Customer Reviews

Horus Heresy: Mechanicum (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Horus Heresy)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

After the bitterly disappointing 'Battle for the Abyss' I had high hopes for Graham McNeil's 'Mechanicum', which deals with events on Mars leading up to the siege on Terra. And I must say those high hopes were met.

In terms of the time line, we are really no closer to the finale of this series. The events of Istvaan III have just happened, and the Abyss of the 'Battle for the Abyss' is still being constructed. This gives you a very real sense of where you are in terms of it all, but I feel like the story isn't advancing in terms of time. It is however, good to see the Heresy from different points of view.

As with all the Heresy series, there are several storylines interwoven together. In this piece more than any other, we seem to side more heavily on the side of the Imperial supporters. The cheif storyline follows Dalia, a young Terran logistician with a talent for machines. She is brought to Mars by a Mechanicum adept by the name of Zeth, because of her incredible intuition for machines and latent almost psychic ability to see how machines work. Now I don't want to give too much away but she ends up being drawn through a mystery that helped to form the Mechanicum at the very start. For those of you who are fans of 40k lore, you will appreciate this story line as it concerns a certain 'Dragon' of Mars.... The problem however, is that this stpryline has little to do with the Heresy itself, and whilst it is interesting to see this past, it really adds nothing to the Heresy storyline itself. The other story lines are concerned with the Legio Tempestus, a Titan legion, and for those old school workshop fans amongst you you'll appreciate the appearance of several knight palladin characters too. The battle scenes are well written, especially from the Titan perspectives and it's so great to see large scale battles fought with Titans. The names of various Titans and characters do become a little confusing though. If you are in possession of the Horus heresy artwork book 'Collected Visions', then the short story 'The Kaban project' also by McNeil is referenced several times and we meet characters contained within that story too. I like the way that BL has interwoven these story lines, but I feel it is really time to start moving on in terms of time line now. It's also nice to look at a section of the Imperium not really explored much before, and the description of machines and the thought processes behind them is well executed.

All in all it is a satisfying read, light on Space Marines (which is no bad thing!), filled with intrigue, plot, well rounded characters, unexpected turns, and a real sense of what is going on in the universe as the galaxy slowly tears itself apart. Well done Black Library. More like this please!!!

The Horus Heresy series of novels has certainly had its ups and downs. The first 3 books made a big splash but then all the characters died (go figure) and things started to meander around. Mechanicum does not advance the story but rather tells the parallel epic that occurs on Mars. The plot centers mostly around a political schism and its escalation into all out civil war. The most heavily covered characters however, consists of what I can only call Warhammer's version of the Scooby gang. Their storyline is probably more lore than actual plot. But since the entire series can be considered "lore" (cause we all know the gist of it and how it ends), it is forgivable - not that it needs forgiving considering what a loretwist it was for me. Unfortunately, it leaves on a ominous cliffhanger that probably would not have closure anytime soon.

The book is a little difficult to get into because the importance of everything does not become apparent until about 1/3rd way through. So it took me longer to complete the first third than it did to complete the last 2/3rds. I must admit, I couldnt put it down once I got into it.

I dont know what to critique about the writing. Its a warhammer novel! Lots of battles and nail biting last stands and as exciting as most of the other good books ive read. The characters are not particularly developed, but they arnt nearly as forgettable as ones in some of the spacemarine themed installments, where you keep wondering if the character is going to live past the next 10 pages.

Overall a satisfying read. Not as good as the first 3, but definately not as disappointing and forgettable as Descent/Fulgrim/Abyss. Picks up steam for the series, but not the 2nd coming.

"Knowledge is power, guard it well." That is one of the Mechanicum's aphorisms. High Adept Koriel Zeth, Mistress of the Magma City on Mars, sends Rho-mu 31, a Protector, to the Librarium Technologica in order to retrieve a certain transcriber before her execution can be implemented. Dalia Cythera is able to store in her mind everything she reads and to recall the information in the future at will. She also has the ability to intuit things that others would not. She unconsciously taps into the edge of the warp and accesses the wellspring of knowledge contained within. Adept Zeth needs Dalia's abilities to help finish the creation of the Akashic Reader.

Simultaneously, the Fabricator General of Mars joins Warmaster Horus. In return, the Warmaster lifts all restrictions on research into the forbidden technologies and unlocks the Vaults of Moravec. Within this vault are items blended of the science of mankind with warp power. Civil war brews on Mars between those loyal to the Emperor and those that are swayed from knowledge to power.

