Neither one thing nor the other

The Crimson King suffers from the same essential problem as many other mid-series entries in the Horus Heresy narrative. The series' overarching plotline relies on a few key protagonists (newcomers may wish to look away now) e.g. Horus, his rebellion against the Emperor of Mankind and the handful of other recurring characters who try to prevent it e.g. Garviel Loken, Nathaniel Garro, Iacton Qruze, Euphrete Keeler, etc. However, Horus is one of 18 primarchs, not all of whom are actually that vital to the key events of the Heresy. So the middle part of the series is maddeningly padded out with meandering stories about his brothers and their legions, despite the fact that they are utterly peripheral to the events in the earlier books or the Siege of Terra, where the series culminates. The Crimson King of the title, Magnus, is one of those characters, and to be honest this isn't one of Graham McNeill's best efforts in any case. I found it very difficult to follow what was going on most of the time, or who any of the characters actually were - but then after the first couple of chapters, I simply didn't care enough about any of them to try very hard. Contrast this with MacNeill's first entry in the Heresy series, False Gods, which is gripping from start to end, plotted like an action thriller and full of believable characters in peril. We also get the now-familiar references to 'superhuman' or 'transhuman', 'demigods' 'perfection of humanity' and other tedious cliches for describing the space marine legionaries. Like Fulgrim, Ferrus, Mortarian, Perturabo and the other 'not-very-central-to-the-plot' primarchs, Magnus himself comes across as so monumentally stupid and self-absorbed one is forced to question how he could possibly have risen to the leadership of a planet in the first place.

Narrator Jonathan Keeble does his enthusiastic best with the journeyman material he's been given, but there's only so many times you can hear a narrator raise their voice to shout about the space marines awesomeness, "as they slew their enemies with such incredible speed, blah blah blah...." before it becomes white noise or a dull headache sets in.

As it is, The Crimson King really is neither one thing nor the other - it fails to grip or entertain as a standalone novel and as a part of the Horus Heresy series, it doesn't move the overall narrative forward at all either.

16 people found this helpful

A disjointed 'Search for Magnus'

Unlike the Search for Spock there is no real emotional driver here or even a good starship-stealing sequence. The story could easily have been told in novella or even in linked short stories. Characters come and go, linked by a fairly cogent story at the start. As the hours progress little happens - and this is with Lucius somehow in play. I'm reminded of the second half of the movie Excalibur and the Grail quest - a basic explanation and some random wandering with a sudden and rather abrupt conclusion. Not a bad book but a boring one

3 people found this helpful

Great story about the 1k Sons

A relevant and compelling story that really explained some missing pieces of the pussel - and as always Perfect narration by Keeble.

1 person found this helpful

Good book but the wolves are hard to like

Always good to see more Thousand sons and Magnus, the story arc of both Arhiman and Amon was also interesting to follow. The wolves however were a bit one dimensional and were hard to like or enjoy. I think the book would have been better off without them

1 person found this helpful

Important but disappointing

Important book to learn how the Thousand Sons turn Traitor. That said my least favourite of all the books

It was ok

It was ok not a bad story but don't think it advances the HH story. Great for 1k sons fans to understand Magnus more.

Fantastic read

I always felt sad for the Thousand Sons as they were loyal and got screwed over and have always wondered why Magnus decided to fight his father.

Wonderfully detailed story about Magnus and what makes him tick.

Good story though a little frustrating.

While it IS a sequel to thousand sons and prospero burns it is a very slow one. Not a bad book but it didn't grab me as much as it could have. Also Keeble gets some of the names wrong and pronouncements seem off.

Good listen

Great book well narrated and griping storyline perfect Carry on for the thousand sons books well worth a listen

'words Words WORDS'

A study aid when reading Shakespeare, along with 'a play within a play', or more to the point 'a battle within a battle' and 'repetition for emphasis' all can be used to great effect. I felt the story a little longer then it needed to be but would have no clue as to what I would need to leave out but I was glad to get to the end. But I can't and won't take anything away from Graham McNeill who has us spellbound from the start and of course leaves it wide open for another instalment which I hope won't be too long to wait for. This frameless is in little doubt as to who has returned and I think that the Galaxy will be all the more interesting for it. Jonathan Keeble gives us a masterclass in narration. You won't be disappointed.