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The Horus Heresy #7
Legion
A Great War is coming, and it will engulf the Imperium of Man. The Space Marines of the Alpha Legion, the last and most secretive of all the Astartes brotherhoods, arrive on a heathen world to support the Imperial Army in a pacification campaign against strange and uncanny forces. But what drives the Alpha Legion? Can they be trusted, and what side will they choose when the Great War begins? Loyalties are put to the test, and the cunning schemes of an alien intelligence revealed in this latest instalment of the ground-breaking SF series by Dan Abnett, as the fate of mankind hangs in the balance.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 756 reviews
July 24, 2011
Just when it seemed as if the Horus Heresy series was about to go off the rails, Dan Abnett produces not only the best Heresy novel to date but possibly the best Black Library book, period.
For Abnett fans there are a few of his conventions present and correct: Action seen through the eyes of (relatively) ordinary humans, a focus on character at the expense of action and the odd jaw-dropping twist here and there. Abnett has clearly been wanting to write a James Bond-ish character into Warhammer 40K ever since his Eisenhorn novels, but here he pulls out all the stops with John Grammaticus, a somewhat reluctant spymaster. In actuality, this - practically alone in the Gothic Sci-Fi genre - is a book mostly about espionage. Abnett takes the mysterious Alpha Legion and makes them more mysterious still; the Imperium's last words in duplicity and deception.
If this wasn't enough (and it surely is), the background of war against a primitive but indomitable foe is fascinating to stand on its own two feet. The fact that Abnett makes every strand of the story as interesting as every other is a testament to his skill as a writer.
Ultimately of course this is a story about how and why the Alpha Legion turned traitor but even that isn't as black-and-white as it sounds.
As a standalone book, this is one of the best sci-fi stories ever written and as part of the Horus Heresy series, it sadly leaves many other attempts in the shade.
For Abnett fans there are a few of his conventions present and correct: Action seen through the eyes of (relatively) ordinary humans, a focus on character at the expense of action and the odd jaw-dropping twist here and there. Abnett has clearly been wanting to write a James Bond-ish character into Warhammer 40K ever since his Eisenhorn novels, but here he pulls out all the stops with John Grammaticus, a somewhat reluctant spymaster. In actuality, this - practically alone in the Gothic Sci-Fi genre - is a book mostly about espionage. Abnett takes the mysterious Alpha Legion and makes them more mysterious still; the Imperium's last words in duplicity and deception.
If this wasn't enough (and it surely is), the background of war against a primitive but indomitable foe is fascinating to stand on its own two feet. The fact that Abnett makes every strand of the story as interesting as every other is a testament to his skill as a writer.
Ultimately of course this is a story about how and why the Alpha Legion turned traitor but even that isn't as black-and-white as it sounds.
As a standalone book, this is one of the best sci-fi stories ever written and as part of the Horus Heresy series, it sadly leaves many other attempts in the shade.
June 12, 2018
A very solid entry in the ongoing Horus Heresy series, Legion is Abnett at his best: not a huge amount of action (in fact, probably the least action of any HH novel I've yet read) but lashings of world building. In particular the geno armies are a fascinating insight into the Wars of Unification, and expand hugely on the early days of the crusade. I know that some people have gripes about Abnett introducing the Cabal as a major player in the events of the crusade so late on, but it didn't bother me much. The implications of (avoiding spoilers here) their revelation are possibly the most grimdark thing I've read in a Black Library novel, and the ending of the book is pretty horrifying in lots of ways.
I did enjoy the pants off this book, but it does definitely get ridiculous at points - there are so many levels of intrigue and mistrust that it basically becomes a parody of itself. That aside, I'd highly recommend this to any 40K/30K fan. One of my favourite Black Library titles.
I did enjoy the pants off this book, but it does definitely get ridiculous at points - there are so many levels of intrigue and mistrust that it basically becomes a parody of itself. That aside, I'd highly recommend this to any 40K/30K fan. One of my favourite Black Library titles.
April 15, 2025
"Legion" is the 7th book in the Horus Heresy series. This is my first time having read it and it's truly a mind-bending, somewhat confusing, very unique, and very different story than the other novels. But if you have even a smidgeon of knowledge of the XXth Legion Alpha Legion then you realize it is par for the course. Welcome to the Hydra. A secret unit, wrapped in a mysterious reputation, and an enigma to deal with.
For any of that to make sense, without true spoilers, here is a wee bit of background- the first Primarch found by the Emperor wasn't Horus Lupercal (Luna Wolves) but, actually, Alpharius. Also unique for the XXth, unknown to few save the Emperor, Constantine Valdor General of the Custodes, and Malcador the Sigillite., is there are actually TWO Primarchs, Alpharius and Omegon.
Why all the fuss? The Emperor chose three Legions (called the Trefoil) that he kept separate from the other Legions. These were the Space Wolves (The Emepror's Executioners), the Salamanders (haven't a clue why other than their view on humanity), and finally the subject of this novel, the Alpha Legion. They are experts in infiltration, covert operations, misdirection, and diversion tactics, and their armies contain many human operatives who work in close conjunction with their Astartes handlers.
The novel "Legion" looks at this covert Legion through the eyes of the Geno Five-Two Chiliad Regiment of the Imperial Guard. They have been battling to take the planet of Nurth. The story starts with Peto Soneka’s Dancer company being ambushed, as Hetman Hurtado Bronzi of the Jokers company watches helplessly. But his best friend Peto's life is rescued by a last minute intervention by a unit of Astartes making Peto the lone survivor of the ambush. These two Hetmen will find their fates intertwined with the Alpha Legion. Side note, I noticed the descriptions of the Alpha Legion being clad in purple and silver highlights. This is a common trick played by the Legion, which has also used liveries of pale grey, gleaming steel, veridian, dull bronze, sable, indigo, amaranth, and azure blue (the mainly associated color in 40K times)—both in main and combination, yet the Legion has also gone into battle without emblems or markings of any kind; a faceless, anonymous army of killers without distinction or division in its ranks. This is a VERY obfuscatory Legion.
I enjoyed seeing things from the viewpoint of the Imperial Guard soldiers, and also the Senior Command structure of the Astra Militarum as exemplified by Lord Commander of the 670th Expedition Fleet, , Teng Namatjira, who has come to the theatre to personally chastise the failing Commanders of the Nurth campaign. A cool nod to the lore to include the elite Lucifer Black soldiers as the Lord Commander's personal guard. Along with Namatjira, another character who has appeared in the theatre is the Imperial Intelligence Agent Konig Heniker. As a 40K- lore fan, I enjoyed this interesting look at some different parts of the Imperium and how they work in a campaign, as well as the internal politics of the human soldiers.
As interesting as all of that information was, we must remember that this is an Alpha Legion novel. It gets even more confusing as you learn that Heniker is not what he seems, though he IS a superb operative. His real name is John Grammaticus. On top of his superlative spycraft, he has two other advantages. One is that he is one of the most powerful psykers humanity has ever produced. Two is that he is a Perpetual, a human gifted with immortality. On top of all this we find he works for a mysterious secret organization called the Cabal. Even better? The Cabal consists of various xenos races, including the Eldar, that have a proposition that Grammaticus must present to the Legion.
The coolness of this novel is that as the standard Guard units are fighting a campaign with pressure coming from the Lord Commander, while this covert intelligence war is occurring. But as the Nurthene campaign continues there are dark signs of magic being brought to the battlefield. This conflict is where the first signs of Chaos are manifesting and this will lead the Alpha Legion to meet with the Cabal and learn the dire warning they deliver about the future and the doom of humanity, this is where the Alpha Legion falls to Chaos and sides with Horus. Or did it? What is the mission of the Alpha Legion in the events to come? Even after reading this superb book, I can honestly say I still have many, many questions still. Welcome to the Alpha Legion. You didn't see a thing.
For any of that to make sense, without true spoilers, here is a wee bit of background- the first Primarch found by the Emperor wasn't Horus Lupercal (Luna Wolves) but, actually, Alpharius. Also unique for the XXth, unknown to few save the Emperor, Constantine Valdor General of the Custodes, and Malcador the Sigillite., is there are actually TWO Primarchs, Alpharius and Omegon.
Why all the fuss? The Emperor chose three Legions (called the Trefoil) that he kept separate from the other Legions. These were the Space Wolves (The Emepror's Executioners), the Salamanders (haven't a clue why other than their view on humanity), and finally the subject of this novel, the Alpha Legion. They are experts in infiltration, covert operations, misdirection, and diversion tactics, and their armies contain many human operatives who work in close conjunction with their Astartes handlers.
The novel "Legion" looks at this covert Legion through the eyes of the Geno Five-Two Chiliad Regiment of the Imperial Guard. They have been battling to take the planet of Nurth. The story starts with Peto Soneka’s Dancer company being ambushed, as Hetman Hurtado Bronzi of the Jokers company watches helplessly. But his best friend Peto's life is rescued by a last minute intervention by a unit of Astartes making Peto the lone survivor of the ambush. These two Hetmen will find their fates intertwined with the Alpha Legion. Side note, I noticed the descriptions of the Alpha Legion being clad in purple and silver highlights. This is a common trick played by the Legion, which has also used liveries of pale grey, gleaming steel, veridian, dull bronze, sable, indigo, amaranth, and azure blue (the mainly associated color in 40K times)—both in main and combination, yet the Legion has also gone into battle without emblems or markings of any kind; a faceless, anonymous army of killers without distinction or division in its ranks. This is a VERY obfuscatory Legion.
