Customer Reviews

Dark Creed (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Word Bearers)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dark Apostle is the third in the Word Bearers series and the culmination of a massive plot. Of course when you consider that the Word Bearers and other Traitor Legions are over 10,000 years old and their schemes stretch over millennia it's hard to grasp the scope of such a "plot". Wheels within wheels and the Word Bearers are plotters in the extreme.

The story of Dark Apostle Marduk continues and his goal of using the ancient Necron technology to essentially propel himself higher up the food chain and bring as much chaos to the Imperium as possible is fought with peril from within and without.

As any reader vaguely familiar with the material can surmise, Chaos Space Marines, while disciplined are still suffering from some serious testosterone poisoning. They're all plotting and scheming to be the Alpha Male. That mush is established. Unlike say the World Eaters, the Word Bearer Legion has their own way of pursuing personal goals (vendettas?) and Anthony Reynolds does a great job of breaking it all down so we as readers can follow these spider-web plots (without dumbing it down too much).

Seriously...I have to commend Mr. Reynolds for his deft handling of the story. He gives good insight to the inner workings of the Word Bearers as well as the White Consuls Space Marines (and many others) who are working in opposition to Marduk's plans. Without spoiling anything let it suffice to say that the scale of the novel is pretty ginormous. Epic. Sector fleets, multiple hosts of the Word Bearers, several chapters of Astartes as well as innumerable Imperial Guardsmen and the various Titan Legions. (Most of this is inferred or happens "off-camera")

This is a novel with a lot of moving parts. Tons going on. Anthony Reynolds does a really good job of keeping it manageable for the reader. The battles range from naval engagements to gritty melee.

I've always found it difficult to get in to reading the Chaos-side of Warhammer novels. They seem so unbelievably over the top that I have a hard time suspending disbelief. Often with Space Marines as well...they seem too perfect. Chaos Space Marines in contrast become the most heinous thing ever. It's too...black and white.

Anthony Reynolds does an admirable job in keeping things believable. Granted, there are still moments where the Astartes are perfectly heroic and the Chaos Marines are perfectly heinous. Still...my spidey-sense wasn't going off and telling me to glaze over pages due to *yawn* more nail a baby to your forehead moments.

I think Mr. Reynolds does however have an excellent grasp on the dark, hopelessness of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. It's a messed up place where a human is one among untold bajillions and nobody will miss your passing. The author definitely has this DOWN.

One think I do appreciate in this novel is that there appears to be very real peril around all the characters, including Marduk. Nobody is safe. Any of them can be crushed by falling beams, have their head blown off or simply die an ignoble death (which is SUCH an appropriate 40k thing).

My only complaint would be that due to the massive scope of the plot, there's a lot of interesting things going on, and it's easy to get lost. Granted Mr. Reynolds does a great job in showing us one scene, then shifting the camera elsewhere to see a scene...sometimes it's easy to start wondering "Hey, what happened to Brother Bob?" Largely the author does a great job in keeping the suspense going. Still, there are some parts that I personally would have loved to see more of...but that's really just a personal quibble. I think in reading we gravitate towards some characters more than others...and sometimes those characters aren't really the focus of the story. Meh, it happens. Still a damn good book!

Rating:
Overall it's a fitting ending (?) to the Word Bearer series.
A very good read whether a part of the series or as a stand-alone novel.
4/5

While this is a fine novel, which also does a good job as a stand-alone work, there is nothing really groundbreaking in it. After a while, all the 40K novels start to seem the same. Aside from the epic combat with the necrons in the closing part of the book, there was nothing that had not already been done in other novels at some point.

Taking up soon after the conclusion of the second book in the series, Anthony Reynolds did a better job than in that second book of introducing the characters to readers who might have missed the first two books in the series. This was aided in part by the introduction of new characters, though their parts were generally behind the scenes.

Making use of the device, the acquisition of which was the focus of the first book and obtaining the means to use in the second book, the Word Bearers send a huge number of their own to assault a seemingly-impregnable Imperial system. The Nexus Arrangement changes that status, as it cuts off the Warp and prevents reinforcements from arriving to relieve the Imperials, who suffer unimaginable casualties as a result. However, the device's activation catches the attention of those who made it: The necrons. While they don't appear until the end phase of the book, disrupting the conquest in progress, they are pretty much the only new feature in the book for the 40k series, as their implacable alien nature sees them succeed against the Astartes better than any other foe.

