The Flight of the Eisenstein: The Heresy Unfolds

My favorite book in the Horus Heresy series is Ben Counter's "Galaxy in Flames." The reason being that it gripped me and moved me. More often than not I have had a hard time identifying with the space marines. They seemed too god-like, too cold; just heart-less killing machines. Counter made me care about the marines. James Swallow's book "Flight of the Eisenstein" follows Counter's book and moves the plot forward. In many respects I found Swallow's book equal too and sometimes superior (a hard call)to "Galaxy in Flames." Some of the characters from the previous book re-appear and we see events from the earlier books played out from the point-of-view of members of the Death Guard. The protagonist of "Flight of Eisenstein is Battle-Captain of the 7th Company of the Death Guard--Nathaniel Garro. For the most part, we see the action through his pov, although Swallow breaks the unity from time to time to enter the minds of subordinate characters. The book begins with an attack on a Jorgall ship, where we see both the Death Guard and the Oblivion Knight, Amendera Kendel, in action. A psyker's warning of impending doom alerts the reader to treachery ahead and the action begins. The "Flight of the Eisenstein" shows us Horus's strategy becoming visible in the battles of the Isstvan sector. It also develops the rise of the new saint Euphrati Keeler. These plot points are important to the overall development of the series; however, Swallow has presented some interesting touches. The description of the ship's trip through the warp seemed particularly clear and cogent; the hatred of Grulgor was palpable and handled well; the infestation and contamination of Decius was logical and well-developed; the description of the Luna base was brilliant; and the conversion of Garro was believable. In summary, Swallow writes a clear serviceable prose that moves the story along. His fantastic descriptions are quite realistic. I found it a very satisfying novel.

If you're a fan of 40K, especially the backstory to pivotal events in the history of the Imperium, then you're probably already immersed in this series. Fans of Chaos can find quite a bit to latch onto as well, as this series delves into the 'turning' of some of humanity towards Chaos, as well as the role(s)and faces Chaos plays and takes. This book continues the standards set by the previous titles of being well-written with plenty of action and intersecting plot lines and intertwining charachters. I was surprised at how well the books were written- there is some imaginative and well-worded prose to be found, and this book and author are no exception. If you're not familiar with Games Workshops 'Warhammer 40K' universe, this series will appeal to readers who enjoy a very expanisve and richly developed universe of charachters, history and mythologies. Think of a cross between the 'Dune' universe and Tolkien.

WOW...did I love this book. Yes I did. Now I have been a historical wargamer for decades, but with my young son have begun building armies for Warhammer 40K. Up until recently I had been reading Abnett's wonderful stories about Ibrahm Gaunt and the Tanith. I was on the verge of reading another of Abnett's books when I spotted Swallow's Eisenstein. After juggling which to get, I settled on this one. I have always been intrigued by the Horus Heresy stuff and this looked like a great entry into learning something about it. And I would recommend to any newbie to the hobby that this book is a great way to see how the heresy unfolds and how one Death Guard Captain finds the measure of his life's purpose as he flees with a message of betrayal back to the Emperor. The story builds nicely and the characters really grow before your eyes. A good book often reads itself and this one definitely did. I couldn't wait to pick it up each lunch hour and in the late hours of the night. I wanted to know how Nathaniel Garro would get the warning back to Terra and would he indeed discover his purpose. Of course the answer is YES, but the how is so worth the time in discovering. So throw on the ceramite and clean your bolter, it's time my brother Astartes to follow the trials and redemption of Honour Brother Nathaniel Garro. The Emperor Protects.

I particularly enjoyed this installment of the Horus Heresy novels as it tied together some of the loose ends left by the previous novel and did a fantastic job of setting the stage for the next act. Black Library is pulling out all the stops on these novels and they are some fantastic examples of pulpy 40K goodness. It's especially telling that I'm riveted by the stories in this series when I know how it's going to end already.

The Flight of the Eisenstein marks the continuation of the Horus Heresy Saga which began with Dan Abnett's Horus Rising and followed up by both Graham McNeill's False Gods and Ben Counter's Galaxy In Flames. James Swallow takes on the 4th book in the saga and he continues to show definite improvement with his grasp of the rich, detailed history and backstory that is Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 Universe. The Flight of the Eisenstein is a very well-written and Swallow does a great job in bringing the epic story of the Heresy to a smaller, but still interesting stage. The Flight of the Eisenstein is shown through the eyes of Battle-Captain Nathaniel Garro of the Death Guard Legion's 7th Company. Garro's seen as well-liked and respected by his men and some of his peers outside his Company. His character shares the same nobility and introspective nature as the previous three books main characters in the Luna Wolves' Garviel Loken and the Emperor's Children's Saul Tarvitz. This helps tie Garro to the path he'll soon take as one of the few loyalist survivors of Horus' betrayal of the Emperor and the Legiones Astartes at Istvaan III. But before Garro will lead his company to flight in order to take Horus' betrayal to the Emperor in far-off Terra, he and the rest of the Death Guard are shown just how effective a war machine they are with their assault and determined annihilation of an alien race called the jorgalli. It is also in the novel's opening battle with this alien race where Garro first hears the psychic warnings that will soon tear the Astartes brotherhood asunder. Soon Garro must follow his Primarch Mortation and the rest of the Death Guard to the Istvaan system where they meet up with the rest of Horus' task force. Garro and his men are too late to stop the actions his Primarch makes in support of Horus' plan but they make a desperate escape of the traitor legions' fleet blockade. It is during the escape and their subsequent attempts to survive in the Warp with a damaged ship which takes up the bulk of the novel. It is during this middle-half of the book which shows the internal dilemmas each Death Guard must face on their own after seeing what they've believed in and fought for just thrown away by their Legion and battle-brothers. Some make it through the crisis of faith whole and stronger for it while others succumb to the easy way out which Horus and his followers took to retain power and influence. Swallow really does a great job in introducing not just the Death Guard, but also some of the more unique forces protecting the Imperium. The exotic and mysterious Sisters of Silence make their appearance and becomes a major factor in determining the fate of Garro and his men in the final third of the book. Even the Emperor's own personal guard, the Legiones Custodes, make a brief appearance in the end. James Swallow really sets up well the next stage of the Horus Heresy saga and he follows the guidelines set before him by others writers