I enjoyed seeing things from the viewpoint of the Imperial Guard soldiers, and also the Senior Command structure of the Astra Militarum as exemplified by Lord Commander of the 670th Expedition Fleet, , Teng Namatjira, who has come to the theatre to personally chastise the failing Commanders of the Nurth campaign. A cool nod to the lore to include the elite Lucifer Black soldiers as the Lord Commander's personal guard. Along with Namatjira, another character who has appeared in the theatre is the Imperial Intelligence Agent Konig Heniker. As a 40K- lore fan, I enjoyed this interesting look at some different parts of the Imperium and how they work in a campaign, as well as the internal politics of the human soldiers.
As interesting as all of that information was, we must remember that this is an Alpha Legion novel. It gets even more confusing as you learn that Heniker is not what he seems, though he IS a superb operative. His real name is John Grammaticus. On top of his superlative spycraft, he has two other advantages. One is that he is one of the most powerful psykers humanity has ever produced. Two is that he is a Perpetual, a human gifted with immortality. On top of all this we find he works for a mysterious secret organization called the Cabal. Even better? The Cabal consists of various xenos races, including the Eldar, that have a proposition that Grammaticus must present to the Legion.
The coolness of this novel is that as the standard Guard units are fighting a campaign with pressure coming from the Lord Commander, while this covert intelligence war is occurring. But as the Nurthene campaign continues there are dark signs of magic being brought to the battlefield. This conflict is where the first signs of Chaos are manifesting and this will lead the Alpha Legion to meet with the Cabal and learn the dire warning they deliver about the future and the doom of humanity, this is where the Alpha Legion falls to Chaos and sides with Horus. Or did it? What is the mission of the Alpha Legion in the events to come? Even after reading this superb book, I can honestly say I still have many, many questions still. Welcome to the Alpha Legion. You didn't see a thing.
December 19, 2020
Another solid, albeit again very different, Horus Heresy instalment. Intrigue and subterfuge make for an excellent change of pace, and the tension and suspense are practically soothing from the strange world of Nurth, where the enigmatic Alpha Legion is introduced to the story.
The main sticking point with this book is the choice. It is hardly a secret that every Astartes legion faces an important choice throughout these books: do they support Horus' rebellion or do they remain loyal to the emperor? With Alpharius and the Alpha Legion, the deal struck, leading to the choosing of sides, is strange and somewhat unbelievable. There are a few things that could save it as a plot development, but all are highly dependent on what happens in future books. I will let my opinion simmer for a while until I find out more.
Horus Heresy reviews:
#1 Horus Rising
#2 False Gods
#3 Galaxy in Flames
#4 The Flight of the Eisenstein
#5 Fulgrim
#6 Descent of Angels
#7 Legion
The main sticking point with this book is the choice. It is hardly a secret that every Astartes legion faces an important choice throughout these books: do they support Horus' rebellion or do they remain loyal to the emperor? With Alpharius and the Alpha Legion, the deal struck, leading to the choosing of sides, is strange and somewhat unbelievable. There are a few things that could save it as a plot development, but all are highly dependent on what happens in future books. I will let my opinion simmer for a while until I find out more.
Horus Heresy reviews:
#1 Horus Rising
#2 False Gods
#3 Galaxy in Flames
#4 The Flight of the Eisenstein
#5 Fulgrim
#6 Descent of Angels
#7 Legion
May 14, 2023
This Warhammer 40K novel, the seventh installment of the Horus Heresy series, deals with the Alpha Legion. It was penned by Black Library's best-selling author and arguably the most talented (I say 'arguably' because there are other amazing authors in the BL ranks who are overlooked). Whatever the case, I expected from "Legion" to be nothing short of amazing.
A 'compliance' undertaking ('compliance' being an euphemism for 'invasion') by the 670th Imperial Expedition on a backwater planet called Nurth is not going according to plan. That is in opposition to all the facts - since the inhabitants are a lowly and technologically under-developed strain of humans, and the Imperial Army is superior in every aspect. And yet, the campaign which was estimated to last but a few weeks had been prolonged to long months, reaching the point when outside aid had been summoned in the form of the Alpha Legion, the youngest and the most secretive of all the Legion Astartes. Their arrival seems to turn the tide of battle, but the Imperials are unaware there are several other parties involved in this conflict, and just to what lengths are the Nurthene prepared to go to defend their homeworld.
The tagline for "Legion" is indeed an accurate one - 'secrets and lies'. Those familiar with the usual 40K fare will undoubtedly be surprised at how this novel is presented. In essence, 40K is pulp military science-fiction. Although cleverer than it seems at first glance, when all said and done, the core of them is comprised of explosive battles and shootouts. 'Legion' is NOT like that. It is a full-blown sci-fi thriller set in the 40K universe. Well, for the most part - Dan Abnett gives us also a good measure of what made WH40K popular - the *boom boom bang bang* - but the bulk of the book consists of unraveling an intricate web of deceptions and conspiracies.
That is not so peculiar considering the facts (or better said, lack of facts) surrounding the Alpha Legion. The other Astartes legions are, in short, genetically-engineered brainwashed religious zealots whose only purpose is to serve the Emperor of Mankind. The Alpha Legion have not brainlessly given in to the Imperial doctrine. They follow the Emperor's grand design, but they are different in the fact that they question it, and do not follow it blindly. While the other legion's MO is shoot first ask questions later, the Alpha Legion are masters of stealth and deception, using a network of undercover operatives and agents all over the Imperium do undo the enemy from within.
It is also known, to the average WH40K fan, that they are labeled as a Traitor Legion, a legion which has sided with the betrayer Horus against the Emperor. But not everything is so black-and-white, and building upon the existing lore, this novel tells the story of how the Alpha Legion became the tragic and unsung heroes of the 40K universe.
What can be surprising is that, being namely a novel about the Astartes (the Space Marines), the majority of the novel revolves around ordinary humans and members of the Imperial Army, who are unknowingly drawn into machinations bigger then themselves and anything they've ever known. This was a welcomed step away from the gun-toting and unemotional Space Marines.
Dan Abnett has his characters masterfully fleshed out; not only do their mannerisms and speech sound authentic, they are characters that you really come to care about. Abnett builds the bleak and dreary atmosphere of an overly-long campaign on an uninviting and hostile planet, and the toll such a dragging undertaking has on the minds of men who are in the thick of it.
Plot-wise, 'Legion' hooks you right from the start and reels you in hard, not letting go until the very end. To me, this novel was a true example of a 'page turner'; I devoured this novel in a matter of a few days. Usually, I try to pace myself with my reading, but this was like an extremely addictive drug.
Some may be disappointed by the presentation of the Alpha legionnaires, as they always seem more like background characters acting from the shadows, which they in act are. Abnett manages to shed some light on their workings, but still leave them for the most part an uncovered secret. Out of the other characters, one which stands out is John Grammaticus, a mysterious figure and true badass in his own right and someone who definitely deserves a separate novel or two in the future.
To conclude: 'Legion' is a thinking man's WH40K material. It is outstanding, and my favorite Horus Heresy novel up to this point in chronological order. However, this is not what's really considered core 40K. If you are repelled by all the usual gun-ho of the WH40K universe, you will surely find this novel to be more to your liking. On the other hand, if you love WH40K solely because of the gun-ho, you'll probably be disappointed with 'Legion'. Nevertheless, if smart military sci-fi is what you're looking for, you've found it! A must read!
(And don't worry; the novel is very self-contained and can be enjoyed even by those completely unfamiliar with the WH40K lore)
A 'compliance' undertaking ('compliance' being an euphemism for 'invasion') by the 670th Imperial Expedition on a backwater planet called Nurth is not going according to plan. That is in opposition to all the facts - since the inhabitants are a lowly and technologically under-developed strain of humans, and the Imperial Army is superior in every aspect. And yet, the campaign which was estimated to last but a few weeks had been prolonged to long months, reaching the point when outside aid had been summoned in the form of the Alpha Legion, the youngest and the most secretive of all the Legion Astartes. Their arrival seems to turn the tide of battle, but the Imperials are unaware there are several other parties involved in this conflict, and just to what lengths are the Nurthene prepared to go to defend their homeworld.
The tagline for "Legion" is indeed an accurate one - 'secrets and lies'. Those familiar with the usual 40K fare will undoubtedly be surprised at how this novel is presented. In essence, 40K is pulp military science-fiction. Although cleverer than it seems at first glance, when all said and done, the core of them is comprised of explosive battles and shootouts. 'Legion' is NOT like that. It is a full-blown sci-fi thriller set in the 40K universe. Well, for the most part - Dan Abnett gives us also a good measure of what made WH40K popular - the *boom boom bang bang* - but the bulk of the book consists of unraveling an intricate web of deceptions and conspiracies.
