressing void war.
Black Legion builds upon everything that has gone before it, providing us with all of our favourite characters from the first book as they gain and regain their purpose, becoming something else entirely. The restraint in not simply plunging into the First Black Crusade, and instead building on already solid foundations shows that this is not simply a series of rote recollection, but a monumental undertaking with narrative bones and plot beats that hearken back to some of the earliest laid down lore.
ADB once again displays his talent for character building and world creation; for re-imagining the familiar and re-contextualising so much of what we already know. In the shadow of the Fall of Cadia, there is perhaps nothing as relevant and evocative for modern 40k.
In addition to this, in the Limited Edition, we have "A Flash of Silver Among the Corroded Ghosts", which serves as a plot hook going forward. Khayon meets a new foe, and sows the seeds of a conflict to come. To see Khayon confront these antagonists is an almost guilty pleasure, like a "Who would win" argument come to life; one that will have dire ramifications going forward.
I, for one, can't wait to see where they lead.
October 12, 2024
It's been too long since I cried over these silly stories, but oh boy! Did the ending really, really get me.
ADB really is the best.
On the whole, I didn't adore this as much as the first book, but I destroyed the audiobooks of both novels and read the three short stories within two days, and had a wonderful time.
Now I join the Long War to see whether we'll ever see book three.
ADB really is the best.
On the whole, I didn't adore this as much as the first book, but I destroyed the audiobooks of both novels and read the three short stories within two days, and had a wonderful time.
Now I join the Long War to see whether we'll ever see book three.
September 3, 2021
Радше інформаційно-сюжетний додаток, аніж повноцінна книга. Утім, ніди правди діти, автор володіє своєю справою, ще й насипає щедрих подробиці щодо ворлд-бідінгу.
Непогана розважальна література для поціновувачів сетінгу, спрямована стимулювати продаж міньок. Але не більше
Непогана розважальна література для поціновувачів сетінгу, спрямована стимулювати продаж міньок. Але не більше
March 25, 2025
Дембски-Боуден продолжает рассказывать про то, как Абаддон скучал-скучал в Оке Ужаса и таки решил вернуться в Империум. Первому роману цикла я поставил 8, но перед тем, как приступить к чтению второй книги, я пытался вспомнить, что же было в первой, и как-то мало что у меня отложилось. Поэтому немного стал сомневаться, правильно ли я поставил 8=) Обычно книги с такой оценкой хоть чем-то запоминаются.
Итак, Абаддон собрал свой Чёрный легион и движется в сторону края тюрьмы. И здесь наконец-то больше Абаддона, чем было в первой книге, что не может не радовать. Сюжет подаётся всё ещё от лица Хайона из Тысячи сынов. Книга тоненькая, в ней не так много событий. По факту, грубо говоря два - стычка с Тагом Даравеком и Сигизмундом. Оба стояли на пути Чёрного легиона и мешали пройти дальше. Таг Даравек - довольно интересный персонаж, но как в книге быстро сдулся... По факту это конкурент Абаддона за право быть фаворитом у богов Хаоса. Даравеку достаточно устранить Абаддона, и он будет любимой зверушкой Хаоса. Абаддон тоже это прекрасно понимает и поэтому даёт указание Хайону устранить Тага, ибо это просто ОЧЕНЬ важно.
Вторая преграда - это Сигизмунд из Имперских кулаков, который долгое время стоял у границы и ждал появления Абаддона с друзьями. К счастью, дождался, но, к несчастью, погиб. Спойлер? Да нет же. И так понятно, что Абаддон вернулся, а значит Терре надо приготовится.
Впечатления книга доставила смешанные. С одной стороны автор постарался многогранно раскрыть сюжет. Хайон сомневается в том, а не был ли он убит когда-то. Абаддон же пытается донести до нас то, что он сомневающийся хаосит. ВОобще всегда эти размышления павших космодесантников интересны. Абаддон понимает, что боги Хаоса их используют в своих целях, и ему это не нравится. Поэтому он не собирается молиться ни одному из них. Но в тот же момент ненависть к императору у него значительно выше, поэтому дружба с Хаосом поможет ему добиться цели. И как обычно, когда читаешь про лоялистов - там все хаоситы довольно тупы и однообразны, умирают пачками. Когда читаешь про хаоситов - там всё показано иначе - они умны, амбициозны, им меньше, но они грамотно делают больно всем, кто попадается на пути.
С точки зрения лора книга хорошая. Кто за 12 часов не укладывается в пересказе Вахи неофитам, тому книга даст массу пищи для размышлений. Совсем иное дело, если книгу возьмёт в руки человек, который просто хочет интересного сюжета. Вот тут я не могу сказать, что книга чем-то интересна. Ваха как Ваха. Стычка с Сигизмундом вообще какая-то вялая получилась. Таг Даравек на картинках в нете выглядит интереснее, чем в книге. Прочиталось быстро, но не скажу, что читалось с восторгом.
И к большому сожалению, третьей книги так до сих пор и нету. Интересно, почему?
7/10.
Итак, Абаддон собрал свой Чёрный легион и движется в сторону края тюрьмы. И здесь наконец-то больше Абаддона, чем было в первой книге, что не может не радовать. Сюжет подаётся всё ещё от лица Хайона из Тысячи сынов. Книга тоненькая, в ней не так много событий. По факту, грубо говоря два - стычка с Тагом Даравеком и Сигизмундом. Оба стояли на пути Чёрного легиона и мешали пройти дальше. Таг Даравек - довольно интересный персонаж, но как в книге быстро сдулся... По факту это конкурент Абаддона за право быть фаворитом у богов Хаоса. Даравеку достаточно устранить Абаддона, и он будет любимой зверушкой Хаоса. Абаддон тоже это прекрасно понимает и поэтому даёт указание Хайону устранить Тага, ибо это просто ОЧЕНЬ важно.
Вторая преграда - это Сигизмунд из Имперских кулаков, который долгое время стоял у границы и ждал появления Абаддона с друзьями. К счастью, дождался, но, к несчастью, погиб. Спойлер? Да нет же. И так понятно, что Абаддон вернулся, а значит Терре надо приготовится.
Впечатления книга доставила смешанные. С одной стороны автор постарался многогранно раскрыть сюжет. Хайон сомневается в том, а не был ли он убит когда-то. Абаддон же пытается донести до нас то, что он сомневающийся хаосит. ВОобще всегда эти размышления павших космодесантников интересны. Абаддон понимает, что боги Хаоса их используют в своих целях, и ему это не нравится. Поэтому он не собирается молиться ни одному из них. Но в тот же момент ненависть к императору у него значительно выше, поэтому дружба с Хаосом поможет ему добиться цели. И как обычно, когда читаешь про лоялистов - там все хаоситы довольно тупы и однообразны, умирают пачками. Когда читаешь про хаоситов - там всё показано иначе - они умны, амбициозны, им меньше, но они грамотно делают больно всем, кто попадается на пути.
С точки зрения лора книга хорошая. Кто за 12 часов не укладывается в пересказе Вахи неофитам, тому книга даст массу пищи для размышлений. Совсем иное дело, если книгу возьмёт в руки человек, который просто хочет интересного сюжета. Вот тут я не могу сказать, что книга чем-то интересна. Ваха как Ваха. Стычка с Сигизмундом вообще какая-то вялая получилась. Таг Даравек на картинках в нете выглядит интереснее, чем в книге. Прочиталось быстро, но не скажу, что читалось с восторгом.
И к большому сожалению, третьей книги так до сих пор и нету. Интересно, почему?
7/10.
November 5, 2017
Punto en contra, no se cuando saldra la continuación ya que este libro salio apenas este año.
Punto a favor, absolutamente todo, me faltan estrellas para calificar este libro.
Punto a favor, absolutamente todo, me faltan estrellas para calificar este libro.
