Xathrodox86 reviews: "Throneworld" by Guy Haley

There's no stopping Guy Haley. The man delivers one great book, after another and "Throneworld" is no exception.

This one kicks off with a bang, as Eldrad Ulthran and a band of Harleqins infiltrate the Imperial Palace to speak with the Big-E himself. It is at this point that we are aware of just how awesome and hardcore the servants of Cegorach actually are in combat. Even against enemies like the Custodian Guard, the Clowns are outright murderous. The thing that always irked me in 40K tabletop game, was the actual discord between the rules and fluff. I know that some sacrifices have to be made to make the game playable (and God Emperor knows that the current meta needs it more than ever) but honestly - Eldar players should be writing petitions to Games Workshop, asking them to buff the Harleqins, even for a hefty point increase. They're that good.

Respect the Elves!

After a very solid beginning and a couple of interesting revelations (Eldrad and Emps used to be buddies. Who knew?) we're getting back to good, old Terran politics. After the arrival of the Last Wall, effectively the old Imperial Fists Legion, the Throneworld is in disaray. High Lords are, of course, furious and think that this is an outrage, while Koorland and his fellow Battle Brothers are disgusted with the Council of Terra's spineless politicking. The differences between the Astartes and the Imperium's ruling body are easily one of the strongest points of this book and Haley really shows how much the mankind's domain has changed since the golden times of the Great Crusade. Splendid stuff.

There are two more plotlines and it was very difficult for me to decided, which was more interesting. The first one deals with the Assassinorum infiltration cell on Mars. It shows just how ruthless and immoral the AdMech can truly be. Of course there is no doubt that Drakan Vangorich, patron saint of awesome, will have something nasty in his sleeve, when the times comes to deal with the boys and girls in red, but so far, the Cult of Mars is doing everything to save its bacon. Even if the rest of the Imperium will suffer for it. Damn those bastards!

The second one centers around ancient rivalry between Warsmith Kalkator of the IVth Legion and Magneric, the Dreadnought-Marshall of the Black Templars. Both of them used to be friends before the Great Heresy, and now Magneric is trying his hardest to catch up with Kalkator and, uh, do rather unpleasant things to him, in the Emperor's name of course. Now, since the book came out some time ago and even before it's release it was hinted at, this isn't probably a spoiler of any kind. I just need to mention it, because in my opinion it only highlights Guy Haley's awesomness as a writer and creator of fluff.

At one point in "Throneworld" the Iron Warriors and the Black Templars join forces to escape from an Ork onslaught. Yeah, that's right. The most hardcore of IF's successors and their most hated enemies (remember that this is after the Iron Cage incidednt!) put aside their ancient hatred and rivalry and stand, shoulder to shoulder, against the Green Tide.

"We have to ally with whom?!"

Now, generally I'm a rather conservative person, when it comes to 40K's fluff, but this... This was incredibly well written and fascinating to read. Haley plays upon the old brotherhood feelings, the memories of past glories that both Kalkator and Magneric shared, during the Great Crusade and makes this alliance 100% realistic and beliveable. Their conversations about the current Imperium, the Emperor's choices and hypocrisy and ancient deeds, really bring the reader to this world, make him believe that he's there, watching those two, out of their time, disilussioned demigods of war, standing there, talking about things that have been and could have been. It is at the same time awe inspiring and heartbreaking, encapsulating perfectly the essence of Warhammer 40,000 and making me remember why I love this universe so damn much. I'm not joking, this is the first time in this series that Drakan Vangorich is not the main selling point of the book, and it is glorious.

"Throneworld" is a very solid point in "The Beast Arises" series and it could be the best position, so far. I really think that Guy Haley may be one of the most prominent Black Library writers, at this moment. Almost all of his stories are very solid, if not great, and trust me, I love nitpicking and complaining about every and all defficiencies and errors, no matter how small or insignificant. There are none here. This book is perfection. Read it, love it, come back for more.

Thank you sir

Pros:

- A well portrayed, intimidating Xeno force with cool motives. Harleqins are badass!

- The ruthlessness of Adeptus Mechanicus.

- Wow, the Imperium is really going down the drain. I mean, with a leadership like that...

- The whole Iron Warriors - Black Templars alliance. Also Kalkator is, at the same time, intimidating and fascinating. A truly great villian!

Cons:

- None. Seriously, none. Go and read this book.

Until next time!

Xathrodox86