Having defeated the forces of the tau on the planet of Pavonis, Captain Uriel Ventris returns to Macragge. But war is unending in the life of a Space Marine, and Ventris finds himself thrust back into battle against the nemesis of the Ultramarines- the Iron Warriors, led by renegade Warsmith Honsou. Will Ventris be able to overcome his greatest test to emerge victorious, or will the Ultramarines suffer a disastrous defeat from which they might not recover?
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
About the Author
Hailing from Scotland, Graham McNeill narrowly escaped a career in Surveying to join Games Workshop, where he worked for six years as a games developer. As well as fourteen novels, Graham has written a host of sf and fantasy short stories. He lives in Nottingham, UK.
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Detra Fitch
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
Captain Uriel Ventris returns to Macragge after defeating the Tau on the planet of Pavoinis. As usual, the next battle comes quickly. Such is the life of an Ultramarine. The Iron Warriors, lead by Warsmith Honsou, is targeting the realm of Ultramar. Honsou is out to destroy all Ventris cares for, including his homeworld of Calth. To this end, Honsou has freed the Daemon Lord M'kar, a diabolical hybrid of Dreadnought and warp-spawn.
Captain Ventris must also deal with the Newborn. The Newborn was once a human boy, but thanks to the Ruinous Powers, the being is now a patchwork melange of stolen skin sewn together from corpses, and its hatred of Ventris is matched only by Honsou. Ventris is horrified to learn that he and the Newborn have much more in common than he could ever have dreamed possible.
**** FOUR STARS! Graham McNeill adds a few interesting secondary characters to flesh out the plot this time around. Captain Aethon Shaan of the Raven Guard is in the action with Uriel because one of his Chapter, Battle Captain Vaanes, is on Honsou's team. (Side note: Uriel met Vaanes during his exile. Early in this novel, Uriel gives a brief overview about the time of his Death Oath.) There are a few other secondary characters with vital roles, but Uriel's Death Oath is at the core of this story's events.
The story jumps between various groups of characters. This gives the readers insight into the main characters' actions and goals. At times it even helps to develop (or deepen) more than one background story of key players. However, in my opinion, not enough time is given to the daemon lord or the Corsair Queen, who commands the Bloodborn host. On the flip side, this author has been known to tell just a bit about some secondary people and/or beings in one story and then bring them back in later stories as main players. Graham McNeill has one wicked imagination! ****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Captain Ventris must also deal with the Newborn. The Newborn was once a human boy, but thanks to the Ruinous Powers, the being is now a patchwork melange of stolen skin sewn together from corpses, and its hatred of Ventris is matched only by Honsou. Ventris is horrified to learn that he and the Newborn have much more in common than he could ever have dreamed possible.
**** FOUR STARS! Graham McNeill adds a few interesting secondary characters to flesh out the plot this time around. Captain Aethon Shaan of the Raven Guard is in the action with Uriel because one of his Chapter, Battle Captain Vaanes, is on Honsou's team. (Side note: Uriel met Vaanes during his exile. Early in this novel, Uriel gives a brief overview about the time of his Death Oath.) There are a few other secondary characters with vital roles, but Uriel's Death Oath is at the core of this story's events.
The story jumps between various groups of characters. This gives the readers insight into the main characters' actions and goals. At times it even helps to develop (or deepen) more than one background story of key players. However, in my opinion, not enough time is given to the daemon lord or the Corsair Queen, who commands the Bloodborn host. On the flip side, this author has been known to tell just a bit about some secondary people and/or beings in one story and then bring them back in later stories as main players. Graham McNeill has one wicked imagination! ****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not his best work...but then he's not the best author in the 40K universe
May 2 2011
Format:Hardcover
To begin let me say that Graham McNeil is a decent sci-fi author. I enjoyed Storm of Iron and the villains he created in this tale and really liked Dead Sun Black Sky as i thought it was an excellent intepretation of what happens to a world that fully succumbs to the powers of the Warp that churn in the Eye of Terror. However his follow-ups since then have been bland and repetitive and unfortunately The Chapter's Due is no exception. I was eagerly awaiting this installment as Ventris and Pasanius have been reinstated in the previous novels and the thought that Honsou, along with new and old allies would exact revenge on the Ultramarines would make for an interesting storyline. I was wrong. The enemies have none of the threat or malice that his previous incarnations did although Honsou is still arrogant and gets away with everything. The depicitons of the Ultramarines in battle are devoid of any true courage or excitement an I possessed pretty much 0 empathy with them, with a few rare exceptions. While the climax was interesting, it was just another superlative, shoot-'em up "oh the glory of the unbeatable Ultramarines vs. the Insidious forces of Traitor Marines". McNeil's command of the English is also wanting throughout, as he will use laughably bad qualifications describing an artefact (let's say) with something along the lines of "It was a priceless blade whose worth was beyond price." End quote - I kid you not. This repeats itself throughout the novel and cheapens the finest chapter of Space Marines. Where was the editor in this whole mess? Overall, I know this genre is sci-fi but when Dan Abnett pens a piece you know he'll work so much richness and description into the tapestry that even a short story leaves you hungry for more. Chapter's Due just left me feeling full of nothing.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.4 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
