Ravenlord

The Horus Heresy #Novella

by Gav Thorpe

As the Horus Heresy continues, Corax and the remnants of his once mighty Legion now wage an entirely different kind of war – liberating worlds oppressed by traitor forces, they gather more and more followers, disrupting the Warmaster’s influence wherever they can. But after an unexpected reunion with a fellow survivor of Isstvan V, the Raven Guard learn of the prison colony of Carandiru and realise that they must face the ghosts of their past on Deliverance if they are to prevail.

This brand new novella by Gav Thorpe goes on sale on Friday 2nd May, in a strictly limited edition of only 4,000 copies worldwide. Each copy will be signed by Gav, and individually numbered. This edition features a lavish, printed hardcover under the dust jacket, and also contains an exclusive colour section with additional background text and artwork to enhance your enjoyment of the story.

Genres: Science Fiction, 40k, Audiobook, Action, Fiction, Novella

128 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2014

About the author

Gav spent 14 years as a developer for Games Workshop, and started writing novels and short stories in the worlds of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 when the Black Library imprint was launched in 1997.

He continues to write for Black Library, and his first 'homegrown' novel series The Crown of the Blood has been released via Angry Robot.

Currently living in Nottingham, Gav shares his home with his loving and very understanding partner - Kez, and their beautiful little boy - Sammy.

Reviews

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Corax first guess of reactor security password code at the end was just too much Deus Ex Machina for me.

[Michael Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the seventh limited edition novella in the Horus Heresy range, the release of Gav Thorpe’s Ravenlord will no doubt prove a ripe topic for conversation among Black Library fans regarding cost versus value. Irrespective of price however, the great thing about the Horus Heresy novellas is that they bridge the gap between short stories and full novels, allowing authors to go into more detail on specific characters or engagements than they would be able to otherwise. With Ravenlord we get a second novella featuring Corvus Corax (after Corax : Soulforge), this time focusing on the Raven Guard’s assault on the prison planet of Carandiru.

Read the full review at http://trackofwords.wordpress.com/201...

[RatGrrrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW Suicide

April 2024 Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order Omnibus XVII Shadow of the Warmaster III Jaws of Defeat (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy series and extras.

Monsters to kill monsters. Is this what we’ve become?
Perhaps this was what we have always been.

I had all sorts of different feelings about this one, but in the end they were very positive and impressed Thorpe really went there.

Finally having given up with rebuilding his Legion, Corvus Corax and his remaining Raven Guard step up as leaders of the disparate elements of the Shattered Legions that we have previously come across. Following orchestration of a successful uprising of a world previously conquered by the Warmaster, the Ravenlord gains intel about a particularly nightmarish prison camp being run by the Traitors. What he finds will shock him and cause further sharpening of his talons and hardening of his hearts...

I've been wrestling with the confused messaging and cognitive dissonance of Corax's life, outlook, and the Imperium, not to mention Thorpe, the Horus Heresy, and Black Library. I need to rip the bandaid (it just sounds better than plaster) off quickly and promise to not harp on about this too much. The answer should have been very obvious, now I see it. Unfortunately, when it comes to any big property and major companies, the best you're going to get when you actually get into it and try to parse it is milquetoast liberalism, what you might call lib shit™. Now, I confess to being anarkiddy inclined, but I have no interest in playing no true Scotsman or calling for guillotineing libs or whatever the cool kids on Twxttxr are going these days. I need liberals to scooch their Overton Windowseats leftward, so me and mine don't get put in Camp Azkeban or whatever...anyways, this is a Goodreads review and not a soapbox.

