Xathrodox86 reviews: "Templar" by John French

After reviewing the dreadful "Mordheim: Warband Skirmish" mobile game, I've decided to go for something that actually brings me joy. Something which I hold in high esteem. Something written by one of Black Library's best authors.

First of all - welcome to the new "It always rains in Nuln". At least to the new layout, as it is still the same, old blog, run by the same, old geezer. I hope that you'll find this new look better and easier on the eyes (something that quite a lot of people complained about, when it came to the old layout).

As for this post's main topic: "Templar" by John French is one of the best Horus Heresy stories ever written. I've listened to it at least half a dozen times (I'm a huge audiobook enthusiast and the Heresy saga really gains a lot in audio format), and it was always a pure pleasure. What's the secret behind this title?

A kickass cover, for starters!

Sigismund, First Captain of the Imperial Fists legion, has been disgraced in the eyes of his primarch. Rogal Dorn was furious when his favorite warrior told him about the real reason as to why he decided to stay on Terra, instead of joining the Retribution Fleet. As penance he denounced him as his son, but let him keep the title and position, as to avoid any loss of morale in these difficult times. When Sigismund hears of a comet-shrine, dedicated to the Unification Wars, once again entering the Sol System, but this time being occupied by a force of traitorous Word Bearers, he decides to act. Gathering a strong force of elite legionnaires, including the bellicose Fafnir Rann, commander of the first assault cadre. Together with a couple of Malcador's Chosen, he sets out towards the shrine, ready to prove his mettle and atone for his sins.

This story is really a journey into Sigismund's inner soul, a fascinating look at a man, whose whole life had been dedicated to duty and service. Throughout "Templar" we get to see flashbacks, where Sigismund duels and speaks to other, high ranking legion officers, including Jubal Khan of the White Scars, and Kharn of the bloody World Eaters. Even to them, Sigismund's single mindedness to duty borders on the extreme, and can be considered his greatest weakness, as the Templar does not allow for any sort of compromise in his life. You know, when even the friggin' Kharn tells you that you're hardcore, that really must mean something.

Sigismund and the boys (and one elderly woman) finally engage the vile XVIIth on the surface of the comet, and it is where French's talent for visceral combat can be truly seen. The firefights and close combat, taking place within the vast interiors of the shrine, are brutal and bloody to the extreme. The horrifying certainty with which the Word Bearers fight their former brethren, the relentless advance of the VIIth legion's warriors, the desperate fight to reach another gate, leading even deeper into the complex - all of these, and more, make for one hell of a experience. I was literally sweating, when Sigismund got blindsided by a Word Bearer, wielding a athame, and the final battle, combining traditional legion methods of waging war, with a solid dash of the occult, was nothing short of spectacular.

Production wise, "Templar" is also one of the best books made by the Black Library. Voice acting is on the highest, possible level (I especially love Jubal Khan's lines, as well as Kharn's gruff voice). Gareth Armstrong, a regular in BL's audiobooks, once again gives fantastic performance, together with Tim Bentinck, Chris Fairbank and a couple other great actors. The background music and battle sounds are done perfectly - not too loud, but you can definitely a bolt impact, when you hear one. Doing a audiobook with large combat sections can be tricky, and I'm very glad that "Templar" is one of those titles that do it right.

Did I disliked anything about this story? No, not really. The final battle is rather similar to another one, written in the Heresy series, but I'm not telling which one exactly, as I don't want to spoil anything. Anyway, it's no big deal, as the one described in "Templar" is, in my opinion, much, much better anyway. At one point of the story there's a nice nod towards the lore of the Grey Knights, which I don't think many people got. At least I think that from reading quite a lot of reviews and discussion, concerning this title. I love tidbits like this one, and the fact that French put it in "Templar" made it even cooler for me.

Look, this is a fantastic audio drama (which also had been included in the "Silent War" anthology in 2016). It's just over an hour long, and you won't regret spending that hour listening to Sigismund kicking ass, and taking names. Slap a cross on your shoulder, take an oath of moment, and listen to "Templar". You won't be dissapointed.

For the Emperor!

Until next time!

Xathrodox86