Book Review // Know No Fear - Horus Heresy
I told you I was back on the Horus Heresy train. Hot on the tail of yesterday’s Deliverance Lost, we come to Know No Fear by Dan Abnett. Dan Abnett wrote it, so we know it will be fun. It also has the Ultramarines hiding from the Word Bearers, so let us dive in and review the novel.
Here is the basic info. Book 19 in the Horus Heresy Series, which clocks in at 412 pages long, features the Ultramarines fighting the Word Bearers and is the infamous Battle of Calth. Here is the official write-up:
Book Details
Title: Know No Fear
Author: Dan Abnett
Page Count: 412
Format: E-book
Publisher: Black Library
Fluff: Unaware of the wider Heresy and following the Warmaster’s increasingly cryptic orders, Roboute Guilliman returns to Ultramar to muster his Legion for war against the orks massing in the Veridian system. Without warning, their supposed allies in the Word Bearers Legion launch a devastating invasion of Calth, scattering the Ultramarines fleet and slaughtering all who stand in their way. This confirms the worst scenario Guilliman can imagine – Lorgar means to settle their bitter rivalry once and for all. As the traitors summon foul daemonic hosts and all the forces of Chaos, the Ultramarines are drawn into a grim and deadly struggle in which neither side can prevail.
When war comes to Calth and sets the planet aflame, the Ultramarines face annihilation against a foe who will use any means to settle their bitter grudge.
Review
Wow, great book. The last two books were relatively low-key affairs, representing small-scale engagements with lots of stealth and small casts of characters. Well, Dan Abnett kicked down the doors of my sanity and gave me planet-destructive warfare!
As a long-time 40k hobbyist, I already knew the battle's outcome and what happened to Calth, but it was great to read how it all went down finally! A solid portion of the book is used to set the scene, which is very much needed. During this stage, we meet the main characters and work out who is where and why. This helps build up the tension of the story as we know the Word Bearers are ultimately the villains and are planning to cheap shot the Ultramarines, and it is this slow build-up that makes it more epic when it finally comes.
When the fighting begins, it is classic Marine-on-Marine action—backstabbing and betrayal, followed by plenty of heroics and heart-wrenching agony. One of my favourite scenes was when the damaged spacecraft plunges through the atmosphere and is described beautifully by Abnett's writing. Also, Guilliman comes across as an absolute badass!
Overall, this is a great story written by the right author. It is easily in my top five of the series so far.