22 of 27 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
McNEILL disasspoints again
Jun 9 2010
By Armaghetto
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm gonna make this short. The ultramarines portrayed in this book come off as weak, dumb, and ineffective. How have they held ultramar as long as they have if they always do like in this book, underestimate and allow themselves to be outsmarted by the enemy. The Ultramarines didn't make a single tactically brilliant move in this entire book. In fact, we're lead to believe that an enemy force that's never even been to ultramar know their defenses better than the ultramarines do. Tigurius, the most powerful librarian in all the Imperium, comes off as weak and ineffective against the demon forces of M'kar. I mean, Tigurius should have been able to banish M'kar himself, he's so powerful in the
background information, but in this book, he can barely hold off minor demons. Mephistion of the blood angels in the novels comes off as far more powerful than his
peer, Tigurius, who was once able to scan the mind of an entire hive fleet and live to tell the tale. Too bad he's not effective at all in this book. And how was M'kar able to stand up to the Gauntlets of Ultramar, which have taken down Daemon Lords as well as Khaine avatars? M'kar was literally shrugging off blows from gauntlets that are Dark Technology Age wonders, with no explanation as to how he could do so. Calgar could beat M'kar before, but not now with Tigurius and Captain Agammon at his side? And after all the trouble he causes Hansou conveniently escapes again? With no reason as to how? The Ultramarines fleet is that weak as to be dominated like they were? I thought they were the most powerful Imperial Organization on the Eastern Fringe? Why were inquisition members in this book? They accomplished nothing. When it came down to it, why was Uriel Ventris and Cato Sicarius so not effective against Honsou and the pirate queen? Honsou was ten times the fighter Ventris was for no apparent reason all of a sudden. Even Vaanes the Raven Guard was ineffective as a hero. But he was effective as a villain. In fact, all the villains in the book cause terrible devastation while the heroes can't pull their heads out of their you know whats to figure out what's going on. And even when they do, they still make the same muck ups. Having a not so bright Uriel clone meant the Iron Warriors could override all the defense protocols of the Ultramarines? I could go on and on pointing out the flaws in this book, but I think I've said enough.
background information, but in this book, he can barely hold off minor demons. Mephistion of the blood angels in the novels comes off as far more powerful than his
peer, Tigurius, who was once able to scan the mind of an entire hive fleet and live to tell the tale. Too bad he's not effective at all in this book. And how was M'kar able to stand up to the Gauntlets of Ultramar, which have taken down Daemon Lords as well as Khaine avatars? M'kar was literally shrugging off blows from gauntlets that are Dark Technology Age wonders, with no explanation as to how he could do so. Calgar could beat M'kar before, but not now with Tigurius and Captain Agammon at his side? And after all the trouble he causes Hansou conveniently escapes again? With no reason as to how? The Ultramarines fleet is that weak as to be dominated like they were? I thought they were the most powerful Imperial Organization on the Eastern Fringe? Why were inquisition members in this book? They accomplished nothing. When it came down to it, why was Uriel Ventris and Cato Sicarius so not effective against Honsou and the pirate queen? Honsou was ten times the fighter Ventris was for no apparent reason all of a sudden. Even Vaanes the Raven Guard was ineffective as a hero. But he was effective as a villain. In fact, all the villains in the book cause terrible devastation while the heroes can't pull their heads out of their you know whats to figure out what's going on. And even when they do, they still make the same muck ups. Having a not so bright Uriel clone meant the Iron Warriors could override all the defense protocols of the Ultramarines? I could go on and on pointing out the flaws in this book, but I think I've said enough.
12 of 16 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disapointing
Jun 7 2010
By Nickolas X. P. Sharps
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have followed this series since the beginning. The I bought the Ultramarines Omnibus (a great deal) and was swept away by the adventures of Uriel Ventris. Before I picked up the omnibus I held the Ultramarines in low regard, as a space marine chapter they seemed pretty bland in comparison to the Black Templars or the Space Wolves. Uriel Ventris grudgingly earned my respect and I've been a fan of McNeill's ever since.
As amazing as the first three books in this series are, the two preceding Chapter's Due were lack luster. After following Uriel's exploits against a tyranid splinter fleet and a daemon world teeming with traitor marines his last two adventures were unfulfilling. The Killing Ground was aggravating and small scale, worst of all is McNeill's portrayal of the Grey Knights (my favorite space marine chapter). Courage and Honour was larger scale but lacked the atmosphere of earlier entries in the series. When I read the description for Chapter's Due I thought McNeill was finally returning to his roots and despite my unease I paid hard-cover price.
What most excited me about this book was the return of Warsmith Honsou of the Iron Warriors. Honsou makes for a wonderful villain, having risen to power in Storm of Iron and having faced off against Uriel in Dead Sky, Black Sun. There was also a short story called Skull Harvest in the Heroes of the Space Marines anthology that makes for a good precursor to this book.
