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Prospero Burns (2011)

by Dan Abnett(Favorite Author)

4.12 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1844167763 (ISBN13: 9781844167760)

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

Black Library

series

The Horus Heresy

review 1: 'Prospero Burns' was a fun read, but was it a great book? I would really award this book a 3.5 rating, but I feel it deserves the better slide of the scale. How do I feel about this book? Where does it stand in the series? Well, I think Dan Abnett is a frequent offender of a few things that strongly annoy me in any book I read, but coupled with this I should point out that there are a lot glimmering gems to be found here as well. First the bad (as I am more of a 'glass half empty' kind of person) and then the good. There are two things that really stood out to me throughout this book (and as I said before, in his other works as well). That is: ill fitting dialogue. Look, I do not believe that a century old super soldier, hell-forged with an ironclad psyche would ever say "... moretalk shit," or the like. There are countless examples of dialogue where these war gods speak as if they are awkward teenagers who have yet to sample the nectar of the world. I just can't excuse this, and it made reading certain parts of this book a chore. There is a golden rule in writing, and that is: Write what you know. If you don't know "war-speak," well, then either do a little research and bounce these segments off someone who does, or gather up a few books where this particular point of storytelling was well executed. He has sold many, many books where soldiers are his narrators, so it is high time he fix this glaring hole in his craft. The second issue is over use of similes, adjectives and adverbs. Good God this drives me crazy! I know what "blackness" looks like, or "smoke," and so on, and truth be told, it doesn't take a dozen words to describe that. Many, many, MANY authors do this, and it really bogs down the narrative. But with all that said, the story drove me onward, and this is where Dan Abnett shines as a story teller. The story was very rewarding, and one of a much greater scale. Many plot nuggets slowly wove themselves into an epic conclusion, even branching out into the tabletop lore itself to grant us insights into how famous (Warhammer 40K gaming pieces) characters came to be. Look no further than 'Bear' (a plot reveal that I nearly shouted out "No Way!" upon reading...thus shedding further light on my nerd-dome - LOL). So, was this a good story? Yes it was. Was it a perfectly executed five star tale? No, not even close. So let me conclude by saying I am glad I read it, I enjoyed following the characters to their ultimate ends, or at times, their grave beginnings...and that one thing CAN be said about Dan Abnett: he spins a great tale every time! Thanks, Wes, for recommending this book!
review 2: It took me about a third of the novel to really enjoy 'A Thousand Sons', for whatever reason the 'Sorcerers' Legion didn't grow on me as rapidly as the Emperor's Children or the Word Bearer's did. The same, however, could not be said of Dan Abnett's take on the Wolves.I'd call them 'Space Wolves', but they hate that name. And that is only one of many gems you'll find in this truly wonderful book. This is a story of a Legion, a misunderstood and, seemingly, mistrusted Legion. A Legion that seems, on the outside, the least human (save for the Iron Hands, who I hope still get a book devoted to them). And yet, they are the most endearing of all the Legions once you get to know them. The story is told from the perspective of Kasper Hawser aka Ahmed Ibn Rustah aka the 'Skjald' (A story teller-remembrancer) who travels to Fenris in the hopes of researching the Wolves. His trials and travails are far more than what he had orignally bargained for though. In the course of his, often mis, adventures with the Wolves he comes to know them and appreciate them for who they are. He alse realizes that, all along, he's been the pawn in a bigger game meant to reap the ultimate devastation upon the Imperium. Through his eyes we see battles, both large and small, death, joy, brotherly love and remorse. Also, we see the death of the Thousand Sons Legion as they once were.It's the little touches in this book that really hooked me in, the subtle humanity of the 31st Millenium Vikings known as the Space Wolves. (They hate that name by the way...) The brotherly banter, the dark gallows humor, the constant chiding and good natured bickering, the drinking, the subtle fears and (of course) the wrath of these wonderful transhumans come to full life in this book. What struck me the most was the humor of Leman Russ the Space Wolves Primarch. He comes across as, seemingly, one of the most easily likeable Primarchs once you get past his gruff exterior. Then again I myself am a rougher person than most so maybe his lack of refinement and his barracks room humor sort of appealed to me more than the cultured refinement of Fulgrim or Horus or Sanguinius. Russ is the type of man, or shall I say 'trans-man' who could call me to battle and I would pick up my sheild and follow.All in all this is a truly great book. Now the Horus Heresy has four novels that can stand as amongst my ultimate favorites: 'Horus Rising' also by Dan Abnett, 'Fulgrim' by Graham MacNeill, 'The First Heretic' by Aaron Dembski Bowden and now 'Prospero Burns'. Though 'Fulgrim' may still be my ultimate favorite thus far, this has now edged out (even if ever so slightly) 'The First Heretic' as my second favorite. Well done Mr. Abnett, thank you for the read. less

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