That is not so peculiar considering the facts (or better said, lack of facts) surrounding the Alpha Legion. The other Astartes legions are, in short, genetically-engineered brainwashed religious zealots whose only purpose is to serve the Emperor of Mankind. The Alpha Legion have not brainlessly given in to the Imperial doctrine. They follow the Emperor's grand design, but they are different in the fact that they question it, and do not follow it blindly. While the other legion's MO is shoot first ask questions later, the Alpha Legion are masters of stealth and deception, using a network of undercover operatives and agents all over the Imperium do undo the enemy from within.
It is also known, to the average WH40K fan, that they are labeled as a Traitor Legion, a legion which has sided with the betrayer Horus against the Emperor. But not everything is so black-and-white, and building upon the existing lore, this novel tells the story of how the Alpha Legion became the tragic and unsung heroes of the 40K universe.
What can be surprising is that, being namely a novel about the Astartes (the Space Marines), the majority of the novel revolves around ordinary humans and members of the Imperial Army, who are unknowingly drawn into machinations bigger then themselves and anything they've ever known. This was a welcomed step away from the gun-toting and unemotional Space Marines.
Dan Abnett has his characters masterfully fleshed out; not only do their mannerisms and speech sound authentic, they are characters that you really come to care about. Abnett builds the bleak and dreary atmosphere of an overly-long campaign on an uninviting and hostile planet, and the toll such a dragging undertaking has on the minds of men who are in the thick of it.
Plot-wise, 'Legion' hooks you right from the start and reels you in hard, not letting go until the very end. To me, this novel was a true example of a 'page turner'; I devoured this novel in a matter of a few days. Usually, I try to pace myself with my reading, but this was like an extremely addictive drug.
Some may be disappointed by the presentation of the Alpha legionnaires, as they always seem more like background characters acting from the shadows, which they in act are. Abnett manages to shed some light on their workings, but still leave them for the most part an uncovered secret. Out of the other characters, one which stands out is John Grammaticus, a mysterious figure and true badass in his own right and someone who definitely deserves a separate novel or two in the future.
To conclude: 'Legion' is a thinking man's WH40K material. It is outstanding, and my favorite Horus Heresy novel up to this point in chronological order. However, this is not what's really considered core 40K. If you are repelled by all the usual gun-ho of the WH40K universe, you will surely find this novel to be more to your liking. On the other hand, if you love WH40K solely because of the gun-ho, you'll probably be disappointed with 'Legion'. Nevertheless, if smart military sci-fi is what you're looking for, you've found it! A must read!
(And don't worry; the novel is very self-contained and can be enjoyed even by those completely unfamiliar with the WH40K lore)
January 12, 2020
This was one hell of a book.
The first three hundred pages was an amazing spy vs spy/espionage story ala John le Carre cloaked in the aesthetics of the Warhammer 40K universe, while the final one hundred pages had some of the most mind-blowing reveals of which more than a few tore out my heart and stomped on it and left it for dead. Pragmatism, honor, duty, loyalty, friendships and secrets were the themes here as slowly but surely the bigger picture is coming into focus. And the ending, JFC that ending. Books like these are why I love reading. It defies genre classification, it spends as much time developing the characters as it does with battles and fight scenes, and it flows organically while never straying into melodrama. The Horus Heresy is a tremendous series and this book continued with that tradition.
The first three hundred pages was an amazing spy vs spy/espionage story ala John le Carre cloaked in the aesthetics of the Warhammer 40K universe, while the final one hundred pages had some of the most mind-blowing reveals of which more than a few tore out my heart and stomped on it and left it for dead. Pragmatism, honor, duty, loyalty, friendships and secrets were the themes here as slowly but surely the bigger picture is coming into focus. And the ending, JFC that ending. Books like these are why I love reading. It defies genre classification, it spends as much time developing the characters as it does with battles and fight scenes, and it flows organically while never straying into melodrama. The Horus Heresy is a tremendous series and this book continued with that tradition.
September 3, 2013
Let me honest here: I'm a fan of Dan Abnett, though I haven't read his work in order. Perhaps he was still finding his feet when he wrote this, because it feels like an entirely different author. An author who doesn't know what he's doing. Let's keep this short:
--THE GOOD--
1. The Alpha Legion is an automatic plus, being one of the most enigmatic legions in 40k lore. The general helpless feel of the book does well to try to convince us of the reason the Alpha Legion changes allegiances, though falls short in its attempt (see the bad section).
2. There are a few good parts in this book involving minor characters being swept up in all the events going on that kept me from skimming the whole thing.
--THE BAD--
1. There is so much jargon in this book. 40k has enough jargon as it is for the new reader, but this book simply comes off as a pretentious medieval fantasy novel wrapped in a sci fi cover.
2. The Alpha Legion changes allegiances because a group of Xenos who have no interest in preserving humanity whatsoever (in fact, advocate for its destruction) told them to? Seriously?
So, by the ultimatum they gave, the options were
A: Help the Emperor, and create a huge bureuacracy that sits on its haunches but nonetheless survives. Chaos wins...somehow.
B: Help Horus, and ensure the annihilation of all humanity. Chaos loses...somehow.
The logic is a catch-22, you doom humanity to save humanity. I'd doubt a group founded entirely on lies and finding the real deal would fall for this sort of nonsense.
3. The amount of people who end up being alpha legion agents ends up being pretty silly. It becomes trite instead of any sort of twist.
4. The book presents Hurtado bronzi as being a pivotal character of the book, when in fact he basically drops off after 1/3 of the story and doesn't really convince me as to his change of heart at all.
Ive enjoyed everything else of abnett ive read, but this just leaves me cold.
--THE GOOD--
1. The Alpha Legion is an automatic plus, being one of the most enigmatic legions in 40k lore. The general helpless feel of the book does well to try to convince us of the reason the Alpha Legion changes allegiances, though falls short in its attempt (see the bad section).
2. There are a few good parts in this book involving minor characters being swept up in all the events going on that kept me from skimming the whole thing.
--THE BAD--
1. There is so much jargon in this book. 40k has enough jargon as it is for the new reader, but this book simply comes off as a pretentious medieval fantasy novel wrapped in a sci fi cover.
2. The Alpha Legion changes allegiances because a group of Xenos who have no interest in preserving humanity whatsoever (in fact, advocate for its destruction) told them to? Seriously?
So, by the ultimatum they gave, the options were
A: Help the Emperor, and create a huge bureuacracy that sits on its haunches but nonetheless survives. Chaos wins...somehow.
B: Help Horus, and ensure the annihilation of all humanity. Chaos loses...somehow.
The logic is a catch-22, you doom humanity to save humanity. I'd doubt a group founded entirely on lies and finding the real deal would fall for this sort of nonsense.
3. The amount of people who end up being alpha legion agents ends up being pretty silly. It becomes trite instead of any sort of twist.
4. The book presents Hurtado bronzi as being a pivotal character of the book, when in fact he basically drops off after 1/3 of the story and doesn't really convince me as to his change of heart at all.
Ive enjoyed everything else of abnett ive read, but this just leaves me cold.
September 22, 2022
Dobra knjiga, za mene licno malo konfuzna na pocetku ali kako je vreme odmicalo sve sam se vise udubljivao u radnju i bivao odusevljen likovima. Ako do sada niste skapirali, Wahammer univerzum je jedno veoma tragicno mesto. Pomenucu samo neke likove koji u ovoj knjizi osetili svu tezinu istorije na delu, odnosno one stare kletve, dabogda ziveo u zanimljivo vreme:
Teng Namatjira
Rukhsana Saiid
Hurtado Bronzi
Peto Soneka
John Grammaticus
Alpharius
Omegon
Teng Namatjira
Rukhsana Saiid
Hurtado Bronzi
Peto Soneka
John Grammaticus
Alpharius
Omegon
September 9, 2020
This was great!
“Secrets and lies” indeed.
Dan Abnett’s books really do stand out in this series. At the expense of action, he excels at world building and character development. This spy/sci-fi/thriller is presented quite differently than the earlier entries. The story is set before the very beginning of the Heresy, and is told mostly from the perspective of the common (?) soldiers dealing with espionage and intrigue. We get a glimpse at the inner workings of the mysterious Alpha Legion, and are left with many questions. John Grammaticus is an absolute favorite, but the book is filled with equally interesting characters. The story offers a few twists and turns, and is never dull.
“Secrets and lies” indeed.
Dan Abnett’s books really do stand out in this series. At the expense of action, he excels at world building and character development. This spy/sci-fi/thriller is presented quite differently than the earlier entries. The story is set before the very beginning of the Heresy, and is told mostly from the perspective of the common (?) soldiers dealing with espionage and intrigue. We get a glimpse at the inner workings of the mysterious Alpha Legion, and are left with many questions. John Grammaticus is an absolute favorite, but the book is filled with equally interesting characters. The story offers a few twists and turns, and is never dull.