***** Now that legions are choosing between the Emperor and the Warmaster things are becoming much more interesting. A majority of this story focuses on Dalia. Author Graham McNeill keeps a balance going between this seemingly nobody-of-a-human and the conflicts reigning between the forges of Mars. The pace is fast and I never grew bored as I waited for things to happen. From beginning to end, this story held onto my attention and never let go. Very highly recommended. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

"The problem however, is that this storyline has little to do with the Heresy itself, and whilst it is interesting to see this past, it really adds nothing to the Heresy storyline itself. "

I contend the storyline has everything to do with the Heresy itself, it is a foundation story of the Horus Heresy series for the following reasons:

- Mars Fabricator General aligns with Horus, what F.G. gets in return, how this impacts then entire Heresy storyline

- Rise of the Dark Mechanicum

- Civil War on Mars between forces aligned with Terra and those aligned with F.G. and Horus

- Foreshadowing of events re:Imperial Fists and Dorn

- Spread of Scrapcode, corruption, and losses of Imperial loyal assets

I'll admit a lot of the events gain greater clarity and importance after reading Titanicus, but still, Mechanicum is a very good book. This really helps the reader to understand why Horus was able to consolidate his logistical power base, without which he would have faced an adversary with forges supplying weapons, ammo, all the Astartes equipment - all under some level of implicit or explicit Terran control.

Prior to this, that seems very improbable given the proximity of Mars to Terra, and the influence of the then-intact Emperor on the origins of the Mechanicum that Horus would have been able to continue to prosecute a civil war. He would be limited to the stocks of munitions and supplies on hand with the Emperor's forces having a large ready resupply right next door. It's not so much about what Horus gets going forward, it's about what the Imperium doesn't get at a critical juncture in the progress of the Horus Heresy.

And sadly, it really starts to explain how the 41st millenium techpriests became techno-religious morons spouting liturgical nonsense just to change a light bulb. Superstition and ignorance replace knowledge, and "knowledge is power". This book gives some great insight into what happened to some of that knowledge. When I first read a short story in I believe "Let the Galaxy Burn" I couldn't believe how ignorant the "experts" were of their own technology, wasting valuable time in an emergency making sure their prayers to the Machine God were in order before they flip a switch. Rote text and memorization replaces understanding of technology, now I can see part of why that happens.

It also rescues Graham McNeill from my "what happened to this guy's writing?" list. I had low expectations after suffering through the "Battle for the Abyss", a book I would have put down for good halfway through if not for its inclusion in the Heresy series.

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 & GAMES WORKSHOP

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 (take place circa 30,000 years from now versus 40,000 from now for most other Warhammer stories) - 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)

Mechanicum (is a Horus Heresey story which takes place about 30,000 years from now)

MECHANICUM

I loved this story because it provides the context for how the empire's technology came to be and how it fell so far. Basically, without giving away the story, this book tells the story of how Mars got involved in the Heresey, who too which sides and what those initial struggles looked like. Expect lots of Titan battles, and intrigue. There's also an interesting little back story regarding some daemon or other superentity (I'll let you read it, and if you're a Warhammer Pro it'll probably make more sense to you than to me)...I will tell you that I learned a TON about the Mechanicum, how the Emperor originally brought Mars under him and how Horus took so much of Mars (the rise of the Dark Mechanicum).....and how the Empire lost so much technology in one day (perhaps never to recover).

This book also sets the stage for another Mechanicum story to be told 10,000 years later in the present Warhammer 40K universe. Overall some people might find that the book says too much.....to me as a novice, I ate it up. Mcniell did a tremendous job on this book. If you're a pro or a fan of this Universe, you owe it to yourself to read this book and get the background.

Just bear in mind, it's a Horus Heresey novel so it's set in the year 30k not 40k...

Mars

Mars where it has not rained since the last visit of the Emperor.

Mars the original forgeworld and its titanic Munitorium plants, feeding the Space Marine regiments to (re)conquest the universe in the name of the glorious Emperor of mankind.

Mars and his cohorts of techno-priests and adept, feeding and controlling the forges night and day.

Mars burn.

Forge against Forge ,titans against titans, Tempestus against Mortis.

Long buried secrets are revealed, the planet itself seems to awaken from a dark sleep.

Horus Heresy consumes the red planet!

If you're a WH40K fan or more specifically Horus Heresy fan this is a decent book. It's one of the better of the series and a nice break after Battle for the Abyss. The mechanicum characters can get dry, but this is a neat story.

I love the heresy series and have been working my way in the proper order.

i trieed to read this one but it was so horrible i skimmed through about 70percent of the book.

the only redeeming factor is it seems to have cured my insomnia. After reading a few pages and skimming past a lot, i'm out like a light.

let me enumerate:

1. flat characters.

2. too many characters- what? which princeps?

3. forgettable plot- i'd post something about it, but i forgot about it already.

4. barely any action- come on! it was based on a tabletop war game! where's the blood about 7 percent of the book??

5. boring dialogue-zzzzzzzzz

i was so happy when i finally put the book down. i pulled up a book by joe abecrombie right after and was astounded at the dialogue and description in the first 15 pages. ughh..

cant we just have the rest of the heresy series by dan abnett????

The Traitor factions on Mars are finally making their move. A secret machine build with a mad mans drawings and a humans mind. Giant Titans roam the Marshian landscape and tear at each other. All the while the human is being called to a higher purpose. Love this one.

Its turned out to be a decent book, It gives a different view of the 40k Universe. Not the best in the Heresy series but a good book that does enrich the experience in 40k Lore.