February 25, 2018
Glorious. Like the Talon of Horus before it, this was a wonderful novel. I am starting to hate ADB like I hate Dan Abnett for making me care so damn much. ADB might be worse because like his brilliant Night Lords trilogy he is making me care about the BAD GUYS. I have been emersed in the 40k universe for 25 years, and as a Space Marine player, I have been much like an actual Space Marine psycho-indoctrinated to HATE HATE HATE the heretic. But frigging ADB is covering me with the filthy of chaos and laughing all the way home. They are unclean...I should hate them...but I love them. Bring on the next novel!!!
May 13, 2021
A strong sequel, but didn't quite wow me as much as the first.
I just want to start off by saying that, of the VERY few books I've read in my life, I would say that The Talon of Horus (this books predecessor) is my current favourite. Much of this review will be holding my thoughts on Black Legion up to my feelings for The Talon of Horus. Also, everything ahead will be spoilers, so, tread lightly...
I just want to start off by saying that, of the VERY few books I've read in my life, I would say that The Talon of Horus (this books predecessor) is my current favourite. Much of this review will be holding my thoughts on Black Legion up to my feelings for The Talon of Horus. Also, everything ahead will be spoilers, so, tread lightly...
July 11, 2024
In this follow-up to 'Talon of Horus', the reader is once again placed in the comfortable hands of evil (isn't everyone?) super-human mega-sorcerer Iskandar Khayon. Fortunately Khayon enjoys telling a good story, so we should be fine just so long as we don't accidentally call him a magician.
If the previous book was the Black Legion's origin story, here is where Abaddon the Despoiler's merry band comes into its own and announces itself to the galaxy. Abaddon himself plays a greater role, clearly demonstrating his 'strong survive' leadership approach. Dembski-Bowden continues to value wry humour, psychological power struggles and the complexity of space battles more than extended hack and slash fight scenes, to the extent that the most significant battle takes place mostly off-screen.
A worthy if slightly less epic second novel, but 'Talon' set a very high bar. I'd love to see more of these in future, but if there's any justice in the world someone in Hollywood should be throwing buckets of money at ADB to write the script for the next Battlestar Galactica.
If the previous book was the Black Legion's origin story, here is where Abaddon the Despoiler's merry band comes into its own and announces itself to the galaxy. Abaddon himself plays a greater role, clearly demonstrating his 'strong survive' leadership approach. Dembski-Bowden continues to value wry humour, psychological power struggles and the complexity of space battles more than extended hack and slash fight scenes, to the extent that the most significant battle takes place mostly off-screen.
A worthy if slightly less epic second novel, but 'Talon' set a very high bar. I'd love to see more of these in future, but if there's any justice in the world someone in Hollywood should be throwing buckets of money at ADB to write the script for the next Battlestar Galactica.
October 11, 2023
Great Book. Read the whole series in 4 Days. I Really hope ADB will come back to this and grace us with an epic end for this trilogy. I had not read a ADB Book in quiet some years -> will for sure check out his other work after this. He has such a great style and is always good for a surprise.
In my humble opinion this is one of the best Books in the WH40K Universe.
For sure in my personal Top 3!
In my humble opinion this is one of the best Books in the WH40K Universe.
For sure in my personal Top 3!
August 16, 2019
The only reason this book didn't get the fifth star is that the writer tends to repeat himself when he describes certain persons, especially warriors with Butcher's Nails and their facial spasms. Other than that, the action scenes are great, the same goes for the characterization of the main protagonists. Really looking forward for the next book in the series
December 16, 2018
ADB strikes again with his marvelous, vivid depiction of the inhabitants of the warp following the scouring. Black Legion is lore-rich and effectively creates the internal stakes within the warp as paramount importance. This book is a must read for any 40k, Horus Heresy or Warhammer fan in general. It really answers the questions left after the traitors fled into the eye of terror, and the development of the newly formed factions. Although this is the 2nd book in this apparent trilogy planned. I read this for the first time without reading 'Talon of Horus', and i can genuinely say that this book could be a stand alone. It's the good. It may feel sluggish due to the density of the material and the moving pieces within each chapter. However, i can assure you it's one wild ride.
Cheers.
Cheers.
March 27, 2019
Another dark Warhammer story. Why do I enjoy these? Ha why do I agree to keep listening? Why have they become fantasy I like? So many questions. The world is just so elaborate and interesting. Definitely enjoyed it.
January 17, 2022
ADB doing what he does best, chaos. Thoroughly worth a read and I look forward to more.
February 15, 2023
Dear Aaron,
Please write a book #3. This series is to good to abandon.
From Mike
p.s. please come home for dinner. Nan crying.
Please write a book #3. This series is to good to abandon.
From Mike
p.s. please come home for dinner. Nan crying.
March 29, 2025
A good follow up and an interesting read but definitely didn’t get me as much as the first in the series.
There is an incredible ending though.
There is an incredible ending though.
October 2, 2017
Do I really need to say anything? Really, just look at who is writing it. By this point, even on his worst day Aaron Dembski-Bowden is still offering B+ and A- level material to read. Even when you wholeheartedly disagree with his views of the setting or depiction of events, the character drama and execution of many key ideas makes it a stellar story. The Black Legion is no exception here and, honestly, it's another extremely strong outing from this author.
Building upon what we were offered last time, this second book in the series offers up more than enough twists, introspective thoughts and historic conflicts to keep any fan happy. That said, it isn't without a few key flaws.
The Synopsis
Set years after the events which brought Abaddon to prominence once more, the Black Legion has incorporated multiple warbands into its forces. Gathering together the displaced sons of every primarch, it is slowly turning itself into the dominant force within the Eye. Yet, while he continues to build and expand upon his personal domain, Abaddon isn't without rivals. Another potential Warmaster, one who does not spurn the gifts of the Chaos Gods, stands in his way. At every turn Daravek, the Lord of Hosts, opposes him and seeks to claim the role of Chaos' right hand as his own destiny. Yet, as each of these warriors prepares to face one another in war, other minds are at work. As the Ruinous Powers attempt to force the two into a direct conflict, an oracle offering them a way to truly cement their power and claim dominance over the traitor legions.
That destiny awaited beyond them, outside the Eye of Terror, where a warrior king awaits the the traitor who escaped his justice centuries ago...
The Good
While Talon of Horus laid the foundations for the Black Legion to come into existence, we only see them acting as a true force within this book. While there is something of a time skip to have allowed them to go from a small force of depleted warbands to the largest united group in the Eye of Terror, you hardly feel as if you have missed a thing. The novel quickly catches you up on changes, new ranks and alterations (along with the new dynamic among the marines) but oddly enough without telling you too much about the past. While what is conveyed is enough, this leaves room for future stories to fill out the past and a much needed air of mystery to the legion for all that is depicted here. It's one of those odd events where we see everything and yet at the same time the book shows you so little that you still have many questions. Yet, somehow, it still manages to be satisfying.
The book handles many ideas, concepts and subjects in this oddly off-handed way, but it often serves to underline a number of points. For example, an early chapter features Iskandar Khayon commenting upon how the Black Legion celebrates its victories. This is in contrast to its more restrained loyalist counterparts, but also to offer a more distinct link to the older legions. Furthermore however, it also examines and displays how they react to failure, while at the same time building upon re-establishing the sense of brotherhood which was core to the previous book. There's rarely a point where it fully spells out anything, but even when it does, it's to more deeply examine the world in as few words as possible.
Khayon's commentary, as you might expect, remains a definite high point throughout the book. His opening monologue about the Ruinous Powers and his views on them quickly re-establish his typically grandiose,thoughtful and surprisingly human nature, which continues throughout the story. Often, especially during the quieter moments, his narration will paused to fully reflect upon how life has changed them in one way or another and of the state of the Eye. Unlike before a few of these aspects serve more directly as criticisms of the Black Legion directly, and yet for every time it does this he often comes back with an even greater strength to overshadow it. It helps to make him distinct now he has been offered the greater purpose he previously sought, while also allowing the tale to explore the Legion as it fully forms into the spearhead of the Black Crusades.
