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A review by righteousridel
Helbrecht: Knight of the Throne by Marc Collins
2.0
A thoroughly forgettable story, Helbrecht fails to give much insight into the High Marshal of the Black Templars while simultaneously delivering by-the-numbers bolter porn. I’m harsh on short stories generally, but the author simply didn’t try to tell much of a tale. Heveran is a great location, and its history is steeped in grimdark, but the action is both low stakes and yet at the same time, felling Space Marines at a rate that doesn’t support the ten thousand years of war.
Those are common problems with the fluff though… what’s really disappointing are the internal ramblings of a post-human legend like Helbrecht. He comes across as deeply conflicted; an introverted man prone to contemplation. When Grimaldus graces the pages, it confirms what I suspect: the author just doesn’t know their voice. I think of Helsreach as one of the finest examples of the Black Templars on crusade, and this doesn’t remotely approach that flavour.
Not recommended with reservations. If you need a quick hit of bolter action, you’ve found it.
Those are common problems with the fluff though… what’s really disappointing are the internal ramblings of a post-human legend like Helbrecht. He comes across as deeply conflicted; an introverted man prone to contemplation. When Grimaldus graces the pages, it confirms what I suspect: the author just doesn’t know their voice. I think of Helsreach as one of the finest examples of the Black Templars on crusade, and this doesn’t remotely approach that flavour.
Not recommended with reservations. If you need a quick hit of bolter action, you’ve found it.