13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A decent read, but a bit of a melodramtic stretch, even for WH40K, October 29, 2008
This review is from: The Blood Angels omnibus (Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus) (Paperback)
I wasn't too sure about this book when I purchased it. I had heard that, canon-wise, it was pretty thin. I will say that I agree with that assessment. While the story, in and of itself, isn't bad I would say that it doesn't fit super well into the WH40K universe. Yes, it has all the elements, but there is just something about the dynamics... the specifics... the execution of the story that make it sorta out of step.
On its own merits it isn't a bad book. It has some slow parts, but for the most part the author does a good job of bringing a very vivid story to life. There are more than a few parts where you might scratch your head and go, "That is a bit of a stretch", but it isn't anything that will make you put the book down. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't go into specifics. If you are a real stickler about canon and plots with plausible events you may want to approach this book with an open mind.
One last note: It is an omnibus, and it contains two books plus a really good connecting story. It really is as if the two books and the connecting story were written intentionally to be packaged like this. Packaging them as separate entities would do this story a disservice.
Overall, a decent read. A person fairly new to WH40K might want to put this one on the back burner so as not to confuse their developing view of the WH40K universe. For those of us who are seasoned, salty, and have stacks of Black Library books: it wouldn't be a bad addition.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Multi-layered plot line., December 23, 2008
This review is from: The Blood Angels omnibus (Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus) (Paperback)
DEUS ENCARMINE (Book One)
The Blood Angels, by order of Dante, Chapter Master, are holding on the wargrave planet Cybele. The Dark Apostle, Iskavan, leads the Word Bearers on Cybele in battle against the Blood Angels. Just as the Sons of Sanguinius believe they may perish by the tainted hands of Chaos Space Marines, help comes in the form of a ship named "Bellus". Brother Rafen is one of the few to survive the battle and welcomes the new arrivals. Inquisitor Ramius Stele declares Cybele under his stewardship and places Sanguinary High Priest Sachiel in command on the surface. Brother Rafen is pleased to find his younger brother, Arkio, is alive and among the new arrivals.
In what can only be described as a miracle, Arkio survives a mortal wound. All begin to believe Arkio has been blessed by Sanguinius. Arkio is also able to wield and use the legendary Spear of Telesto. Disobeying Dante's direct orders, Inquisitor Stele orders all to leave Cybele and follow the retreating Word Bearers to the fortress Ikari on the planet of Shenlong. It seems to Rafen that the spear is changing Arkio, but not for the better.
BLOOD DEBT
A thirty-six page story that takes place several years before the events of "Deus Encarmine" and the Third Armageddon War. The main character is Inquisitor Ramius Stele. Readers see how he becomes a traitor and of the horror he unleashes that destroys an entire world - before moving into space. Then readers see how the blood debt forms from the lies and betrayals.
DEUS SANGUINIUS (Book Two)
The story begins on the planet of Shenlong. All believe Arkio to be the New Blood Lord and he has supplanted the Emperior (UK spelling) in chapels all across the forge-world. The grand plan to corrupt the entire Blood Angels' Chapter is succeeding. Rafen has been forced to forsake his oath to Dante, the liege lord of his Chapter, to turn from Sanguinius to Arkio. Yet Rafen cannot accede that Arkio is Sanguinius Reborn and worships the Emperior in secret.
Dante is on Baal and receives Rafen's previously sent warning. Heeding the message, Dante sends a ship to determine whether or not Arkio is truly the second coming of the Great Angel. If Dante denies the Ascension of Arkio, it will split the Blood Angels asunder and civil war will erupt.
When Arkio decides on a Blood Crusade, Rafen must take action. In doing so, Rafen will have to kill Battle-Brothers ... and worse.
**** I give four stars (out of a possible five stars) for the total rating of this omnibus. Readers will do best to read the short story (Blood Debt) nestled between the two main titles first. The short story tells how the blood debt came to be and affects the plots of both main novel titles. The author, Nathan Long, has created a realistic accounting of the Blood Angels and their Chapter. Powerful characters are brought to life in a multiple-layered plot that kept me intrigued throughout the entire omnibus. ****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
By the End You'll be Glad You Read It, September 29, 2011
This review is from: The Blood Angels omnibus (Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus) (Paperback)
This book deserves 3.5 stars.
Book one is a straight forward space marine novel that could have been written by any Black Library author. Uninspired, straight forward hack and slash. The only enjoyable parts come when the Word Bearers are torturing something. The short story in between novel one and two provides much needed context and character insight for a main antagonist. Book two is vastly superior to its predecessor and in a league with other space marine novels including those from the Horus Heresy which features some of the best writing in the genre. Very much worth the cost. If you are getting stuck in book one, take heart, book two will make it more than worth it.
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