Interestingly enough however, Khayon's own direction and story here proves to be just as important as the major events he finds himself surrounded by. As you would expect from Aaron Dembski-Bowden, the character dynamics and personal stories take priority over the big events. The actual crusade itself is essential to the story, and the horrifically bloody battles you would hope for are there. However, as it's seen through Khayon's eyes, the story uses him to explore why the Black Legion remained standing. After all, the previous book established why it was formed and how Abaddon could so easily bring so many astartes together. This one then shows the sort of focus and drive which would keep them going again and again, waging their Long War to finally over throw Terra and claim the galaxy for themselves.
The actual character arc itself is largely defined through a few key scenes, but each is brilliantly handled. You can see it adjusting stage by stage, but you only truly realise its impact at the same moment Khayon does. This permits the story a great deal of legroom to add in a great many fascinating moments and environmental details (including a truly inspired moment involving Sangiunius) without it ever seeming to be truly broken up or disjointed. What's more however, it also allows you to re-read the book and pick out a few characters who came to the same revelation Khayon did well before his time. It's an interesting twist upon the usual story details we get, and it further helps to emphasize just why Abaddon is such an influential and keystone figure within the Legion.
Abaddon himself also remains a major part of the story. He is there from the very start this time, and we are offered many more scenes of him truly as Warmaster leading his crusade. As a leader, tactician and minister, he is given the same treatment as Yarrick in David Annandale's series - Building him up as a true legend and imposing figure of power. Unlike there however, Dembski-Bowden manages to fit in a few more humanizing moments without compromising this, which is a true skill unto itself. The story builds him up like a primarch but it manages to simultaneously display the man and the legend at the same time, until you can barely differentiate the two. The story even plays upon this quality a few times, especially towards the end. What's more, Abaddon himself even acts in a manner more akin to the Horus of old in this book,which adds another interesting layer to his character given the questions surrounding him.
Obviously every Warhammer 40,000 tale needs a big battle or three thrown in, and we get just that. Several times over in fact. However, the narrative goes out of its way to give a distinct flavour to the fighting on each occasion. This isn't simply a matter of a duel contrasting to a big army clashing either, as the opening fight proves to be one of the most creatively terrifying uses of telepathy in the setting to date. The others, meanwhile, vary in nature several times over, from viewing events through the eyes of a dead man to watching a full scale fleet battle play out. Interestingly however, like the points cited above, some of the strongest moments stem from how much it doesn't tell you. There are hints constantly used here, suggestions to allow your mind to build a bigger and better picture of events alongside the descriptions, and manages to often work out for the better. You see, while we do get some of the moments which do emphasize the sheer scale of vast forces engaging one another, the book doesn't bog itself down with them. Instead, it offers just enough to get the message across, before letting the reader's mind do the rest of the work.
This is even used in the final duel the blurb advertises, with Abaddon finally clashing with Sigismund. We are only granted brief moments of the battle, enough to show off each warrior's skill and establish events over several pages. Yet, much of the fight is passed over at several points to focus upon the larger conflict at hand. While at first this might come across as cheap, skipping out on the fight it advertises, the story makes up for it with Abaddon's later comments and flashbacks to the final blow. It's certainly a very unconventional take on this sort of storytelling, but it actually manages to work out for the best here.
So, that's the positives, now onto a few of the problems of the book.
The Bad
Oddly enough, a few of the "bad" elements which worked in Talon of Horus' favour are still at play here. The narration is still very unreliable but is carefully used to show the author's take on the setting and excuse a few questionable points. This might have been dialed back somewhat to give a more flawed (if still more optimistic) view of Chaos, but it is still present. With that being said however, the bad stems largely from how the book unfortunately steps back from a few key strengths of its predecessor.
Talon of Horus itself focused largely upon the very seed of what would become the Black Legion. It was extremely character driven, and much of the engagement with the book stemmed primarily from seeing those characters interact. It gave a look into what life was like within the Eye, how it had adapted, evolved and certain groups had progressed. It showed how so many clashing individuals could be used to forge a true brotherhood again, despite some extreme differences. Plus, and it has to be said, while Khayon might have been the protagonist, his counterparts remained key to the story, with remarkably well fleshed out backgrounds.
The reason I am making such a key point of this is that, for the most part, the book pushes them away. In order to focus much more upon the bigger scale conflicts, events and Abaddon himself, this is heavily dialed back. Lheor, for example, has only half the impact he and presence he offered in the previous book, while Telemachon and Ashur-Kai lack the same connection to Khayon we had previously. This is hardly to say that their scenes are badly written, but there's and odd distance and fleeing nature to their scenes I would not have expected from this tale. Much of this is certainly done to also make room for the secondary characters being established here, but in this early stage there isn't enough to offer a real opinion on them. While I might have criticized Betrayer for turning the World Eaters into the "joke legion" people pass off as a useless non-threatening entity, Dembski-Bowden nevertheless did an excellent job fleshing each of them out. No matter who had only a few pages or paragraphs to them, they offered a strong and often fascinating insight into their nature. Here, that's sadly not the case.
Now, this isn't to say that I do not want to learn more about the new characters, far from it. The likes of Moriana and Vortigern in particular are figures which hold serious promise for future tales thanks to their presentation and a few very strong moments. That said, many others seem to be little more than window dressing, Telemachon's second in command offers little to the story beyond perhaps one argument with Lheor while many others perhaps only have a single page or two where they really start to stand out. It's clear that the book is starting to set them up for bigger things, but that doesn't mean it doesn't still feel like a step down from its predecessor.
This same feeling unfortunately carries over to the main villain as well. Daravek is set up to be this counter or dark mirror to Abaddon, and he is clearly a definite threat. That said, we end up seeing so little of him, and his life is ended so abruptly, that he lacks the impact you would expect of such a figure. As a result, he comes across as a cunning and skilled Chaos Lord, not someone who could have been a figure to launch the endless Black Crusades against the Imperium.
Perhaps more so than anything else however, there is this clear sense of the book failing to reincorporate or use what is initially set up. Like everything else here, this is likely being done to set up for things later on down the line, but it's hard not to note how a number of secondary elements seem to lead to nothing or are left largely undeveloped. The characters are the most obvious ones here of course, but you also several major game-changing elements which simply show up and then disappear within one or two chapters. Perhaps the best example of this is Faylech, a former member of the Death Guard, who is noted to have a history with Daravek. There is initially one brief conversation between the two to suggest they have a history (and it features one of the book's funniest lines) but rather than fleshing out either character it's simply forgotten within pages of it coming up. As a result, rather than being anything truly substantial, these become more something to help build upon Khayon's commentary and serve as a entertaining secondary detail.
The Verdict
The Black Legion was always going to face an uphill battle to live up to its predecessor's expectations. This was always going to be the second blow to reinforce the series' potential and start truly expanding upon some of the Legion's own mythos. It does indeed accomplish this, and many of the concepts it deals with in terms of what drives the Black Legion and the hardships earned in setting themselves up as a dominant force do pay off. It's largely the fact that it was forced to abandon several key elements which made Talon of Horus such a spectacular work which brings the score down a few pegs.
However, this is still an extremely strong story which expands upon a keystone event in the universe's timeline, and it offers great insight into certain key questions. The story plays with the old lore and even keeps a few rumours alive, it sets the groundwork for new tales to follow and best of all it offers a fascinating (and brilliantly unreliable) look into Chaos. Any Warhammer fan should definitely give this one a look and, if you have yet to pick it up, Talon of Horus as well.
Building upon what we were offered last time, this second book in the series offers up more than enough twists, introspective thoughts and historic conflicts to keep any fan happy. That said, it isn't without a few key flaws.
The Synopsis
Set years after the events which brought Abaddon to prominence once more, the Black Legion has incorporated multiple warbands into its forces. Gathering together the displaced sons of every primarch, it is slowly turning itself into the dominant force within the Eye. Yet, while he continues to build and expand upon his personal domain, Abaddon isn't without rivals. Another potential Warmaster, one who does not spurn the gifts of the Chaos Gods, stands in his way. At every turn Daravek, the Lord of Hosts, opposes him and seeks to claim the role of Chaos' right hand as his own destiny. Yet, as each of these warriors prepares to face one another in war, other minds are at work. As the Ruinous Powers attempt to force the two into a direct conflict, an oracle offering them a way to truly cement their power and claim dominance over the traitor legions.
