Book Review // Horus Heresy: The Laurel of Defiance by Guy Haley
I am loving these Audible short stories. Today, I’m getting my fix with a Guy Haley title: The Laurel of Defiance. Judging by the cover, I was half-expecting a Novamarines origin story, but what we get is something far more reflective.
The Laurel of Defiance (The Horus Heresy – Short Story)
Author: Guy Haley
Published: October 9, 2017
Official Fluff:
The horrors of the Shadow Crusade are over. The Word Bearers and World Eaters have been driven back, and Ultramar stands victorious. But a new danger has arisen — a political one.
As Guilliman and his brothers declare themselves rulers of a new Imperium, Captain Lucretius Corvo, veteran of countless campaigns, finds himself uneasy. He is to be honoured for his heroism with the Laurel of Defiance, yet to question the Primarchs now would be… unwise.
Want to read? Use this link to help support the blog.
The Review
This is a surprisingly strong and thoughtful story. We follow Ultramarines Captain Lucretius Corvo as he returns to Macragge, not for battle, but for ceremony. Having fought Word Bearers, World Eaters, and even Titans during the Shadow Crusade, Corvo now faces something far more uncomfortable, a political gathering.
And it works brilliantly. Seeing Space Marines forced into a social environment highlights just how alien they truly are. These warriors were not built for diplomacy, small talk, or celebration, and the unease is palpable throughout the piece. There’s an underlying sadness here. The war is “over,” but at an unimaginable cost, and the Imperium being born is not quite the one Corvo believed he was fighting for. The question hangs heavy over the story: can beings created solely for war ever truly find peace?
Guy Haley does an excellent job of humanising a high-ranking Ultramarine, giving us doubts, restraint, and quiet reflection where we might normally expect nothing but certainty. A thoughtful, character-driven short that stands out from the usual bolter-heavy fare.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