My point is that coming to realise that Corax is the Disney's Robin Hood of the Dark Millennia, albeit responsible for far less Furries, as much as he is the dark face/ mirror of the Imperium. A character can only be as genuinely radical as the creators and publishers can conceive, let alone condone. This reflection/ refraction thing is actually handled really well with the finale, which is genuinely heavy, powerful, and in my opinion actually amazing. I can't talk about it too much because spoilers, but if the Primarchs and Astartes are heightened reflections of humanity, the Imperium, and the genetic warp fuckery that created them, when various traumas impact that mirror the fractures and refractions form in all manner of different ways that are unaccountable. The one holding the mirror becomes more broken and warped as they look at their broken reflections.

Great, so I've soap boxed, called Corax a lib, and absolutely mangled a metaphor to the point where I will be getting eightfold bad luck, no one is going to read this far, but let's finish the review because I have positive things to say.

I totally forgot the reflection and connection to elements of 40K, which are fascinating. I always get excited about these links when they are well done and make sense, so with the added confronting and ethical questions, not to mention the tragedies of chance. All good things!

I really enjoyed this and my enjoyment increased and sharply spiked at the end. Something I have been wondering about is when they are going to get around to actually have Corax facing his Daemons so he can go all once upon midnight deary? The end of otherwise lacklustre Soulforge seemed to be revelatory and confronting, but then it seemed to reset. But Thorpe really leads with the bolt pistol hear and is more incisive and confronting about all manner of things for ole Corvus to deal with on top of the whole is my daddy had, actually, and am I really the result of a galaxy-spanning fascist colonial dictator that personally created me with the Dark Gods know what, literally? Isstvan is a deep vein with so much more trauma to mine and I am glad to see that coming to the fore.

Honestly, I think Thorpe has handled aspects of Corax's PTSD well, but when it comes to him becoming more cruel and militant it has been a lot less so. However, there's a real turn around in that in this book and by the end even he can see how much he is unravelling into paranoia. Trauma making people become worse is a whole thing and often handled very poorly by media. Why is it that murder and abuse victims become bad ghosts and killers, and why is so little focus put on the actually evil people doing those things to them? You know?

Anyways, how did I get up so high again?

While this is the novella that made me realise Corax is a lib (last time, I am going to really not make this an ongoing refrain and just need to get it all out of my system in this review), and continued to do some messy cognitive dissonance with the politics, beyond the whole is the Imperium good? thing, I thoroughly enjoyed it and think the tone and writing of some of the final scenes are some of the highest quality, if not for explicit prose, and some of the most adult and thoughtful stuff in the series so far.

I feel like I have matured, as there is a time where coming to terms with some of this would have put me off the series, but at least the Horus Heresy isn't quite as distilled revolution as plot device for some positively portrayed really rather conservative and troublesome stuff like Red Rising ended up being...

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 32 Horus Heresy novels (including a repeat), 20 novellas (including 2 repeats), 109 short stories/ audio dramas (including 6 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 15 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.

***

Initial Rating 4/5

[Veronica Anrathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than Soulforge. Those Raven boys, they have many differences – upbringing, involvement on Isstvan, minor and major changes they face as one of the Shattered Legions, and I really am curious to observe and learn everything about it. The psychology behind it is what's really interesting. I finally enjoyed Corax because he suddenly became less flat than he seemed before. Primarch's newfound paranoia gives him character. Now some may blame him for the things he’s done and kinda sorta have a point… is this our boy Corvus getting all multidimensional? Oh, sweet. Go on.

[Zare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, although very short, story about Corvus Corax and Raven Guard legion waging guerilla warfare behind Horus' lines.

Still recovering from treacherous attack by Alpha Legion, Corax leads his legion (what remained of it in any case) and allied bands of legionnaires against the enslaved and entrenched planetary systems held by the Traitors. Goal is simple, stretch traitors thin and force them to waste manpower on chasing ghosts instead of putting everything towards Terra.

And then, all of a sudden additional Raven Guard units, long time considered lost on battlefields of Istvaan, come in with information on a world held by the Traitors. Their advice is to take the planet because it would be loud signal to all loyalists that Traitors will be harassed wherever they are. But can these newcomers be trusted or is this just another ruse by Alpha Legion?