That destiny awaited beyond them, outside the Eye of Terror, where a warrior king awaits the the traitor who escaped his justice centuries ago...
The Good
While Talon of Horus laid the foundations for the Black Legion to come into existence, we only see them acting as a true force within this book. While there is something of a time skip to have allowed them to go from a small force of depleted warbands to the largest united group in the Eye of Terror, you hardly feel as if you have missed a thing. The novel quickly catches you up on changes, new ranks and alterations (along with the new dynamic among the marines) but oddly enough without telling you too much about the past. While what is conveyed is enough, this leaves room for future stories to fill out the past and a much needed air of mystery to the legion for all that is depicted here. It's one of those odd events where we see everything and yet at the same time the book shows you so little that you still have many questions. Yet, somehow, it still manages to be satisfying.
The book handles many ideas, concepts and subjects in this oddly off-handed way, but it often serves to underline a number of points. For example, an early chapter features Iskandar Khayon commenting upon how the Black Legion celebrates its victories. This is in contrast to its more restrained loyalist counterparts, but also to offer a more distinct link to the older legions. Furthermore however, it also examines and displays how they react to failure, while at the same time building upon re-establishing the sense of brotherhood which was core to the previous book. There's rarely a point where it fully spells out anything, but even when it does, it's to more deeply examine the world in as few words as possible.
Khayon's commentary, as you might expect, remains a definite high point throughout the book. His opening monologue about the Ruinous Powers and his views on them quickly re-establish his typically grandiose,thoughtful and surprisingly human nature, which continues throughout the story. Often, especially during the quieter moments, his narration will paused to fully reflect upon how life has changed them in one way or another and of the state of the Eye. Unlike before a few of these aspects serve more directly as criticisms of the Black Legion directly, and yet for every time it does this he often comes back with an even greater strength to overshadow it. It helps to make him distinct now he has been offered the greater purpose he previously sought, while also allowing the tale to explore the Legion as it fully forms into the spearhead of the Black Crusades.
Interestingly enough however, Khayon's own direction and story here proves to be just as important as the major events he finds himself surrounded by. As you would expect from Aaron Dembski-Bowden, the character dynamics and personal stories take priority over the big events. The actual crusade itself is essential to the story, and the horrifically bloody battles you would hope for are there. However, as it's seen through Khayon's eyes, the story uses him to explore why the Black Legion remained standing. After all, the previous book established why it was formed and how Abaddon could so easily bring so many astartes together. This one then shows the sort of focus and drive which would keep them going again and again, waging their Long War to finally over throw Terra and claim the galaxy for themselves.
The actual character arc itself is largely defined through a few key scenes, but each is brilliantly handled. You can see it adjusting stage by stage, but you only truly realise its impact at the same moment Khayon does. This permits the story a great deal of legroom to add in a great many fascinating moments and environmental details (including a truly inspired moment involving Sangiunius) without it ever seeming to be truly broken up or disjointed. What's more however, it also allows you to re-read the book and pick out a few characters who came to the same revelation Khayon did well before his time. It's an interesting twist upon the usual story details we get, and it further helps to emphasize just why Abaddon is such an influential and keystone figure within the Legion.
Abaddon himself also remains a major part of the story. He is there from the very start this time, and we are offered many more scenes of him truly as Warmaster leading his crusade. As a leader, tactician and minister, he is given the same treatment as Yarrick in David Annandale's series - Building him up as a true legend and imposing figure of power. Unlike there however, Dembski-Bowden manages to fit in a few more humanizing moments without compromising this, which is a true skill unto itself. The story builds him up like a primarch but it manages to simultaneously display the man and the legend at the same time, until you can barely differentiate the two. The story even plays upon this quality a few times, especially towards the end. What's more, Abaddon himself even acts in a manner more akin to the Horus of old in this book,which adds another interesting layer to his character given the questions surrounding him.
Obviously every Warhammer 40,000 tale needs a big battle or three thrown in, and we get just that. Several times over in fact. However, the narrative goes out of its way to give a distinct flavour to the fighting on each occasion. This isn't simply a matter of a duel contrasting to a big army clashing either, as the opening fight proves to be one of the most creatively terrifying uses of telepathy in the setting to date. The others, meanwhile, vary in nature several times over, from viewing events through the eyes of a dead man to watching a full scale fleet battle play out. Interestingly however, like the points cited above, some of the strongest moments stem from how much it doesn't tell you. There are hints constantly used here, suggestions to allow your mind to build a bigger and better picture of events alongside the descriptions, and manages to often work out for the better. You see, while we do get some of the moments which do emphasize the sheer scale of vast forces engaging one another, the book doesn't bog itself down with them. Instead, it offers just enough to get the message across, before letting the reader's mind do the rest of the work.
This is even used in the final duel the blurb advertises, with Abaddon finally clashing with Sigismund. We are only granted brief moments of the battle, enough to show off each warrior's skill and establish events over several pages. Yet, much of the fight is passed over at several points to focus upon the larger conflict at hand. While at first this might come across as cheap, skipping out on the fight it advertises, the story makes up for it with Abaddon's later comments and flashbacks to the final blow. It's certainly a very unconventional take on this sort of storytelling, but it actually manages to work out for the best here.
So, that's the positives, now onto a few of the problems of the book.
The Bad
Oddly enough, a few of the "bad" elements which worked in Talon of Horus' favour are still at play here. The narration is still very unreliable but is carefully used to show the author's take on the setting and excuse a few questionable points. This might have been dialed back somewhat to give a more flawed (if still more optimistic) view of Chaos, but it is still present. With that being said however, the bad stems largely from how the book unfortunately steps back from a few key strengths of its predecessor.
Talon of Horus itself focused largely upon the very seed of what would become the Black Legion. It was extremely character driven, and much of the engagement with the book stemmed primarily from seeing those characters interact. It gave a look into what life was like within the Eye, how it had adapted, evolved and certain groups had progressed. It showed how so many clashing individuals could be used to forge a true brotherhood again, despite some extreme differences. Plus, and it has to be said, while Khayon might have been the protagonist, his counterparts remained key to the story, with remarkably well fleshed out backgrounds.
The reason I am making such a key point of this is that, for the most part, the book pushes them away. In order to focus much more upon the bigger scale conflicts, events and Abaddon himself, this is heavily dialed back. Lheor, for example, has only half the impact he and presence he offered in the previous book, while Telemachon and Ashur-Kai lack the same connection to Khayon we had previously. This is hardly to say that their scenes are badly written, but there's and odd distance and fleeing nature to their scenes I would not have expected from this tale. Much of this is certainly done to also make room for the secondary characters being established here, but in this early stage there isn't enough to offer a real opinion on them. While I might have criticized Betrayer for turning the World Eaters into the "joke legion" people pass off as a useless non-threatening entity, Dembski-Bowden nevertheless did an excellent job fleshing each of them out. No matter who had only a few pages or paragraphs to them, they offered a strong and often fascinating insight into their nature. Here, that's sadly not the case.
Now, this isn't to say that I do not want to learn more about the new characters, far from it. The likes of Moriana and Vortigern in particular are figures which hold serious promise for future tales thanks to their presentation and a few very strong moments. That said, many others seem to be little more than window dressing, Telemachon's second in command offers little to the story beyond perhaps one argument with Lheor while many others perhaps only have a single page or two where they really start to stand out. It's clear that the book is starting to set them up for bigger things, but that doesn't mean it doesn't still feel like a step down from its predecessor.
This same feeling unfortunately carries over to the main villain as well. Daravek is set up to be this counter or dark mirror to Abaddon, and he is clearly a definite threat. That said, we end up seeing so little of him, and his life is ended so abruptly, that he lacks the impact you would expect of such a figure. As a result, he comes across as a cunning and skilled Chaos Lord, not someone who could have been a figure to launch the endless Black Crusades against the Imperium.
