Go straight to Legion! - Rated 
I have read the entire Heresy series so far and have enjoyed the universe and continuing story immensely. Every book has provided a new aspect to the story and has fit perfectly in the grand scheme of things...except for Descent of Angels, that is.
The book depicts life on Caliban, home of the Dark Angels, before the Emperor ever came to the planet and created the chapter. The emperor only arrives during the last fourth of the book, and as such the Dark Angels marines are hardly mentioned in the story. Not even Lion El'Johnson, later primarch of the Dark Angels, or his buddy Luther are mentioned much in the book, which in stead focuses on a young man and his struggle to rise within the knighly order.
The story is rather boring and not that well written, especially so compared to the rest of the series. Worst of all however, is the fact that the book has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE HERESY! The book ends before the Great Crusade has even begun, and really makes you wonder what the point of the book is.
Not even if you are a die hard Dark Angels fan would I recommend the book, since it really doesn't elaborate on anything concerning the chapter. It hints to a few interesting developments, but that's all.
You will not miss out on anything concerning the Heresy story if you don't read this book, and I strongly recommend you go straight on to Legion, which in my opinion is the best book in the series so far.
Not an HH book, bit a how to choke on vomit guide - Rated 
As a Space Marine book by itself, this book is at most, silly. But as a Horus Heresy book, this was a deceptive piece of trash and a waste of time. This book just rambles on and on...ooh, my life is so hard, ooh my planet is so bad, ooh training is so boring, ooh I'm such a tough warrior but in 416 pages I never once mention anything about women. Give me a break. This tripe is boring and formulaic. And to top it off, I believe this is actually the first HH book where the Emperor speaks.
They actually pulped a tree to print this mockery?
An excellent story, beautifully written - Rated 
An excellent story that tells a wonderful tale that brings the Dark Angel's story to bloom, however (and this is the tricky part) I hope GW ask Mr Scanlon to write part 2. I want to know what happens next.
Luther is developed thoroughly, his jealousy well defined and hidden, the stormbird leaving is done well - but at the end why were they sent away? I really wanted to pick up book 2, but alas, no.
However, a rapid, fast paced read with great scope.
Dissappointed - Rated
This book is for me a let down, the Heresy books are a linked sereis of novels adding and explaining the Heresy story.
This story does not add to that in fact, it does not encompass the complete history of the schism that split the Dark Angels, the Chapter comes into the story towards the end of the book with a 'rushed' get it over feel.
I do not know if there is to be a sequel, there should be as otherwise this is a massive let down, especially for those readers who may not be involved in the Warhammer 40,000 universe and have no other knowledge of events surrounding the Dark Angels other than what they read in this book.
The story of the split in Dark Angels although taking place at the same time as the Heresy events, does not have any real bearing on the actions and Heresy of Horus, although from being involved with the Warhammer 40,000 scene from its first appearence I can see how it could be written so in later books, but this novel does not allude to that in any way with no linkinmg theme prevelant in the other Heresy books.
On its own merits, outside of the Heresy series I found that the story evolved fairly well, very similar to the Space Wolves series by William King, explaining a young mans entrance to the Dark Angels and intial steps, but then with the conclusion of the book just stops, as though it was written as part 1 of double or trilogy.
To sum up it would be better as a series in it's own right, seperate from the Heresy line, unless later volumes to be released tie it in, and being honest unless such voloumes are released, its not worth reading as part of the Heresy series, it does not add or complete anything, and if sequals are relesed thay can be read later, as reading this novel now will just leave frustration as having wasted time reading a story with a beginning, but no middle or ending.
Exactly what the series needed - Rated 
This is an excellent book that marks a sharp departure from its five predecessors in the Horus Heresy (HH) series.
While the first five HH books are excellent in their depiction of the corruption of the Great Crusade and the resulting turmoil, to keep things fresh the series needed the next book to be different. This book delivers that in spades, reading more like a Warhammer novel until the arrival of the First Legion approximately half way through.
The main criticism of the book has been that the ending is abrupt, and while it's true that I was left wanting more, this is not necessarily a bad thing.
I hope Michael Scanlon is commissioned to write the next part of the Dark Angels' saga; he's certainly set up a potentially gripping sequel with this brilliant novel.
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