Angels of Darkness by Gav Thorpe.
This next novel comes from the Dark Angels omnibus. This first book from the series is focused on one of their Interrogator Chaplains, Boreas, and his small garrison squad on the planet of Piscina. The novel starts with the visit of this squad to a small village to see if any boys are fit enough for the process of becoming a Dark Angel. I always find it interesting to see the various ways chapters go about this critical task, and to see the differences in how it is done. the main theme of this book focuses on the self-appointed task of finding the Fallen (the Dark Angels that sided with Luther during the Heresy). The chapters of the book rotate, with one chapter being about the current events that the squad deals with, and the first interrogation Boreas undertook with one of the Fallen Astelan. Which I found really entertaining to read.
Gav Thorpe uses these chapters of the interrogation to good effect; he uses them to give a perspective from Astelan about why the Fallen sided with Luthor and how they felt they had been wronged. The battle of wills between the Chaplain and the Fallen is the main subplot here, and it really adds to the novel. There are some good moments of action, including combat with some Orcs left over from a previous invasion, and the boarding of a ship that belongs to members of the Fallen. The end of the novel has a good twist that I felt was delivered in a really great way. The pacing of the novel works really well with both main plots combining nicely. There are really good moments of focus on the unique culture of the Dark Angels and a view of why they are the way they are. All in all, I found it to be an engaging read that I enjoyed. If you want to learn more about the history of the Fallen, this will give you a nice starting point.
Top image used under Creative Commons Warhammer wiki
bottom image book cover of the version used in the review
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