Although there is a wealth of emerging
new talent in the Black Library there is something very reassuring in reading a
book by one of the ‘classic’ authors. In this case one of the Horus Heresy
Alumni, here managing to continue to write for the Black Library despite
working elsewhere. Within reading the first few pages of Magnus the Red it
feels like slipping into a comfortable pair of shoes as the flow of the prose
and class of the writing assert themselves and by the end of the first chapter
I knew I was in for a treat. However, the
book still proved capable of a surprise or two. I have to say, I did wonder if
Graham felt the same sense of familiarity in writing the book as I did reading
it, as he eases back into references to Corvidae and Pavoni in no time,
effortlessly picking up the terminology he established in A Thousand Sons
all that time ago. (Seven years now!)
Set in the early days of the
Crusade, the narrative sees Magnus and Perturabo tasked with the evacuation of
a compliant planet named Morningstar which is quite literally falling
apart. Although saving everyone is impossible, they are resolute in their
intention to save as many of the populace as possible.
It is quite jarring to
see these two Primarchs portrayed displaying so much compassion and in such a
heroic light. Of course Magnus’s prime motivation is actually the
knowledge that will be lost with Morningstar’s destruction and the people are a
secondary consideration, though he does ensure his sons play their part in the
evacuation efforts. Ergo it is actually PERTURABO who comes off as the
more humane here, though he is of course calculating and arrogant in his
execution. Graham adds a up to now unseen facet to the Iron Warriors Primarch
and he really shines, threatening to steal the limelight from Magnus in his own
book, which seems a little unfair given the next scheduled title IS Perturabo.
Of course the evacuation
doesn’t go smoothly or this would be a pretty boring (though at the same time
unique! ) Heresy Tale. It transpires that there is a rogue faction on
Morningstar. A cult, called the Sons of Shaitan.
Graham, really? Morningstar?
Shaitan/Satan? Bit close to the mark there and I felt it came across as a bit
lazy, though to be honest Mr McNeill has probably earned a free pass at this
point. I think we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
Misgivings about the identity
of the antagonist aside however they certainly throw an almighty spanner into
the works of the evacuation effort of the two Legions. You see the Sons
of Shaitan (sigh) don’t WANT to leave the planet, they want to stay and die and
ascend. Problem is they don’t want anyone else to leave either. Cue lots
and lots of sabotage and destruction as they try to ensure as many die on
Morningstar as possible.
This obviously gives the
Astartes a lot more to do than evacuate a panicked populace. Plenty of action
follows, though an author of Graham’s class would never fall into the trap of
resorting to outright bolter porn and keeps things moving at a brisk pace . He deftly distinguishes the two legion’s
approach to combat with the Thousand Sons using their powers freely (so
presumably this is all before Nikea) and the Iron Warriors falling back on
tactics and disciplined Bolter Fire. Most of this centres around Arthava
and Forrix as Graham once again ties into his 40k Iron Warrior novels.
These scenes of action and
calamity also call the Primarchs into action with Magnus getting a standout
scene in which to display his heroism. It’s really well written and I don’t
wish to spoil it here, you’ll recognise it when you get to it. He is not
alone either, all the loyalist forces on the planet are sorely tested and
events are fairly epic with the action proceeding at an appreciable pace. Time
and time again the Astartes are challenged as the planned evacuation threatens
to become a wholesale massacre.
However, this is Magnus’s
book and his overwhelming desire for knowledge causes him to send a squad of
his sons off to explore a location he has seen in a vision, believing the
secrets of Morningstar to be buried there. Athough at the time this seems to
be superfluous addition to the book, threatening to derail what has up to this
point been a fairly tight narrative, I can assure you that it does in fact serve
a purpose to the overreaching arc. It may not be obvious at first as it comes
across as a little clumsy but it sets up several important relationships, and
of course the shocking climax to the book. I’ll not say more here, these are
spoiler free reviews.
So that is Magnus the Red –
Master of Prospero. While a long way from Graham’s very best work it is
nonetheless a wonderful treat to read his writing again. So far it ranks as the
best Primarch book, being a fair bit more complex than previous efforts, setting up
multiple future narratives and arcs. There is an excellent mix of characterisation
and action and some great work is done to humanise these two Primarchs,
presenting a profound compassion that we have not really seen before. It’s very
jarring given we know how these Primarchs end up.
And in general I think that
the Traitor Primarchs will be the better books of this series as we are confronted with a stark contrast to their characters as we know them from the
Heresy. With Purturabo and Lorgar next up we should have some excellent
stories ahead. For now Magnus The Red comes highly recommended and I’m greatly
looking forward to The Crimson King as he returns to the Heresy Proper. I have
a backlog there though so have Praetorian of Dorn and Master of Mankind to get
out of the way first.