Action scenes are great, Corax taking down armored vehicles and engaging in combat with Traitor Legionnaires, Raven Guard infiltrators [literally] gliding between enemy fortifications and moving silently to take out guards before taking out strategic positions in order to pave way for armored units, shadows moving in and linking with the resistance - Raven Guard is truly power to behold.

I like Alpha Legion for their approach to unconventional warfare but while legions of Hydra are very brutal and seem sadistic when waging war, Raven Guard are true hit-and-run undercover operatives that still have human streak in them (similar to Salamanders). They do not sacrifice anything in vain. In my opinion they are more than match to Alpha Legion's way of conducting operations.

Highly recommended to all fans of Horus Heresy and Raven Guard in particular.

[Jean-Luc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Corvus Corax, primarch of the XIX Legion (Raven Guard), has fucked up badly. The hideously mutated Raptor squad stands testament to his arrogance, and the primarch is determined not to fuck up again. His call to find other survivors turns up Gherith Arendi, one of his former bodyguards... But he's hiding something. What could it be? Is Arendi yet another XX (Alpha) Legion infiltrator?

Arendi brings word of a prison on Carandiru which may hold other survivors of the dropsite massacre at Isstvan V. Corax obviously suspects a trap: The XVI Legion (formerly the Luna Wolves, now the Sons of Horus) were probably tiring of the Raven Guard's guerilla warfare, and planted this too good to be true story to bring them running. Corax is no fool, so the bulk of the middle of the book is preparing for the raid and the inevitable betrayal.

As is usual, Gav Thorpe delivers the goods: The combat is just as satisfying in the void as it is on the ground. Corax leads and inspires as well as he fights, and I'm grateful for any opportunity to hear him speak. His super stealthy sons inherited his best qualities, and I'm happy for another chance to see them in action. If the road to Holy Terra is taking too damn long for some readers' liking, that's because the Raven Guard are littering it with speed bumps and potholes. Great book from start to finish!

[Lanfear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ravenlord es una novela corta que narra la liberación de civiles de la prisión de los hijos de horus por parte de la guardia de cuervo y su primarca Corax.
Los principales hechos de este relato corto tienen que ver con los comandantes de la guardia de cuervo, tanto los antiguos como Branne y Arendi como los nuevos, lo que provoca cierta desconfianza entre ellos.
A parte de algunos momentos relacionados con el primarca, Ravenlord es un relato militarista, como suele ocurrir con los libros de la herejía, y entretiene bastante porque utiliza el lenguaje y la atmósfera tan épica que rodea a esta enorme historia de la herejía del architraidor.
Personalmente Corax nunca me ha llegado a gustar demasiado, nunca lo he considerado que destacase sobre sus hermanos, quizás por su personalidad o por el aura de derrota que creo que le rodea, aún así reconozco que cada vez que leo más sobre el, adquiere un tono más conocido y más grandioso. Sin estar a la altura de Fulgrim o Leman Russ quizás pero muy entretenido.

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Betrayal and deception has left Corvax, Primarch of the Raven Guard disillusioned and paranoid. When a lost son returns home, will he place his faith in him?

I genuinely want to give this four stars, there are some really strong moments in this story, developing the trauma inflicted by Isstvan, the Raptors dealing with being perceived as "Monsters", Corax bringing together disparate forces to form an effective guerilla outfit. But at times the dialogue just feels wrong, too juvenile or maybe just too casual. It doesn't feel right coming out of the character's mouths. I really think the likes of John French or Dan Abnett really nailed the tone of the Heresy in terms of how characters should converse, the tone of the speech being somewhat archaic but also refined.

That being said I did enjoy the story and consider it one of the better Raven Guard stories.