January 30, 2018
-Black Ops, manipulación, nuevas facciones y el camino a la herejía.-
Género. Ciencia ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. En el libro Legión (publicación original: Legion, 2008) el ejército imperial tiene problemas para pacificar el planeta Nurth porque sus habitantes luchan contra la unificación. La presencia de un pequeño grupo de astartes de la Legión Alfa, con el propio Alpharius a la cabeza, tratará de dar la vuelta a la situación mediante su particular combinación de astucia, fuerza, inteligencia, secretismo y contrainteligencia. Pero la actuación de un agente de La Cábala, una facción desconocida hasta ahora, afectará a la Legión Alfa y los cimientos de su compromiso. Con el subtítulo Secretos y mentiras, séptimo libro de la línea narrativa La herejía de Horus.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Ciencia ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. En el libro Legión (publicación original: Legion, 2008) el ejército imperial tiene problemas para pacificar el planeta Nurth porque sus habitantes luchan contra la unificación. La presencia de un pequeño grupo de astartes de la Legión Alfa, con el propio Alpharius a la cabeza, tratará de dar la vuelta a la situación mediante su particular combinación de astucia, fuerza, inteligencia, secretismo y contrainteligencia. Pero la actuación de un agente de La Cábala, una facción desconocida hasta ahora, afectará a la Legión Alfa y los cimientos de su compromiso. Con el subtítulo Secretos y mentiras, séptimo libro de la línea narrativa La herejía de Horus.
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September 12, 2010
Fast-paced, full of intrigue and a great cast of characters. Abnett does an amazing job in this novel with all aspects. The Nurthene were a great enemy and the mysterious Cabal an interesting addition to the 40K mythology. Great book can't wait for the events of the Heresy to come to its epic climax. Terra beware.
Want to read
June 13, 2022Pretty good although its more imperial army than alpha legion.
June 27, 2015
Definitely not my favorite. I never doubt Dan's awesomeness, but this one was not entertaining for the most part.
April 4, 2025
In my opinion Legion is the first real divergence in the series so far. What on surface seems like just another compliance scenario of an unwilling world in fact introduces us to the Alpha Legion, the most confounding of Space Marines with their ways, as well as their Primarch(s) doing what they do best.
On a desert planet called Nurth there's a human colony from the olden days that has had the misfortune to get noticed by Imperium of Man. They refused peaceful integration and thus war began. Almost fittingly, turns out Geno Five-Two Chiliad regiment of the Imperial Army with its long-spanning heritage all the way back from Unification Wars drew lots and now has to contend with sand getting everywhere trying to get the natives under control. Things are not exactly going according to plan, however. That much is evident to Hurtado Bronzi and Peto Soneka, two hetman of their Geno outfits, as well as to regiment's leadership in orbit. Outmaneuvering both the natives and Imperial force alike there's another sole agent spinning his web. Enter John Grammaticus - revived by the mysterious alien Cabal and now supposedly working in humanity's long term interest with his own powers - as he sets the groundwork to get in contact with the mysterious Alpha Legion. What for? Why, for the Emperor.
Admittedly, I gave a bland summary of a novel that manages to stand apart from all Horus Heresy writing so far. That whole "Space Marines don't get introduced until half-way point" has been done before, but in this case Alpha Legion by their very nature stays out of the spotlight. I chuckled at one part when a general comments how shady they are compared to all their other brothers. So how does Legion stand out? Primarily because it's a story about subterfuge and espionage more than war cries and epic battles. Our two Geno hetman get embroiled in matters way beyond their pay grade, but John Grammaticus is really the mover of this story. Did I forget to mention events take place scant few years before Heresy proper and his alien overlords are here to warn about the impending doom? There's a deadline involved in a plan that took a very long time to realize. Alpha Legion were deemed the only receptible Space Marines who might listen to what these spymaster xenos might have to say... however, Alpha Legion are something of a subterfuge-oriented bunch themselves. What follows is quite a game of cat and mouse as multiple factions are moving their agents around trying to both get the upper hand and see the big picture.
Keep in mind this is still a Warhammer 40k package and not a bona fide spy thriller. I did like the presence of Imperial Army over the usual Imperial Guard you tend to see whenever non-Astartes military is included. Geno Five-Two Chiliad with their artificial breeding methods and female leadership were certainly memorable, but I think rare Lucifer Blacks with their elite bodyguards approach stole the show for me. I believe both were introduced in this story. Beyond that we have the Alpha Legion itself under the leadership of Alpharius. In few scenes they get we see just how unique they certainly are. From now memetic "I am Alpharius" moments to the fact they're not beyond openly critiquing subjects like the Great Crusade. If there's one element I did not like it was how their leadership just folds and accepts the supposed visions of future which then profoundly changes their course as a legion. If it was me I'd suspect xenos treachery rather than taking anything at face value, but what do I know.
Would I recommend Legion? Very much so. Keep in mind this enthusiasm comes more from a refreshing change of pace, thematically and narratively, rather than it necessarily excelling at what it does. In a way an origin story for the Alpha Legion that came to be, I wish it did just a tiny bit more in selling them as masters of their craft.
On a desert planet called Nurth there's a human colony from the olden days that has had the misfortune to get noticed by Imperium of Man. They refused peaceful integration and thus war began. Almost fittingly, turns out Geno Five-Two Chiliad regiment of the Imperial Army with its long-spanning heritage all the way back from Unification Wars drew lots and now has to contend with sand getting everywhere trying to get the natives under control. Things are not exactly going according to plan, however. That much is evident to Hurtado Bronzi and Peto Soneka, two hetman of their Geno outfits, as well as to regiment's leadership in orbit. Outmaneuvering both the natives and Imperial force alike there's another sole agent spinning his web. Enter John Grammaticus - revived by the mysterious alien Cabal and now supposedly working in humanity's long term interest with his own powers - as he sets the groundwork to get in contact with the mysterious Alpha Legion. What for? Why, for the Emperor.
Admittedly, I gave a bland summary of a novel that manages to stand apart from all Horus Heresy writing so far. That whole "Space Marines don't get introduced until half-way point" has been done before, but in this case Alpha Legion by their very nature stays out of the spotlight. I chuckled at one part when a general comments how shady they are compared to all their other brothers. So how does Legion stand out? Primarily because it's a story about subterfuge and espionage more than war cries and epic battles. Our two Geno hetman get embroiled in matters way beyond their pay grade, but John Grammaticus is really the mover of this story. Did I forget to mention events take place scant few years before Heresy proper and his alien overlords are here to warn about the impending doom? There's a deadline involved in a plan that took a very long time to realize. Alpha Legion were deemed the only receptible Space Marines who might listen to what these spymaster xenos might have to say... however, Alpha Legion are something of a subterfuge-oriented bunch themselves. What follows is quite a game of cat and mouse as multiple factions are moving their agents around trying to both get the upper hand and see the big picture.
Keep in mind this is still a Warhammer 40k package and not a bona fide spy thriller. I did like the presence of Imperial Army over the usual Imperial Guard you tend to see whenever non-Astartes military is included. Geno Five-Two Chiliad with their artificial breeding methods and female leadership were certainly memorable, but I think rare Lucifer Blacks with their elite bodyguards approach stole the show for me. I believe both were introduced in this story. Beyond that we have the Alpha Legion itself under the leadership of Alpharius. In few scenes they get we see just how unique they certainly are. From now memetic "I am Alpharius" moments to the fact they're not beyond openly critiquing subjects like the Great Crusade. If there's one element I did not like it was how their leadership just folds and accepts the supposed visions of future which then profoundly changes their course as a legion. If it was me I'd suspect xenos treachery rather than taking anything at face value, but what do I know.
Would I recommend Legion? Very much so. Keep in mind this enthusiasm comes more from a refreshing change of pace, thematically and narratively, rather than it necessarily excelling at what it does. In a way an origin story for the Alpha Legion that came to be, I wish it did just a tiny bit more in selling them as masters of their craft.
July 4, 2025
Another good book by Abnett, navigating the murky waters of dissimulation and concealment and explaining what will lead the Alpha Legion to choose sides.
December 6, 2012
Legion is without a doubt, the best book in the Warhammer 40k universe. The story is told from the viewpoints of mere mortals; primarily that of the genetically modified soldiers of the Geno Five-Two Chiliad, who are deep in the middle of a war with the human Nurthene. Little do they know that their struggles are being subtly manipulated by shadowy forces waging a proxy war involving powers beyond their knowledge and comprehension.
Most of the story details the struggle of the Cabal, a conglomerate of xeno races including remnants of the Eldar and other unknown species, in order to get a hold of a Space Marine Legion to sway to their cause to overcome Chaos. After hundreds of years of failures, during which their human spies were killed or captured, they're finally at the end of the line because if this last gamble with the newest and latest space marine chapter to be formed, the Alpha Legion, doesn't succeed then all the sentient species in the Galaxy are doomed. Mankind holds the key to their collective fates. In order to do this, they've employed their last human agent, John Grammaticus; a powerful human psyker who has been alive (reincarnated by the xeno-tech of the Cabal) for over a thousand years, to seek out the Primarch Alpharius to convince him to make the right choice...even if it goes against everything the Imperium stands for.