However, while the resolution might seem novel to some, it was hardly a surprise, using a device that was introduced in the book's opening and served no purpose at all throughout, leading any reader to realize at the onset how the book would be resolved. This has the result of a very abbreviated ending after the long and drawn-out pages of brutal combat that make up so many of the books from the Black Library.

I liked the book, but I would only recommend it to someone who has not read a great deal of the 40K universe, as it will seem repetitive and staid.

There was always something missing from the Warhammer 40k books I've read. Everything seemed to be about the Empire and Chaos and I kept waiting for a story to include some xenos; I also wanted to see things from a perspective other than "the good guys". Finally, my desires have been answered on both fronts.

I believe this is book three in the series and not having read them I can't say if they are as good, but I was pulled into this one immediately. The first thing that impressed me was how easy the author made it to get into the story. He seamlessly reference past events, but always clearly enough you get a general idea, even if you don't know particulars. It was so easy to jump in that I finished the book a week earlier than planned and in far fewer sessions than usual. I'd pick it up planning to read for a half hour and still be at it two hours later.

At various points you see through the eyes of three main factions in the story. You have the Chaos warriors, the Space Marines, and the Imperial Guard to a lesser extent. It was refreshing to see things from each point of view. It gives a better sense of the motivations behind the actions. My only gripe, I would have liked to see more from the Necrons perspective; however, it was enough just to see them as such an awe inspiring power.

The battles were spectacular, some of the best I've seen in a Warhammer book. In other books the odds are just so huge in one side's favor that it strains belief that a small group could slaughter so many enemies. You begin to wonder how the enemy can ever beat anybody if they are so inept. Not here, these battles nearly all felt plausible and I think that's what makes them so compelling. Whats more, you've got nearly everything thrown in at least once; from soldiers to tanks, demons to aliens, you even have Titans and a moon sized star fortress thrown into the mix. Very cool.

From start to finish I enjoyed this book. If you haven't read the others in the series or even a single Warhammer 40k book before, you should still give this one a try. It won't disappoint.

DARK CREED REVIEW

I picked up Dark Creed and Sons of Dorn to have something to read after I finished Scourge the Heretic (Dark Heresy)and put them on my nightstand. When I finished scourge I picked up Sons of Dorn, what I thought would be the better book between Dark Creed and Sons of Dorn. Well....the difference was like night and day literally. Sons of Dorn is just plain light when compared to the HardCore stuff that Anthony Reynolds produced here! If I found my kid reading Scourge the Heretic, Space Wolf or Sons of Dorn, I might not be too concerned but if I openned Dark Creed as a parent, I must say that I'd probably wonder where I went wrong as a dad.

Ok, I have to say that I'm pretty used to almost anything from the Warhammer 40K Universe but nothing really prepared me to read Dark Creed. It's not just dark and dystopian, it's just plain OUT THERE!! The writing is very tight, the descriptions of demons and demon culture and how Chaos Space Marines see the world is SPOT ON! I had never read anything from Warhammer 40k that quite brought to life the Chaos Space Marine viewpoint and that had me respect the Apostles.

Aside from that this is the story of Marduk, A Chaos Space Marine who is having to deal with Imperial Space Marines using Necron devices and issues within his hown company of Chaos Space Marines. Reynolds didn't hold back on this one! Now, for many of you who have read reviews from me, you know I'm mostly a 5 star reviewer particularly for Warhammer 40k. And where Sons of Dorn (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Imperial Fists) has many common elements of Space Wolf Omnibus: Spacewolf / Ragnar's Claw / Grey Hunter (Warhammer 40,000), I have to say that this book Dark Creed is freaking out there.

If you game Chaos Space Marines, READ THIS BOOK! If you don't but want to read more into the world of Warp - then pick up this book.

Just bear in mind, it's GRAPHIC. This is very high quality work from the Black Library - it should get good reviews.

