Mitchel Scanlon

This is an odd one. Whilst the structure is pretty good, the ideas work on paper, and none of the usual BL complaints about plot, characterisation, or delivery apply (well written, plot makes sense and works, characters 3d and believable), this is still a little unsatisfying. It deliberately doesn't answer any of the big questions about the Dark Angels, but it deals with them in such a way that it makes the Lion's behaviour seem odd. But not in a way that is ever explained. He's just odd, except when he isn't. Perhaps the questions get answered in a later book that I haven't read, but I don't think so. Still, pleasant enough for a few evenings reading.… (meer)

This was the first 40k book I read and it was recommended by a friend obsessed with the Warhammer 40k universe. He loved this book.

My opinion was that it was decent. It was a pretty short read, less than 300 pages, so I didn't feel like I really wasted my time with it.

My friend who recommended it said it was the author's first full novel, and if that's the case, it's not a bad breakthrough novel, but the writing just doesn't seem quite up to par with my expectations. Descriptions were kind of bland or not done well; at times I wasn't sure who was talking or where they were, who was who, what exactly was going on.

Overall, if you're a fan of the 40k universe (you've probably read this already), then I would hesitantly recommend this book, because like I rated it, it is an "okay" read and short. But if you're a complete newcomer, or have only read a few books and aren't in love with 40k, then I would say that there are much better books in the universe you could be reading, and not to read this one.… (meer)