2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
[40k Review] Black Tide - James Swallow, February 12, 2010
Black Tide marks James Swallow's fourth endeavor (fifth if you include Heart of Rage) into the literary world of the Blood Angels. Previously, he introduced us to Rafen in Deus Sanguinius and Deus Encarmine, two books recounting the Arkio Insurrection, and most recently Red Fury, detailing the aftermath of the insurrection and the disastrous attempts at cloning by a Blood Angels' apothecary. I have previously very much enjoyed Swallow's Blood Angels books and Black Tide was no different.
Following Red Fury, Black Tide finds Rafen and his squad searching for the elusive Fabius Bile in attempts to recover a stolen vial of the blood of Sanguinius. This search for Bile leads them to the death world of Dynikas V, home to Bile's secret lair and untold horrors. Without divulging too much information, the plot of Black Tide moves remarkably well. There are seldom any dull moments; even the planning aspects of the mission are interesting, as we get to see the contrary natures of Rafen's Blood Angels contrasted with Brother Noxx of the Flesh Tearers, and his cadre of warriors. Fight scenes are brutal and intense, as any good novel concerning the Adeptus Astartes should be, and are placed throughout the novel in the appropriate volume; there isn't too much that it's gratuitous, but when we have battle scenes, they are certainly worth it.
As I previously mentioned, the uneasy kinship between the Blood Angels and the Flesh Tearers is also a point of great interest in Black Tide. In Red Fury, Swallow did an admirable job of establishing the differences between the Blood Angels and their Flesh Tearer cousins, and we see it even more here. Noxx and his brothers are more apt to rush in, fangs ready, whereas Rafen acts with a bit more restraint. The juxtaposition of the two really works, and creates for some nice scenes. In addition, Swallow explores the more human nature of the Space Marine in this book; for me it was really unexpected, but really welcome. Often we see the Astartes as these infallible, indomitable warriors--and they are--but in Black Tide Swallow shows that even Space Marines can have their limits pushed when they're up against their wall, most particularly when they're on Dynikas V.
The action really sets off when the plot finds our characters on Dynikas V. There, our protagonists face not only Bile, but tyranids, androgynous beings, mutants, and the perils of Space Marines in a submarine. Yup, a submarine. After writing that, it does all sound like a bit much (and perhaps it is) but it doesn't feel overwhelming when placed within the story. However, it does tend to give Fabius Bile a bit of a "Bond villian" feel, which some people may take objection to.
Overall, Black Tide was a really, really enjoyable read. If you haven't read Swallow's previous Blood Angel works, you may be a bit lost in terms of characterization, though he does a good job of summing things up early. Swallow is quickly becoming one of my favorite Black Library authors. He's prose is interesting without being overly cliche', he does a fantastic job creating characters that are likable, and his plots offer enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. I wholeheartedly recommend Black Tide and eagerly anticipate Swallow's next foray into Rafen's universe.
The Good
+ Great Characters, smooth, fun plot
+ Nice twists keep the action interesting.
The Bad
- Fabius Bile can, at times, feel like a Bond villian
- Plot strays off the normal path for Space Marine literatureimits pushed when they're up against their wall, most particularly when they're on Dynikas V.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Visceral & Entertaining, September 28, 2010
This is Swallows latest installment in the Blood Angels series. It is a very good book, but to properly enjoy it, you will need to read the books in series before it as it follows a well defined story arc. There were a couple of places that really stretched the bounds of believability. One example is Rafen fighting a titan sized Tyranid 500 feet underwater while mag-locked to a speeding submarine. I also took issue with an Imperial servant referring to the symbol of Chaos Undivided as the "Eight-fold Path". Aside from those two issues the book really takes you on a wild ride that in the end is impossible to put down.
One thing I would like to add is that the events in this book are referenced in Swallows short story "The Returned" in "Legends of the Space Marines"
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Good delivery, bad idea, March 21, 2010
Black Tide continues the Blood Angel plot arc that started with Deus Sanguine. THe Angels, still reeling from the mutant assault that nearly crippled Baal, send out a small force to kill Fabius Bile, and reclaim the genetic material of the primarch that was stolen.
The story, while written in a skein that is entertaining and full of cmobat without becoming overly repititous, suffers greatly under its own mantle. You know prior to page 2 that Bile will not be defeated, and that at best the story will end status quo ante. While the book managed to prop itself up nicely, actually having a plot that could take a twist would've been preferable.
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