[Dylan Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ravenlord. I am a bit... disappointed they moved away from the "Corax:___" title, as I thought they were going to keep from Soulforge, but titles aside, the novella was great.
As beautiful as the matte black covers are, they get finger prints in them far too easily, so I am glad they moved away from that, and went with the black feathers falling on a black background for the cover. It was a beauty! And that isn't even talking about the cover art for the dust jacket done by Neil Roberts, which is a beauty to behold, truly.
The internal extras were kinda meh in this one. I liked the combi-weapon schematic but it was still kinda boring. A slightly larger melta gun really. The one piece that really piqued my interest was the interview with Aloni and the bit at the end about the Imperium's discover of the Raptors. I would really like to see more of Aloni and the Shadow Wardens as well as learn about the fate of the cursed Raptors.

The story itself was pretty damn good. Corax gets to be a leader and has to make some tough calls again, and his conscience warring with what he must do to try and destroy the enemy while saving the Imperium.
I feel like Corax really developed in this novella. Before we saw him as a general and the Raven Guard his soldiers. With Aloni returned, we get to see some actual humanity, for want of a better word, to Corax. His men ignored his orders and were disobedient to the point that Corax actually might have considered them traitors, but it was all to save him. The twist towards the end was great, and the spite in that act was chilling! I really can't wait to see where Gav takes Corax and the Raven Guard from here.

The action was as great as you would expect, and some of the traitors weapons/units were pretty cool. The lightning gun and warp rifle were awesome.
The one thing I didn't like was that some of the Emperor's Children/Sons of Horus ran. They fled from Corax. While Corax is definitely above the level of rank and file marines in terms of ability, I feel that it makes the "bad guys" seem worthless. You can make your "good guys" and main character badass and awesome without making their enemy seem incompetent. This happens a lot in Black Library fiction, where the protagonist is awesome and defeats the antagonist because they suddenly act out of character. A huge point in a lot of their fiction is how the Adeptus Astartes are fearless and stand their ground against all odds. I feel like Sons of Horus and Emperor's Children wouldn't just run away, a tactical retreat sure, but not the flat out panicked retreat. Though I may be biased as a Traitor fan!

Other than those few scenes the whole novella was great. The presentation, the story, etc.
I really liked the sneaky infiltration before all hell broke loose.

[Joe Rosado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming from a marathon of reading Honor Harrington novels and the very different writing style, I can't tell if the beginning of this was clunky or if I had a problem switching gears. Probably the latter.

I like this novella a lot. It had excellent material in it and really, other than odd pacing that might have all been my problem, my main complaint was that it could have been longer and even more fleshed out! It was a story a little too big for its end word count.

I really like this recent emphasis on the Legion remnants from Isstvaan. They have very interesting psychological dimensions that the other uninvolved loyalist Legions don't. This book explores the distrust and trouble knowing friend from foe and was engaging doing so.

[Biscuitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Heresy Novella's always have the potential to be prologue's to complete novels but are not required pre-reads. Sometimes they however are just stand alone short stories suited to an anthology but released separately. This Novella is again an interesting story providing content Bout one of the lesser known Legions. It could easily be used as a prologue to a story to unify some of the fairly scattered story arcs that have arisen in the Heresy Series but regardless it's a fun read

[Michael T Bradley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm so baffled as to why some Gav Thorpe (Dark Angels, specifically) is so good (and I dislike the Dark Angels!), yet the Raven Guard is sooooo boring. Like, SOOOO boring. Essentially this plays out like the last two chapters of Deliverance Lost made into a novella. Decent enough idea, but dull as all hell. Will this ever go somewhere interesting?

[Alexander van der Pol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always like the raven guard stories but it lacked that neatness and finesse I always invision whilst reading about them. Corax will never be the same after Isstvan the doubt and mistrust are just to great. Less stealth and silence then I'm used to but hell, still an awesome story.

[Ackers61 · Rating 5 out of 5]

40k rules the way............

[75338 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meh. Slightly interesting ending, but not much more. Reasonably well written.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Gav Thorpe's Corax and Raven Guard. It is a shame the story was so short.