I should have written and posted texts about these two books quite some time ago, but at some point during my reading I kept delaying them so they would not end, just to make my reading journey last a little longer, and as a result they were left behind. I eventually drifted out of their atmosphere and had to go back and review certain things in order to remember them. Normally each book would have had its own separate post, but because I behaved the way I described, they will both be included in a single one, presented in a concise and hopefully clear manner.
At this point I should mention that, in terms of the internal timeline, these two works deal with events that are separated by a very long period of time, since one refers to the early stages of the Horus Heresy, specifically Istvaan V, while the other takes place after the Siege of Terra and the climax of the previous conflict. I am pointing this out to clarify just how different the events they cover actually are.
Starting then with the Dropsite Massacre, we have three Legions on the Loyalist side, the Salamanders, the Raven Guard and the Iron Hands, who must face the Word Bearers, Emperor’s Children and Death Guard at first, although I hope I am not forgetting anyone, and later on the Iron Warriors, Night Lords and Alpha Legion as well. After all, the title of the book says it clearly: Massacre. The worst aspect of all, however, is the element of betrayal, something quite common in Warhammer 40K. French focuses on the collapse of unity as many are wiped out during this battle, culminating, as we already know from the older book titled Fulgrim by Graham McNeil, in the death of Ferrus Manus, specifically his beheading by Fulgrim himself, who from that moment onward dives headfirst into the embrace of Chaos. Of course, this is not the only dramatic event, since the Raven Guard are almost completely decimated and Corax is forced to retreat, badly wounded and with his morale shattered, believing that he has failed as a Primarch.
It is a book written in the classic 40K style that at times takes on more poetic dimensions, with a lyrical and dark prose immersed in violence. If I had to choose ten books from the Horus Heresy series, I would definitely include this one, not only because it came, at least for me, completely out of nowhere and added another important element to this enormous saga, but also because I consider it an excellent and very bold undertaking on the part of French, who chose to write something set in between established events. Of course, someone might say that if he cannot attempt something like that, then who can, and I would not disagree, but that does not change the fact that he delivered a novel that is incredibly engaging. Even I, despite stretching it out for who knows how many weeks, could easily have finished it in less than seven days.
Now let us move on to Ashes of the Imperium.
Here things change, with a different writing style and a different approach, nothing entirely unfamiliar to a 40K reader, but nevertheless a step into unexplored territory, which creates a great deal of excitement.
After the Siege of Terra has ended, what remains are open wounds, ruins and a poisoned ecosystem, and even though the Traitors lost, since their leader Horus was reduced to smithereens, the Emperor now sits upon the Golden Throne because it is the only way he can survive, with all the sacrifices that this situation entails, and the overall atmosphere is mournful. Ideally I would have preferred a book focused on what the cover suggests, a council of Primarchs discussing their future plans, but unfortunately that was not the case. Even so, I cannot claim for a moment that I did not have a fantastic time reading it. The style of writing, constantly shifting between fronts, characters and situations, with a large cast whose names can only be remembered by frequently consulting the Dramatis Personae, made things somewhat difficult for me, although I understand that the book is not really meant to be remembered in every single detail. Perhaps that is simply the excuse I give myself to avoid admitting that Warhammer, even after all this time, remains a challenge to fully grasp. Thankfully it is so rewarding and offers so much depth that even if you forget a fair amount, there are always plenty of moments that stay with you forever.
More specifically, Ashes of the Imperium marks the beginning of The Scouring, the long period that pushes the Imperium into a bleak and hopeless state. Not that it was ever particularly bright before, but the focus used to be on the heroic deeds of the Crusade, whereas now we are dealing with a true dystopia ruled by fear, with the Emperor incapacitated and surviving in his current condition, slowly leading toward what would become the 41K era, the present time of the Warhammer universe.
The goal of the Loyalists is to hunt down and eliminate the traitors, while at the same time rebuilding everything that has been shattered. The perspectives presented come from all sides, Loyalists and Traitors alike, as well as ordinary people, refugees and soldiers. Naturally all these characters speak and act in various ways, and I admit that not everything has stayed with me, but one figure I certainly will not forget is Julatta, who has a remarkable and grim dark arc connected to matters of faith.
The great moment of the book, however, is the discussion between Dorn and Guilliman and their opposing viewpoints. The former argues that they must act quickly to destroy the remaining enemies, while the latter insists on the need to reorganize first. It becomes clear that there is a deep division between them, while the others present do not take any meaningful initiative. I should emphasize here that Dorn was present during the Siege of Terra and without him things would have unfolded very differently, whereas Guilliman arrived only after it was over. This is extremely important, because one of them is filled with anger and psychologically exhausted, to say the least, while the other, being who he is, sees the situation from a broader perspective. Even though Guilliman is right in this case, if I had to choose between them there would be no question for me, I would follow Rogal Dorn without hesitation. This last sentence probably does not matter to you as a reader, but I felt like saying it anyway.
In the end a middle ground is found, an agreement to launch a campaign, The Scouring, in order to punish the Traitors, while simultaneously reorganizing the Imperium, though in a different way than before. With the Emperor no longer active, new institutions must be created and governance can no longer rest entirely in the hands of the Primarchs. In general, trust has been deeply shaken.
Both books are of excellent quality and very well written. I am eagerly looking forward to the continuation of this new series, and in the meantime I still have plenty more to read.
Until next time — be well, and keep reading.
It’s important!
Accompanying Notes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCSg_P6uZwI
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