Horus Rising

I’ve read this book before and have stated in one of my older reviews that this was a hard read. For people new to the series especially. It was not a bad read at all. Just at certain stages the vocabulary of Abnett went above and beyond my paygrade. The guy is a master story weaver. Great job.

The first of the heresy books, I have read more of the Dark Imperium books and have yet to delve deep into the heresy books so it is only fitting I started with this, excellent book, I am doubting my ability to read all 55 books as well as the solar war books before I am placed in a home for the elderly 😳

This is the second time I am reading these books – my intention is to read the first three if nothing more – and I am finding them a lot more enjoyable the second time around; my knowledge of the 30/40k universe has grown a lot in the ten years since my first read around and as such the books feel much easier to digest. Having said that, no prior knowledge of the setting is required to enjoy the stories in the Horus Heresy series. I do owe these books a lot as they are what captured my interest with the hobby as a whole (I wonder how many other hobbyists out there can say the same?)

I got a lot of enjoyment out of rereading this book, it’s a good, fun book to read but it’s also so much more than that. Horus Rising is the first novel in the Horus Heresy series and sets the standards really high for any of the 50+ novels that follow it. It’s often said that a book is judged by it’s opening line; “I was there, the day that Horus killed the Emperor” is one of the best opening lines from a book I’ve ever had the good fortune to spend time with. The first few chapters of Horus Rising gives away so much of the over-arching story, cleverly concealed in the guise of another tale being told by the main character Garviel Loken.

Loken as a main character is an inspired choice. Not because he is an overly interesting character, but because he becomes the ‘standard’ model for all Adeptus Astartes to be measured by. Loken is a Space Marine Captain of the Luna Wolves and is initiated into the Mournival – a group of personal advisors to Warmaster Horus, the leader of the Luna Wolves. It is through Lokens eyes that we are introduced to the grim, gritty world in which they all inhabit. He gives us a lofty view of this world and the role which he and his fellow Astartes have within it. He is a tempered ‘middle ground’ between the Godlike Primarchs, of which Horus is one, and the human Rememberancers – artists documenting the glorious Great Crusade.

Amidst the scenes of battles – which are amazingly written in their own rights – we have some brilliantly crafted character development. The Space Marines in the novel are written in a way that makes them ‘more’. More human than human. These traits are easiest to pick out in the combat scenes, but also in the way they view and interact with one another and we’re given glimpses of a bond with one another beyond that a mortal can comprehend. This is not only shown in how they interact with one another but in how the Remembrancers act and react with them. How they are revered by normal humans and the Remembrancers interactions with one another seem to pale in comparison.

This book is filled with personality; which isn’t always something that come to mind when dealing with Space Marines – maybe this is due to my experiences of 40k novels mostly centering around Ultramarines? It’s a masterful stroke of genius that all the main characters differ from one another in terms of their personality; the jovial Torgaddon, super-angry Abaddon, straight laced Loken and tempered Aximand (The Mournival). Which helps to bring a sense of real life to such a fantastical, in depth and far-out setting. Giving nod to other side characters, Saul Tarvitz, Eidolon & Lucius of the Emperors Children chapter who help to shape the difference between the Space Marine Legions. Also Erebus of the Word Bearers Legion, but fuck that guy!

Horus himself, being the most Godlike character we’re introduced to, feels just as human as the rest of them, in a fashion. He uses the Mournival as a means to manipulate those around him in believing they have a choice in the world around them; but everyone dances to the Warmasters tune and the scenes including the politics of war throughout the book are very well written. Especially reading the frustrations that Horus has to keep this air of neutrality in his war politics and the overall effects that this has on his health. Charismatic and aloof in the same brush stroke.

Beyond the characters – which are a highlight of the story – the plot has enough action and intrigue to keep the pages turning with a thirst to know what’s going to happen (I know what happens and every few pages I felt a creeping sadness wash over me) and more importantly, how it is going to happen.

While this book is primarily a Science-Fiction war story there are other topics that are addressed within it’s pages; religion and philosophy being explored by the human characters and the place that these fledgling thoughts have in their lives. Poetry and art being ever relevant to human nature have a place in the story too; being off-set and powerful in their own right against the Space Marines bolters.

We’re also treated to other races in the 30k/40k universe. The extremely alien megarachnid – most relateable to 40 Tyranids -and the Interex an offering of Terran humans thought cut off from their human brethren. And it’s welcome to read about other races in the universe setting beyond what is currently within the 40k game setting.

I’ve jabbered about this with Science Fiction in other book thoughts on the blog, but I often find myself struggling with a higher-level of language that I cannot cope with which ends up in my wanting to pitch the book out of the window! Clearly, I had no such problem with Horus Rising. If you’re looking to get into 40k and start your own Space Marine army, then I assure you, Horus Rising is the best place to start; speaking from personal experience.

Dan Abnett is on of the best Warhammer writers ever. Let's face it, he is just great. This is the first in a series of novels in the long-going series. And you will definitely want to come back for more, after this first round.

For years I thought about reading a book in the Warhammer 40k series. You know how it is: you take a trip to the book store and peruse the sci-fi/fantasy section. Your search always leads you to the media tie-in section. There you see these novels with amazing painted covers depicting space marines fighting scary aliens and monsters. They look really tempting but there are so many of them! Where would you even begin?

Horus Rising is the first novel in a sub-series of novels that act as a prequel of sorts to the main Warhammer 40k novel series. In that way it is the perfect entry point into the entire saga. The novels are based on a long-running table-top miniature war and role-playing game. I had no knowledge of the game prior to reading Horus Rising and found that none was needed.

This book is authored by Dan Abnett, one of the team that created the modern "Guardians of the Galaxy" comic series for Marvel. Please be aware that this book is nothing like that! The Horus Heresy series is a grim/dark saga of Mankind's war to establish and retain an empire while fighting the terrifying forces of chaos. The prose is well-written and surprisingly literate. I enjoyed learning about the setting and the characters. Abnett proves to be a highly adept world builder.

I would recommend this novel, especially if you are looking for an entry point to a series of novels that looks impenetrable. I am taking away one star, however, because the conclusion of this specific novel is not satisfying . . . especially if you think this is a "one and done" book. Keep in mind that there are at least 29 books in this series. Think of it like the ending of "The Empire Strikes Back". It leaves you wanting more.