Book Review // Prospero Burns by Dan Abnett
We have hit book fifteen in the Horus Heresy series, Prospero Burns. A few Instagram followers have inquired how I get through the titles so quickly, and here is my secret: e-books. I can read them anywhere off my phone, and I enjoy the odd lunch break huddled in a corner reading rather than doom-scrolling. It’s rather enjoyable if the truth be known. I highly recommend it. Now, back to the review.
Book Details
Title: Prospero Burns.
Author: Dan Abnett
Publisher: Black Library
Type: E-Book
Page Count: 444
Fluff: The Emperor is enraged. Primarch Magnus, the Red of the Thousand Sons Legion, has made a terrible mistake that endangers the very safety of Terra. With no other choice, the Emperor charges Leman Russ, Primarch of the Space Wolves, with the apprehension of his brother from the Thousand Sons' homeworld of Prospero. This planet of sorcerers will not be easy to overcome, but Russ and his Space Wolves are not easily deterred. With wrath in his heart, Russ is determined to bring Magnus to justice and bring about the fall of Prospero.
Review
It's a book of two halves, and unfortunately, this first half is dull. It is shown through the eyes of a remembrancer, Kasper Hawser, who becomes a verbal history keeper for the Space Wolves. This section of the book is just flashbacks after flashbacks, that just slows down the reading pace to a crawl. I seriously contemplated putting away the book in favour of another title, but I pushed on through. The book starts to gain momentum in the final chapters but at this point, the damage is done and no amount of the Wolf King or Prospero actually burning can save the title.
I hate to sound negative, especially about a Dan Abnett novel, but this was dull. It's my own fault, as I expected battles with the Thousand Sons, the Rout (Space Wolves) marching to war, Leman Russ in full battle mode, and more than what I was given. In an attempt to be positive, it gave some good insight into the Space Wolf legion, but nothing is unknown if you have read some other titles.
Overall, go into this book with some caution. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below; they make me smile.
