Customer Reviews

The Purging of Kadillus (Warhammer 40,000 Novels: Space Marine Battles)

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

 

 

I have read much of the 40k material in reference to the Space Marines. From the Space Wolves to the Ultramarines you can always bet on there being praying, and death to those that oppose the Emperor's will. I as much as anyone, reads a Space Marine book for these very things. Where this book truly stands out is that it portrays how a Space Marine company fights as a unit. It displays how the elements of recon, medical, and assault truly work during the chaos of war. It gives you a clear idea of how a Commander of such an element must make decisions in order to prosecute a campaign of this level.

As I have said before I've read several of these novels, but this is the first one that attempts to move 40k from futuristic Sci Fi fantasy to strong military Sci Fi. Don't misunderstand if you read a Space Marines novel for the praying, and killing it is here. What it adds is the tactical aspect of how they fight, maneuver, and plan. The action is spot on and very grim, as it should be. Instead of portraying the Space Marines as unstoppable juggernauts on the battlefield it shows their thought process before, during, and after the battle. It even portrays elements of doubt that they experience. Outside of the Horus Heresy books this is rare within much of the 40k material.

I think that Mc Neill and Abnett our still probably the best authors of the Black Library. Thorpe does create a very real and grim portrayal of war from the Marines standpoint. I don't think it fair to compare what Thorpe has done here with either writer. The only comparison that comes to mind is Eric Nylund's Halo books. Which shows the tactics, techniques, and sacrifices' that even the most supreme warriors must make to prosecute a war. I highly recommend this book to any 40k fan it's just different enough to be refreshing but maintains what the Space Marines are about at their core. I would also recommend it to any Military Sci Fi fan as well. It takes what exist in the 40k universe and applies it to the military structure that exists now. Instead of one hero doing it all it shows a company of warriors doing what they can to contribute. Great book and I can't wait to see if Thorpe will write another book applying these ideas.

this book is pretty good , all space marine class have is role to play ,the dark angel paranoia and mystery are present, the big problems is those heros

Borleas : kill in dark angel a previous book (suicide to prevent planetary viral destruction)

Hephaestus : kill in dark angel (suicide to prevent planetary viral destruction)

Nestor : kill in dark angel (executed by Borleas)

i m just curious how death can walk and fight when they die using plasma mine or without head because of a plasma shot on hit?

Gav Thorpe seem to have some problems with continuity in is book, i dont blame is writing but death that come alive to have another glory fight , better to have new heros vs heros resurected like demons

Sometimes the war is unexpected. Sometimes the cost is unexpected. But the resilience of an Astartes knows no bounds. Or does it? Face of against the unstoppable tide of an Ork invasion and fight as you are designed. But will it be enough.

I personally enjoyed the book in its myriad range of insanity, for Warhammer 40K war is nothing but insanity. A great read.

I have all of the previous Space Marines Battles novels, and this one was not among the best of them. The battles are frequent, and lives up to the name of the series, but it's a little hard to follow. There are too many characters, and none get followed all the way through the book. The ending left something to be desired as well. Pick it up to complete your collection, but don't expect to be blown away.

Take this for what it's worth, but I couldn't finish the first chapter of this book. I just couldn't. I'm a fan of the 40k universe and love the stuff that Dan Abnett writes so it's not like this was my first foray into the genre. Still, after digging into the first chapter not only did I have a hard time following what was going on, I just didn't care. I put the book down and never picked it up again. It's a great example of why game fiction has a bad reputation - because so much of it is written like this.

Do yourself a favor and avoid this book. There are better choices out there.

This story by Gav Thorpe is a excellent depiction of one of the key battles from the Dark Angels portfolio.

This story is far from just a long, drawn out battle cry of war in the far far future. The plot kept me tied to the story and unable to keep the "need to know" of what's happening next from my thoughts.

In my opinion this could be a great start for future stories of the Astartes, factions and other races to tell the stories of their monumental battles in a gesture to make their history more tactile to their fans.

I also have a good feeling about this book, I believe this could be a good start to a chain of Dark Angels novels filling the gaps of the memorable battles of the first founded.

Surrounded, sometimes all a marine can do is make them pay for his death. "The Purging of Kadillus" is another entry into the Space Marine Battles Series of novels set in the Warhammer universe. Sergenat Aquila of the Ravenwing is surrounded by Ork forces with little hope for survival. Facing certain death, he must do everything he can, and that just might not be enough. "The Purging of Kadillus" is an exciting fantasy and science fiction read, highly recommended.