First Heretic, The

How love turns to hatred.

Rated 4 out of 5 by Jeff Preston

The story is beautifully crafted. Mr. Dembski-Bowden really digs deep and crafts a remarkable tale of how important religion is to some people, and how something so important, so central to their character can be rebuked, deceived, and the response to having beliefs turned on their head. Of course…central to this is how they discover what lurks on the other side of the veil. Chaos does a fine job in twisting and distorting the truth so that the only thing that remains is confusion. Easily one of the best of the entire Horus Heresy series!

the first heretic

Rated 5 out of 5 by tami peston

wow! bowden has done a fantastic job with this story! its got everything anyone can want not just the word bearers but the eye of terror and what lurks within, hints at the missing primarchs, cadia and i won't say more or i'll spoil it! but its the best horus heresy yet!

Holy Throne of Terra!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 by Daniel

Since reading the first three books in the HH series, this has been the story I have been waiting for... Aaron DB has been given a rare opportunity, made all the more tantalising because of the subject, and he has taken that opportunity further than any of us could have hoped for!!! There is a wealth of background lore, heart-pounding conversations, gripping action scenes, and jaw-dropping awe-inspiring moments on every single page!! I dare anyone to try putting this book down once they've started, because THIS is what makes the HORUS HERESY. Like Lorgar you'll thirst for more... 10/10 Aaron!

The truth will damn us all!!

Rated 5 out of 5 by Lord of the Night

A fantastic book, in an already fantastic series, so many myths revealed and more created, and not only the very first Possessed Marines but the very first utterance of the immortal line 'Death to the False Emperor!'. Its my favourite novel already, 10/10 for The First Heretic and 11/10 for ADB.

Wow!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 by Lost1

Best heresy book since the first 3. Well written not a dull moment. Dembski-bowden is great at this stuff, hope he writes Many moré. Couldnt put it down read it in less than a day.

Best HH book Since trilogy

Rated 5 out of 5 by Aaron

Best novel since the original three books. Fantastic writing I could not stop reading.

As good as they come

Rated 5 out of 5 by Alex

One of the best in the series to date. ADB makes the reader care about the Word Bearers even as they gradually descend towards Chaos. Memorable characterizations, good pacing, and excellent storytelling - I could not put this book down. Not sure how it was on sale at my local book store, being that it was not supposed to be out until November, but I am not complaining. For all intents and purposes, ADB proved that he can do no wrong - this is the third novel of his I have read, and so far he is 3 for 3. His name is a recommendation enough to buy a WH40K book. Highly recommended.

Amazing

Rated 5 out of 5 by Austin

This is my favorite Horus Heresy book, hands down. A brilliant story, tragic heros, and generally something I could NOT put down. As someone who was complaining about the Heresy series not pressing towards the Emperors palace... I stand totally corrected. An epic novel. Plus there's the added benifit of some significant hints as to what happened to the II and XI Legions Astartes.

Intrique, loyalties & Heresy

Rated 5 out of 5 by Tim

One of the better books in the HH series. In my book (pun intended) this novel has earned Mr DB a seat right alongside Sirs Abnett & McNeil. He has managed to capture the very essence of the Horus Heresy tragedy and has you rooting for the bad guys. Some reasons for reading this book: -Great storyline, -Good structured book. -Awesome pace in events, dialogue and firefights; -Pirmarchs relations and revelations -Hints at the lost….. -Custodians -Chaos! -And some interesting HH filled in. -Did I mention heresy? Do not wait for candlemas get it now!

A father's failings

Rated 5 out of 5 by Matt

Aaron may have set the bar with his depiction of Lorgar - by far the best representation of a Primarch thus far. For all his immortal power and presence, Lorgar is clearly haunted by doubt and uncertainty in a way that makes the reader want to suit up and become Word Bearers themselves. The reader is left to question who is really at fault for the slow spiral into darkness. The portrayals of all the other key players in the series (including the Emperor) were spot on for the domino effect on a galactic scale. Defty written and a definite turning point in the series. Bravo!

Five Star Rating from page one to 502

Rated 5 out of 5 by Simon

It’s easy to see how A-DB has fast become probably the most popular author on the BL payroll. His books are nothing short of outstanding storytelling. After reading TFH I can now say this is one of my favourite HH books. He writes with an ease that keeps you gripped and in doiung so it’s very hard to put the book down. The revelations and hints within the book are well thought out and graphically written. I only wish A-DB had wrote fulgrim too I think he would have really excelled at that story. But yet this book is the best interpretation of the HH through and through. I hope he writes one of

The II and XI

Rated 5 out of 5 by Colby

Wonderful Book. But will you writers continue to taunt us with the vague mentions and slow drips of information about the "forgotten/repressed" legions and the acts that caused them to be lost and forgotten!!!

