Chris Forrester (2)

Leman Russ and his Space Wolves are broken by the atrocity the Emperor ordered them to enact on Prospero. The role of executioners has never weighed heavier on the sons of Fenris. Jorin Bloodhowl holds his unwavering faith in the All Father and the Great Wolf as he tracks down those he called brother long before they ascended to demi-gods, hoping to bring these wayward wolves back into the fold or perform the duty his kind were created for.

Bloodhowl was originally one of the longer audio dramas released as part of the Black Library Advent Calendar 2021 at just over 40 minutes. We get some reflection on how the VI Legion and their Primarch have been effected by Prospero, some average action against some inconsequential Night Lords, and a fight and dialogue between two venerable Space Wolves, philosophising on duty and blind obedience.

I don't believe I have previously read much, if any, of Forrester's Black Library works, and I really enjoyed the physical details of the Space Wolves and their wargear that felt really grounded in the Fenrisian/ Norse flavour, rather than just feeling like kinda viking flavoured Astartes as they sometimes come across. This extended to the prose, at least in the first act, with a sense of the Scandinavian sagas in the rhythm of the prose, making this story feel distinct from other Horus Heresy stories. With all this coming together with the subject matter and my being a huge fan of the A Thousand Sons/ Prospero Burns duology, I was really excited!

Unfortunately, this timbre and detail doesn't really survive contact with the enemy and it soon becomes another Horus Heresy short story. This squandered potential is compounded by what should be a truly awe-inspiring scene of two old guard brothers brought to single combat by the Wyrd and the path of their threads. The action is less perfunctory than the red shirts in the bat helms, but nothing special. Perhaps a rousing discourse on the nature of duty, obedience, and what it means to serve a cause, even if you don't follow all orders without question can save the day? Surely, this is a perfect topic and situation to really shine... It's fine. Not particularly moving, insightful or inspiring.

I really don't mean to disparage Forrester. This is a decent short story. The issue is the fresh and exciting opening full of individuality and style coupled with the incredible ingredients they had to work with meant this story had created an expectation and had such potential. That uncanny valley is something that really does set me up for disappointment and possibly judging too harshly. These are all just my subjective thoughts at the end of the day.

We could have had it allllll....… (más)