Angels of Darkness

Rating:
Summary: Like the Dark Angels? You'll like this...
Review: Cast forward in time 10,000 years, force commander Astelan of the Dark Angels has been branded a heretic and condemned to death by torture. Switching back and forth between Astelan and his torturer, chaplain-inquisitor Boreas, this novel describes the history of the Dark Angels chapter back to the days before the Primarchs were rediscovered. The events taking place in Angels of Darkness are of secondary importance. What is interesting here is the conflicting points of view of the two main characters, Astelan and Boreas, as they argue in the interrogation chamber. These two marines showcase the change in attitude and psychology of the Dark Angels following the cataclysmic Horus Heresy. Also revealed is the terrible secret which the Dark Angels chapter has kept hidden from the Imperium for 10,000 years. The story keeps good pace, and delivers its intrigue at a measured rate which keeps things interesting.
This is a good book for 40k fans who are looking for a decent story with great background information. BUT if you haven't read all of Dan Abnett's books, definitely go read those first. The Eisenhorn trilogy and Gaunt's Ghosts series are the Black Library's best stuff! In comparison, Angels of Darkness is a bit clunky, and the space marines act like emotionally-disturbed teenage boys.

Rating:
Summary: Richly crafted.
Review: A surprisingly cerebral and complexly crafted story from an author whose other offerings tend to entertain primarily through fast-paced, graphic action scenes rather than by way of thoughtful character development and mature dialogue. This book is much slower and deliberate than its predecessors but is far richer for it.

The book primarily centers around the interrogation of a captured "Fallen Angel" traitor by his erstwhile brothers in arms, the loyalist space marines of the Dark Angels chapter. For the first time that I'm aware of, the long hidden secret which torments the Dark Angels chapter is revealed and afficionados of the Warhammer 40K universe are treated to an in-depth examination of the tragic schism which nearly destroyed the Dark Angels during the height of the Horus Heresy.

Far too often, chaos space marines and other foes of the Imperium are portrayed as mindless lunatics hellbent on destruction. Not so here. Thorpe's "antagonist" is lucid, articulate and just as convinced of the righteousness of his cause as are the Dark Angels of theirs. Through such a character, Thorpe admirably manages to capture all of the depth and nuance that the 40K setting has to offer. Highly recommended for all Dark Angel devotees and anyone who finds the backdrop of the 40K universe as entertaining and compelling as the game itself.

Rating:
Summary: The Dark Angels
Review: I am a huge fan of Dark Angels and their history. I thought this book is a must have for any fan of the Dark Angels; and since I am a fan of the Dark Angeles I naturally enjoyed this book. This book is written about two stories. One story is of the past. The History of the Emperor, Lion 'El Jonson and the Dark Angeles as it was seen through the eyes of one of the "Fallen"; or is it?? The second story, is about Interrogator-Chaplin Boras and the few Dark Angel space marines under his charge on a remote outpost. There is a twisting plot that won't be revealed until the last chapter

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Horrible
Review: I am a huge fan of the Warhammer 40k genre, but this book was written by an amateur. The structure of the novel flipflops between two narratives, one of an Dark Angels interrogator and the other, the interrogatee (a suspected traitor). Halfway into the book, the two argue on and on in some of the most childish dialogue I have ever read. The book has no point in existing whatsoever. Just avoid it. Games Workshop should be ashamed to pawn such [poor] writing off even in a genre such as this.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Horrible
Review: I am a huge fan of the Warhammer 40k genre, but this book was written by an amateur. The structure of the novel flipflops between two narratives, one of an Dark Angels interrogator and the other, the interrogatee (a suspected traitor). Halfway into the book, the two argue on and on in some of the most childish dialogue I have ever read. The book has no point in existing whatsoever. Just avoid it. Games Workshop should be ashamed to pawn such [poor] writing off even in a genre such as this.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic and atmospheric
Review: I used to play the hobby about 5 years ago when I lived in the UK, I always loved the stories so when Amazon recommeded the book to me I purchased it. I was not disappointed, in fact once starting to read it I couldn't stop. I read from start to finish without pausing for breath. Well written, entertaining and enthrawlling are a few words I would use to describe this book. It is of course written by the 'Games Workshop Hobby famous' Gav Thorpe, or Warhammer Loremaster as they call him. Great book even if you are new to the hobby, provides much information about the background to the Dark Angels, and you FINALLY find out the Dark Angel's dark secret Games Workshop have been telling us of for all these years.

Rating:
Summary: Angels of Darkness by Gav Thorpe
Review: Ok, any Warhammer 40k player will love this book, and Dark Angels players like myself wont be able to put it down. Gav Thorpe in this book just makes these characters come to life, I found myself reading this book for three hours at a time. This books battle scene's are amazing! And the talking scenes as well are very well done. This book is my favorite Blace Library novel of all time. Pick this book up, 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Not Worth Reading.
Review: This book has one bit of information about the Dark Angels that is revealing. But it's lost in an utterly unbelieveable and contrived story. The innterogation scenes were menotonus and repetative. The actual action was nothing but average. The plot is simplistic and contrived and the "twist" at the end is laughable. Instead of trying to stun us with a "shocking" ending Thorpe could have actually developed characters and stuck to material in the first chapters about recuitment etc it would have been much better. Instead we get The "Emperor's Finest" playing Keystone cops. The Dark Angels in this book are portrayed as overly emotional, short sighted, rash and basicly stupid. If Thope's Dark Angel's are indicative of the finest The Imperium has to offer then I'm heading for the nearest Eldar craftworld.

Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: This book was a very entertaining and I could not put it down. The ending was great! I highly recommend this book for all Dark Angels fans! Thanks Gav! Keep up the great writing!

Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: This book was a very entertaining and I could not put it down. The ending was great! I highly recommend this book for all Dark Angels fans! Thanks Gav! Keep up the great writing!