Im suprised!

Rated 5 out of 5 by Agent Migs

So much better than Helsreach! You give justice to Chaos and show that the Word Bearers arent just lunatics, but Astartes looking for identity and purpose. This was one of the best Heresy novels that has come out in a long long time, thank you. Really. The symbolism you bring out in the novel is practical and effective. Throughout the novel i've noticed certain similarities between catholic religion and events in the book. Sodom and Gomoragh, Palm Sunday, all visible. For good cause to. Also, you let the words, dialog and characters do the action and dont rely on bolter and blade. Grats!

death to the the false emperor!

Rated 5 out of 5 by adam

I collect word bearers, so i love to see some backround for the best chaos legion!

Mixed Feelings

Rated 3 out of 5 by Eric

The story itself was very well written and I truly enjoyed it. But at the same time there were certain things that bothered me that I couldn't necessarily overlook: -Altering established cannon, with explanation of the two mysterious legions. They're supposed to be mysterious, yet it alludes to what happened without much wiggle room. Same can be said for the infant primarchs scene. -I didn't feel for Argel Tal. He seemed like a flat character, he had a conscience but it never amounted to anything. -I'm curious what was trying to be achieved with Lorgar being a weakling at the end.

An excellent entry into the series!

Rated 5 out of 5 by Robert

ADB does a wonderful job of imbuing the inhuman marines with just enough humanity for us to relate to them, while keeping their status as almost a separate species. I found myself feeling extremely sympathetic towards Lorgar throughout, an enormous achievement, as he's been set out as what we might call the "ultimate villain" of the series, while the introduction of the Night Lords to the series was handled well. Only surpassed by DA's Legion within the Horus Heresy books. Brilliant!

The best Horus Heresy book yet!!

Rated 5 out of 5 by Brian

This was probably my favorite book of all time. It is beautifully crafted and hints about two Legions erased from Imperial history. It reveals the origins of the first possessed Marines and I can't say anymore or I'll spoil it, but it was by far the best book in the series so far.

good work Mr.Aaron Dembski-Bowden

Rated 4 out of 5 by jorawar

most black library books one bearly reads once but i think this one is a exception. the book was nice but it could have been better if the fight scenes were crafted with more style. p.s-it's official logar has no redeeming quality.the guy is weak,stupid,unwilling to accept his outlook is wrong.

Questioned Faith

Rated 5 out of 5 by Azalucel

I....am a serious Word Bearers fan. And this Novell has reinvigored me with fanaticism. You are presented with an entirely diffrent Word Bearers legion. Loyal to the Great Crusade, Faith to the Emperor and his vision for the future of man. When they are utterly shamed for their beliefs, their unshakeable faith is shatterd never to be recoverd. I especially loved to read about nature of Lorgar. He was already my Favorite Primarch. But after reading this book he has become one of my personal hero's/role model. If your a Word Bearers fan like me, you'll want to read this immediately!!

Must read

Rated 5 out of 5 by Timothy

i liked this book very good. not my fave but very good. i just hope that when the Word Bearers meet up with the Ultramarines Gulliman rips Lorgars spine out because there will not be another primarch to save him Long live the Ultramarines and long live the Emperor beloved by all

greatest ever

Rated 5 out of 5 by mackenzie

this is the best horus heresy book ever

Best of the HH

Rated 5 out of 5 by Kevin

Hands down one of the best HH novels so far! Mr.Bowden is definitely getting stuck in and I hope to see more HH from him, maybe even a World Eaters novel like he mentioned in his interview for BL.

Epic

Rated 5 out of 5 by Nick

I was a bit nervous when I picked this up for two reasons;A) I had read Cadian Blood and thought it was mediocre. B) The past couple of Heresy novels were, for lack of a better term, lame. Man, was I totally surprised. I could not put this one down. I breezed through it in about three days. It would have been quicker but I picked it up during a busy week at work. I could not have been more pleased with this. Having read all of the HH novels to date I place this up there with Horus Rising, False Gods, and The Galaxy in Flames.

Good read on how disturbingly evil Chaos can be

Rated 5 out of 5 by Cade

Certainly one of the best HH books so far. Though most of them are pretty good.

First Heretic

Rated 5 out of 5 by Tim

An epic tale told beautifully. Virtually no action and all character. A truly delightful look at one of the most enigmatic Legions and a peek behind the curtain at the 'reason for the fall.' Some teasers, some beautiful descriptions, and some breath-taking looks at the 30K universe. Easily a favourite and I wait with breath baited for Mr. D-B's next HH book.