When I first started reading this book I didn't know that this was the last in a trilogy -- Dark Apostle (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Chaos Space Marines) and Dark Disciple (Word Bearers). I'm 100% going to go back and pick up the other two books and read them. I think you'll probably enjoy the series more if you read it in order. That said, this explains to me why I thought Dark Creed was so good, the author Anthony Reynolds was warmed up from writing the previous two books and threw the kitchen sink into this one.

I now think that Anthony Reynolds is what Dan Abnett would be if he were to be tainted by the Warp. I won't go so far as to say that this is as good as Eisenhorn, I'm partial to Inquisitor stories. But man, this is the best Space Marine novel I've read in a very long time. I was cheering for the White Consuls but at the same time I wanted Marduk to win. I myself might be warp tainted after this.

Now I might give a lot of 5 stars in my reviews but it's not everyday that I write that I'm Impressed, and "I'm Impressed."

If you're new to Warhammer 40K, you might want to start off with Eisenhorn (A Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus) or some other title. This might just be a bit too dark for a first outting, unless that's really what you enjoy reading.


GENERIC WARHAMMER 40K OVERVIEW
I'm adding a Warhammer 40K overview to this review to help newcomers get a sense for the Universe. (Warhammer 40K pros, go easy on me - I'm also somewhat of a newcomer to the Universe, hope I got the broad brushstrokes right). Review for book at bottom.

HOW I GOT HOOKED
I got this through vine and put it directly on my nightstand. Although I've never gamed Warhammer (Warhammer 40k Space Marines Combat Squad) or any of their many other games, I became a fan of Warhammer 40,000 after a friend in college introduced me to the Warhammer 40k universe back in 1990 I want to say. While browsing through Amazon, I came across Eisenhorn probably the best "starter" novel to get anyone started into the Warhammer Universe. I have to admit, I've gotten hooked on the stories.


THE BLACK LIBRARY
From a company standpoint there is a British company called the Black Library that owns and manages Warhammer 40K. They have some great writers on staff like Dan Abnett and Graham McNiell who write many of the stories. The common thread of the writers is that in my opinion they are very literary people who manage the capture the dark, dystopian, almost opressing vision of this far future. Many of their stories have foundations and parallels in real world history...for example The Flight of the Eisenstein (Horus Heresy) is very similar in my opinion to The Battleship Potemkin. I think the company was founded in 1989 to provide advanced hobbyist game pieces (Games Workshop Space Marine Devastator Squad Box Set) that gamers could paint and decorate and then play in competition based on some rule books called codexes (Warhammer 40K (40,000) Codex Space Marines) very similar to dungeons and dragons.


THE SERIES
Warhammer 40K takes place about 40,000 years in the future in a neogothic dystopian Universe where the entire galaxy has been colonized. During the 40,000 year history humanity discovers that hyperspace (the mechanism they use to travel faster than light) is filled with ghostly demons and other lifeforms that will not hesitate to invade and infest the real universe. Add to that alien Elves, Orks, intergalactic insectoid invaders, parasites and every other conceivable menace, this makes for a tormented universe that only knows War and suffering for its untold trillions or quadrillions of denizens.

In this Universe there is an Empire based on Earth with an Emperor and and a gigantic bureaucracy that manages the Imperium. I'll outline some of the story lines to help you make sense of this (if you're not a pro already):


SPACE MARINES - Genetically and Cybernetically augmented warrior monks that form the front line of defense for the Empire. Space Marine novels generally build on the mythology of the space marines and generally describe a chapter of space marines (a monastery) and tell some story of how they fight for the Empire or how they fell from grace. Space Marines are almost not human, they've been augmented genetically stand at 8 to 12 feet tall and wear giant powered armour. They fight in space and in some horrible conditions. For this reason, you don't get much of a feel for the denizens of the Empire (generally) in these novels. Space Marines are Monks and celibate (I think) so you don't get any flavor for interpersonal relationships. Although in a few stories you do get some political intrigue and in one space wolf novel, you even get to see Earth. Expect lots of fighting with these novels in very novel settings.
The Ultramarines Omnibus (Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus)


