February 2024 Re-Listen using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus IV Shattersong (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus/iv-shattersong) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.

...I just realised I was supposed to listen to this after Angel Exterminatus lol I was wondering why Fulgrim was like that before. I'm definitely glad I had previously listened to this and read Angel Exterminatus when it came out. Simple, less than ten entry list one, my reading comprehension and ability to follow simple tasks nil.

I generally stand by my previous review, but I feel much more involved in the story and bought in, which made me enjoy it so much more than when I previously listened to it in a random binge of Warhammer audio dramas. I also enjoyed Stephen Perring's performance more this time round and feel like it fits the story and situation well.

I added a star and was tempted to go to full marks as its wonderful and does the job it sets out to do really well, but, despite not feeling as strongly as before, I do think there are some levels the dialogue, dramatic irony, and emotional core could unlock.

An interesting element that stood out to me after re-reading the Reflection Crack'd recently is that this has a more obvious, but in being so much more clear and satisfying delineation and relationship between the Fulgrims, opposed to the *twist*(?) ending of the novella*. They're stuck together and pretty much left brain/ right brain at this point and, even if it is the original him that's in control, Fulgrim is clearly not doing at all well with his trauma play he's set up for himself that is literally one of the definitions of insanity. I can't speak to how their coexisting is portrayed in AE, but Fulgrim is definitely a chap with fraternal issues.

I don't think I'll listen to this again after AE, but that's less on this than how many times in as many months, but I'll try and remember to reflect on it and whether it makes me have anything else to say.

Creepy cool audio drama is creepy cool, but I'm still out here feeling for people who got hornswoggled by the "start here" sticker on Lupercal's War and listened to this and so many others in that epic collection that will make so little sense and just spoil so very much lmfao.

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 10 Horus Heresy novels, 5 novellas, 19 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 6 Primarchs novels, 3 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.

***

Initial Review:

Fulgrim and Ferrus Mannus play a game of Regicide, while exchanging brotherly barbs that escalate to the point of no return. There are a couple of interesting pull back and reveals, the second of which is really something and in a stronger, more emotionally weighted story would have had serious impact. I'll talk about that more below after a spoiler warning.

Similar to The Last Church, Imperfection had so much potential to absolutely knock it out of the park, but a weakness in the dialogue and tone lets it down somewhat. It's still a good story that adds some depth to the Phoenician and the Gorgon, as well a look at Professor Creepy's experiments with a post credits scene alluding to the future/ present of the 30/ 40K universe.

It was nice to actually discover more of the pieces and rules that make up Regicide, after so very many references to it throughout the series. It's been clear for a long time that it's this universe's chess, but getting more of a breakdown of the terminology was interesting at least.

This was my first Stephen Perring narration, which was competent and I could see being effective with other works, but lacked the tone and vibe of the Horus Heresy/ Black Library regulars like Longworth, Armstrong, and Keeble. The voice of Fulgrim was interesting (read: not so great) at certain times and I really didn't like the obsequiousness and weakness they imbued in Fabius Bile's voice. He's a total creep and a wonderful character to hate, but that guy gives no shits about anything.

I also think it's absolutely wild that this story is the third one in the Lupercal's War anthology that is advertised as a good place to start... This story and these versions of these characters would make zero sense to anyone unaware of who they are and their history. Significant events in at least three different Horus Heresy novels are referenced or alluded to for goodness sake! -- Obviously this isn't a criticism of the story itself, more its inclusion in and the marketing of Lupercal's War.

Ultimately, as bullet points this is one of the best Horus Heresy short stories, but the actual story doesn't match that energy. It's still a good story and worth a listen, I just can't help seeing a version of this that emotionally destroyed me.

***SPOILERS***

It is cool to see Daemon Prince Fulgrim just doing Fulgrim stuff as a nightmare snake monster, but with the history between him and Ferrus it's so frustrating just how dry and uninteresting their conversation is until the climax and reveal. This wouldn't be as much of an issue, but the build up takes most of the length of the story. It's also fun to see Ferrus Clonnus brawling with Nightmare Fulgrim, and the reveal of the absolute stacks of dead clones was great and really speaks to where Fulgrim's head is at, but without richer dialogue and/ or a look into his tortured, obsessive mind it becomes a minor 'whoa' when I would have wanted it feel more like a mass reactive shell detonating in my chest. ( )