Unlike most other Horus Heresy novels, the main underlying theme behind the story is espionage, especially that of the secretive Alpha Legion who operate as superhuman spies rather than battlefield combatants like their other Astartes brethren. Everything they do has a clandestine purpose beyond the knowledge or comprehension of mere humans. You never see the Alpha Legion engaging in massive conventional combat because to do so would mean that they have failed their mission to manipulate events through more covert means. The Alpha Legion does not fight in the open. Instead they use others to do it for them so that they don't have to get their hands dirty. When they have to fight, they're always prepared to show up in overwhelming force when their opponents least expect it and instantly control the situation so that it ends so fast, the other side never knows what hit them.
The Alpha Legion gave me the image of a bunch of superhuman CIA agents running around in the background, subtly manipulating events and people to get the information and outcome they desire. Obviously a bunch of giants waltzing around in power armor stick out like sore thumbs so instead they act as spymasters and intermediates for specialist human agents who do their dirty work for them. Legion reads more like a military/spy thriller than a typical Warhammer 40k novel. Prior to reading this book, I used to think that Mankind had a chance but now I've realized how deluded that wishful thinking was. The small flickering light of hope for the future was engulfed and snuffed out by the overbearing darkness and despair of the revelations at the end.
Scores:
Cover: 5
Characters: 9
Story: 9
Overall: 9/10 (5 Stars)
Most of the story details the struggle of the Cabal, a conglomerate of xeno races including remnants of the Eldar and other unknown species, in order to get a hold of a Space Marine Legion to sway to their cause to overcome Chaos. After hundreds of years of failures, during which their human spies were killed or captured, they're finally at the end of the line because if this last gamble with the newest and latest space marine chapter to be formed, the Alpha Legion, doesn't succeed then all the sentient species in the Galaxy are doomed. Mankind holds the key to their collective fates. In order to do this, they've employed their last human agent, John Grammaticus; a powerful human psyker who has been alive (reincarnated by the xeno-tech of the Cabal) for over a thousand years, to seek out the Primarch Alpharius to convince him to make the right choice...even if it goes against everything the Imperium stands for.
Unlike most other Horus Heresy novels, the main underlying theme behind the story is espionage, especially that of the secretive Alpha Legion who operate as superhuman spies rather than battlefield combatants like their other Astartes brethren. Everything they do has a clandestine purpose beyond the knowledge or comprehension of mere humans. You never see the Alpha Legion engaging in massive conventional combat because to do so would mean that they have failed their mission to manipulate events through more covert means. The Alpha Legion does not fight in the open. Instead they use others to do it for them so that they don't have to get their hands dirty. When they have to fight, they're always prepared to show up in overwhelming force when their opponents least expect it and instantly control the situation so that it ends so fast, the other side never knows what hit them.
The Alpha Legion gave me the image of a bunch of superhuman CIA agents running around in the background, subtly manipulating events and people to get the information and outcome they desire. Obviously a bunch of giants waltzing around in power armor stick out like sore thumbs so instead they act as spymasters and intermediates for specialist human agents who do their dirty work for them. Legion reads more like a military/spy thriller than a typical Warhammer 40k novel. Prior to reading this book, I used to think that Mankind had a chance but now I've realized how deluded that wishful thinking was. The small flickering light of hope for the future was engulfed and snuffed out by the overbearing darkness and despair of the revelations at the end.
Scores:
Cover: 5
Characters: 9
Story: 9
Overall: 9/10 (5 Stars)
February 18, 2015
Having finished Legion, I realized I could have left most of my original remarks without losing accuracy. The book itself has a structural problem, it feels like two books grafted together. As if the substantially weaker sequel was appended to the end of the first book. The high point of Legion was the end of Part 1, and even then the climactic elements were removed. Part 2 had more Alpha legion, but was of substantially lower quality.
It may seem like I'm picking on Dan Abnett in these Horus Heresey reviews. That's not intentional. The man just has a knack for creating characters that I can't stand. From those parts of the book that I can stand to listen to, the great tragedy of 'Legion' is that there are the elements of a four-star story in there, albeit all in Part 1. The problem is the author's pet gets in the way.
I cannot stand John Grammaticus. The character disgusts me on a visceral level, and after a few minutes I am driven to hold down the fast forward button until the book reaches a scene without him in it. During those spans of the book infested with Grammaticus, my hate and vitriol bubbles up and I go into ranting conniptions, seriously tempted to just keep hitting "track forward" until I reach "Battle for the Abyss" (The next book queued up). Then he goes away for a while and we get to spend more interesting time with the Chilead. My rage subsides and I note that from a technical standpoint there are components of this book that could have been salvaged to make something worthwhile. If only it were free from Grammaticus. His eventual demise was not as painful nor as definitively permanant as it should have been.
All the evidence points to Alpharius and Omegon being the least intelligent of all the Primarchs (less rational even than Angron, which is quite a feat given that he's been effectively lobotomized). As far as I can tell they're pathalogical in their compulsion to lie. They tell two lies whenever the truth would serve them better and I'm convinced that the Alpha Legion has zero impact on the galaxy as a whole because its members are too busy thwarting each other. The poor opinion generated by the depiction of the Primarchs of the Alpha Legion did have a humorous side effect. In one scene, Alpharius is stated as drawing his boltgun, dialogue is exchnaged and he fires. Logically, it's implied that he took aim at some point. However, my mental image still had the boltgun pointed at the floor, so when the scene ended with the weapon discharge, I was half convinced Alpharius just shot himself in the foot.
That is actually am apt metaphor for the book as a whole, Alpharius shooting himself in the foot.
It may seem like I'm picking on Dan Abnett in these Horus Heresey reviews. That's not intentional. The man just has a knack for creating characters that I can't stand. From those parts of the book that I can stand to listen to, the great tragedy of 'Legion' is that there are the elements of a four-star story in there, albeit all in Part 1. The problem is the author's pet gets in the way.
I cannot stand John Grammaticus. The character disgusts me on a visceral level, and after a few minutes I am driven to hold down the fast forward button until the book reaches a scene without him in it. During those spans of the book infested with Grammaticus, my hate and vitriol bubbles up and I go into ranting conniptions, seriously tempted to just keep hitting "track forward" until I reach "Battle for the Abyss" (The next book queued up). Then he goes away for a while and we get to spend more interesting time with the Chilead. My rage subsides and I note that from a technical standpoint there are components of this book that could have been salvaged to make something worthwhile. If only it were free from Grammaticus. His eventual demise was not as painful nor as definitively permanant as it should have been.
All the evidence points to Alpharius and Omegon being the least intelligent of all the Primarchs (less rational even than Angron, which is quite a feat given that he's been effectively lobotomized). As far as I can tell they're pathalogical in their compulsion to lie. They tell two lies whenever the truth would serve them better and I'm convinced that the Alpha Legion has zero impact on the galaxy as a whole because its members are too busy thwarting each other. The poor opinion generated by the depiction of the Primarchs of the Alpha Legion did have a humorous side effect. In one scene, Alpharius is stated as drawing his boltgun, dialogue is exchnaged and he fires. Logically, it's implied that he took aim at some point. However, my mental image still had the boltgun pointed at the floor, so when the scene ended with the weapon discharge, I was half convinced Alpharius just shot himself in the foot.
That is actually am apt metaphor for the book as a whole, Alpharius shooting himself in the foot.
May 17, 2018
It's kind of amazing how disorienting a story becomes when you replace some common terms, like "captain" or "lieutenant" with Turkish (I think?) versions of those words. The first handful of chapters were difficult for me to get a grasp on, because I was too busy using context clues to figure out what everything was... What's an Uxor? What's a 'cept? A genewhip? A bashaw? A chiliad?
Overall, I think this succeeds in the same way as Robbie MacNiven's Red Tithe did: it puts a spotlight on one Legion - in this case, the Alpha Legion - and highlights some of their cool, interesting aspects. Unfortunately, I assume in an effort to emphasize their mysterious nature, the Alpha Legion characters don't appear that often - more often, we follow the Imperial army soldiers that get embroiled in their machinations. So the best part of the book was also the least frequent.
Also, since it feels like I need to mention social justice for every book of the series, here's where this entry stands: there's very little macho posturing here (yay!), but also some pretty crappy depictions of women (boo!). Will we ever get an entry with two thumbs up on this front? Unlikely! But it's good to hold even over-the-top military SF to a high standard.
Overall, I think this succeeds in the same way as Robbie MacNiven's Red Tithe did: it puts a spotlight on one Legion - in this case, the Alpha Legion - and highlights some of their cool, interesting aspects. Unfortunately, I assume in an effort to emphasize their mysterious nature, the Alpha Legion characters don't appear that often - more often, we follow the Imperial army soldiers that get embroiled in their machinations. So the best part of the book was also the least frequent.
Also, since it feels like I need to mention social justice for every book of the series, here's where this entry stands: there's very little macho posturing here (yay!), but also some pretty crappy depictions of women (boo!). Will we ever get an entry with two thumbs up on this front? Unlikely! But it's good to hold even over-the-top military SF to a high standard.
