The Flight of the Eisenstein: The Heresy Unfolds (Horus Heresy) - Books (James Swallow, Mass Market Paperback)

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Customer Reviews of The Flight of the Eisenstein: The Heresy Unfolds (Horus Heresy)

AMR
Spain
24th September 2008

Once again Swallow disappoints
While not as mind-crushingly dull as his work on the Blood Angel's, I have struggled to give this book two stars.

The first three books in the Horus Hearsy series are hugely polished and very entretaining. The characters are well fleshed and you grow to like them immediately. In fact, I loved Nathaniel Garro, the main character of this book, even though you only see glimpses of him in the previous books. I was looking forwards to reading a whole book about him, and continuing the story developed in the previous three books. Boy, was I in for a surprise...

Halfway through the book, I realized I was loathing every page. Swallow's trademark dullness had infected it like Nurgle's Rot, and I swear I know more about the motivations and character of Garro from the scant few paraghraphs written about him in "Galaxy in Flames" than from this whole book. Single handledly, Nathaniel Garro went from one of my favorite characters, to one of my most hated.

If you like well written books, character development or even decent action, you might prefer to skip this book in the Horus Hearsy series. If you like mindlessly churned drivel, jump right in. Don't be fooled by the 5 star ratings, I am a huge fan of Science fiction and Warhammer 40k and have read almost every single book based in this universe, and this is nowhere near 5 star material. It's actualy nowhere near 3 star material either.

Hower, I assume most people will still buy it for the same reason I did, just so they can continue the series in peace without the nagging doubt that they left something out. I am sure Games Workshop was counting on that.

Honorius
Newcastle, England
14th March 2008

Great
I was nervous about this book at the outset. It is the first of the heresy books which is not about Loken and i was concerned about how the change would be pulled off. It turns out that i was needlessly worried and the book excellenty melds new caractors with old the first half of the book being the Last half of the previous book from the point of veiw of Garro. this creats a sense of unity so when the book moves on the story a peice of the trilogy of Loken seems to be taken with the story. A great read that realy amps up the potential of the following books

J. Duducu
Ruislip
2nd November 2007

This is in no way a 5 star book!
My problem with the Horus series is how rambling it is. Everything written here is done well, with some interesting characters and good descriptions but too much is made of insignificant moments that should be background not 50 pages of story. If Tolkein and Pullman could do it in 3 books or Rowling in 7 books (George Lucas did it in 6 movies!)just exactly why does the Horus Heresy have to stretch on apparently infinitely?

It's all well written with far more going on than blood and guts but after the SET UP (not even having a convential ending be it happy or sad) of the first trilogy I was hoping that the story would crack along a little faster. Flight of the Eisenstein for more than half its pages shows events from book 3 again just from a different point of view! Now this is an intriguing idea which may have worked for a chapter, but if it's the main plot for over half a book it is either lazy or cynical. I see no reason why we can't see Horus fall from grace, rebel and ultimately be defeated in 3/4 books and yet at the end of book four we're still at the start of the story with no end in sight. This to me seems to be an excercise in milking the story for as long as people buy the books...

willymcdougal
North West
20th October 2007

The missing link!
This book is more of a stand alone book to the original trilogy, starting before Isstvan III, over-lapping and ending just after it.
It reveals the events during "The Flight of the Eisenstein" and links the horus heresy up-with Warhammer 40k with far more of a feel of 40k to it than any of the others previously.
A fantastic little bonus is the massive secret revealed at the end about a very misterious organisation in the warhammer 40k universe.

The only volume to date that has left me with a happy feeling afterwards! In my opinion a very good read in a very different format to the original trilogy. 5 stars!

Brother Decius
England
17th June 2007

Excellent continuation of the Heresy
Having read all the previous heresy voulumes, this particular book ties in nicely with the explanation of the the complex heresy history. This voulume focuses on Battle Captain Nathaniel Garro of the Deathguard legion and his unique (and enlightening) part of the opening stages of Horuses treachery. Taken on the whole 'purist' 40k readers may think there is little new information to be gleaned from this book. However, I believe it is a great story full of intimations of the Imperium yet to come.
A must have for the 40k fan who wants backstory.