------------Updated review, *****, Feb 16th 2023

First time I read this book I was little bit puzzled. Reason was simple, I did not have much contact with the W40K universe and [thankfully] I made my first steps through period of relative normalcy in this universe, so called Horus Heresy.

As time went by I started reading additional books (and some comics) and very soon found myself face to face with nightmarish 40th millennium. And while comics weren't always that good, novels and short stories were truly excellent.

And so after reading this collection in 2012 I decided to go through it again, this time with better knowledge of the universe. And I have to say it had a much better effect on me than before so I give it 5 stars (from original 4).

Entire collection is made of comics published in 2000AD-like magazine and it does feel. Story flow is little bit short, you know trying to put as much in in 20-ish pages, but man does it pack the punch.

First thing, art. It is epic and it is something I have not seen up until the Robertson's fantastic covers for Horus Heresy and other series that followed it. FYI, art forW40K was usually like nightmarish Judge Dredd style, slightly cartoonish with exaggerated body language, ornaments, garments, weapons and limbs (and this is reason why W40K comics are general miss and hit for me, unlike books where I create images with my inner eye :)). All our heroes here, and gotta admit even the bad guys, are epic, greater than life. In heavy armor, piercing sight and lightnings coming out from everywhere every page is so full of dark atmosphere, almost suffocating darkness against which our champions stand against. Framing, composition ...... utter brilliance. Even when we move from the beautiful black and white painting style to more pencil style in later issues, entire book remains pure joy for the eyes.

Second thing, atmosphere. If you want to feel the W40K atmosphere - constant witch hunts, suspicions, trials and tribulations, daemons, betrayal, techno barbarians that would make Conan think twice, trust me this is book for you. One of the reviewers said that dialog and behavior in the book are very childish. It is age of puritans seeking evil in everyone, walking on steroids and enhancements and carrying tank-like armor and tank killing weaponry. It is time of zealots that can only utter various prayers to the Emperor, quote whatever passes for the holy book at that time and where even slightest hesitation in utter devotion would qualify entire planet to extermination. Free thinking is dangerous business, everybody is so full of religious zeal and lack of understanding toward the fellow man it is impossible to fathom it. And where you have zealotry and inability to communicate normally you have childish behavior (just look at zealotry in the last few years) - because that is how kids with tantrums behave, it is their way or the highway. Only difference is that tantrum people here are around 5 meters tall, sized like tanks wielding huge handguns and powered cutlery size of ordinary man.

Do note apparently there is a colored version of the book. I did not read that one, I read the black and white one. For me black and white works are higher form of art so I am not sure how would I like one done in color, so depending on your preferences you might want to browse a bit to see original art (b&W) and then compare it to the colored panels and then make a decision.

Story - hey, it is W40K. While one might expect bolter-porn all the way (especially in time when it was originally published) story is very very interesting. Ephrael Stern, one of the high ranking warriors in order of Sisters of Battle finds herself without memory, locked down in the order's monastery, writing down weird texts and talking in tongues. While just lack of memory would put her in front of the Inquisition and flame-throwers (because in this universe you just never know :)) she manages to clear her name (which is epic in and on itself in this universe) and become living weapon against the Chaos. During all of this she will befriend pretty stubborn Inquisitor, evade Ordo Malleus, destroy daemons, smuggle through cordons of hive gangs and police and set herself on the path to mysterious Black Library with another, very very unlikely hero/companion/sidekick. Through this all we see (or do we?) how story ends but by following Miss Stern you will be so much entranced that you will want to scream when you come to .....

The end..... I love cliffhangers, I truly do......but when they lead to something :) Here we are left dry after so much things happening, allies dying left and right and spectacular combat (combat with Culexus was miiii-iighty)...... But again, even with ending such as this it is still 5 stars for me!

With hope that this story gets a proper conclusion at some future date I can only wholeheartedly recommend the book to W40K and in general fans of SF-with-fantasy-elements epic stories.

------------Original review, **** (Dec 16th 2012):

Read this one as part of Daemonifuge (print on demand) from Black Library.
Great art and very interesting story.

Highly recommended for any fan of SF. ( )