Book Review // By the Lion's Command – A Tense and Gripping Horus Heresy Short

By the Lion's Command – A Tense and Gripping Horus Heresy Short.

I'm continuing my deep dive into the Horus Heresy audios, and this time, it's By the Lion’s Command from The War Without collection. Even better? It’s written by my favourite Black Library author, Gav Thorpe, who once again leads us into the shadowy and secretive world of the Dark Angels.

Let’s break it down.

Book Details

Title: By the Lion's Command (The Horus Heresy – Short Story)

Author: Gav Thorpe

Published: March 31, 2015 (Black Library)

Get it on Amazon | Audible

The Story

In the aftermath of Perditus, the Dark Angels’ fleet has splintered, and Seneschal Corswain is leading a relentless hunt for the traitorous Typhon and his Death Guard forces. His chase leads him to Terra Nullius, a supposedly independent world caught in the middle of the Horus Heresy.

What unfolds is a high-stakes standoff. Corswain presents the planet’s Free Army with a brutal choice:

Swear loyalty to the Emperor or be annihilated alongside the Death Guard.

It’s one of the earliest moments in the Horus Heresy where a system attempts to remain neutral, highlighting the brutal reality—there is no middle ground in this war.

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My Thoughts

I love the Dark Angels in the Horus Heresy era. Their constant secrecy, their shifting allegiances—are they the good guys? The bad guys? Or are they just playing their own game? That’s what makes them so compelling to me. Corswain takes centre stage in this story, and we see his leadership under immense pressure. His pursuit of Typhon leads him into a political and military minefield, where every decision could tip the scales of war.

What stands out in this tale is the tension. Gav Thorpe masterfully keeps the reader (or listener, in my case) on edge. The fate of Terra Nullius hangs in the balance, and you genuinely don’t know how it will go. It’s a short story, but the weight of the decisions here feels massive.

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Final Verdict

This is easily one of the series' most engaging and intense short stories so far. It is a must-listen if you love Dark Angel intrigue, moral dilemmas, and tense standoffs.

🔥Highly recommended!

Have you read or listened to By the Lion’s Command? Let’s discuss in the comments! 🚀