I don’t know if I have the words to say how much I loved reading this book. I could not put it down. Admittedly, there have been a few in the series that have been like this for me. After Descent of Angels I was a bit worried the series might be falling off. I had nothing to worry about because this little gem of a book followed it up.
It is the first that features the Imperial Guard being the focus of the novel rather than the Space Marines and their Primarchs. The story begins with a torture scene and then details the events that lead up to that moment.
The plot in the book twists and turns in masterful loops and I did not see the ending turning out the way it did. There were a few key elements that I did manage to figure out but man, I did not expect the ending to do what it did. It is a real credit to Abnett, who told the tale masterfully well without giving away everything too early. It never felt as if it dragged and the pace was as punchy as I have come to expect from this series.
The characters within the story are well written and are not cardboard cut outs or cliche ridden fools. they each play their part well and come off as well rounded individuals. Not a single person in the novel annoyed me, though I did get a bit angry with some, it was for well motivated reasons rather them being badly written. I genuinely cared about how the characters acted and what happened to them too and after Istsvan III, (There were tears and ice-cream) I have been most reluctant to do so.
There was only one point that was a bit abrupt, which was towards the end. I won’t go into details because spoilers but it felt as though it was a rush at the end and a neat tie off rather than an actual ending. It just read as forced which was a shame.
That said, it did not spoil the rest of this amazing novel for me. I really look forward to reading the next one in the series and hope it is as pacy as this one!
Heretic Deb! 
Legion is one of my favourites because it has non-Astartes focus. I especially like the portrayal of the Geno Five Two.
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I loved the different point of view, it was a welcome change and the characters were amazing! Really well developed and well written!
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Funnily enough in the 30k community it is quite a marmite book – most people love or hate it and there doesn’t seem to be much ground in-between.
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I am finding that about Battle for the Abyss – which is on my up next list. I’ve encountered the same love/hate for Legion myself among my 30K chums.
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Worth listening to the After Ulannor podcast on the Freebooters network if you want some interesting discussions on the Horus Heresy books 🙂
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Thanks, will give them a listen when I get some time. Feel as though I am a little late to the party but got to be worth a listen!
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They are quite in depth but have only got up the around Legion I think 🙂
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Give me something to listen to on a slow day – thank you. 🙂
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Legion was my first HH book i read, going into it all blindly, I had no clue as to what was going on. My limited knowledge through playing games helped me through it tho and Legion is now, after 4 years almost up again for a re read. Nice review👍🏻
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Thanks. It is a thoroughly good read and one of the better ones! Have you read the first three of the HH? They are absolutely devastating! Such amazing reads!
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I am yet to start HH in full… not read any apart from legion and fulgrim, I ve spent the last 4 years building up a stockpile of books around it all, before I start HH in full… its a bit difficult in South Africa to collect…
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They are so worth the read if you can get a hold of them! Best books I have read for a very long time!
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Ive gotten a subscription from a local store, i have a very nice coppy of horus rising now. But holding back from reading that till ive gotten the two that follow up on it. False gods and decent of angels I believe?
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False Gods (Graham McNeill) and Galaxy in Flames (Ben Counter) are the other two.
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Thanx, been looking into finding them soon
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Good luck with your search, they are well worth it!
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This is a great postt
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