Nemesis - Book Review

Nemesis - James Swallow

After the horrors of Istvaan V, Horus declares outright war against the Imperium. In the shadows of the Emperor's Palace, powerful figures convene.Their plan is to send a team of assassins to execute the arch-traitor Horus and end the war for the galaxy of mankind before it's even begun. But what they cannot know is that another assassin is abroad already, with his sights firmly set on killing the Emperor.

Nemesis is the latest in the Black Library Horus Heresy series, this book by James Swallow takes a look at the Horus Heresy from a slightly different and more secretive perspective, and actually explains some of the characters and organisations we know from “modern day” fiction and background. This novel takes a major step back from the front lines, where the legions, fleets and men and women of the Imperial Guard do battle, this novel takes a look at the microscopic level of planning and execution that takes place when the Emperors scalpel is used. The novel concentrates on the Imperium's temples of assassins, each temple is unique with their own styles, methodologies and internal politics. Some are familiar and some not so, but all have been tasked to work together to hunt the most prized of traitors, the Warmaster Horus.

The novel is appears a simple concept but is actually made up of three interwoven stories, which all duck and weave around one another to bring the whole thing together to a point. The main story follows the assassins' as they for their Execution team from their respective temples. It follows the team and their overlords as they plan and organise their team and the task ahead. The second thread is almost a complete novel in itself, it follows local law enforcement as they track a series of evolving murders across their planet and eventually uncover the plans of a chaos bred assassin. The third thread to run through the book is the theme of the heresy and the growing tensions across the galaxy, from the planetary and “local” level, across the forces of the Legions and right up to the chambers of the Imperial Palace.

The Execution Force made up of one assassin from each of the major `clade' or Temples are drawn together and then sent to a system with underlying loyalties to Horus to await their target. Despite their numerous idiosyncrasies and their obtuse attitude the diversity of characters allow for a number of perspectives of the job, and as their plan unfolds the relationships between the assassins develop in surprising and humanising ways. Most importantly though the underlying tenets of the imperial faith start to appear and help in the shaping of the assassins attitudes.

The other chaos bred assassin is a real horror he is a being twisted by Chaos and malice into a perfect killing machine by the darkness of Erebus and he has been set on the road with one purpose, killing the Emperor. Trained in very different and sinister methods, almost spiritual methods, this monster cuts a swathe of carnage over the course of its mission. The climax is where the two sets of assassins meet and play their dance out to the end around the scenes of a Legion at war.

The final thread looks at the simmering under currents of hate, fear and resentment on the planets that are in the path of the battle fleets and of the people that fear what might come next. The fear and ineptitude of some of the establishments in the book are plain to see, but others less so almost until it is too late. It’s also good to see the conflicts of words within the Imperial Palace in this novel, and it features as much as the fighting and really sets the novel apart from some of the previous novels.

The Horus Heresy series is improving in leaps and bounds and the writing style of James Swallow has come on in the same manner too. All the disjointed threads and ideals work together and with his writing style flow in to a nice and cohesive novel that really pulls you in further to the whole Heresy saga. As the novel deals with a different side of the Heresy I think the novel really works and is worthy of a good solid 4.5 stars. A great addition to the series.

Available from:

http://www.blacklibrary.com/
Nemesis - James Swallow
softback, 416pp • ISBN 9781844168682

Conversion Corner - Forces of the Librarium!

Hello Folks

Despite not posting much for a few days I've had a very busy few days. Not Content with furiously (well quite reasonable furiously for me!) converting away I've managed a trip or two out to the local Adnams shop for a wine tasting and ended up buying a bottle or 6 of a very nice New Zealand Sav called "Flying Kiwi". So the weekend became a mish-mash of tasting wine (if your in the UK may I suggest logging on to the Adnams website and trying some of their various wines, beers, ciders and foody products - free delivery on orders over £50) and drinking of beer, yet I have still completed a few tasks!

This weekend was a "Warriors of the Warp" weekend for me! I have finally got round to my Librarian conversions and have completed two and a third is awaiting a few finishing touches! Not only have I served the Red Hunters well but I also dug out my old copy of "Grey Knights" by Ben Counter and decided on a few conversions from that.

Finally not to spend too much time concentrating on Librarians and Knights I completed some work on my chapter icon pads to allow me to make a start on the rank and file, well after I've learnt the tricky art of GS moulding icons! Then just to wrap this weekends activity up there are a few pictures of some recently completed Imperial Guard figures to give you a little sneak peak of whats to come!

Due to the size of the pics and the number I will post the Red Hunters first, followed by a second post of the Grey Knights and the finally a third containing the Imperial Guard sneak peaks.

Red Hunters Librarians

Codifier Khorion

Codifier Khorion has served the Red Hunters with distinction for some 108 years, most of that time has been spent in the service of the 5th company, though as with most librarians this attachment is transitory and nominal.

Since his tenure under Inquisitor Tyndale during the Saldana Purges many have noted his increased aptitude in the ways of the warp and despite the loss of the Inquisitor during the Purges this has not adversely impacted the demand in which he finds himself and he and the fifth company are regularly requested for the most difficult campaigns by a growing number of veteran Inquisitors.

Since the Purges Khorion has developed a trait unusually (though not uncommon) amongst librarians and almost exclusively goes in to battle wearing his battle helm. Many Librarians choose to eschew this simple piece of defensive equipment to allow them to better harness the power of the warp, however after Inquisitor Tyndale was lost to a glancing shot to the head Khorion has chosen not to place himself in such a risky position.

Overall I am very please with how this model turned out, the simple green stuff icons have worked well and when combine with the Black Templar robes and helmet, along with the honour pad from the Red Scorpions set, gives a nice and simple Librarian conversion that works well.

Epistolary Rodriguez

Epistolary Rodriguez is currently on assignment with the Deathwatch on the behest of Inquisitor Grunvald after his actions during the boarding of the Ork infested Space Hulk "Dread Orktober" . The Epistolary has shown great aptitude for reading and coercing the minds of the myriad of Xenos races that assail the Imperium of man and is even now receiving further training in how best to improve and apply these skills.

Another relatively simple conversion using just plastic parts, apart from the Grey Knights Nemesis weapon and Deathwatch shoulder pad. Over all I am please with the Green Stuff work, though have noticed two missed parts - the right hand side lightning bot and the "edging" over one lower grieve, though may change this. Whilst the model is pretty static I think the Blood angels head gives a sense of motion or force.

Master Epistolary Haulvarn

Master Haulvarn has served with the Red Hunters for nearly six centuries and has completed numerous secondments to the Deathwatch, as is the way with many Red Hunters Veterans due to their Inquisitional ties.

Haulvarn is best known for his daemon fighting skills, and whilst many of his exploits are classified beyond Epsilon Vermilion level the power of this master of the immaterium cannot be doubted and his position within the chapter shows the mastery and skill he posses. Armed with his master crafted Storm Bolter and Nemesis Force hammer, both gifted by a Captain of the Grey Knights Haulvarn is a whirlwind of destruction and power on the battlefield.

Another conversion I am generally please with, however the skull on the chest really needs more work. I'm also not sure on the helmet so any views and suggestions would be great.

Red Hunters Test Pads

Some quick icon test casts of skulls to use for my Red Hunters logos, I know they need tidying up a little and possibly that the middle one is the best one of the three but what do you think?

Right well, that's update 1 of the weekends work complete.