Perhaps more so than anything else however, there is this clear sense of the book failing to reincorporate or use what is initially set up. Like everything else here, this is likely being done to set up for things later on down the line, but it's hard not to note how a number of secondary elements seem to lead to nothing or are left largely undeveloped. The characters are the most obvious ones here of course, but you also several major game-changing elements which simply show up and then disappear within one or two chapters. Perhaps the best example of this is Faylech, a former member of the Death Guard, who is noted to have a history with Daravek. There is initially one brief conversation between the two to suggest they have a history (and it features one of the book's funniest lines) but rather than fleshing out either character it's simply forgotten within pages of it coming up. As a result, rather than being anything truly substantial, these become more something to help build upon Khayon's commentary and serve as a entertaining secondary detail.
The Verdict
The Black Legion was always going to face an uphill battle to live up to its predecessor's expectations. This was always going to be the second blow to reinforce the series' potential and start truly expanding upon some of the Legion's own mythos. It does indeed accomplish this, and many of the concepts it deals with in terms of what drives the Black Legion and the hardships earned in setting themselves up as a dominant force do pay off. It's largely the fact that it was forced to abandon several key elements which made Talon of Horus such a spectacular work which brings the score down a few pegs.
However, this is still an extremely strong story which expands upon a keystone event in the universe's timeline, and it offers great insight into certain key questions. The story plays with the old lore and even keeps a few rumours alive, it sets the groundwork for new tales to follow and best of all it offers a fascinating (and brilliantly unreliable) look into Chaos. Any Warhammer fan should definitely give this one a look and, if you have yet to pick it up, Talon of Horus as well.
October 25, 2020
I'm sad this audiobook has finished, I love the narrator and the main character in this series of two books! Surely BL COULD write MORE!!!!
January 8, 2018
You can read teh full review over at my blog:
https://shadowhawksshade.wordpress.co...
Aaron’s first Black Legion novel, The Talon of Horus was a rather sublime novel. It beat and challenged many of my expectations that I had going in, and proved to be one of the best Warhammer 40,000 books I’ve read to date. Which is no small feat, truly. It explored the psyche of the Sons of Horus as they transform into the Black Legion, led by the returned Ezekyle Abaddon and a coalition of champions from other Legions. It was full of some very memorable characters and had a stunning climax that went to the roots of some of the oldest lore of Warhammer 40,000.
Black Legion, the second novel in the series of the same name, is a worthy successor to The Talon of Horus, although it is not the equal of its predecessor. We are back to the recounting of events by Iskandar Khayon and see how Aaron writes a story that departs a little from what we saw in the first novel. There are some confusing mysteries here that don’t quite resolve themselves satisfactorily, but it has some of the best action scenes I’ve read in Warhammer 40,000 fiction, and has a battle of champions at the end that is iconic and impactful in equal measure.
The novel begins with Abaddon having dispatched Iskandar to assassinate the Death Guard warlord Thagus Daravek, who has been a thorn in the side of the lord of the Black Legion as he seeks to establish his new brotherhood in the Eye. The opening chapters with Iskandar are very engaging as we get right into the nitty-gritty of Iskandar’s prodigious powers and even get to see him fail well and truly. In The Talon of Horus his massive display of power in the climax was a joy to read and these chapters are no different. And all the more interesting is the mystery that arises out of Iskandar’s failed attempt: why does he keep failing to kill Thagus and what really happened on Drol Kheir three centuries ago and whether Iskandar Khayon died there.
These story elements are threaded through the entire novel, and their resolution is a climax worthy of the mystery created. In Thagus Daravek we get a perfect foil for Abaddon and his character throughout drives an important point home: Abaddon may have once been one of the greatest of the Sons of Horus and he may have grand plans for the Traitor Legions residing in the Eye, but he must prove his worthiness to the Gods and to his brothers new and old before he truly becomes the Warmaster Returned, the successor to Horus Lupercal. With the benefit of existing lore, we do know that Abaddon eventually became the Warmaster Ascendant, blessed by all the four powers of Chaos, and thus the ultimate fate of the story herein is already decided. But as they say, the journey itself is what matters rather than the ending. It is certainly true of Black Legion.
If we talk about the characters here, then honestly speaking, there’s nothing that stands out any more than it did in The Talon of Horus. Iskandar, Abaddon and the other senior warriors of the Black Legion are as dynamic and entertaining as they were in the first novel. The big difference of course is Thagus Daravek who was an absolute delight to read. And of course, the revelation of the last few chapters as Abaddon set out to prosecute in bloody measure his long campaign against the Imperium. Aaron explores many of the mysteries of the warp and the Eye of Terror in particular in this novel, and he really does give you a good sense of scale of the anomalies and cultures that call it home. This is something that we rarely if ever saw in the many novels that have come out of Black Library in the last few years. Even the official armybooks would struggle a bit in that department. There is a vast potential here and Aaron does well to guide the reader along.
https://shadowhawksshade.wordpress.co...
Aaron’s first Black Legion novel, The Talon of Horus was a rather sublime novel. It beat and challenged many of my expectations that I had going in, and proved to be one of the best Warhammer 40,000 books I’ve read to date. Which is no small feat, truly. It explored the psyche of the Sons of Horus as they transform into the Black Legion, led by the returned Ezekyle Abaddon and a coalition of champions from other Legions. It was full of some very memorable characters and had a stunning climax that went to the roots of some of the oldest lore of Warhammer 40,000.
Black Legion, the second novel in the series of the same name, is a worthy successor to The Talon of Horus, although it is not the equal of its predecessor. We are back to the recounting of events by Iskandar Khayon and see how Aaron writes a story that departs a little from what we saw in the first novel. There are some confusing mysteries here that don’t quite resolve themselves satisfactorily, but it has some of the best action scenes I’ve read in Warhammer 40,000 fiction, and has a battle of champions at the end that is iconic and impactful in equal measure.
The novel begins with Abaddon having dispatched Iskandar to assassinate the Death Guard warlord Thagus Daravek, who has been a thorn in the side of the lord of the Black Legion as he seeks to establish his new brotherhood in the Eye. The opening chapters with Iskandar are very engaging as we get right into the nitty-gritty of Iskandar’s prodigious powers and even get to see him fail well and truly. In The Talon of Horus his massive display of power in the climax was a joy to read and these chapters are no different. And all the more interesting is the mystery that arises out of Iskandar’s failed attempt: why does he keep failing to kill Thagus and what really happened on Drol Kheir three centuries ago and whether Iskandar Khayon died there.
These story elements are threaded through the entire novel, and their resolution is a climax worthy of the mystery created. In Thagus Daravek we get a perfect foil for Abaddon and his character throughout drives an important point home: Abaddon may have once been one of the greatest of the Sons of Horus and he may have grand plans for the Traitor Legions residing in the Eye, but he must prove his worthiness to the Gods and to his brothers new and old before he truly becomes the Warmaster Returned, the successor to Horus Lupercal. With the benefit of existing lore, we do know that Abaddon eventually became the Warmaster Ascendant, blessed by all the four powers of Chaos, and thus the ultimate fate of the story herein is already decided. But as they say, the journey itself is what matters rather than the ending. It is certainly true of Black Legion.
If we talk about the characters here, then honestly speaking, there’s nothing that stands out any more than it did in The Talon of Horus. Iskandar, Abaddon and the other senior warriors of the Black Legion are as dynamic and entertaining as they were in the first novel. The big difference of course is Thagus Daravek who was an absolute delight to read. And of course, the revelation of the last few chapters as Abaddon set out to prosecute in bloody measure his long campaign against the Imperium. Aaron explores many of the mysteries of the warp and the Eye of Terror in particular in this novel, and he really does give you a good sense of scale of the anomalies and cultures that call it home. This is something that we rarely if ever saw in the many novels that have come out of Black Library in the last few years. Even the official armybooks would struggle a bit in that department. There is a vast potential here and Aaron does well to guide the reader along.
