Product ReviewsThe Horus Heresy Ser.: Horus Rising : The Seeds of Heresy Are Sown by Dan Abnett (2006, Mass Market)

The Legend Revealed

For those who have played the game Warhammer 40,000 the Horus Heresy is the story behind the setting of the world. Before raiding your wallet dry it is the story Games Workshop whispers in its' customers ears, both young and old.

For over a decade the story has been told, but only in its briefest form with the occasional illumination added over the years. That alone has made the whole Heresy very much like a Greek Tragedy. Where does myth begin and truth end? Sure its just a game, but the story element behind it has always been appealing, and familiar.

While the Horus Heresy's story is known to most people even remotely familiar with the world, the details have never been told in full, and the Games Workshop company wisely kept the story a vague legend untill now.

Dan Abnett wrote the first of what I believe will be a three part-multi author epic dealing with the Horus Heresy. Horus Rising is absolutely perfect. I must confess I had a fear that a lesser author, or some rules-designer would one day put to pen the greatest story of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, and make it a big cliche. My fears have been completely put to rest. If you are unaware of the Horus Heresy (which if you know anything about Warhammer 40k is unlikely) stop reading here. For those who know the story, read on.

Horus Rising is told like the beginings of a Greek tragedy, and in fact it is. The author KNOWS that WE KNOW the end of the tale. So it is told in a way to explain the story in such a way as to keep the reader interested and make them care for the characters involved.

Horus and his faithful Luna Wolves are all heroes, super humans entrusted on a Great Crusade in the name of humanity and the Emperor. We know they are destined to fall and along with them half the other Space Marine Legions. even the "why" is somewhat known. But least of all known is "Why was Horus so favored to begin with?" besides being a great warrior. What else was he? Why did the Emperor trust him so?

The story is told through mostly the eyes of an upstanding Luna Wolf, but flashes to other perspectives as well. Horus is made out as a man who can somehow be larger than life, even with a legion of larger than life soldiers. He's a god, with human traits. Charismatic, overly proud, confident, ambitious, humerous. He is also burdened with the command of the Great Crusade. Horus is revealed for the first time as he was. The Emperor's right hand man.

Abnett does an excellent job of making Horus seem like the man to follow, the man to lead, the man to adore despite all his faults, Pride for one....hmmm Biblical reference? Of course!

And though we know his fall is pre-ordained, the reader will find themselves deep down thinking, "Maybe he won't!" And who knows, maybe! The tale isn't cut and dry, and the evil that men do is sometimes for a good cause. Like any Greek tragedy, heroes are sometimes cast as villains due to cosmic errors, not so much a villanous streak. While the story of Horus mimics the tale of Satan and God, Horus isn't Satan. He isn't an evil raging monster. Not to begin with anyways. He's a hero. He's THE hero. And that alone makes Horus Rising a masterpiece and worthy of the epic tale. Abnett makes the reader like Horus!

If you haven't figured it out....buy this book.Read full review...

Abnett's masterpiece

For those familiar with the Horus Heresy series, Dan Abnett is a household name. For the uninitiated, know this: Abnett's mastery of storytelling is on par with Shakespeare, especially with this book.

The book in fact begins with a storyteller recounting a tale of war and misunderstanding. The story is set circa 30,000 C.E., when mankind has endured various ages of decline and resurgence, gaining and losing technology at each dawn to its latest, curious state of empire, a sprawling intergalactic campaign of occupation overseen by the Emperor of Man. These galactic conquests are vanguarded by Space Marines -- genetically enhanced superhuman warriors who answer to the Emperor's wishes, as embodied by their Warmaster, Horus. The story in particular details how the Warmaster begins to see a political-ideological cleavage with the Emperor's pursuit of empire.

Rare is the writer whose work can transcend the narrative, but Abnett is at his finest in this maiden tale of the Horus Heresy. Political intrigue, planetary governance, mysticism, diplomacy, the supernatural, and especially close-quarters combat on the battlefield are all portrayed with excellence and realism. The battle scenes in particular are notable for both their realism and their length -- Abnett does not scrimp, and gives us at times several pages' worth of descriptive battle.

For those who like a good story, forget that this is in the science-fiction/fantasy setting. Just one paragraph and you'll be hooked.Read full review...

Horus Rising by Dan Abnett

The first book of the Heresy series draws you immediatley into the plot when the Luna Wolves assault a planet that falsley claims to be Terra rules by a False Emperor. The 10th Company Captain Loken makes for a great Dark Hero and is a bit human for an Astartes. As always, Abnett uses charcter drama and detailed description to keep the reader glued into the material and he was an appropriate choice for the author of the first book in this epic series. This is a must read for any Warhammer 40k or Sci/Fi fan.Read full review...

Horus Rising

Arrived when advertised, light wear also as advertised, good old book smell

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Where is all started!

Awesome lead into one of the greatest book series of GW’s Black Library. Epic!

Review of Horus Rising

This book is the stage setter for the downfall of the Space Marine 40K Warhammer series. I recommend reading this book as well as the rest of the series by the same author.

book order

Arrived early

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Good product

Book was a little out of shape, but that’s to be expected.

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Horus Rising

Horus Rising is a glimpse into the legendary past of the Warhammer 40K universe. Contained within its pages are the circumstances that begin the long road to corruption of the Emperor's favorite son, Horus, mightiest of the legndary Primarchs. This story is filled with action and glimpses into the past that any fan of Warhammer 40k would enjoy immensely. Highly recommended!Read full review...

Great start, great read, great book!

Definitely worth a read for a fan of the GW universe 😆

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