Monday, January 8, 2018

Caught up to Horus on the Way to the Siege of Terra

For probably the first time ever, I am current as goes the main numbered series of Horus Heresy novels, 47 books in! I know you're thinking that now I might go and read something unrelated, and while I still may, I do have all five of the currently released Primarchs series novels to read, as well. It's not clear how that series will evolve as time goes on, but it does already contain offshoot short stories and audio dramas in addition to the main novels which each, to this point, seem to focus directly on one of the space marine primarchs. Out now are the ones for Roboute Guilliman, Leman Russ, Magnus the Red, Perturabo, and Lorgar. I may begin one of those very soon.

Impressions on the last few main series novels are below. Beware spoilers, if you are reading the series, as well.

The Crimson King - Magnus and the Thousand Sons' first book since very early in the series. The book centers around Ahriman and his crew's attempt to track down the pieces of Magnus' shattered psyche/soul. A few remembrancers from Prospero, a Knight Errant, Yasu Nagasena, and a Space Wolves watch pack also star.

Tallarn - The collection of a few short stories and a novella set on Tallarn during the Iron Warriors' invasion. Perturabo is looking for something before being eventually called away by Horus to lay siege to Terra. The stories are mostly told from the point of view of Imperial army personnel, though the novella Ironclad also features an Officio Assassinorum clade operative, Alpha Legion operatives, and one key Iron Warriors battle brother encased in a Dreadnought's sarcophagus.

Ruinstorm - Sanguinius, Guilliman, and the Lion leave Macragge after the dissolution of Imperium Secundus and make their way through the titular warp disturbance toward Terra. Curze is in tow, as well, and each primarch faces a personal trial before their paths are made clear. Ruinstorm has direct ties back to David Annandale's previous book in the series The Damnation of Pythos, as well as Fear to Tread, The Unremembered Empire, and Angels of Caliban.

Old Earth - The main story here is Vulkan's journey from his resurrection at Mount Deathfire on Nocturne to The Emperor's side by the Golden Throne on Terra. The book also sees an end to the stories of Shadrak Meduson and the Shattered Legions agglomeration forged in the wake of the Dropsite Massacre on Isstvan V. Another subplot sees the Eldar Farseer Eldrad Ulthran work in concert with Barthusa Narek, errant Word Bearer, to help Vulkan on his journey, permanently ending the lives of many seemingly immortal members of the Cabal along the way, sparing John Grammaticus and Alivia Sureka, notably.

Book 48 is slated to release next month, another collection of novellas and short stories, but there's no word yet of 49. I'm guessing that one may be the same. Book 50 will likely be pretty important. Yarant or Beta-Garmon, maybe. Or even the kick-off to the Siege of Terra.

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