Daniel J. Givens

A bit of a slog

Revisado: 11-23-23

If you’re this far into the series, you’re going to read it. You can’t not. That said, like much of the latter books in the Siege series, the early parts feel drawn out. It’s probably intentional. It emphasizes the bleakness of the situation. But it took until nearly the middle point that the story actually started to move again. With that in mind, push through to the second half. It’s worth it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Maybe my favorite 40k novels

Revisado: 10-01-23

Nemesis is one of my favorite books from the Horus Heresy series. I enjoyed the interplay between the distinct characters. This is in the same vein, but the political intrigue of the knightly court was even better, and how it played out was surprising and I never felt the outcome was certain. Very enjoyable. So much so that I’m rereading it again.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Has ADB written anything that wasn’t fantastic?

Revisado: 10-01-23

I’m an ADB fan. Some of my favorite books were written by him. This did not disappoint. I can’t think of any faults in this book. I thought he was close to falling into an old trope of the mustache twirling villain toward the end, but he saved it. The good guys weren’t without fault. The space marines were just enough removed from their baseline human counterparts, but still felt relatable. And when characters died, I felt the significance of it and the loss felt by the survivors. Really good. Really really good. And now I have an interest in the Grey Knights I never had before.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

One of the best 40k novels I’ve read

Revisado: 06-13-23

The first book was really good. I thought the narrator was a bit over the top, but grew to appreciate him. This book outshines the first. The story, aside from some rerollable 2+ invulnerable save plot armor, was great. I love the ensemble cast of interesting and distinct characters. I’m very excited to see where the story goes next.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Good story, when the story was being told

Revisado: 03-25-23

I was excited to get here. I’ve read most, if not all, of the Heresy novels, and some of the anthologies. I’ve been looking forward to the end (of the series) and the death (of Sanguinius, Horus, et al). I felt like there was a lot of filler. That seems to have been the case of the last couple of books in the Siege of Terra series. I get that the snippets of individual’s experiences is intended to underscore just how horrifying, grueling, planet devastating war is, but it feels like filler. But I get it. I’ve gotten that it’s awful since a couple books ago. I kept waiting for the story to start. And when it did, it kept getting interrupted by more little insignificant snippets of grimdark-ery.

The actual story is really good and well written. I never thought I would feel bad for Dorn. Horus became interesting again. While only making a small appearance, Abaddon was portrayed in a way that I could recognize as being related to who he became in Talon of Horus. Malcador has always been a super intriguing character, so getting to hear him in his own words was a big treat for me.

Is it worth buying? If you’re invested in the series, you can’t skip it. It’s not my favorite, though. I doubt I’ll ever feel like rereading it. I suspect the things I’m complaining about come from the conclusion, to be done justice, is too long to fit in the typical length Heresy novel, but there wasn’t enough to properly fill two. I’ll hold out hope that the finale will have fewer of the irrelevant vignettes and focus more on the story that matters.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A little confusing with the wibbly wobbly timey whimey

Revisado: 09-02-22

I love this series. I’m on the verge of starting TSon’s army because of it. BL succeeding in their mission. The story got a bit confusing in places, but I think that was intentional, because time. I just wish there was more resolution at the end.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Exceeded my expectations

Revisado: 08-06-22

I held off on this one due to the criticisms a lot of reviewers had about the voice the narrator used for Ahriman. I’m not sure if he is the same person who narrated A Thousand Sons, but he has the same voice as Ahriman in the Heresy book. I actually like it and think it’s fitting for the character.

As for the story, I really enjoyed it. Maybe it was my lowered expectations from the other reviews, but I kept thinking to myself throughout that it was so good. By the end, I found the characters to be likable and relatable, in so much as one can relate with dirty heretics and renegades.

I’m very glad I have this one a chance and I’m about to start the next book in the series. 10/10 would recommend

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Glad I continued after God Emperor

Revisado: 04-09-22

I was ready to quit the Dune series after God Emperor. I was skeptical when I started this one since there weren’t any known characters, but I’m glad I kept at it. It ended up being my favorite since maybe Messiah. Perhaps even second after the original Dune.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I don't really know what's going on, but I love it

Revisado: 12-10-21

I love the Eisenhorn and Ravenor series. I love most of Dan Abnett's 40k fiction. The Bequin series, so far, is probably my favorite of all.

There are things that you generally accept as being standard in the Imperium of Man. The Bequin series feels both familiar in that regard, but there's a lot of things that feel... off, but in interesting ways. If you read the first book, you know what I mean. One thing that Mr. Abnett does wonderfully is bringing those things around to make sense in and fit right back into the ol' Imperium of Man we all know and never wish to live in.

Fantastic story telling, but don't expect a satisfying conclusion. I hope the wait for the third book isn't long, because I'm dying to know who TF is the King in Yellow.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Cadia stands. We get it already.

Revisado: 11-13-21

I have a very large Cadian army. I love their lore. I was sad when Cadia fell to the Black Legion. I’ve been known to exclaim “Cadia stands!” during games.

This book made me hate the phrase.

The book is pointless. The enemy are no more than the name of their regiments. The author starts the book with a hint of a deeper story as to why they turned traitor, but never goes beyond that. The characters are flat. The main character’s name should be Minka “Mary Sue” Lesk.

I think this book exists for no other reason than Black Library does three novel series. It’s filler. Nothing of import happens. We don’t learn anything new about the Cadians since the fall, or any other faction, or what’s going on in the Imperium at larger.

I hate to crap on the narrator, but I didn’t even really like her and it’s not because she’s a female. Give me Emma Gregory any day. I became so disengaged from the book that I had to force myself to finish the last 25 minutes of the book. I honestly wish I could get the time I spent listening to this book back.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona