‘Hunting Ground’ & ‘Lucius: Pride and Fall’ – Ian St. Martin (Black Library)
This seems to be turning into a bit of a week, what with trying to get back into full days at work as well as having to deal with other stuff once I turn my work laptop off. Oh well, I’d get bored if there wasn’t stuff happening (spoiler, no I wouldn’t)… ;o)
This goes a long way then towards explaining why this week is also turning into one of those weeks where my reading takes me into the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40K. It still feels a little weird to be calling it ‘comfort reading’ but I’ll be honest, that’s exactly what it is right now. A cast of morally dubious characters fighting the xenos (or each other), set against a backdrop that is almost the literal definition of ‘raging against the dying of the light’. If you’re me and just want to check out of the real world for a bit, what’s not to like? And there’s a lot to think about as well. Is someone a hero if they’re purging to the point of genocide (maybe), is there really any difference between the Imperium and the followers of Chaos (not a lot of difference actually), would I want to live there (hell, no!) There’s plenty to chew on while the bolter shells are exploding around you :o) And that’s why, last night, I thought I’d settle down with a couple of quick reads, both by Ian St. Martin. Let me tell you about them…
‘Hunting Ground’
Page Count: 21 Pages
‘Lucius: Pride and Fall’
Page Count: 21 Pages
The armour of Lucius the Eternal is a mosaic of howling caged souls – warrior-kings, champions of the Legions and master assassins, whose triumphs over Lucius were rendered into their doom by the will of Slaanesh. Of all the faces screaming from within the ensorcelled plate, one stands apart. He commanded no army, and was master of neither bolter nor blade. Who was he, and what twist of fate led him to be bound within the endless prison of the Eternal?
Now here’s a story that I’d heard about online and have wanted to read for a long old time. The only thing was, I never knew what it was called… Until now :o) I saw the blurb, on Amazon, and thought, ‘it isn’t, is it?’ I bought it anyway and… it was that very story :o)
If you know the story of Lucius the Eternal then you’ll know how he got his name and what happens to anyone who manages to kill him (and feels all pleased with themselves about it). This has led to a lot of online discussion, of the ‘what if?’ variety, and without giving too much away, ‘Pride and Fall’ takes a certain scenario and lets it play out. The end result is never in question but the journey up to it is superb, particularly as St. Martin really keeps things close to his chest. You know what’s happening but you have no idea why, right until the very end. It’s an ending that shows not only that Slaanesh has a sick sense of humour but also that they will do anything to keep their favourite game piece on the board. I’m not a huge fan of Lucius in general but ‘Pride and Fall’ really shows his potential to drive a clever tale, if it’s in the hands of a writer that knows what they’re doing.
This goes a long way then towards explaining why this week is also turning into one of those weeks where my reading takes me into the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40K. It still feels a little weird to be calling it ‘comfort reading’ but I’ll be honest, that’s exactly what it is right now. A cast of morally dubious characters fighting the xenos (or each other), set against a backdrop that is almost the literal definition of ‘raging against the dying of the light’. If you’re me and just want to check out of the real world for a bit, what’s not to like? And there’s a lot to think about as well. Is someone a hero if they’re purging to the point of genocide (maybe), is there really any difference between the Imperium and the followers of Chaos (not a lot of difference actually), would I want to live there (hell, no!) There’s plenty to chew on while the bolter shells are exploding around you :o) And that’s why, last night, I thought I’d settle down with a couple of quick reads, both by Ian St. Martin. Let me tell you about them…
‘Hunting Ground’
Page Count: 21 Pages
When forge world Tophet VI is attacked by the Iron Warriors, the Imperium responds in force, sending a mixed force of Subjugators Space Marines and the engines of the Legio Debellator to defend it assets. Though the Traitor Marines present a terrible enemy in and of themselves, the Warlord-class Battle Titan that heads up their attacks is an even worse threat, having the power to carry the battle for its dark masters. But why does this enemy god machine bear the mark of the Legio Debellator, and just how far will the Legio go to destroy their fallen engine and avenge their dishonour?
I really should read more 40K stuff with Titans in it… I love seeing the god-machines, striding across the battlefield, dealing all sorts of death, and I love that the Orks, Tyranids and Aeldari have their own versions of Titans as well. It takes the war into all the space between the ground and the sky; it’s literal ‘wall to wall’ war in the far future and that’s brilliant if you’re looking for a little distraction. Just like I was last night ;o)
‘Hunting Ground’ delivers on all of those points with it’s tale of smaller Warhound Titans working together to bring down a single, much larger though, enemy. That would be enough on its own but once you find out why the Legio Debellator are in the hunt, ‘Hunting Ground’ is brutal and tragic at the same time. I’ll be honest, there are no big surprises but the way it’s all handled is masterful. You’ll get why the mission was so important to the Legio but was it worth the price paid? I’ll get back to you on that one.
I really should read more 40K stuff with Titans in it… I love seeing the god-machines, striding across the battlefield, dealing all sorts of death, and I love that the Orks, Tyranids and Aeldari have their own versions of Titans as well. It takes the war into all the space between the ground and the sky; it’s literal ‘wall to wall’ war in the far future and that’s brilliant if you’re looking for a little distraction. Just like I was last night ;o)
‘Hunting Ground’ delivers on all of those points with it’s tale of smaller Warhound Titans working together to bring down a single, much larger though, enemy. That would be enough on its own but once you find out why the Legio Debellator are in the hunt, ‘Hunting Ground’ is brutal and tragic at the same time. I’ll be honest, there are no big surprises but the way it’s all handled is masterful. You’ll get why the mission was so important to the Legio but was it worth the price paid? I’ll get back to you on that one.
‘Lucius: Pride and Fall’
Page Count: 21 Pages
The armour of Lucius the Eternal is a mosaic of howling caged souls – warrior-kings, champions of the Legions and master assassins, whose triumphs over Lucius were rendered into their doom by the will of Slaanesh. Of all the faces screaming from within the ensorcelled plate, one stands apart. He commanded no army, and was master of neither bolter nor blade. Who was he, and what twist of fate led him to be bound within the endless prison of the Eternal?
Now here’s a story that I’d heard about online and have wanted to read for a long old time. The only thing was, I never knew what it was called… Until now :o) I saw the blurb, on Amazon, and thought, ‘it isn’t, is it?’ I bought it anyway and… it was that very story :o)
If you know the story of Lucius the Eternal then you’ll know how he got his name and what happens to anyone who manages to kill him (and feels all pleased with themselves about it). This has led to a lot of online discussion, of the ‘what if?’ variety, and without giving too much away, ‘Pride and Fall’ takes a certain scenario and lets it play out. The end result is never in question but the journey up to it is superb, particularly as St. Martin really keeps things close to his chest. You know what’s happening but you have no idea why, right until the very end. It’s an ending that shows not only that Slaanesh has a sick sense of humour but also that they will do anything to keep their favourite game piece on the board. I’m not a huge fan of Lucius in general but ‘Pride and Fall’ really shows his potential to drive a clever tale, if it’s in the hands of a writer that knows what they’re doing.
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