Angel Exterminatus (Book Review)

As with the last review this is posted in full on http://thefoundingfields.com/ and this is simply a preview. If you want to see it in full then please follow the link through to there.

There’s a problem which always strikes franchises after a certain amount of time – continuity lockout. It’s that specific point where a series is so deep into its storyline that any newcomers will likely end up lost or miss out on half the fun. As the 23rd book in the Horus Heresy series Angel Exterminatus is seriously affected by this, carrying on from not only several previous novels and short stories but entirely different series as well.

Taking centre stage are the Iron Warriors. After the destruction of a loyalist fortress, Fulgrim shows up trying to convince Perturabo to take part in retrieving an ancient superweapon from the Eye of Terror. Along with facing down an immortal army, a world which directly combats them and a ship full of vengeful Iron Hands conflicts begin to arise between the traitor primarchs themselves.

Both the biggest flaw and biggest strength was having Graham McNeill pen this book. His skill at individually handling multiple plot threads and his prior experience with both the III and IV legions pays off here with great characterisations. This book emphasises upon the legion as a whole rather than just the aspects of a few key characters and the primarch, and it’s all the stronger for it. This helped to present that rather than being the complete opposite of their modern selves as with the Thousand Sons and Emperor’s children, they’re just uncorrupted. There are visible signs of the familiar ruthlessness, hatred and bitter determination; but also honour, grinding loyalty, abilities as craftsmen as well as warmakers and a distrustful hatred for those corrupted by Chaos. The problem is that while they’re shown in this state and we see the exact turning point where they began to drop any remnants of nobility, they’re not shown having truly fallen. Instead McNeill is relying upon people to have picked up Storm of Iron if not most of hisIron Warriors series to contrast characters with their 41st millennium selves. So fans who’ve read those books will rejoice seeing Forrix and Kroeger being major characters but anyone who didn’t will be confused about glorified cameos given to the likes of Berossus.