August 21, 2017
"Master of Mankind" left a bad taste in my mouth, but I've never been able to leave well enough alone, so here I am again. "Black Legion" is a brisk weekend read, the second part in Aaron Dembski-Bowden's open-ended series.
Dembksi-Bowden's stock-in-trade is elevating "bolter porn" and shouty bald men with chainsaw swords into memorable encounters and endearing characters. That's why I hated "Master of Mankind" so much: it was a rare misstep, in which the author populated a story with a pack of unlikable assholes.
You aren't buying this book for any kind of suspense. Set in Warhammer 40,000's fertile past, it tells the story of the Black Legion's escape from the Eye of Terror and its first battle against the Imperium it betrayed in another age. The book blurb says something about a rival who threatens Abaddon's ascendancy, but come on now. In all the history of licensed fiction, when has "guy made up for one book" ever beaten "established, trademarked character"? Of course Abaddon and the POV character will prevail against the rival Chaos Lord, whose name I've actually already forgotten.
"Black Legion" rewards people who read Dembski-Bowden's Horus Heresy books. We see the evolution of characters introduced in "Betrayer" and other stories. Honestly though? Just read "Betrayer" again. One problem with following a linchpin villain like Abaddon is the narrative can't stop harping on how powerful and wise and canny he is. There are so many digressions where the POV character says "Some historians say the thing he did was bad, but it was good, actually. We were defeated in this battle, but actually, when you think about it, we won." The story hints at a possible flaw, something at which he does not excel, to build tension toward a later confrontation where - surprise - it didn't matter and he prevailed anyway.
Read this if you're a Dembski-Bowden or Horus Heresy completist. Otherwise, just read "Betrayer" or his Night Lords trilogy again. "Betrayer" does the remarkable work of making you sympathize for omnicidal maniacs. Dembski-Bowden's Night Lords are a fractious, hardscrabble bunch who earn victories and struggle to find their footing after grievous losses. My main reaction to "Black Legion" was "Huh, so that's what happened to that guy."
Dembksi-Bowden's stock-in-trade is elevating "bolter porn" and shouty bald men with chainsaw swords into memorable encounters and endearing characters. That's why I hated "Master of Mankind" so much: it was a rare misstep, in which the author populated a story with a pack of unlikable assholes.
You aren't buying this book for any kind of suspense. Set in Warhammer 40,000's fertile past, it tells the story of the Black Legion's escape from the Eye of Terror and its first battle against the Imperium it betrayed in another age. The book blurb says something about a rival who threatens Abaddon's ascendancy, but come on now. In all the history of licensed fiction, when has "guy made up for one book" ever beaten "established, trademarked character"? Of course Abaddon and the POV character will prevail against the rival Chaos Lord, whose name I've actually already forgotten.
"Black Legion" rewards people who read Dembski-Bowden's Horus Heresy books. We see the evolution of characters introduced in "Betrayer" and other stories. Honestly though? Just read "Betrayer" again. One problem with following a linchpin villain like Abaddon is the narrative can't stop harping on how powerful and wise and canny he is. There are so many digressions where the POV character says "Some historians say the thing he did was bad, but it was good, actually. We were defeated in this battle, but actually, when you think about it, we won." The story hints at a possible flaw, something at which he does not excel, to build tension toward a later confrontation where - surprise - it didn't matter and he prevailed anyway.
Read this if you're a Dembski-Bowden or Horus Heresy completist. Otherwise, just read "Betrayer" or his Night Lords trilogy again. "Betrayer" does the remarkable work of making you sympathize for omnicidal maniacs. Dembski-Bowden's Night Lords are a fractious, hardscrabble bunch who earn victories and struggle to find their footing after grievous losses. My main reaction to "Black Legion" was "Huh, so that's what happened to that guy."
August 30, 2017
'We are returned'. So they say, those blackest of legionairs. Luckily for us fans, the have returned indeed, in an all new novel. A few thoughts on this one, mild spoilers ahead. _ _ _ _ _
The first chapter, that assassination scene. Well, that was some extraordinairy stuff, some psykers methods not seen before in a 40k novel. New and enjoyable. The 'storytelling by Khayon' - writing style is very pleasing for a reader, nice way to delve into this history of the black legion. At moments, you are back with Khayon, and a few lines ahead you are plunged fully into the story. Nice bits also about live in the eye, and trying (and failing :) ) to explain how time works in the eye. Good stuff. The tension scene with Lheor and Telemachon aboard the Vengefull spirit was one of those highly enjoyable scenes. And one of the good things is, you cannot predict for sure how things will end. Do they clash? Or don't they? You shift between the two, back and forth, leaving the reader wondering about the next move, the next words. Such unpredictable storylines (for which shows like game of thrones have become famous) make for great reading. The same applies to the scene with Ultio, with her suddenly intervening and making threats : well, you simply can't predict the outcome, even though you know (for example) that the Vengeful spirit survives because she appears later in 40k. Then the Sigismund - Abaddon clash. I liked how you try to tell the reader how Sigismund moves, just how good he is. The only thing I can say is: I would liked to have seen more of the fight, cut for cut, 'every' hack and slash ..... But I can imagine why you chose to show it like this. Besides : Writing Sigismund vs Abaddon : no pressure for the author. No pressure at all. :) Well, I wish the author that must write the Emperor vs Horus, or Sanguinius vs Horus, or even Sanguinuis vs Ka'bandha good luck. Really no pressure at all ....... Going then back with Abaddon's memories to the end of the scene, with those words ..... well, that gave me some shivering, great monumental scene, well done ! At the end I feel I would have liked the book to be longer, and to have just a bit more screen time for some characters. Falkus for example did next to nothing during this book. Does he even say one thing ? Not that he is a that much interesting character but still it had me wondering. Always nice to see 'old friends' like Delvarus return, although I would have liked if you had done more with him. (For example abandoning a boarded ship AGAIN ? :) Well, new legion, so he could try .... :) ) Lheor and Telemachon have some nice scenes, but I wouldn't be sad to read even more about them. Again, like Talon of Horus, a thoroughly enjoyable novel, full of twists and turns, almost never fully predictable. Great storytelling and world building, creating the right feeling and mysticism to it. Not a boring page in it. Again, my compliments, very good work. 5 out of 5 stars.
The first chapter, that assassination scene. Well, that was some extraordinairy stuff, some psykers methods not seen before in a 40k novel. New and enjoyable. The 'storytelling by Khayon' - writing style is very pleasing for a reader, nice way to delve into this history of the black legion. At moments, you are back with Khayon, and a few lines ahead you are plunged fully into the story. Nice bits also about live in the eye, and trying (and failing :) ) to explain how time works in the eye. Good stuff. The tension scene with Lheor and Telemachon aboard the Vengefull spirit was one of those highly enjoyable scenes. And one of the good things is, you cannot predict for sure how things will end. Do they clash? Or don't they? You shift between the two, back and forth, leaving the reader wondering about the next move, the next words. Such unpredictable storylines (for which shows like game of thrones have become famous) make for great reading. The same applies to the scene with Ultio, with her suddenly intervening and making threats : well, you simply can't predict the outcome, even though you know (for example) that the Vengeful spirit survives because she appears later in 40k. Then the Sigismund - Abaddon clash. I liked how you try to tell the reader how Sigismund moves, just how good he is. The only thing I can say is: I would liked to have seen more of the fight, cut for cut, 'every' hack and slash ..... But I can imagine why you chose to show it like this. Besides : Writing Sigismund vs Abaddon : no pressure for the author. No pressure at all. :) Well, I wish the author that must write the Emperor vs Horus, or Sanguinius vs Horus, or even Sanguinuis vs Ka'bandha good luck. Really no pressure at all ....... Going then back with Abaddon's memories to the end of the scene, with those words ..... well, that gave me some shivering, great monumental scene, well done ! At the end I feel I would have liked the book to be longer, and to have just a bit more screen time for some characters. Falkus for example did next to nothing during this book. Does he even say one thing ? Not that he is a that much interesting character but still it had me wondering. Always nice to see 'old friends' like Delvarus return, although I would have liked if you had done more with him. (For example abandoning a boarded ship AGAIN ? :) Well, new legion, so he could try .... :) ) Lheor and Telemachon have some nice scenes, but I wouldn't be sad to read even more about them. Again, like Talon of Horus, a thoroughly enjoyable novel, full of twists and turns, almost never fully predictable. Great storytelling and world building, creating the right feeling and mysticism to it. Not a boring page in it. Again, my compliments, very good work. 5 out of 5 stars.
