This is one of the best Horus Heresy novels I read so far. It is as bleak as anything linked to W40K (even 10K years before :) )but gives good overview of Emperor, perhaps one of the least spoken characters in the lore.

Especially well is given his connection to his bodyguards, formidable Legio Custodes and Sisters of Silence (who are perhaps only members of Imperium that see Emperor as what he truly is - when stripped of his powers that is).

I will end with a note that Legio Custodes are very much aware of what they are, tools and weapons for achieving the Emperors goals and they are not fighting it but accepting it - and he is free to share his goals with them. One then has to wonder what was he thinking when Primarchs were created because they weren't as bind to his goals as Ten Thousand. But again how do you even begin to understand the ancient being as Emperor.

Highly recommended. ( )

This is the first Horus Heresy (or in fact, first WH40K) novel that I've read in a couple of years. I just got tired of all the grimdarkness after a couple dozen in the series. However, this one is a proposition I can make an exception for: a story that focuses on the Emperor of Mankind, his motivation, ambitions and his Great Work beneath the Imperial palace.

Hats off to the author for taking on what I imagine was the most intimidating of 40K canon. I think that he struck the right balance of detail and vagueness about the Emperor himself. He is a force of nature with no need to explain or defend his action. All of humanity are his tools, and his absolute tyranny is unapologetic. We get to learn the full details of his plan for the future of humanity. The ambition is colossal, and the cost is breathtaking.

I also appreciated the limits of his Godlike foresight and intelligence being explained in a very well-written scene that also serves to provide more context about some of his more egregious mistakes (not immediately euthanising Angron when he was found, for example). I thought that the ending was spot-on also; without any spoilers, it sets up the grim foundation for the 40K setting.

Ultimately, this book was written for the fans of 40K lore. Without a solid knowledge and appreciation of that background, it would be a pointless read. For the fans, this is a fantastic addition to the HH tragedy and highly recommended. ( )

The Emperor is a bit of a dick.

Custodians and mechanicus make up the majority of this book. A few rare close up dialogues with the Emperor are pretty cool--but they leave you with a sense of him as a complete utilitarian monster. ( )