Gav Thorpe

Big CW for Child/ Adolescent Abuse from a Paternal Figure (Beating, Whipping, Verbal), Self Harm (Flagellation), Religious Extremism

I *enjoyed* reading this because I am feeling absolutely filled with a sympathy and empathy for Lorgar after reading The First Heretic again, but it's very unpleasant to read because of its content. However, I haven't given it a higher mark because I don't really know how *good* it actually is. I think if I'm honest with myself, I wouldn't be that impressed and might even have DNF'd of this wasn't set in a galaxy and following a character I was already heavily invested in outside of this book.

This tells the story of Lorgar's time on Colchis before the coming of the Emperor, from being discovered by desert outcasts and taken as an acolyte by the disgraced priest, Kor Phaeron, through becoming the Bearer of the Word for the Powers, to his ascension as the first Ecclesiasrch and conquering/ uniting Colchis under the faith of the One.

It truly is awful to read so much about how Kor Phaeron was a horrifyingly abusive, manipulative, and scheming master, arch deacon, and reluctant father, and to see Lorgar as such a sweet, naive child who's entire life has been lies, manipulations, othering, and trauma. Witnessing the XVII Primarch suffer under his father and eventual first captain that moulds him into the traumatised 'kicked puppy' that informs so much of his life is, frankly, horrible, and seems to be more drawn out and one-dimensional than necessary.

Young Lorgar destroyed me. He's such an absolute sweetheart.
"It doesn't hurt there. It hurts in my soul and in my hearts."

This is an issue with Lorgar and Kor Phaeron, and Colchisian culture to be honest--a lack of detail and depth. Kor Phaeron doesn't actually get fleshed out anymore than the Darth Vader by name, Darth Sidious by nature, we know him as, beyond being an outcast pagan Chaos Revivalist conman. He is just the dark father archetype, without the depth expected from Horus Heresy characters. In the same way Lorgar is Kal-El/ Clark Kent, but his superpower is oration and proselytising, but raised in an incredibly abusive household, eventually going on a Daenerys arc.

Early on we see the facets of the Chaos Gods worshipped on Colchis with different names and a single aspect which is awesome, for example their Nurgle being closer the Aeldari lost goddess, Isha, trapped in the Grandfather's garden. Honestly, the worship of Chaos as a recognisable analogue to paganism is fascinating, but beyond there being lots of strange books, many different roles and titles, and a version of karma and caste system, we don't get much more than that, which is a real shame, especially as Colchis is pretty brutal and ruthless, but seemingly not necessarily anymore than any other extremely religious society from the medieval period or earlier, which raises interesting questions about the [Darker?] Powers.

There is also the tiniest thought to the 'Fifth Power' that Lorgar is thought to be the Herald of, which is tantalising...

Ultimately, this is a little by the numbers, repetitive, and drawn out. I think would have actually made a better novella with the fat trimmed, rather than a short novel. I definitely benefited from having the audiobook with some great Jonathan Keeble work, so I could stim and bimble, while listening. I don't think I would actually recommend this for anyone who isn't Lorgar-obsessed and a completionist, like myself. Rather disappointing for how good Thorpe and the Horus Heresy can (and I think should) be.… (meer)

Well, what do you know, Warhammer 40k lore actually produced full fledged war novel.

Why do I say war novel? Well, this is first novel in which we see mighty Legion actually fighting the war as armies do. Deploying in force to find the enemy, engaging the enemy, getting beaten up and finally executing concentrated attacks on enemy key-points after months of maneuvering and exploring the battlefield. Again, I know this is SF and fantasy setting but this was first time I have seen mighty Legions fighting an enemy on equal footing in a situation where blunt head on strike wont save the day.

There is no magic augur, there is no magic sensor that will say ping and give the family information of the designer and builder of whatever device points towards (yes, Star Trek, you know what I mean, yes). When enemy is engaged and enemy proves to be on equal footing with Legion (which mysterious Empire of Occulda Noctis area proves to be) there are no dashing raids, assaults from the above, but need for the systematic enemy destruction and victory, not in pyrrhic victory way where one takes control of huge globes cleared of everything, but in way of actually winning the battlefield and conquering the entire star systems.

Of course this approach causes unrest and doubts in military and Legion command structures (why aren't we just stomping them all down!) but in the long terms ensures that conquered territories actually remain conquered. We are shown how Imperial Fists do approve of discussion (although not in democratic way [again as expected in the military], when somebody goes over the line he will get demoted or sent to another troop) and how they come to terms with the Primarch's plan as they become aware of elements that were previously understood by Dorn only.

Dorn is presented as a very, very ..... literal?..... guy. While all his brothers might take some liberty with the orders they receive, Dorn is stickler to commands issued - every action is executed with the single purpose, how to accomplish the plan to the letter. This makes him very sombre commander, because he is aware that his troops and he himself are in the end expendable, and if need be he will sacrifice himself to achieve the goal. Even with this approach he is not waging war to the bitter end - he is aware that extermination of the enemy sometimes might be required, but if possible he will rather try to make war in a way that will pressure the opposition to accept the terms of the Imperium and willingly (sort-of-a) enter the Imperium realm.

On the other hand if opposition is marked as deadly dangerous for humankind from the authority Dorn trust without any doubt ..... then it is game over for the other side.

I have to admit that I never expected him to be this ..... focused? Single-minded? ..... but it explains the tenacity and zealotry Imperial Fists fight with. Dorn is the ultimate guardian, person who will do everything for the order he respects, follows and keeps faithful to. Once Legions were questioned by the Imperium at large after Heresy (famous restructuring) I dont think anybody was suffering more from this lack of trust than Dorn.

Excellent book, from the battlefields to command rooms, discussions and doubts to the ever serene Primarch who stands behind the maxim that Legions are there to serve the Emperor and follow his every command, if required to the bitter end. True believer (or fanatic - depending on viewpoint).

Highly recommended to fans of W40K and Horus Heresy in particular.… (meer)