October 11, 2025
I rarely listen to books in 'slow motion' (1.5x speed), but I wanted to prolong my experience with the Alpha Legion. It feels dramatic now bc there are more Alpha Legion books. This was my first 5-star sci-fi of 2025, hence the panic, lol.
The prologue was so gripping, felt like I was held at gunpoint. And the short chapters encouraged my 'just one more chapter' delusion. The fact that the series is not linear meant I knew something Alpharius Omegon didn't, the vein this series keeps cutting open and I keep bleeding, keep keep bleeding love. My heart cracked as I listened to Part II, and just after I tried to put it back together after finding out Fulgrim's situation.
Debating if I should get Deliverance Lost and face my fears next, or postpone trauma and get introduced to a new Primarch with A Thousand Sons.
The prologue was so gripping, felt like I was held at gunpoint. And the short chapters encouraged my 'just one more chapter' delusion. The fact that the series is not linear meant I knew something Alpharius Omegon didn't, the vein this series keeps cutting open and I keep bleeding, keep keep bleeding love. My heart cracked as I listened to Part II, and just after I tried to put it back together after finding out Fulgrim's situation.
Debating if I should get Deliverance Lost and face my fears next, or postpone trauma and get introduced to a new Primarch with A Thousand Sons.
April 13, 2024
April 2024 Re-Read* using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order Omnibus XV Scale and Stone (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.
At this point in my Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order marathon, I have committed to following the omnibussies and repeating whatever, but the misogyny and xenophobia in this book have made it so I don't want to read this again (and I only just read The Crimson Fist for the second time in this run, so I'll skip that next too, but will re-read it again if it comes up again), so I'm going to skip to the end and just listen to the Acuity and the close of this novel and won't be logging the reading otherwise.
If you see this and it effects you, please be aware I am a big fan of Abnett, he is a problematic fave along with McNeill. I don't assign malice to the issues I have with this and I feel nothing but joy for you if you love this book. It's just not for me.
EDIT: After listening to the end of the novel again, I am actually surprised with how minimal the information and imagery around the Acuity actually is. As I say in my previous review, I really think this book relies on being a bit different to the others and the weight of the revelations the first time you encounter them. None of any of this to take away from the quality of Abnett's prose and storytelling, it's just this story happens to be perversely conservative, misogynistic, and all but explicitly Islamaphobic.
The trolley problem of the Acuity is an interesting one and I don't think it's easy and certainly wouldn't be for a human being working for the confederacy of xenos, but I do think Alpharius made the right choice.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 27.1Horus Heresy novels, 14 novellas (including 1 repeat), 93 short stories/ audio dramas (including 6 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 13 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and a short story...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.
***
March 2024 Re-Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus VII Anvil of War (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.
I'm fuggin glad that's over and I never have to read it again!
The story is told from a number of perspectives primarily on the planet Nurth, an active warzone with the people are resisting the Imperium and are said to be, seemingly unknowingly, worshipping Chaos. A strange body is found that leads to a mystery and various Imperial Army members being recruited, murdered, and/ or revealed to already be working for the super secretive Alpha Legion. In amongst this another illusive power hiding in the shadows is revealed through one of their agents trying to get a message that could alter the fate of the entire galaxy and future to the Primarch Alpharius...
This is one of the books of the series I've read four or more times over the years and I've my reactions have run the gamut from loving how different than other Horus Heresy books it is and being face-meltingly blown away by the epicness of the reveals, especially after being a lifelong Warhammer fan, but knowing nothing of the Perpetuals and the Xenos Illuminati* to last time when I was in a truly awful place of extremely loud and reactionary faux progressiveness (wokescold if you're nasty), which had me frothing at the gills with apoplexy for this book. Honestly, I have a better handle on my responsiveness and how I can get swept up in my emotions, but this was still an incredibly unpleasant read and at least one book, along with the Primarch's audio drama, Elyrium by Darius Hinks, that I think contain actually problematic and harmful perspectives that are completely unchallenged or shown to be bad and will not be returning to.
The positive aspects to this book are, as is so often repeated, that it is refreshingly different to other books in this series, which being a military mystery and espionage story is true. It's also one of, if not the first as Legion came much later, Horus Heresy books to focus more on humans and specifically the Imperial Army in terms of release order, as well as being the introduction of the Alpha Legion and possibly the debut of the retconned twin Primarchs of Alpharius and Omegon, along with the Legions whole, 'I am Spartarcus' [Alpharius] thing. Not only that, I think this is the first time Perpetuals were introduced, though I don't believe that term is used or that more are alluded to in this book, and through this character the fascinating and eclectic group of galactic concerned citizens that remain on the fringes, but are an essential and hugely important faction in the saga that grant a different perspective and a longevity of design that really put the history of the galaxy, the Emperor, and the human race into context.
What I'm saying is there is lots of new shiny, genuinely interesting, and mind-blowing reveals and revelations that can genuinely make an initial read of this book a magical experience for some, including who I was when I first read this many years ago. I think the impact and import of these things do am incredible job of masking just how flawed and offensive this book actually is.
This book is the most obvious it has ever been that Games Workshop and Black Library are predominantly cishet white British men who don't even think about how anyone who isn't all of those things might feel engaging with it.
The misogyny is off the charts with Abnett seeming to go out of his way to create characters, the lore and makeup of an entire Imperial Army regiment, and situations that serve no bearing on the plot at all, making them seem like they were created simply as a vector for misogyny. I want to be fair and say that we shouldn't ascribe to malice what can be explained by ignorance, but hooley dooley Abnett had his whole ignorance on show in this one! Pretty much everything around Grammaticus is gross, but especially the scene that introduces him, seemingly as some kind of puritanical woman hater who then falls into insta-love the moment after pages and pages of his skeevy and vehement internal monologue. Our other protagonists are good ole soldier boys so that comes with all it's own misogyny and weirdness about their commanding/ support officer, as well as constant casual misogyny to show how lads lads lads they are...
Something it's worth pointing out and that seems to be handled well in other media like the WarhammerTV animations and the Space Marine video game is that, while the Imperium is a fascist empire and therefore patriarchal by nature with the Emperor held up as the uber daddy, outside of the silly sex science lore around why Astartes are boys and Sororitas are girls (despite both forces being supported by all genders and the Sisters of Battle by their being founded in the Ecclisarchy and having close ties to the Inquisition, particularly Inquisitors of the Ordos Hereticus, there are lots of potential men in a tabletop fieldable Adepta Sororitas army), the Imperium is largely egalitarian with neither sex or gender necessarily playing a role in the in its structures and organisations, on paper at least, so there would actually be far less of the misogyny and sexism we see in our own societies because men aren't being brought up to think themselves better and women worse. This means it's the author's who are actually brining their own either conscious or unconscious views into the Imperium and actually making it a worse place than it already is and some of their books far less enjoyable for a huge swathe of their fanbase, which is pretty much split 50/ 50 with grumpy cishet white guys who hate everyone else on one side, and everyone else, including cishet white guys who don't suck, on the other, much like other nerdy hobbies, most noticeable tabletop roleplaying games.
*I will not be referring the group Grammaticus is a member of by the name given in this series as, like a depressing amount of other ubiquitous sci-fi and fantasy terms, such as the more common name for a Lich's soul jar, is an element of appropriation that is antisemitic. I'm not saying Abnett, Black Library, or Games Workshop are antisemitic, it's a widely used term that, much like the racism, misogyny, and antisemitism bequeathed by people like Gary Gygax (who was a person with incredibly virulent views you can easily see in his work and forum posts not long before his death) through Dungeons & Dragons and baked into to common parlance. With QAnon and it's use association with the obvious, but plausibly deniable 'globalists' it came full circle to saying the antisemitism out loud.
This is also a book about English-coded squaddies fighting a war in the desert against the bad people who live who seem to have a mix of Turkish, Middleastern, and possibly North African elements to their cultural coding, as well as the religious language, that's made a point of how horrifying the true meaning of it is, seems to be Islam-coded, actually seeming allude to and possibly could be perpetrating the warped 'Western' perspective on the phrase 'Allahu Akbar' from bigoted media discourse. Seen in this light the weapon and final action of the Nurthese has some connotations too. Again, I'm not saying Abnett is explicitly doing this or doing this with a malicious intent, and my reading of these things may well be off, I am saying if my perspective is one that could be read into it, that's...really bad.
No-one should be writing things on purpose or by accident that might make Nick Griffin get all excited!
The narrative and mystery are frustratingly confusing, not from being complicated and difficult to solve, but from the constantly changing perspectives and people seeming to jump from one place and situation to the next at speed without making it clear whose perspective we are seeing. This is definitely exacerbated by the audiobook where Timpson sometimes barely takes a breath between characters and perspectives. As others have pointed out, the mystery also spirals in on itself to the point where pretty much everyone is involved and there's a succession of Shymalanian twists, including one I don't want to spoil, but really feels like having your cliche misogynistic cake and eating it.
