Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 A return to form July 14, 2008
Jonesworth (England)
Having counted myself within the endless ranks of readers somewhat disappointed with 'Descent of Angels', I naturally threw caution to the next Horus Heresy installment.
It's not that 'Descent...' was dull to read or poorly written, but Mitchel Scanlon's novel was the first Heresy novel that concerned itself primarily with non-astartes (or at least pre-astartes) individuals, a factor which would surely hinder a Horus Heresy novel. I was therefore sceptical about how effective a story that placed an Imperial Guard regiment at the forefront could be.
Fortunately, 'Legion' triumphs: characters are genuinely likeable (or detestable), the story is engrossing and, unlike Scanlon's novel, it doesn't hold back on Astartes fluff; Horus and the Heresy get at least more than a passing mention, which would surely seem compulsory for the series. Furthermore, although much of the story is told from the Geno Two-Five Chilliad perspective, The Alpha Legion also get their worth. Ultimately, you're not left feeling deprived reading this, something that the Dark Angels installment possibly suffered from.
Although he is included within the compilation of short stories scheduled for the series in April 2009, I sincerely hope that Abnett returns next year for another individual effort. Hugely entertaining.
The best in the series so far. June 16, 2008
J. Mikkelsen
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Except for Descent of Angels, all books in the Heresy series have been great. Still, Legion tops them all. The Alpha Legion is by far the most interesting chapter featured so far (and im not usually for the Traitors...honestly!), and the literary quality of the writing is really astonishing. Where some of the other book have relied heavily on the fantastic W40K uninverse to see them through, Legion is an awesome book all in itself.
Skip Descent of Angels, which sucked, and go straight to Legion.
 very weak for a Dan Abnett title June 8, 2008
negativtoo (Hamburg)
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
I am not a great and avid fan of the Warhammer 40K franchise anymore, but I still enjoy the Horus Heresy cycle of Novels immensely. Much of this being due to the excellent novels in it written by Dan Abnett, and partially because of the chance of gleaning an inside view of that particular cataclysm in the WH 40K universe.
Unfortunately, "Legion" falls far short of most other books in the series, and especially most other ones written by the author. While his sketching (not development) of characters and their distinctive quirks is still top notch, and he creates a vivid (if limited) image of the world of Nurth, where almost the entire plot takes place this book suffers from a severy lack of "hard" information.
For one, the reader learns little if nothing at all about the titular "Alpha Legion" since none of the viewpoint-charcters and protagonist actually is an Alpha Legion Astartes. A legion which follows a unique doctrine of warfare through deception (of their opponents and especially their nominal allies ), misdirection and underhand planning.
To be honest, WTF is the author thinking ? I did not purchase the book to read about a more or less obscure Imperial Guard regiment, but one of the Great Legions, especially one, that was never previously really well described ! Instead I meet perhaps a handful of Astartes, the only noteworthy one(s) being the Primarch - who besides is as underwhelming and rough-cut as they come - and the novel tells almost Nothing at all, as to what the Alpha Legion actually does on Nurth. throughout the book, they give a pretty decent impression of flavourfully placed purple bystanders.
While the consequent outsider's view makes for a great but many times also frustrating impression of their mystique in theory, most of the ploys used by them are entirely transparent (and one instinctively wonders how any entity with some braincells left would fall for those - unless forced to do so by plot-considerations ) , and in the end you are left with knowing barely anything about their way of thinking, their traditions, internal organisation - something that made "Horus Rising" by the same author so involving to read - or even allegiance. everything stays vague, undefined... hardly more than a doodle on the author's notepad.
Actually I would have wished for a lot more - reading intricate plots by watching over the shoulders of both sides involved is far more fun, and can be pulled off - actually something that the selfsame author has done repeatedly. This "you know nothing definite" shtick of "Legion" just smacks of laziness and disinterest, sorry to say.
Besides this deliberate vaguenes , the plot of the book moves as if on rails, many of the "management" level of commanders, high commanders and whatever acting with a massive degree of dumb ignorance, entirely unimaginative and with barely a shred of thoughtfulness. And only through this does the plot actually function.
In fact, it is more an absurd comedy of errors (although without the clowns and laughter ) , compounded by a total lack of reflection by the protagonists even months after the fact. And only because of this, does the plot actually "work"...... most communal councils have more common sense and shrewd ability to judge and question the motives of others. One should somehow think the same holds true of the - allegedly very capable - commanders of warhosts numbering close to a million. But for the sake of the tenuous plot, it just doesn't. And that is..... galling
Overall - while nicely crafted in some details, the whole book falls far short of the mark left by others in the series, and as much as it pains me to claim the following, it should only be purchased vor completion's sake or as an avid, indiscriminating fan of the author. None of the characters actually stand out as notable or worth remembering beyond the limits of this story (unlike, say Captain Loken form "Horus Rising" ).
Luckily its cheap, so my regrets are minor. Dan Abnett basically pulls off the trick of making this book mediocre, where others would have failed utterly. It's a very rare breed of superior writing with inane, boring and far-off-the-mark plotting.
what a twist!!!! May 31, 2008
Mark Crampton
thought the book was a good edition to the series. yeah it doesnt tell much about of any of the events of the heresy itself, but man did it make me totally rethink how i read the other books!! obviously we all know how the story ends, but now after reading legion im not really sure ive been routing for the right side!! good twist!!!
" no, no, no, no, no Mr Abnett ! April 8, 2008
Mr. N. Taylor (uk)
0 out of 9 found this review helpful
After his earlier effort in the heresy i was so looking forward to the next installment! Unfortunately he released this instead and what a woeful effort it is ! I unfortunately spent most of the book wondering where the hell it was going, but just when you thought all was lost it all comes together at the end ! Joy ! But ! This is NOT what Abnett fans were expecting ! The dialogue and humour as always was excellent but the plot was far from excitng !
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