This is not a bad book, McNeill is a great author of the Black Library and this is much better than most of the lesser author's works. This book is better than the previous two in this series but it no where near the level of the first three. What should have been an epic show down between Uriel and Honsou held no where near the emotional power I expected. This book is on a much larger scale than the others, *spoiler* by the end of the book there are three hundred and some less Ultramarines *end spoiler* and the whole Chapter gets involved including Marneus Calgar himself.
The plot follows three campaigns. One finds Marneus Calgar and the First Company in an endless siege against a never ending tide of daemons. This campaign is pretty boring and does little to further the plot but McNeill dosn't linger on it too long. Another campaign finds Captain Sicarius and Second Company fighting against pirates. This campaign is also pretty boring, standard Astartes warfare and a little more time is wasted on it. The real focus of the novel is Uriel's battle against Honsou in the caverns of his homeworld. The battle of the Four Valley Gorge is definitely a gripping fight and probably the most fun to be had in the book.
Where the book falters is the conflict between Honsou and Uriel. Honsou is no where near as interesting in this book, having been reduced to a daemon's errand boy. The ultimate showdown at the end is short lived, the Newborn (Uriel's evil clone) plays a much smaller role in the story than expected and *spoiler* Honsou escapes to fight another day *end spoiler*. No main characters die, and Learchus disappears for half the book only to return at the end with little explanation.
All in all this is by no means a bad book. The action is adequate even if the plot and character development are lacking. If you are a major WH40K fan like me go ahead and buy it for your collection, maybe wait for the next omnibus instead of forking over 25 bucks. If you are new to the 40K universe pick up the original Ultramarines omnibus, I usually induct newbs by having them read that. This is not McNeill's best work but I'm sure I'll buy the next one regardless.
As amazing as the first three books in this series are, the two preceding Chapter's Due were lack luster. After following Uriel's exploits against a tyranid splinter fleet and a daemon world teeming with traitor marines his last two adventures were unfulfilling. The Killing Ground was aggravating and small scale, worst of all is McNeill's portrayal of the Grey Knights (my favorite space marine chapter). Courage and Honour was larger scale but lacked the atmosphere of earlier entries in the series. When I read the description for Chapter's Due I thought McNeill was finally returning to his roots and despite my unease I paid hard-cover price.
What most excited me about this book was the return of Warsmith Honsou of the Iron Warriors. Honsou makes for a wonderful villain, having risen to power in Storm of Iron and having faced off against Uriel in Dead Sky, Black Sun. There was also a short story called Skull Harvest in the Heroes of the Space Marines anthology that makes for a good precursor to this book.
This is not a bad book, McNeill is a great author of the Black Library and this is much better than most of the lesser author's works. This book is better than the previous two in this series but it no where near the level of the first three. What should have been an epic show down between Uriel and Honsou held no where near the emotional power I expected. This book is on a much larger scale than the others, *spoiler* by the end of the book there are three hundred and some less Ultramarines *end spoiler* and the whole Chapter gets involved including Marneus Calgar himself.
The plot follows three campaigns. One finds Marneus Calgar and the First Company in an endless siege against a never ending tide of daemons. This campaign is pretty boring and does little to further the plot but McNeill dosn't linger on it too long. Another campaign finds Captain Sicarius and Second Company fighting against pirates. This campaign is also pretty boring, standard Astartes warfare and a little more time is wasted on it. The real focus of the novel is Uriel's battle against Honsou in the caverns of his homeworld. The battle of the Four Valley Gorge is definitely a gripping fight and probably the most fun to be had in the book.
Where the book falters is the conflict between Honsou and Uriel. Honsou is no where near as interesting in this book, having been reduced to a daemon's errand boy. The ultimate showdown at the end is short lived, the Newborn (Uriel's evil clone) plays a much smaller role in the story than expected and *spoiler* Honsou escapes to fight another day *end spoiler*. No main characters die, and Learchus disappears for half the book only to return at the end with little explanation.
All in all this is by no means a bad book. The action is adequate even if the plot and character development are lacking. If you are a major WH40K fan like me go ahead and buy it for your collection, maybe wait for the next omnibus instead of forking over 25 bucks. If you are new to the 40K universe pick up the original Ultramarines omnibus, I usually induct newbs by having them read that. This is not McNeill's best work but I'm sure I'll buy the next one regardless.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Serious letdown
May 31 2012
By Michael Freed
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
If McNeil was bored with the series or out of ideas why couldn't he have just turned it over to someone else to write? Storm of Iron was beautiful, the Ultramarines series was pretty good but this..wow, crunchy. The plot had plenty of holes in it, the ending used the worst kind of deus ex machina and felt phoned in. Read it if you absolutely must have closure but think of it like a bad breakup, you get an ending but it probably won't be a good one.
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 14 reviews
3.4 out of 5 stars
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