If you love this book, good for you. I don't want to make anyone hate it or think anything less of anyone for liking it. It just really wasn't for me, but not just in the sense that it wasn't my cup of tea, it feels like, more than any other media, including the weird bioessentialism of Graham McNeill in Fulgrim, which is at least still a great book as well, that this is one for the lads. Lads can absolutely have their own things if they want, but in a bestselling epic series with a wide readership, I think that really sucks.
I'm not letting this book get to me and I will continue ploughing on with the saga, but I will go into Abnett's works braced going forward, which is a real shame as Prospero Burns is one of my favourite books of all time without caveat.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 13.41 Horus Heresy novels, 6 novellas, 35 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 7 Primarchs novels, 3 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.
At this point in my Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order marathon, I have committed to following the omnibussies and repeating whatever, but the misogyny and xenophobia in this book have made it so I don't want to read this again (and I only just read The Crimson Fist for the second time in this run, so I'll skip that next too, but will re-read it again if it comes up again), so I'm going to skip to the end and just listen to the Acuity and the close of this novel and won't be logging the reading otherwise.
If you see this and it effects you, please be aware I am a big fan of Abnett, he is a problematic fave along with McNeill. I don't assign malice to the issues I have with this and I feel nothing but joy for you if you love this book. It's just not for me.
EDIT: After listening to the end of the novel again, I am actually surprised with how minimal the information and imagery around the Acuity actually is. As I say in my previous review, I really think this book relies on being a bit different to the others and the weight of the revelations the first time you encounter them. None of any of this to take away from the quality of Abnett's prose and storytelling, it's just this story happens to be perversely conservative, misogynistic, and all but explicitly Islamaphobic.
The trolley problem of the Acuity is an interesting one and I don't think it's easy and certainly wouldn't be for a human being working for the confederacy of xenos, but I do think Alpharius made the right choice.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 27.1Horus Heresy novels, 14 novellas (including 1 repeat), 93 short stories/ audio dramas (including 6 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 13 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and a short story...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.
***
March 2024 Re-Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus VII Anvil of War (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.
I'm fuggin glad that's over and I never have to read it again!
The story is told from a number of perspectives primarily on the planet Nurth, an active warzone with the people are resisting the Imperium and are said to be, seemingly unknowingly, worshipping Chaos. A strange body is found that leads to a mystery and various Imperial Army members being recruited, murdered, and/ or revealed to already be working for the super secretive Alpha Legion. In amongst this another illusive power hiding in the shadows is revealed through one of their agents trying to get a message that could alter the fate of the entire galaxy and future to the Primarch Alpharius...
This is one of the books of the series I've read four or more times over the years and I've my reactions have run the gamut from loving how different than other Horus Heresy books it is and being face-meltingly blown away by the epicness of the reveals, especially after being a lifelong Warhammer fan, but knowing nothing of the Perpetuals and the Xenos Illuminati* to last time when I was in a truly awful place of extremely loud and reactionary faux progressiveness (wokescold if you're nasty), which had me frothing at the gills with apoplexy for this book. Honestly, I have a better handle on my responsiveness and how I can get swept up in my emotions, but this was still an incredibly unpleasant read and at least one book, along with the Primarch's audio drama, Elyrium by Darius Hinks, that I think contain actually problematic and harmful perspectives that are completely unchallenged or shown to be bad and will not be returning to.
The positive aspects to this book are, as is so often repeated, that it is refreshingly different to other books in this series, which being a military mystery and espionage story is true. It's also one of, if not the first as Legion came much later, Horus Heresy books to focus more on humans and specifically the Imperial Army in terms of release order, as well as being the introduction of the Alpha Legion and possibly the debut of the retconned twin Primarchs of Alpharius and Omegon, along with the Legions whole, 'I am Spartarcus' [Alpharius] thing. Not only that, I think this is the first time Perpetuals were introduced, though I don't believe that term is used or that more are alluded to in this book, and through this character the fascinating and eclectic group of galactic concerned citizens that remain on the fringes, but are an essential and hugely important faction in the saga that grant a different perspective and a longevity of design that really put the history of the galaxy, the Emperor, and the human race into context.
What I'm saying is there is lots of new shiny, genuinely interesting, and mind-blowing reveals and revelations that can genuinely make an initial read of this book a magical experience for some, including who I was when I first read this many years ago. I think the impact and import of these things do am incredible job of masking just how flawed and offensive this book actually is.
This book is the most obvious it has ever been that Games Workshop and Black Library are predominantly cishet white British men who don't even think about how anyone who isn't all of those things might feel engaging with it.
The misogyny is off the charts with Abnett seeming to go out of his way to create characters, the lore and makeup of an entire Imperial Army regiment, and situations that serve no bearing on the plot at all, making them seem like they were created simply as a vector for misogyny. I want to be fair and say that we shouldn't ascribe to malice what can be explained by ignorance, but hooley dooley Abnett had his whole ignorance on show in this one! Pretty much everything around Grammaticus is gross, but especially the scene that introduces him, seemingly as some kind of puritanical woman hater who then falls into insta-love the moment after pages and pages of his skeevy and vehement internal monologue. Our other protagonists are good ole soldier boys so that comes with all it's own misogyny and weirdness about their commanding/ support officer, as well as constant casual misogyny to show how lads lads lads they are...
Something it's worth pointing out and that seems to be handled well in other media like the WarhammerTV animations and the Space Marine video game is that, while the Imperium is a fascist empire and therefore patriarchal by nature with the Emperor held up as the uber daddy, outside of the silly sex science lore around why Astartes are boys and Sororitas are girls (despite both forces being supported by all genders and the Sisters of Battle by their being founded in the Ecclisarchy and having close ties to the Inquisition, particularly Inquisitors of the Ordos Hereticus, there are lots of potential men in a tabletop fieldable Adepta Sororitas army), the Imperium is largely egalitarian with neither sex or gender necessarily playing a role in the in its structures and organisations, on paper at least, so there would actually be far less of the misogyny and sexism we see in our own societies because men aren't being brought up to think themselves better and women worse. This means it's the author's who are actually brining their own either conscious or unconscious views into the Imperium and actually making it a worse place than it already is and some of their books far less enjoyable for a huge swathe of their fanbase, which is pretty much split 50/ 50 with grumpy cishet white guys who hate everyone else on one side, and everyone else, including cishet white guys who don't suck, on the other, much like other nerdy hobbies, most noticeable tabletop roleplaying games.
*I will not be referring the group Grammaticus is a member of by the name given in this series as, like a depressing amount of other ubiquitous sci-fi and fantasy terms, such as the more common name for a Lich's soul jar, is an element of appropriation that is antisemitic. I'm not saying Abnett, Black Library, or Games Workshop are antisemitic, it's a widely used term that, much like the racism, misogyny, and antisemitism bequeathed by people like Gary Gygax (who was a person with incredibly virulent views you can easily see in his work and forum posts not long before his death) through Dungeons & Dragons and baked into to common parlance. With QAnon and it's use association with the obvious, but plausibly deniable 'globalists' it came full circle to saying the antisemitism out loud.
This is also a book about English-coded squaddies fighting a war in the desert against the bad people who live who seem to have a mix of Turkish, Middleastern, and possibly North African elements to their cultural coding, as well as the religious language, that's made a point of how horrifying the true meaning of it is, seems to be Islam-coded, actually seeming allude to and possibly could be perpetrating the warped 'Western' perspective on the phrase 'Allahu Akbar' from bigoted media discourse. Seen in this light the weapon and final action of the Nurthese has some connotations too. Again, I'm not saying Abnett is explicitly doing this or doing this with a malicious intent, and my reading of these things may well be off, I am saying if my perspective is one that could be read into it, that's...really bad.
No-one should be writing things on purpose or by accident that might make Nick Griffin get all excited!
The narrative and mystery are frustratingly confusing, not from being complicated and difficult to solve, but from the constantly changing perspectives and people seeming to jump from one place and situation to the next at speed without making it clear whose perspective we are seeing. This is definitely exacerbated by the audiobook where Timpson sometimes barely takes a breath between characters and perspectives. As others have pointed out, the mystery also spirals in on itself to the point where pretty much everyone is involved and there's a succession of Shymalanian twists, including one I don't want to spoil, but really feels like having your cliche misogynistic cake and eating it.
If you love this book, good for you. I don't want to make anyone hate it or think anything less of anyone for liking it. It just really wasn't for me, but not just in the sense that it wasn't my cup of tea, it feels like, more than any other media, including the weird bioessentialism of Graham McNeill in Fulgrim, which is at least still a great book as well, that this is one for the lads. Lads can absolutely have their own things if they want, but in a bestselling epic series with a wide readership, I think that really sucks.
I'm not letting this book get to me and I will continue ploughing on with the saga, but I will go into Abnett's works braced going forward, which is a real shame as Prospero Burns is one of my favourite books of all time without caveat.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 13.41 Horus Heresy novels, 6 novellas, 35 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 7 Primarchs novels, 3 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.
July 10, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
A great installment in the series. Loved the cloak and dagger, as well as the genuinely sad bits. Some surprising twists and turns throughout.
A great installment in the series. Loved the cloak and dagger, as well as the genuinely sad bits. Some surprising twists and turns throughout.
