Book fifty-one in the Horus Heresy series, John French’s novel Slaves to Darkness is a rare beast – a Heresy novel focusing entirely on unambiguously traitor perspectives. As Horus is brought bleeding from the surface of Beta Garmon to the Vengeful Spirit, Maloghurst issues orders to gather Horus’ brothers together. While Lorgar and Perturabo are tasked with finding and controlling their daemonic brothers Fulgrim and Angron, Maloghurst calls on all of his political nous and accumulated power to steer the overall campaign in Horus’ absence. With Abaddon away chasing the Wolves, Maloghurst is left clashing with what remains of the Mournival.
Tag Archives: Horus Heresy
Mechanicum – Graham McNeill
Graham McNeill’s Horus Heresy novel Mechanicum is book nine in the series, and McNeill’s third contribution, but it’s a book of firsts as well – the first proper look at Mars and the Mechanicum (ever, really, but certainly in the Heresy series), the first depiction of Imperial Knights in Black Library fiction, and the first female-led Heresy novel. Young scribe Dalia Cythera is whisked off to Mars by Adept Koriel Zeth, who puts her innate understanding of technology to use working on a ground-breaking project. Meanwhile tensions are mounting between rival factions on Mars, even bringing the Titan Legions into conflict.
Blackshields: The Red Fief – Josh Reynolds
Following on from the excellent Horus Heresy audio drama Blackshields: The False War, Josh Reynolds returns to ex-World Eater Endryd Haar in a second audio, Blackshields: The Red Fief. In the aftermath of his mission on Xana-Tisiphone, Haar is being courted by Malcador, who wants to make use of Endryd, or the weapons he recently acquired, as part of the loyalists’ defence against Horus. Wracked with indecision about whether to commit to the Sigillite’s goals, Haar leads his warriors in a raid on a World Eaters fief world to gather supplies and hopefully recruit an old ally to his cause.
RAPID FIRE: Josh Reynolds Talks Blackshields: The Red Fief
Welcome to this instalment of Rapid Fire, my ongoing series of quick interviews with Black Library authors talking about their new releases. These are short and sweet interviews, with the idea being that each author will answer (more or less) the same questions – by the end of each interview I hope you will have a good idea of what the new book (or audio drama) is about, what inspired it and why you might want to read or listen to it.
In this instalment I spoke to Josh Reynolds about his latest Horus Heresy audio drama Blackshields: The Red Fief, the follow up to the excellent Blackshields: The False War. It’s available to order this weekend, so get ready to pick it up very soon!
As usual, let’s get straight to the questions and Josh’s answers.
RAPID FIRE: Guy Haley Talks Wolfsbane
Welcome to this instalment of Rapid Fire, my ongoing series of quick interviews with Black Library authors talking about their new releases. These are short and sweet interviews, with the idea being that each author will answer (more or less) the same questions – by the end of each interview I hope you will have a good idea of what the new book (or audio drama) is about, what inspired it and why you might want to read or listen to it.
In this instalment I spoke to Guy Haley about his latest Horus Heresy novel Wolfsbane (book number 49!), which is available to order this weekend. You can also have a read of my review here if you fancy checking that out.
As usual, let’s get straight to the questions and Guy’s answers.
Ferrus Manus: Gorgon of Medusa
Book seven in Black Library’s Primarchs series of short novels, David Guymer’s Ferrus Manus: Gorgon of Medusa provides a rare long-form glimpse of the Iron Hands’ primarch. In the middle stages of the Great Crusade, when three primarchs are still to be found and rumours of the Emperor’s future plans are just beginning to circulate, the Iron Hands and Emperor’s Children are performing joint exercises when they hear of the 413th Fleet’s difficulties bringing the Gardinaal empire to compliance. Instead of waiting for reinforcements, Ferrus decides to take Gardinaal himself and send a statement to his brothers and father.
RAPID FIRE: Chris Wraight Talks Jaghatai Khan: Warhawk of Chogoris
Welcome to this instalment of Rapid Fire, my ongoing series of quick interviews with Black Library authors talking about their new releases. These are short and sweet interviews, with the idea being that each author will answer (more or less) the same questions – by the end of each interview I hope you will have a good idea of what the new book (or audio drama) is about, what inspired it and why you might want to read or listen to it.
For this interview I spoke to Chris Wraight about his latest novel in the Primarchs series, Jaghatai Khan: Warhawk of Chogoris, which is available to order in all of the usual formats (including audiobook) right now!
Wolfsbane – Guy Haley
Book 49 in the Horus Heresy series, Wolfsbane is a pretty-much-direct sequel to Vengeful Spirit and Wolf King, and also a lead-in to Weregeld from the Corax anthology. The Vlka Fenryka have returned to Terra, but are champing at the bit to take the fight to Horus. Sanguinius’ arrival in the Sol system prompts Leman Russ, against his brothers’ wishes, to take his battered and bloodied legion back to Fenris in an attempt to divine Horus’ weakness. Meanwhile in the Trisolian system, gateway to Beta-Garmon, a young and disruptive tech adept named Belisarius Cawl finds himself under unwelcome scrutiny from his superiors.
Sons of the Emperor – Anthology
First released at the Horus Heresy & Necromunda Weekender in February 2018, Sons of the Emperor is a Horus Heresy Primarchs anthology comprising eight brand new short stories, one each from Dan Abnett, Aaron Dembski-Bowden, John French, LJ Goulding, Guy Haley, Nick Kyme, Graham McNeill and Gav Thorpe. These tales range from the earliest days of the Great Crusade to long after the end of the Heresy, each taking a different approach to representing one (or more) of the primarchs and their legionary sons. Featuring eleven primarchs and even the Emperor, chances are there’s a story here for every Heresy fan.
QUICK REVIEW: Misbegotten – Dan Abnett
Dan Abnett’s Misbegotten is a Primarchs short story set just prior to the Ullanor campaign, in which Horus joins Captain Hastur Sejanus to see out the bitter end of a grinding compliance action. Where other systems have welcomed the Imperium with open arms, Velich Tarn resists with deadly force, its tiny population utilising horrifying biomechanical constructs in battle against the Lunar Wolves. To Sejanus it’s a blot against the record of the 63rd Expeditionary Fleet, but Horus believes he sees the root of what would drive someone to fight so hard against an Imperium promising hope for mankind.