August 21, 2023
I am not that much into the bad-guy novels. What I like to read about is redemption, person going from complete baddie to someone who is fighting for a good cause.
Here.... there is no way Iskandar will ever become good guy. But what captures reader from start is perspective of this bloodthirsty bunch - they are right example of the hell-bound creatures that do despicable and twisted things as a routine, Emperor's Children champion especially (duh!), destroying their opponents while trying to survive in the Eye of Terror. So from perspective of psychopaths they live life of normal, outside the usual laws of physics. Think natural-born-killers perspective - for them all atrocities are normal things.
So when they bleed into real space ...... oh man what a twist, because for majority of them they are entering the crazy world because the ultimate looney-world is the normality. I especially liked this part of story and their coming to terms that while they fought eternal Legion Wars in the Eye, in real world ..... well things changed significantly.
From the perspective of mad warriors that have nothing to lose and everything to gain by aiming very high under the charismatic Abaddon they are on a crusade high, screaming Vengeance as a rally motto, and in perspective trying and gambling everything to gain glory for themselves. Aim is not brotherhood but bloodshed for the bloodshed sake, revenge for getting their butt kicked thousands years ago, ascending while saying that does not matter. Warriors with full coffers of apologies and justifications for their behavior, while they are all aware of their faults that make them what they are. And they embrace it, no shame about it.
Are they true to themselves? Definitely. But are they warped beyond recognition - oh, boy, definitely.
Lunatics have escaped the ultimate asylum, defeated the main opposition from asylum, met some even more Lovecraftian people outside (Ghosts are ...... brrrrr) and even clashed and had luck when encountering the Black Templars, first ever battle outside the Eye.
I can only say, I truly hope we get book 3 sometime in near future. This is epic story, told by Iskandar, the herald from the Mouth of Madness.
For fans of W40K, Chaos Marines and stories of tough, eternally bad, very bad guys, highly recommended.
Here.... there is no way Iskandar will ever become good guy. But what captures reader from start is perspective of this bloodthirsty bunch - they are right example of the hell-bound creatures that do despicable and twisted things as a routine, Emperor's Children champion especially (duh!), destroying their opponents while trying to survive in the Eye of Terror. So from perspective of psychopaths they live life of normal, outside the usual laws of physics. Think natural-born-killers perspective - for them all atrocities are normal things.
So when they bleed into real space ...... oh man what a twist, because for majority of them they are entering the crazy world because the ultimate looney-world is the normality. I especially liked this part of story and their coming to terms that while they fought eternal Legion Wars in the Eye, in real world ..... well things changed significantly.
From the perspective of mad warriors that have nothing to lose and everything to gain by aiming very high under the charismatic Abaddon they are on a crusade high, screaming Vengeance as a rally motto, and in perspective trying and gambling everything to gain glory for themselves. Aim is not brotherhood but bloodshed for the bloodshed sake, revenge for getting their butt kicked thousands years ago, ascending while saying that does not matter. Warriors with full coffers of apologies and justifications for their behavior, while they are all aware of their faults that make them what they are. And they embrace it, no shame about it.
Are they true to themselves? Definitely. But are they warped beyond recognition - oh, boy, definitely.
Lunatics have escaped the ultimate asylum, defeated the main opposition from asylum, met some even more Lovecraftian people outside (Ghosts are ...... brrrrr) and even clashed and had luck when encountering the Black Templars, first ever battle outside the Eye.
I can only say, I truly hope we get book 3 sometime in near future. This is epic story, told by Iskandar, the herald from the Mouth of Madness.
For fans of W40K, Chaos Marines and stories of tough, eternally bad, very bad guys, highly recommended.
October 16, 2017
ADB kicks so much ass it's unreal. A cavalcade of ass kicking. He has, in my opinion, dethroned Dan Abnett as the Black Library's best writer (heresy!). He matches Abnett's skill in plotting and crafting action scenes while bringing a voice that conveys the atmosphere of the grim darkness like no other. And nowhere is that voice stronger than when it takes the form of Iskandar Khayon.
"Black Legion" resumes soon after "The Talon of Horus", allowing that "soon" means something very different for near immortal superhumans trapped in a realm beyond time and space. Again Khayon tells the tale, and while he relates Abaddon's rise, it is more a story of his own failures and triumphs. The focus on Khayon brings the story as close to human as it can get--he is at best a reluctant traitor, driven to rebellion by survival and to join the Black Legion by a craving for brotherhood rather than revenge. His wry observations bring some much needed lightness to the story, while his melancholy musing actually makes you care. Khayon even evokes pathos for his more traditionally savage brothers. One feels almost sorry for Lheorvine, twitching in pain at the butcher's nails' gnawing, or even for Abaddon, haunted by the whispering of the gods.
Yes, ADB has achieved the seemingly impossible. In this book he completes the great work begun in the last of rehabilitating Ezekyle Abaddon from a cartoon villain to a true terror. He does so by imbuing him with nobility while never shrinking from his savagery and evil. Abaddon mains, burns, and desecrates but without glee. He honors the fallen, laments the lost. He struggles to win his wars without succumbing to the seduction of Chaos completely. In a strange way, he becomes a dark hero, the only one among the Space Marines loyal and traitor trying to forge his own path, uncorrupted by mad heresy and crushing orthodoxy alike.
So I'll hear no more jokes about Failbaddon the Armless is all I'm saying.
I have to concede some of my love of ADB is biased, because I sense he adore the Black Templars as much as I do. They return here, Sigismund at their head, and the short coda from the first book blossoms into a sequence that would stir two hearts if you had them.
No pity, no remorse, no fear.
"Black Legion" resumes soon after "The Talon of Horus", allowing that "soon" means something very different for near immortal superhumans trapped in a realm beyond time and space. Again Khayon tells the tale, and while he relates Abaddon's rise, it is more a story of his own failures and triumphs. The focus on Khayon brings the story as close to human as it can get--he is at best a reluctant traitor, driven to rebellion by survival and to join the Black Legion by a craving for brotherhood rather than revenge. His wry observations bring some much needed lightness to the story, while his melancholy musing actually makes you care. Khayon even evokes pathos for his more traditionally savage brothers. One feels almost sorry for Lheorvine, twitching in pain at the butcher's nails' gnawing, or even for Abaddon, haunted by the whispering of the gods.
Yes, ADB has achieved the seemingly impossible. In this book he completes the great work begun in the last of rehabilitating Ezekyle Abaddon from a cartoon villain to a true terror. He does so by imbuing him with nobility while never shrinking from his savagery and evil. Abaddon mains, burns, and desecrates but without glee. He honors the fallen, laments the lost. He struggles to win his wars without succumbing to the seduction of Chaos completely. In a strange way, he becomes a dark hero, the only one among the Space Marines loyal and traitor trying to forge his own path, uncorrupted by mad heresy and crushing orthodoxy alike.
So I'll hear no more jokes about Failbaddon the Armless is all I'm saying.
I have to concede some of my love of ADB is biased, because I sense he adore the Black Templars as much as I do. They return here, Sigismund at their head, and the short coda from the first book blossoms into a sequence that would stir two hearts if you had them.
No pity, no remorse, no fear.
January 22, 2018
I have to say, out of all of Dembski-Bowden's book series, his Black Legion series has been some of his best writing to date.