More like this please.

Rated 5 out of 5 by Tim

Wow! What an emotional rollercoaster. This is one book I just couldn’t put down. I almost started to feel sorry for the Word Bearers... almost. Burn the heretic!

Fantastic

Rated 5 out of 5 by Simon

This series just keeps getting better. This is easily one of the best books in the series, if not the best full stop. I was really, really surprised as I wasn't a huge fan of the Word Bearers but I seem to have been converted. From his initial humbling at the Emperor's hands right the way through to the open betrayal at the Dropsite Massacre, both Lorgars and his Legions fates are depicted fantastically well. Between this and the Night Lords series, I'm becoming a big fan of Aaron Dempski-Bowden's work.

Another Legion of the Damned...

Rated 5 out of 5 by Shakok

Wicked book, another chance to see a proud Legion on the path of damnation like the Alpha Legion, Emperor's Children and the Thousand Sons. This novel gave me the understanding why the Word Bearers despised the Ultramarines totally and how Chaos assisted and twisted them to go against the Imperium. Argel Tal was an excellent character of the story with the Primarch Lorgan in the supporting role. Good first book written by Aaron and looking forward to read his next one in the series in the near future.

Lorgars a wimp

Rated 5 out of 5 by Chris

Totally best of the seriee. loved Lorgar being a pathetic tool of others and the dropsite massacre was the best version in this book. much better then fulgrim

Incredible!

Rated 5 out of 5 by Daniel

I would go as far as to say that this is the best Horus Heresy book yet. I read it in just one day, there was no chance that I would be able to put it down. Dembski-Bowden truly amazed me, hope to see much more from him.

An epic struggle...

Rated 3 out of 5 by Matt

...and no, I'm not talking about the tale within the pages of the book... but the effort required for me to get through it. I'm a massive fan of the Horus Heresy series but this one missed the mark for me. Lorgar is presented as a petulant, childish character with no features marking him out as a great and mighty being such as a Primarch. Argel Tal was by far the standout character when it came to portraying greatness and inner torment instead of Lorgar who felt like an angsty teenager by comparison which made this book a struggle for me.

Exceptional!

Rated 5 out of 5 by Jonathan

This is the first Dembski-Bowden book that I have read and I loved it. Fast, hard hitting, and brutal is only the beginning of a description for this book. This is by and large one of the best in the series. This story is a defining point in the series and I am excited to see more from ADB.

The First Heretic

Rated 5 out of 5 by James

Possibly the best in the series so far. The First Heretic and A Thousand Sons are fighting it out for number one in the series, imo. Couldn't put this book down, it's that good.

Hatred!

Rated 5 out of 5 by RLT

First of all let me say I was hesitant about this book as I dislike the Word Bearers Legion. But after reading this book I now loath them even more. The book itself was written very well and I enjoyed reading it. Like the first three HH books it fleshes out the Heresy with great skill. ADB crafted good charaters, added value to the cannon of HH and is a good writer. If your a fan of the HH series you wont be disappointed in this book. Thanks BL and ADB.

Heresy at it's finest

Rated 5 out of 5 by Ben

Undoubtably the best HH book out there. Lorgar and Argel Tal are portrayed so well. You feel almost as if you are their brother also, and you can feel the emotion at the turn to Chaos

Fulfilled

Rated 5 out of 5 by Javier

To begin with, I am a fan of the Word Bearers. I expected a LOT from this book... and I am utterly satisfied with it. It is a true masterpiece from page 1 to page 502. The depiction of Lorgar is brilliant, perhaps the best depiction of a primarch to date. Ingethel, the Custodes,... Amazing...

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE

Rated 5 out of 5 by Julian

This is the best warhammer book i have ever read! Aaron dembski-bowden is the best author ever, from the night lords novels to the first heretic & aurelian books.My favourite parts where when Argel Tal was seeing the primarchs and their journey to their planets, and when the Gal vorbak fought the custodians. BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!

Nothing to dislike

Rated 5 out of 5 by harry

to be honest i never liked the word bearers legion. i found out ADB was writing and decided i would give it a shot. now i can't say it's that easy to hate them. i liked how he made probably the legion that ruined it all for everyone and turned it into something that anybody could understand. You can't help but feel bad for lorgar been shamed infront or Roboute and the ultramarines by the emperor. you can definetly see how The Legion was ensnared by chaos and fell. i also liked the inclusion of Curze and Magnus. a tale of woe finely wrote by ADB