TITANS - The giant Mechwarriors (giant walking two legged tanks) that form the heaviest of assault machines of the empire. Titanicus is the only Warhammer 40K novel that I know of that is based on Titans. Because Titans stand at 40 stories and are crewed by a very select group of very religious people, you don't get much of the flavor for the citizens of the Empire although you do get dazzling descriptions of the cities, planets, and how the war machines fight. Expect lots of fighting with these novels.
Titanicus (Warhammer 40,000)

IMPERIAL GUARD - The Army of the Empire (untold billions serve and die regularly) -- CADIAN BLOOD is an Imperial guard novel. Expect down and dirty grunt fighting and warfare in these novels with a healthy does of intrigue and plot machinations. Because Imperial Guard are human, you get more of a sense for the Empire than you do with Titan or Space Marine novels.
Cadian Blood (Imperial Guard)

INQUISITORS - The Emperor's inquisition carries the Empire's complete support as they go out and seek out evil in any form (Einsenhorn, Ravenor, and Innocence Proves Nothing are Inquisition novels). Expect more intrigue and deceipt in these novels and expect to see some of the more opulent aspects of the Empire because many times Inquisitors walk among the citizens of the Empire. I find that I get a better flavor for the Warhammer Universe from Inquisitor Novels. They are my personal favorites.
Eisenhorn (A Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus)
Ravenor: The Omnibus (Warhammer 40000)
Innocence Proves Nothing (Warhammer 40000)

MECHANICUM - The Mechanicum is almost like a pseudoreligion based on Mars who has a very close alliance with the Emperor (although sometimes you wonder). The Mechanicum makes most of the technology for the Empire. So many things have been invented and forgotten in the 40K universe that technology is more of technomagic and technology use is almost ritual-like.
Mechanicum (Horus Heresy)

HORUS HERESY NOVELS - When the Warhammer 40K Universe was invented (mostly for gaming purposes), a backstory was developed that tells how the Galaxy was brought under the Emperor. It used to be a fairly short story but has been expanded broadly now that Warhammer 40K is so popular. Here are some Heresy books in no particular order but there is an order (there are too many of them for me to track and I haven't read them all).
Horus Rising (The Horus Heresy)
The Flight of the Eisenstein (Horus Heresy)
False Gods: The Heresy Takes Root (The Horus Heresy)



This is a Warhammer 40K book so it takes place in the 41st millenium, just FYI.

Dark Apostle Marduk of the 34th is about to face some mighty challenges. The Word Bearers are to wage war with the White Consuls Space Marine Chapter. Marduk has secured the xenos device, called the Nexus Arrangement, in his possession. The powerful necron device can turn the tide in the Word Bearers' favor. It will shroud the entire region, ensuring that no further warp-traffic can enter or exit the Boros Gate. With the White Consuls unable to receive help, the XVII Legion can easily corrupt the system. It would not be long before Boros Prime, the core planet in the system, would fall.

The Chaos Space Marines have disunity within their ranks and exterminating the Imperial vermin on Boros Prime turns out to be more difficult than expected. Chapter Master Titus Valens and Coadjutor Aquilius of the White Consuls are most worthy adversaries. But just as the White Consuls are on the verge of defeat, an old enemy returns which makes even Marduk's blood run cold.


**** FOUR STARS! If you have not read the first two books in this series, chances are great that you will find yourself at a grave disadvantage. Many characters, as well as a few items, link back to them. The beginning of this story starts out rather slowly as the author builds the cast of characters for his readers. The plot line builds at a good pace, separated into five book sections. Though Marduk is on the side of Chaos, I cannot help but admire his courage, intelligence and instincts. He is, after all, still Astartes. At the same time, I could not help but cheer Valens and Aquilius of the White Consuls.

Anthony Reynolds proves his ability to create dark, yet memorable, stories with this series. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

While I have read several of the Warhammer novels, this novel was a bit of a disappointment, in that it was very difficult for me to tell good from evil or even to care about any of the characters. The novel was so "dark", I had great difficulty in finishing it. None of the characters really stood out, to me, and the author did not bother to explain what made them so fixed and profoundly dedicated to or against Evil, but perhaps that discussion was in one of the two preceeding novels I have not read. Actions, combat, and desicrations began to run together in a tiresome way, although in the author's defense there are only so many ways torture or combat can be described.