There is a fair bit going on in this book, and it actually works fairly well as opposed to being overwhelming. There are a number of plot points that Aaron works out through this novel, and each leads to a nice finish while still setting up for the third book.
As I had mentioned in my review of the previous book, Aaron's love of putting super unique things into his books does pop up in this novel, but not nearly as much as it has in his other novels. Even more so, it actually works really well in this one, helping to build the uniqueness of the characters and story. The protagonist's view of other chapters, and more so his own, also helped to flesh things out in a really nice way. I actually found his thoughts about Ahriman to be interesting as well, and actually very in line with that trilogy.
One of my issues with this book was the amount of foreshadowing that goes on in it. Not just for events in the book, but also beyond it to whatever books may or may not come. It does help to make it feel as if he is conversing with the Inquisitor, but it also detracts away from the story and in some cases, makes things too apparent. That said, thankfully Aaron manages to throw some nice twists into the story and things play out a bit more twisted than what some of the foreshadowing sets up.
All in all, I enjoyed this book a fair bit and look forward to more in the series. The characters are interesting and unique, Abbadon is handled really well (though he feels different than in the early books of the Horus Heresy. Far less... angry) and the conflict with the other chaos lord is really interesting to read. If you want to read chaos space marines, this is the series for you!
There is a fair bit going on in this book, and it actually works fairly well as opposed to being overwhelming. There are a number of plot points that Aaron works out through this novel, and each leads to a nice finish while still setting up for the third book.
As I had mentioned in my review of the previous book, Aaron's love of putting super unique things into his books does pop up in this novel, but not nearly as much as it has in his other novels. Even more so, it actually works really well in this one, helping to build the uniqueness of the characters and story. The protagonist's view of other chapters, and more so his own, also helped to flesh things out in a really nice way. I actually found his thoughts about Ahriman to be interesting as well, and actually very in line with that trilogy.
One of my issues with this book was the amount of foreshadowing that goes on in it. Not just for events in the book, but also beyond it to whatever books may or may not come. It does help to make it feel as if he is conversing with the Inquisitor, but it also detracts away from the story and in some cases, makes things too apparent. That said, thankfully Aaron manages to throw some nice twists into the story and things play out a bit more twisted than what some of the foreshadowing sets up.
All in all, I enjoyed this book a fair bit and look forward to more in the series. The characters are interesting and unique, Abbadon is handled really well (though he feels different than in the early books of the Horus Heresy. Far less... angry) and the conflict with the other chaos lord is really interesting to read. If you want to read chaos space marines, this is the series for you!
March 5, 2024
Aaron really grooves with his words. His atmosphere has character and his characters move with atmosphere. The words effortlessly convey the meanings we’re to receive. Even with such clarity in the writing he can still leave open ended thoughts, questions and philosophies. And those three amorphous things aren’t boring to read. I love it. I love the writing.
That opening chapter which breaks across multiple viewpoints is so delectable. It’s a rare occasion when my eyes are eager to move faster than my mind can handle, and it’s at once as exciting, perhaps as exhilarating, as what’s happening on the pages. There’s no hope for me to capture what makes these stories so good. Suffice to say that I hope you’re reading this Aaron, man, you make books fun! Do you hear me?! You make reading FUN, that’s a monumental task. Your books get me out of book depression.
That’s nuts.
You know what else is nuts? The course of this ship we’re riding called Black Legion. It’s crazy to see these things coming out of Black Library. It’s gotta feel like walking on glass shards while carrying 50 pound weights attached to each finger on your writing hand LOL.
And you know what? I’m thoroughly enjoying this ride. At the moment of me writing this review there’s not much else I’d care to read. I’m glad as hell I picked this up and never thought I’d look differently at the Black Legion.
“Have you ever returned to a familiar place, an old haven perhaps, or a place that burns strong in youthful memory, only to find its soul has changed with the passing of time?” ~ Page 74
“And did I lean a little more strength into my blows when he reminded me that ******* still lived? Perhaps. Perhaps I did.” ~ Page 132
That opening chapter which breaks across multiple viewpoints is so delectable. It’s a rare occasion when my eyes are eager to move faster than my mind can handle, and it’s at once as exciting, perhaps as exhilarating, as what’s happening on the pages. There’s no hope for me to capture what makes these stories so good. Suffice to say that I hope you’re reading this Aaron, man, you make books fun! Do you hear me?! You make reading FUN, that’s a monumental task. Your books get me out of book depression.
That’s nuts.
You know what else is nuts? The course of this ship we’re riding called Black Legion. It’s crazy to see these things coming out of Black Library. It’s gotta feel like walking on glass shards while carrying 50 pound weights attached to each finger on your writing hand LOL.
And you know what? I’m thoroughly enjoying this ride. At the moment of me writing this review there’s not much else I’d care to read. I’m glad as hell I picked this up and never thought I’d look differently at the Black Legion.
“Have you ever returned to a familiar place, an old haven perhaps, or a place that burns strong in youthful memory, only to find its soul has changed with the passing of time?” ~ Page 74
“And did I lean a little more strength into my blows when he reminded me that ******* still lived? Perhaps. Perhaps I did.” ~ Page 132
September 16, 2024
Man. What a snore. They somehow take the one legion with the most insane amount of potential and focus on, like, two characters from it.
Are we told anything about daemons? Not really.
Do we learn anything new about Chaos or the gods? No.
Can we see anything about what it’s like to be a regular marine in the Black Legion? Not really.
We instead spend the whole book focusing on some nerd bookworm, his talking cat, and his non-committal, emo girlfriend.
There’s a couple of decent fights, but the story, and the twists were not enough to keep my eyes open.
Even though we’re presented with the most dangerous man in the galaxy, Abbadon himself, he just talks a lot like some scholarly old man and throws a couple of tantrums.
There’s much back and forth between the fan favourites, but that’s it. Just a snore-fest wankking on about the fan favourites.
‘Hey, we got da Horus Heresy, we got Iskandar, we got Horus 2.0, we got , and did we also mention that we got Iskandar?’
Like, why is Iskan-nerd suddenly an important character? When did he suddenly become Horus’ right hand guy? Why should we care about him?
That’s the thing, you don’t know, you’re just told that he’s important, and that he’s the main character, and that he is a fan favourite.
Honestly, the main characters blunder around on a series of pointless quests that ultimately lead to no pay-off, and the only benefit is that the mafia boss offs two of his enemies, and Iskan-fart gets his pet dog back.
Nothing in this actually expands the greater Warhammer narrative, or delves deeper into the lore.
It’s just some dumb skin-deep comic book written to please the wider audience. Thank Nurgle that there won’t ever be a third book in this miserable series.
Are we told anything about daemons? Not really.
Do we learn anything new about Chaos or the gods? No.
Can we see anything about what it’s like to be a regular marine in the Black Legion? Not really.
We instead spend the whole book focusing on some nerd bookworm, his talking cat, and his non-committal, emo girlfriend.
There’s a couple of decent fights, but the story, and the twists were not enough to keep my eyes open.
Even though we’re presented with the most dangerous man in the galaxy, Abbadon himself, he just talks a lot like some scholarly old man and throws a couple of tantrums.
There’s much back and forth between the fan favourites, but that’s it. Just a snore-fest wankking on about the fan favourites.
‘Hey, we got da Horus Heresy, we got Iskandar, we got Horus 2.0, we got , and did we also mention that we got Iskandar?’
Like, why is Iskan-nerd suddenly an important character? When did he suddenly become Horus’ right hand guy? Why should we care about him?
That’s the thing, you don’t know, you’re just told that he’s important, and that he’s the main character, and that he is a fan favourite.
Honestly, the main characters blunder around on a series of pointless quests that ultimately lead to no pay-off, and the only benefit is that the mafia boss offs two of his enemies, and Iskan-fart gets his pet dog back.
Nothing in this actually expands the greater Warhammer narrative, or delves deeper into the lore.
It’s just some dumb skin-deep comic book written to please the wider audience. Thank Nurgle that there won’t ever be a third book in this miserable series.
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