The Age of Darkness (16) (Horus Heresy) Mass Market Paperback – April 26, 2011

"Age of Darkness" is a collection of short stories that occur during the middle of the Heresy. I have enjoyed the book, as a whole, and think it is a good representation of the authors featured within. Some of the other collections had definite swings -- some stories good, some slow and not so great. This book has been pretty even keel through out... with one exception.The Iron Within.What an utterly fantastic short story. That story, alone, is worth the price of admission."The Iron Within" really is the darling of the entire book. I'm not sure that I've read anything else by Rob Sanders, the author, but I will say that his writing does the Warhammer 40,000 universe justice. He presents a grim and dark, yet heroic and epic vision of the events in his story. He covers similar basic ground as many of the other authors but goes about it with a completely different feel. The combination of his pacing, character design, and imagery just brings the entire story right to life. Not repetitive, not unimaginative, not stale... I love the Warhammer 40,000 books but if you've read enough of them you'll know what I mean. I just want to babble about all the excellent aspects of the story, but I don't want to spoil any of it.Between the general quality of the stories contained within, and the shining star, "The Iron Within", I felt this was a great book to read.

This is a nice collection of short stories during the Heresy. I know that the short story collections have been irritating to some, but I get why Black Library is doing it.The Last Remembrancer really shows you how the attitudes of the future Imperium starts. When it doubt, kill someone.Considering how I hate the Lion, I really wanted Curze to stick him one good.I'm agreed that the Astartes as ambassadors was not the best story I've read.Little Horus getting his own story was really nice to see.

Good variety of legions and conditions that emerged in the early stages of the heresy. Not all narrators captured interest.

At first I was hesitant about diving into short stories since they seem to lack the meat and potatoes of a good read yet this did not disappoint. I was extremely pleased and got quite attached to the characters I met while reading. It gives a great look into some of the legions we have not read much on and overall is a phenomenal read. The short stories on the Iron Warriors and Angels were my favorites. Enjoy the read and I hope my review was helpful :)

None of the stories in this one add anything; in fact, they detract. Several of them feel like they were written by authors who don't know/understand the fluff.

As with every other Horus Heresy novel I have read to date, this entry in the series is made of awesome. A variety of perspectives on both sides of the rebellion lend credence and veritas to both sides of the conflict. Whether one is a Loyalist or a Chaosophile, there is epic goodness to be found in the intricate but never ponderous narratives penned here. The authors each bring unique views to the story arc. I found new information and several nuggets of background data which, like so many other novels, contribute another little piece of the picture being crafted around the riotous period of 30K. Totally worth owning. Enjoyable from cover to cover.

Pretty good stories. Fans will enjoy. It's more of the same, and the issue of distance, warp travel and time dilation make for a somewhat unclear continuity of events. But these shorts stand alone well enough. I've read almost all the Heresy books (skipped the Dirty Dozen knock off about the assassins) and they maintain a level of quality in the writing and are true to the setting. Though I sometimes forget what it's like in 41st millenium, since there's been like 16 books about the 30th now. It was a fun read.

The stories in this collection beautifully complement and elaborate upon the central plot lines established in the major novels - and are terrific in their own right.