Review of Descent of Angels

By: Damien

PS: This is review can also be found on Ezinearticles.

Descent of Angels is the sixth book in the Horus Heresy Series of novels by the Black Library Publishing. Following on the release of Fulgrim, Descent of Angels mainly focus on the life of Lion El'Jonson, Primach of the 1st Space Marine Legion, on Caliban.
The whole novel is seen through the eyes and experiences of Zahariel, a knight supplicant, who joins the Order. The Order here is refers to a knightly order on the world of Caliban with the Lion and Luther key figures in the Order.
Throughout the novel, Zahariel started off as a knight supplicant, then a full fledged knight, a space marine and then finally a possible librarian. His encounters with the beasts of his world, his fellow knights and then his brief experience with the space marine legions would catch the reader up into a world where fantasy would meet technology.
Also throughout the novel, the roles of and reference to Lion, Luther and Lord Cypher are all mentioned in details. As most Warhammer 40K players would know from the Space Marine or Dark Angels Codex, the Lion and Luther would engage in a civil war during the Horus Heresy. This would result in the destruction of the Caliban and the hunt of the traitors by the victors. Throughout the course of the novel, the cause of this breaking of brotherhood between the Lion and Luther could be traced. As per in the novel, the relationship of Luther and the Lion can be seen between Zahariel and his cousin, Nemiel.
For one, when our hero, Zahariel, killed off the last Caliban lion, the Lion did mentioned that there would be those jealous of his achievements mainly Luther. The logic is that without killing a Caliban Lion, Luther would not be the equal of the Lion. Another was when Luther discovered that the Saroshi delegation ship was a weapon; thoughts of betrayal greed and power did run through him.
However the final break between the brothers were not explained. That may be a disappointment in the novel though overall it can rated as a good novel by Mitchel Scanlon.

A review of Sword and Dragon

By: Damien

PS: This review can be found on Ezinearticles too.

With the introduction of Total Warefare for Classic Battletech, a starter book would be required to introduce new comers or veterans to the system. What a better way to do so is to have a book of two top companies in services to House Davion and House Kurita respectively.

The two units in question are the McKinnon's Company of House Davion's Seventh Crucis Lancers (Fox's Teeth) and Sorenson's Sabres from House Kurita's Fifth Sword of Light. Both units are companies in size with 12 battlemechs or units. Both are also similar in nature of missions that they have been assigned in history with objective raids and recon raids the main trademark of the units.

Friction for both units are provided in the book where key moments in history of units are highlighted. For the Fox's teeth, is the death of Mark McKinnon in the Ronin War. As for the Sabres, it is the betrayal of supposed allies at the start of the Ronin War.

Followed by a introduction to the history to the respective units and briefs of key units members and their rides. Also introduced is the ever changing unit structure throughout the decades of actions ending with 3072 era. Interestingly enough is that both units have gone missing in action in 3072 time line.

Lastly in the book, is a campaign describing the actions of the two units in a 3049 setting. This is a cool campaign as it would allow players access to a short and enjoyable campagin. Rules for both units and their equipment are also described in details. One can also opt to choose to run a simple battle with rules provided in the book if a campaign is not up their alley.

A plus is the seven new variants of Mechs at the end of the book as over time, changes to configurations were made in view of new technology.

If you wish to try something new to play other than console games or PC games, one can always get this book and try Classic Battletech instead. Do get it to plunge into the exciting world of Battletech.