Audio Review // Eye of Terra: Sins of the Father by Andy Smillie

Turns out I’ve missed the Horus Heresy series and it is nice to be back in it. I am working my way through from short audio dramas.

Book Details

Title: Sins of the Father
Author: Andy Smillie

Blurb

As Azkaellon and Amit duel in the ritual Tempest of Angels, the two favoured sons of Sanguinius learn something about their virtues and their weaknesses, of both themselves and each other.

Even during the age of the Horus Heresy, the twin nature of the Blood Angels is beginning to emerge. This story gives a rare glimpse into the mind of the Primarch Sanguinius and into the fighting styles of his two chosen sons, warriors who will prove pivotal to the Legion's future.

Review

Oh damn... that was short! Seriously, this tale is over before you know it. Because of that, I can't really recommend buying it as a standalone audio. It's simply too brief to justify the price on its own. However, if you already own the Eye of Terra anthology or find it included in a collection, it's absolutely worth listening to.

Despite its short runtime, Andy Smillie packs a surprising amount into these few minutes. The real strength of the story isn't the duel itself, but the insight it offers into Sanguinius. We get a rare look inside the Primarch's thoughts as he reflects on two of his greatest captains, Azkaellon and Amit, weighing their strengths, flaws, and the very different paths they represent for the Blood Angels.

There's a melancholy hanging over the entire story that I really enjoyed. We know Sanguinius possesses the gift, and curse of foresight. As readers, we already know the tragic fate awaiting both him and his Legion, and that knowledge adds an extra layer of sadness to every conversation and every reflection. Can Sanguinius truly see beyond his own death? Does he glimpse the darkness that will one day consume his sons? And perhaps most importantly, does he genuinely believe they can escape that fate? I'm not sure.

And by the end of this story, I'm not convinced Sanguinius is sure either. For such a brief tale, Sins of the Father adds some wonderful characterisation to one of the most beloved Primarchs in the setting. It doesn't need explosive action or galaxy-shaking revelations to leave an impression. Instead, it quietly reminds us why Sanguinius remains such a tragic and compelling figure.

I really hope Andy Smillie gets more opportunities to explore the Blood Angels, because he does an excellent job here.