July 9, 2022
Esperaba un poquito más. No me ha disgustado, pero pasa sin pena ni gloria.
Con ganas de leer el siguiente..
Con ganas de leer el siguiente..
November 28, 2025
This is the best book I’ve read this year
March 27, 2024
"Legion," the seventh installment in the sprawling Horus Heresy series, stands out as a unique and compelling entry that delves into the shadows and intricacies of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Authored by Dan Abnett, a titan in the realm of Warhammer fiction, this novel is a testament to his prowess in crafting deeply human stories within the grandiose and often unforgiving galaxy of the 31st millennium.
"Legion" distinguishes itself from its predecessors by shifting focus towards the Alpha Legion and their complex schemes, offering readers a narrative steeped in espionage, intrigue, and the blurred lines between loyalty and betrayal. Abnett masterfully navigates the labyrinthine plot, guiding the reader through a story that feels both intimately personal and epically significant. It’s a refreshing perspective that highlights the impact of the galaxy-spanning conflict on individuals, especially those who might bear semblance to the 'normal humans' of the universe.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its characterization. Abnett excels at bringing to life characters who resonate with relatable motives, fears, and ambitions, despite the fantastical setting. The focus on the Alpha Legion, one of the most secretive and enigmatic of the Space Marine legions, provides a fertile ground for exploring themes of identity, destiny, and the nature of truth. The characters are crafted with such depth and nuance that readers can't help but become invested in their fates, making the twists and turns of the narrative all the more impactful.
The portrayal of the Alpha Legion's operatives and their interactions with more 'normal' humans adds a rich layer to the Warhammer 40,000 lore. This approach not only humanizes the conflict but also sheds light on the broader implications of the Horus Heresy, illustrating how the war affects the vast tapestry of humanity across the galaxy. It’s a narrative choice that resonates deeply, grounding the high-stakes drama in the personal stories of those caught in the crossfire.
Dan Abnett's writing style is another highlight, offering a balanced mix of detailed action sequences, poignant character moments, and thought-provoking dialogue. His ability to weave a complex narrative that is both accessible to newcomers and rewarding for longtime fans is unparalleled. The pacing is tight, with each chapter driving the story forward while unraveling the mysteries of the Alpha Legion and their role in the Horus Heresy.
In summary, "Legion" is a standout novel within The Horus Heresy series, showcasing Dan Abnett's exceptional talent for storytelling. It's a book that not only advances the overarching narrative of the Horus Heresy but also offers a deep and satisfying exploration of themes that resonate on a human level. For those drawn to the more character-driven aspects of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, "Legion" is a must-read, offering a unique perspective on the epic saga through the eyes of characters that bridge the gap between the superhuman and the recognizably human.
"Legion" distinguishes itself from its predecessors by shifting focus towards the Alpha Legion and their complex schemes, offering readers a narrative steeped in espionage, intrigue, and the blurred lines between loyalty and betrayal. Abnett masterfully navigates the labyrinthine plot, guiding the reader through a story that feels both intimately personal and epically significant. It’s a refreshing perspective that highlights the impact of the galaxy-spanning conflict on individuals, especially those who might bear semblance to the 'normal humans' of the universe.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its characterization. Abnett excels at bringing to life characters who resonate with relatable motives, fears, and ambitions, despite the fantastical setting. The focus on the Alpha Legion, one of the most secretive and enigmatic of the Space Marine legions, provides a fertile ground for exploring themes of identity, destiny, and the nature of truth. The characters are crafted with such depth and nuance that readers can't help but become invested in their fates, making the twists and turns of the narrative all the more impactful.
The portrayal of the Alpha Legion's operatives and their interactions with more 'normal' humans adds a rich layer to the Warhammer 40,000 lore. This approach not only humanizes the conflict but also sheds light on the broader implications of the Horus Heresy, illustrating how the war affects the vast tapestry of humanity across the galaxy. It’s a narrative choice that resonates deeply, grounding the high-stakes drama in the personal stories of those caught in the crossfire.
Dan Abnett's writing style is another highlight, offering a balanced mix of detailed action sequences, poignant character moments, and thought-provoking dialogue. His ability to weave a complex narrative that is both accessible to newcomers and rewarding for longtime fans is unparalleled. The pacing is tight, with each chapter driving the story forward while unraveling the mysteries of the Alpha Legion and their role in the Horus Heresy.
In summary, "Legion" is a standout novel within The Horus Heresy series, showcasing Dan Abnett's exceptional talent for storytelling. It's a book that not only advances the overarching narrative of the Horus Heresy but also offers a deep and satisfying exploration of themes that resonate on a human level. For those drawn to the more character-driven aspects of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, "Legion" is a must-read, offering a unique perspective on the epic saga through the eyes of characters that bridge the gap between the superhuman and the recognizably human.
March 25, 2025
3.75/5
As much as it pains me to give a Dan Abnett book anything below 5 stars, I had to do it here. Legion was probably the most slow burn Horus Heresy novel up to this point. Accompanied by a less than riveting cast, and monumental final act, this book is a mixed bag.
My main gripe; the characters.
Legion is mainly driven by its human, non-astartes characters. Leaving it to our humans to be the vehicles in which we experience this fantastically dark universe. The first trilogy of this book did the same thing, so why do I like it less here? The main difference, is something very simple, but it cannot be overlooked, much as I tried. The human characters were just mostly not as likable, and wholly less interesting than the remembrancers of novels past. This saddens me, because I did anticipate the plotting and intrigue of the Alpha Legion to be more than what I got here. The faction that was described to me as the CIA, KGB, and FBI all rolled into one dastardly nefarious sushi roll.
It is not lost on me that in a book about the Imperium’s most conniving legion, that we mostly do not see them in the forefront. However, in order to make that a compelling premise, you have to also make their machinations, and the peripheral characters around them, be just as interesting. I believe this was the idea, but it did not work for me. The guardsmen, Grammaticus, and all the others, just didn’t do it for me.
When the Alpha Legion WERE, on the page, they were great. I would’ve loved to see more of them, and I’m sure I will, but this book did not do them many favors, (aside from the ending, which was admittedly, super cool).
I’m still almost giving this book a 4/5 simply because Dan Abnett is still a stellar writer. It is becoming more and more apparent to me that he is leagues above a majority of the other Black Library Authors. Dembski-Bowden is the only one I can see currently rivaling him, but time will tell with that one.
I still think this is a good book, but I’d sooner reread Descent of Angels than I would this one.
As much as it pains me to give a Dan Abnett book anything below 5 stars, I had to do it here. Legion was probably the most slow burn Horus Heresy novel up to this point. Accompanied by a less than riveting cast, and monumental final act, this book is a mixed bag.
My main gripe; the characters.
Legion is mainly driven by its human, non-astartes characters. Leaving it to our humans to be the vehicles in which we experience this fantastically dark universe. The first trilogy of this book did the same thing, so why do I like it less here? The main difference, is something very simple, but it cannot be overlooked, much as I tried. The human characters were just mostly not as likable, and wholly less interesting than the remembrancers of novels past. This saddens me, because I did anticipate the plotting and intrigue of the Alpha Legion to be more than what I got here. The faction that was described to me as the CIA, KGB, and FBI all rolled into one dastardly nefarious sushi roll.
It is not lost on me that in a book about the Imperium’s most conniving legion, that we mostly do not see them in the forefront. However, in order to make that a compelling premise, you have to also make their machinations, and the peripheral characters around them, be just as interesting. I believe this was the idea, but it did not work for me. The guardsmen, Grammaticus, and all the others, just didn’t do it for me.
When the Alpha Legion WERE, on the page, they were great. I would’ve loved to see more of them, and I’m sure I will, but this book did not do them many favors, (aside from the ending, which was admittedly, super cool).
I’m still almost giving this book a 4/5 simply because Dan Abnett is still a stellar writer. It is becoming more and more apparent to me that he is leagues above a majority of the other Black Library Authors. Dembski-Bowden is the only one I can see currently rivaling him, but time will tell with that one.
I still think this is a good book, but I’d sooner reread Descent of Angels than I would this one.
April 28, 2023
I remember this as probably the first book in the Heresy to really stun me with its revelations – sure, the original trilogy opened up the Heresy and showed readers what to expect from this new style of Black Library novel, but Legion went big with secrets about Primarchs, the Alpha Legion and the Heresy as a whole. Reading it again, it doesn’t have quite the same impact given that I already know those secrets, but instead I really enjoyed it for the world building (something Abnett usually does very well) and the great storytelling. This is a different kind of story to most Heresy novels, focusing more on intrigue and espionage with the fighting largely in the background, and as far as I’m concerned it remains one of the absolute best in the series. It certainly stands up to a second reading, and I think I’d be happy to go back to it again – it’s a pleasure to read.
June 4, 2020
This book turned out a lot better on my second trip around, having more info on 40K certainly helps. Good job Dan!
December 27, 2020
Like the previous entry in the Horus Heresy, this one is pretty rough going until the last 100 pages or so. Would have worked better as a short story.
September 11, 2025
I wish I was Illiterate.
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