Countdown to CONvergence 2014
Countdown to CONvergence 2014! Are you excited? Continue reading Countdown to CONvergence 2014
Category: Warhammer 40K
CCLAP Fridays: On Being Human: Warhammer 40K Space Marines
I continue my essay series “On Being Human”, this week exploring the dark world of Warhammer 40K and the Space Marines. Continue reading CCLAP Fridays: On Being Human: Warhammer 40K Space Marines
CCLaP Fridays: On Being Human: An Introduction
My introductory essay to my series, “On Being Human” has been posted on CCLaP. Continue reading CCLaP Fridays: On Being Human: An Introduction
Introducing CCLaP Fridays
I will be writing reviews and themed essays at the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography. Continue reading Introducing CCLaP Fridays
Mechanicum (The Horus Heresy, Book 9) by Graham McNeill
The Horus Heresy series continues in Graham McNeill’s epic Mechanicum. Graham McNeill is one of the Black Library’s “dream team” writers. The other members of the trio include the hyper-prolific Dan Abnett and Ben Counter. The trio wrote the first three novels of the Horus Heresy series. The first three novels functioned like a self-contained trilogy, chronicling the Warmaster Horus and his descent into heresy and madness. James Swallow’s Flight of the Eisenstein (Book 4) was a taut thriller with crisp writing and wonderfully orchestrated space battles. Since then, the Horus Heresy has had its ups (Legion by Dan Abnett) … Continue reading Mechanicum (The Horus Heresy, Book 9) by Graham McNeill
Battle for the Abyss (The Horus Heresy, Book 8) by Ben Counter
Battle for the Abyss by Ben Counter begins with the construction of the gigantic battleship, the Furious Abyss, within the hollow center of Thule, a moon of Saturn. The Mechanicum construct the ship using the ancient technologies they preserve. Unbeknownst to the Emperor, the Mechanicum build the massive warship for the Word Bearer Traitor Legion. Those familiar with the Cylon basestars of Battlestar Galactica will recognize the Furious Abyss. Heavily armed and holding a contingent of fighters, the Furious Abyss is an intimidating force. Unlike the sleek basestars, the Furious Abyss resembles a giant battlestar with Chartres Cathedral sitting on … Continue reading Battle for the Abyss (The Horus Heresy, Book 8) by Ben Counter
Legion (Horus Heresy, Book 7) by Dan Abnett
Can Dan Abnett save the franchise? After the underwhelming Descent of Angels by Mitchel Scanlon, the Horus Heresy series is in desperate need of revival. None is better equipped to revive the flagging franchise than the prolific Dan Abnett. Abnett, author of Eisenhorn, the Ravenor series, the Gaunt’s Ghosts series, and other titles for Marvel and Doctor Who, has the rare gift to write well and to write a lot. Like the space fantasy version of William T. Vollmann, he churns out full-length novels at a ridiculous rate. In Legion, Abnett throws the reader into a desert landscape, a war … Continue reading Legion (Horus Heresy, Book 7) by Dan Abnett
Book Review: Descent of Angels (The Horus Heresy, Book 6) by Mitchel Scanlon
The Horus Heresy series continues in its sixth installment, Descent of Angels, written by Mitchel Scanlon. The series makes a major reversal with this series. Scanlon has written previous novels for the Black Library, but his work involves the Warhammer brand, the epic fantasy sister ‘verse to the space fantasy of Warhammer 40K. Unlike previous volumes, the action occurs on one planet under circumstances one could label “low-tech.” Descent of Angels begins with an original story, telling the tale of how humanity settled on the planet Caliban. The settlers became separated from the rest of humanity because of warp storms … Continue reading Book Review: Descent of Angels (The Horus Heresy, Book 6) by Mitchel Scanlon
The Art of Reviewing: Introductory Remarks
Every blog needs a large-scale project. The Art of Reviewing will explore reviewing as an art form and as a valuable element to understanding society. During this project, I will profile specific reviewers of merit. Several specific cases also explore other facets of reviewing. What makes a good reviewer? A review is only good as the individual reviewing the work. But what is meant by good? Good – like value, civilization, and culture – is a loaded term. It should be not be used in a cavalier fashion or overloaded with moral baggage. Does the reviewer have a technique, a … Continue reading The Art of Reviewing: Introductory Remarks
Fulgrim (Horus Heresy, Book Five) by Graham McNeill
The epic tale of the Horus Heresy continues in Fulgrim, the fifth volume of a planned twelve-volume cycle in the Warhammer 40K series. In the previous book, Flight of the Eisenstein, Battle-Captain Nathaniel Garro flies to Terra to warn the Emperor of Mankind of heresy. Not just any heresy, but heresy led by Warmaster Horus to overthrow the Emperor. Fulgrim tells a story parallel to the events of Eisenstein, eventually meeting up where the previous volume left off. The Fulgrim of the novel is the Primarch of the Emperor’s Children, a Space Marine legion priding itself in its fighting perfection. … Continue reading Fulgrim (Horus Heresy, Book Five) by Graham McNeill
The Driftless Area Review 