All in all, a very depressing view of an super-apocalyptic future.

Non-stop action and non-stop violence is not unusual in a WH40K book, and almost a norm for a Space Marines book, but even having said that this one is above and beyond when it comes to sci-fi violence. I lost track of the shattered skulls, dismembered bodies, and cleaved limbs long before the halfway point. If you like blood and gore with your sci-fi combat, this is your book.

The story is told from the POV of the Word Bearers, a Chapter of the "Dark" or "Fallen" legions; basically Astartes gone bad. This is only the second WH40K book I read from this point of you (see Soul Hunter (Night Lords)), and as before I found life on the "other side" from the noble and honorable Astartes interesting and at times fascinating. The Word Bearers still espouse honor, tradition, and loyalty, but are completely the servants of Chaos and the warp, which gives them a different focus than the "good" Astartes. Basically, these guys want to destroy everything that the Imperium ever stood for, and to kill as many Imperium subjects as possible along the way.

As a quick summary, Marduk is a Dark Apostle (sort of like a Captain in a "good" Astartes chapter) taking part in the invasion of Boros Prime. The Boros System is a major wormhole hub, so if the bad guys get it, they will be able to jump anywhere in the Imperium quickly. As such, it is heavily defended by the Imperium, and reinforcements are readily available through the wormholes. All previous attempts by Chaos forces to take the system have failed, and badly. But this time, the Word Bearers have a secret weapon which closes the wormholes, so the reinforcements can't get in, and the only thing standing between them and capturing the whole system is a small fleet, the Kronos space station, and five companies of the White Consuls chapter. As the War wages on, Markduk has to fight not only the enemy, but an underground movement in his own Legion called "the Brotherhood." And just as it looks like the Word Bearers will finally win through, an unexpected arrival of an enemy to both the Imperium and the Chaos forces throws everything into absolute confusion.

Besides the absolute violence, the other thing about this book which really stood out is how much of the warp is explained, particularly regarding daemons and their role in the WH40K world. It helped close a gap in my WH40K knowledge; one more reason I'm glad I read it.

I did not read the first two in the series (Dark Apostle (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Chaos Space Marines) and Dark Disciple (Word Bearers), but if they are anything like this, sign me up.

Dark Creed does an admirable job describing life from the dark side. Marduk is the Dark Apostle of the 34th, who is at the heart of a massive conspiracy and the latest invasion of the Dark Forces against a critical Imperial system. The book provides an in depth look at life from the Chaos side including the competition, petty rivalries and yes even a little daily life that makes the enemy seem a little more human and therefore more believable.

The War hammer 40K books can be difficult for people to pick up, a little bit like Lost or Twin Pines. Dark Creed provides a good introduction and makes the genre appear more balanced. I found it interesting that the story lines between both sides of the struggle displayed similar traits. This makes the book enjoyable and the Chaos forces all the more deadly.

The book is full of action. Described in rich detail that at times seems more to be a storyboard for a movie script than a fast paced story. Overall a richer character study than other 40K books that make sweeping generalizations and rely on lighter characters to keep the story moving. This is more of an in depth book concentrating on four main characters than a sweeping battlefield epic.

The Xenos make an appearance at the end of the story that is good, but they are used more as a plot device to close out the book than a pivotal part of the storyline. Perhaps this is an introduction for the next trilogy, if it is then its welcome extension to the story line.

While this volume is the final part of the Word Bearers trilogy, it stands alone as an enjoyable story of the struggle between the White Consuls Chapter and the Dark Chaos Legions. It tells the story primarily from the perspective of the various leaders of the Chaos factions. Their byzantine politics and internal strife are a nice change of pace from regular Warhammer 40,000 novels which focus on Space Marines or the Imperial Guard. The novel moves along apace with plenty of action to liven up the politics and deception. Any fan of the Warhammer genre should have fun reading this book.

Note: due to the dark nature of some of the subject material, parents should use discretion for younger readers.

For those of us following the development of the Chaos Marines this book does a great job of portraying the dark side of the traitors.

Does a fine job at closing the book trilogy.