False Gods

Although the prose is perhaps a step down from Horus Rising, the story is just as engaging. I was also very impressed by how the story built itself to a satisfying conclusion from four different viewpoints.

However, Horus quickly falling to temptation and falling for the half-truths of the warp was disappointing. He went from good to bad in record time.

Summary:

Petronella Vivar, a remembrancer, seeks to document Horus. After taking a liking to her, the Warmaster agreed. She spends her time forming a powerful narrative of the primarch before he falls to chaos, killing her to stop her well-written tale from spreading.

Garviel Loken, Captain and member of Horus's advisor council, is still haunted by the events of the first book and his fellow comrade's corruption by chaos. He seeks further clarification on the events before discovering the plot of Erebus, First Chaplain of the World Bearers. Too late to stop Erebus, Loken can do nothing but attempt to hold true to his moral path doing all he can to save his beloved primarch.

Erebus challenges the Warmaster's pride publically forcing him to lead a mission himself to the moon of Davin. Upon the planet, they discover a ship where a chaos-infested marine wielding the weapon stolen from the first book strikes a blow on Horus. Even with his mighty ability the Warmaster quickly falls ill to the blow unable to heal.

Back on the ship Erebus convinces several members to take the quickly fading Horus back to Davin to receive a magical healing session from the witches. This is of course heresy but they agree. Loken is on a mission to recover the sword so he is unable to stop the other members of the advisory council.

Horus quickly succumbs to temptation when he is placed in the warp. He learns the truth that the emperor created them and that he had been taking the powers of the gods of the warp and seemingly placing them into the primarchs. Fulgrim attempts to save Horus in the warp by casting himself across the galaxy but it is to no avail.

For some reason, Horus does not murder Erebus even though he should be able to realize all this happened under his hand. Even if you agree with what Erebus showed you the scheming alone should cost his life.

As the powers of the warp slowly reveal themselves. A religion develops around the Emperor even though he strictly forbade it. The humans who are weary of the Astartes for good reason and through what seems to be a miracle survived an attack from the creature of the warp through faith in the Emperor.