Warhammer 40,000 has a pretty deep lore for a franchise that essentially exists to promote a table-top game. One of the most popular chunks of the galaxy-sized franchise details the adventures of the Primarchs. These near-human demi-gods are literally lords of war. Super-sized, equipped with the most heavy metal looking gear and each with a god-like collection of traits and bad puns, they are one of the most interesting conceits of the setting. These flawed Olympians push much of setting’s plot forward, in one way or the other.
Corax Lord of Shadows is a novel that focuses on the Primarch of the Raven Guard. And yes, he’s bird themed, as you may be able to guess from the name. He’s also the moodiest of the pantheon, and yes that’s just as silly as you expect. But you don’t pick up a Warhammer book expecting things to be reasonable.
We open with Corax having a ‘friendly’ bout with his fellow Primarch, Roboute Guilliman, who is the John Cena/Peter Perfect themed Primarch. This is a skilful bit of foreshadowing, using Guilliman’s flawless image to through Corax’s darker, harder aspect into sharp relief. Corax is the noble sniper. The sneak, the rogue but not a villain; the Primarch that the Imperium of Man deserves.
The main plot involves Corax and his legion of similarly black-clad, power armoured heroes bringing an unusual civilisation into the fold of the Imperium of Man. These people, the Carinae Sodality, are scattered across many moon-like space stations and have no desire to be part of some grander design. This allows the author, Guy Haley, to tell a tale of military intelligence and weird space. Set before the Heresy (the big tragedy of the setting), there are many nods to the future and the book has a satisfying amount of knowing nods to future events.
Haley loves to write this sort of thing, filling this short work with lots of character profiling, rapid fire dialogue and some unique wit. Though fun, this is definitely one for fans of the Horus Heresy; although it’s accessible to casual readers, there are better introductory books. Fun, quick, and cunning, it’s a perfect read for the commuter who likes grim dark futures.
CORAX LORD OF SHADOWS / AUTHOR: GUY HALEY / PUBLISHER: GAMES WORKSHOP / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
