The Horus Heresy series started out as a master class in how to do a prequel, showing established characters from the history of the Warhammer 40,000 universe in an unexpected light, showing the Imperium itself as more enlightened and portraying previously cartoonish villains with subtly and depth.The subsequent instalments haven’t always managed to maintain that standard, with some lurching back to cod-fantasy dialogue and posturing villains (Battle for the Abyss being the series low watermark). The short story collections released as part of the series are a microcosm of this, varying from revelatory to serviceable. The previous book, Tales of Heresy, was elevated by Graham McNeill's story of priest talking to the Emperor about the nature of faith in a fiercely secular empire. In a series normally defined by violent action, the positive fan reaction to it showed that it might be possible to use the short story collections to tell stories that wouldn’t normally appear in Black Library books.James Swallow appears to have taken this onboard, writing a story about the effects of a distant war on an isolated community but, most of the stories in this collection tread the familiar path of fantasy-voiced giants mashing each other – enjoyable enough to read in themselves, Rob Sanders’ The Iron Within in particular, but not doing anything different enough to make a lasting impression. The collection is topped and tailed by two stories – Rules of Engagement by Graham McNeill and Savage Weapons by Aaron Dembski-Bowden which at least take time to foreshadow events that will play out later in the series. Of these, McNeill’s feels more like a complete story. In the other, two of the focal characters disappear for a conversation the contents of which are kept from the reader, leaving a void at the heart of the story.In short an enjoyable but not essential entry for fans of the series. Another short story edition, which sheds light on some of the arcs that haven't been covered yet in the series, and/or more detail into some that have. Once again, I really like the short stories in these volumes, probably because it forces the authors to get to the point and write a condensed and concise story that is both entertaining and enlightening as to the "fluff". Not quite as good as the "Tales of Heresy" short stories though, but still very enjoyable.
What do You think about Age Of Darkness (2011)?
Another collection of short stories. Some rock and others do not. Why end on a clunker?
—Becky
