Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I'm putting this here because I think ToH should be read by the fluff thread regulars--if they haven't already.



I know it's been out for more than a few months but I just finished reading Tales of Heresy (ToH), the first short story collection for the HH series. After the less than impressive Mechanicum, ToH gets the series back on track with seven serviceable to excellent vignettes that help to flesh out the tone of those ancient times. I've listed below a brief synopsis (trying to give away as little plot as possible) of each story and rated it out of five stars.

"Blood Games" by Dan Abnett: One of the Emperor's elite Custodes bodyguards experiences the intricacies of Terran intrigue as Rogal Dorn prepares Terra for the imminent invasion of Horus and the traitor legions. This is not one of the stronger tales despite coming from an author whose name is synonymous with reliably good 40k fiction. If anything, "Blood Games" proves that Abnett can be a little too reliable. This is yet another one of his Eisenhorn/Ravenor-style espionage cop yarns, done nowhere near as well as his Inquisitorial short fiction. Even so, it gives us tantalizing details about Terra and its politics and will be well-received by anyone looking for more information about the mysterious Custodes. 2/5

"Wolf at the Door" by Mike Lee: The Space Wolves, weary of worlds rejecting the Emperor's enlightenment, help the human inhabitants of a long lost planet fight off predatory Dark Eldar--but what will they do once they have their freedom? This page-turner has a great plot built around a great theme even though the narrative drags in a few places. I'd say it was one of the best stories in ToH and, lest anyone think this Space Wolf fan is biased, I immediately bought Mike Lee's new book Fallen Angels after reading it. 4/5

"Scions of the Storm" by Anthony Reynolds: Captain Sor Talgron of the Word Bearers is tasked with forcing a world of idolators into compliance with the Emperor's Divine Truth but is not prepared for the true nature of their beliefs or the change in his beloved Primarch. This prequel to Horus Rising is a fine piece that echoes the struggles of Garviel Loken and Saul Tarvitz in earlier HH books. The World Bearer perspective is one we have yet to see in detail and I think it is a valuable one given the greater role of Lorgar and Erebus throughout the Heresy. That said, the action is not that interesting much less heart stopping. 3/5

"The Voice" by James Swallow: The Sisters of Silence, an order of psychic blanks tasked with enforcing the tithe of psykers, investigate one of their Black Ships that never came out of the warp and stumble upon the hints of their own future as well as that of all Humanity. Swallow, of Blood Angels fame, also wrote the (as of yet) only Sisters of Battle novel Faith and Fire so he is well-prepared to give us a look at the Sisters of Silence. Even so, one order is not treated as a carbon copy of the other. The Sisters of Silence have their own personality and I would love to read more about them. 4/5

"Call of the Lion" by Gav Thorpe: Astelan, a Terran Dark Angel commander, is joined on crusade by a fellow commander from Caliban called Belath. Do they differ merely over strategy or more deeply over loyalty to the Emperor's vision? In my opinion, this is the best story in the collection. Veteran (and sometimes decried) 40k writer Thorpe masterfully guides us through the subtleties that will eventually come to a head in the Dark Angel's "secret" shame. Although not a DA fan before (obviously, lol), I see a lot of potential in their background after reading this. 5/5

"The Last Church" by Graham McNeill: A mysterious stranger arrives at the only remaining church on Terra and engages Terra's final priest in a debate about the meaning and value of religion. Unfortunately, this is the low point of ToH. I say unfortunately because it could have been an excellent discourse on the themes of the entire Great Crusade/Heresy period: reason and religion, unity and betrayal, etc, etc. Instead, McNeill gives us the most superficial debate on religion I have seen outside of Richard Dawkins. I don't think that these sort of issues are entirely out of 40k's depth. Some of the earlier HH novels have dealt with it admirably--I'm especially thinking of the character Kyril Sindermann. Really a pity. 1/5

"After Desh'ea" by Matthew Farrer: After being teleported away from his embattled army of fellow gladiators, Angron is having trouble adjusting to (or even understanding) his new role as Primarch. Kharne must enlighten Angron before the enraged Primarch beats the last vestige of life out of his genetically enhanced body. The final story in ToH is extremely interesting: how do you deal with your long-expected leader when all he wants to do is kill you out of vengeance. Rather than focusing on the beginnings of Angron's betrayal, this story is more clearly about how the War Hounds/World Eaters fell. I had not read Mattew Farrer before but will definitely read more of his work now! 4/5

I look forward to hearing my fellow Dakkites thoughts on these stories.

For those who haven't read, please consider picking up a copy or borrowing one from a friend. Over all I give the book a 4/5 for its literary merits (keeping in mind that it is a 40k book) and a 5/5 for its necessity to understanding the heresy.

UPDATE: I did read Matthew Farrer's short story "Snares and Delusions" in Let the Galaxy Burn. And it was awesome. Basically, a Word Bearer Chaplain is obsessed with hunting down and destroying a certain Craftworld. But when his destiny draws near at last, he must reevaluate his expectations. A great read.

I sorta disagree

First, I found mechanicum to be one of the best HH books.

While Tales of Heresy had it's moments, I don't think it's one of the best.

Most of the stories are rather good. The HIGHLIGHTS for me were Blood Games and The Last Church. Both very interesting.

The lowest point was the childish Spase Marienz HURR no-plot action rubbish that was the Space Wolf story. The Dark Angels one was ok, but not up to par...

Abnett and McNeill remain the two best authors BL has...

I liked Scions of the storm, because it tells the story of the Word Bearers turn to chaos, something I've wanted to know about since Battle for the Abyss.

ArbitorIan wrote:Abnett and McNeill remain the two best authors BL has...

I shudder to think that these two will continue to dominate the BL 40k publications. What about their (IMO rather pitiful) stories did you like?

I'm not finished w/the book yet but The Voice kind of ruined it for me. I had to put it down and take a break. I didn't like it at all. Thankfully, I finally got past that part.

I really like Blood Games. That was awesome. I also liked Wolf at the Door because the dynamics of the action was great.


...I'm still waiting for my Thousand Sons Horus Heresy book! Where is it?!

Doombot001 wrote:...I'm still waiting for my Thousand Sons Horus Heresy book! Where is it?!

March 2010. I'm really looking forward to it, as well.

I'm sorry to hear you didn't like "The Voice."

Manchu wrote:

Doombot001 wrote:...I'm still waiting for my Thousand Sons Horus Heresy book! Where is it?!

March 2010. I'm really looking forward to it, as well.

I'm sorry to hear you didn't like "The Voice."

March 2010??? That is unacceptable! I thought they were coming out later this year? My favorite book is most likely Fulgrim. That book is REALLY disturbing.

...and this is why Tzeentch protects.