Predator, Prey (2) (The Beast Arises)

Shatters expectations for this series. This is just brilliant. I could not put it down and stayed up much later then I should have to finish it. One of the most human and realistic stories to come from the Black Library in a while. Gives you an insight into the working of the Imperium from the perspective of real people and not just Space Marines(don't worry, there is amazing action with them as well) and the political intrigue gets more and more interesting, every scene on Terra more compelling.Rob Sander's has truly created a masterclass story of Orks and Man battling to the bitter end. The descriptions of the swarming Orks are actually scary at times, instead of the idiot humour they usually exhibit. Highly recommended, and a stronger addition to the series than its predecessor.

One other reviewer hated the politics. Me, I loved it! We get a great look at the infighting of hte Imperium. How in teh flush of victory, the departments scratch and claw for their own and let everything go to heck and a handbag. And it is so revealing and rewarding.And my favorite wacky red priests of Mars do what they do. Excellent read, wish I hadn't waited so long to get it.

Once again a great novel. Loving this series

Fast paced and aggressive this book holds no punches as the forces of Imperium realize they are in a lot more trouble then they think they are when facing the nigh unstoppable force of the ORKS!

Good read.

Great read

Great addition to the heresy!

Great book in a Great new series.

Predator, Prey, is the second novel in the Beast Arises series following “I am Slaughter” from Dan Abnett. The story is the continuation of the first volume which you would do well to read before this one. It is set in the 32nd Millenium, hundreds of years after the end of the Horus Heresy. The Empire has become complacent, bureaucratic and decadent. It is coming under massive attack by what seems to be a new breed of Orks with bases made of whole moons that move across space and attack almost simultaneously multiple planets and laying them to total waste before moving on to the next target. While the threat grows and various very different planets fall and die, the High Lords of Terra keep on with their politicking and power plays and totally underestimate the threat, except or some who decide to take things in their own and very ruthless hands.As also mentioned by another reviewer, the story has no single focus. Instead, the reader is treated with a collection of chapters tracking events that are happening simultaneously on the various planets under attack and on Terra. The various invasions include a couple of forge worlds being assaulted, a water world undergoing invasion, a desert world defended by an Imperial Fists successor Chapter in their damaged and beleaguered space fortress, a Black Templar Crusading force lead by their Marshall and abandoned by their accompanying Imperial Navy escort and a Mechanicum force which is more interested in studying the enemy and the sources of its strength than in helping anyone, including their own forge worlds under attack.The author does convey rather well the sense of grim despair of the individual worlds which get overwhelmed one after another by floods of Orks raining down on them through devastating planetary assaults. It also conveys rather superbly the contrast between these unfolding catastrophes and the atmosphere of intrigue, corruption, power fights and rivalries taking place at the same time on Terra.The characterisation is also interesting. One of the most intriguing is the somewhat idealistic Grand Master of the Assassins Drakan Vangorich and his far-reaching networks, because he seems to be the only power – along with the Space Marines - that is really devoted to the Empire and not driven by self-interest. Also interesting, if perhaps less original, are the oppositions within the ranks of the Mechanicum researchers between those who believe in the fight for Mankind and the Empire, and those who believe in promoting the sole interests of the Mechanicum. A good story worth a solid four stars and hoping the following ones will be just as good, and perhaps also a bit longer than this shortish 250 pages.

Very different from what I expected, which has been the mainstay of this series so far. As with the first book only buy it if the politics of a galaxy-wide Imperium interest you. Though the action is a good read, a good half of the book instead builds on the intrigue and corruption of the Imperium at the time, which for me was really interesting!

fast frantic breakneck paced read that will leave you shell shocked and dying for more. ad there devious plotting and diplomatic shennanigans a foot too.

This is a slow burner but with great possibilities. Definitely worth sticking with it. I can't wait to download book three!

great series for any warhammer 40k fans

good

Not as good as first book - writing style a little flat

The pace of the book is too slow... I really loved Dan Abnett with I am Slaughter, I find Sanders much more difficult to read....

Great book, great seller