Booknote: Fallen Angels

Mike Lee, Fallen Angels. Nottingham, UK: Black Library, 2014. 2014 ISBN: 978-1-84970-819-7.

Genre: science fiction
Subgenre: military scifi, Horus Heresy, Book 11
Format: paperback
Source: Interlibrary Loan via Hutchins Library. The book came from the King County Library System, Washington State.

This is the second novel about the Dark Angels legion in the Horus Heresy series. I was a bit apprehensive about this one after the disappointment of Descent of Angels  (book six of the Horus Heresy. Link to my review). With a different author, this novel is an improvement in large part because we have moved past the boring days before the Imperium in Caliban.

As before, we follow much of the story through the eyes of Zahariel, who is now an Astartes Librarian (a psyker warrior) of the Dark Angels Legion. He is in Caliban while Lion El' Johnson and the main forces of legion go to the forge world planet Diamat. The story then goes back and forth between Caliban and Diamat. Eventually, news of Horus' treachery reaches the legion, and the mission to Diamat becomes more urgent as the Dark Angels need to prevent Horus's forces from getting Diamat resources. Meanwhile, back on Caliban, treachery is around as well, a great secret is revealed, and Luther who is now in charge in Caliban has to decide where his loyalties lie.

Fallen Angels offers a good blend of action and intrigue. As we read, loyalties become a bit clearer for some and murkier for others. Things get interesting as betrayals are revealed. You also get a view of a world that only recently was added to the Imperium; naturally not everyone is happy about that, so Luther and Zahariel also have to deal with local rebels in addition to the planet's dark secret. There is a lot going on, and it moves at a good pace. Zahariel is still a light character, but he is better developed in this book.

The book's ending is open ended, since it is part of a larger series. However, the revelation at the end may be a bit surprising to some readers. I will not spoil things, but it feels like after all the efforts that more fuel gets added to the fire. There is plenty of betrayal to go around, and at times you wonder who may be right as Johnson and Luther both believe they act for the right reasons. Fans of the Dark Angels who already know that legion's history may appreciate this part of the tale. For those of us discovering this series, the book leaves us wanting to delve deeper in the fate and coming division of the Dark Angels.

Overall, I really liked this one, and for now, I am willing to give the next Dark Angels novel a chance if there is one down the road.

4 out of 5 stars.