Pharos (34) (The Horus Heresy) Mass Market Paperback – April 25, 2017

It was inevitable that the traitors would move against Pharos, although it comes in an unexpected manner. Guilliman at times makes some really bad strategic mistakes, and this is another one as he listens to the Lion and does not heavily garrison Pharos. Oh that Lion. Perhaps the most useless Primarch.We have a death of a Marine that I really feel in this one. And Guilliman learns another lesson at the end.A great follow up to the war in Secundus. And Curze visits a brother, so that is always welcome.

I enjoyed reading more on two of my favorite factions in the 40k universe, the night Lord's and the ultra Marines. I had come to like the warsmith Dantioch and the cold logical nature he had started with, and the ultimate sacrifice in the end to save someone he had never considered he could ever call friend. He shall be missed.

This is book 34 of the Horus Heresy. It is a good title and it more or less picks up the story and is the continuation of Dan Abnett’s “The Unremembered Empire”, or the proclamation of Empire Secundus and of Sanguinius the Angel Primarch, as a successor to the Emperor. One flaw, however, is that, once again, the action does not move any closer to Terra even if the book does contain a number of interesting and good or even very good bits and pieces.One series of good bits are the dialogues, tensions and oppositions between three Primarchs – Sanguinius, Roboute Guilliman and Konrad Curze, and even four is the Lion, who is mentioned by does not appear in this episode, is to counted. I will not write anything more is this respect, except to mention that the dialogues illustrate rather well the different and respective characters of these “demi-Gods”.Another great series are those featuring the predatory and terrifying Night Lords. Particularly well shown are the first effects of their decay with a shift from conscious and deliberate use of terror tactics to sadism, wanton cruelty and torture. This shift, decay and fall are matched by the increasingly savage and barbaric trophies decorating their battle plates (human skulls, skin and the like). They are also illustrated by the murderous rivalries among the Night Lords’ leadership following the mysterious departure of their Primarch and the capture of Serbitar, their First Captain. These features are particularly interesting when compared to Demski-Bowden’s Night Lords’ trilogy, where this process is perhaps even more advanced and the Legionaries are a mere shadow of their former selves.Also of interest are some of the clashes and battles. My favourite is the assault on the Pharos space station, although the attack of Pharos itself comes in a close second.Then there is the characterisation, with the two most interesting characters being those of two outsiders, one an Iron Warrior Space Marine Warsmith and the other a human sergeant, soldier almost by accident, one Mericus who does not even come from the planet Sotha but nevertheless fights for it to the end, and both being heroic in their own ways. A group of young Ultramarine Scouts also adds an interesting touch and a somewhat unusual bunch of heroes to the book.Finally, there are some very interesting descriptions showing the Ultramarine meticulous planning, building and colonisation of what was a recently occupied world which was just starting to be developed when hit by war and destruction. There are also the interesting, mysterious and multiple properties of the Pharos itself, properties that go well beyond being just a powerful beacon for space travel and that no one entirely grasps, nor are its origins understood or its builders known.A good four stars.

Out of about the 30 Horus Heresy novels I read I liked the omnibus novels and this one the best. More cleanly written without the excess of SAT words and tortuously over described and repetitive scenes.

A great story around heros who defend Ultramar, and those that threaten it. Really enjoyed the relationship between Barabas Dantioch and Alexis Pollux. Just as well as the Night Lords Kellendvar and Kellenkir 5/5

Awesome!!Action packed, suspenful. Love seeing more than one primarch in the book. The Kurze and Sanguiness dual was superb.

this wasn't the most exciting book in the horus heresy series, or the most action packed...but it was interesting all the way through. The first half is predictable but still fun to read. The second half however is some of the best in the series. The story with Conrad Curze and his eventful discussion with Sanguines was great. Conrad Curze is one of the most complex characters in the entire series, even with his sadistic insanity. As a warhammer fan however I have to give a salute to the final epilogue of the book. I won't spoil anything but I think its interesting that Roboute's decision to use the Pharos (while necessary) ultimately led the future demise of the entire galaxy.

A fine novel by Guy Haley that really hits on the heart of Imperium Secundus! The alien artifact that allows Roboute Guill...i mean Sanguinius to keep HIS empire together has fallen victim to a overwhelming assault by the leaderless Night Lords. Only a small collection of Space Marines and soldiers can save the Imperium Secundus from being doomed to the Maelstrom that plagues the 500 worlds.To be clear this book isn't SUPER important but it does have some potentially important things to help bring us closer to the final battle. Also TORTURE is featured heavily in this book so enjoy that.

Enjoyable insight across multiple legions and love the sinister teaser at the end. Also, Gotta love the night lords, harsh!

Interesting read. NL are just mad brutal. I liked the style of writing by the author. At times it dragged on a bit but the end was satisfying and monumental

Une des meilleures references dans l’heresie d’horus, beaucoups D’action et de suspens.

This book was okay and had an emotional ending (I cried while reading the last chapter).However, I am starting to get sick of this trope where the bad guys happen to always trick the good guys until the very end. I mean that made sense at the beginning of the heresy. This far into the series, it's more of a running gag. I get that the Night Lords are smart but the Smurfs should know better by now...The book also makes you both hate and empathise with the Night Lords. You also get some nice heart to heart moments between Dantioch and Polux.

Like the rest, awesome books