This was an epic story. Lion returns to the world of living in a very beautiful story of warrior trying to understand where is he actually, and to make things more complicated what actually happened to him.

Lion was always one of the most secretive Primarchs. Never ready to share his thoughts directly and commanding a Legion that is known for its formal and (especially) informal structures that are protected in levels of secrecy and parallel structures that makes Alpha Legion jealous, entire Lion's behavior was marked with ruthlessness and, for all means and purposes, instinctive reactions. As story explains, goal of any action is what matters and anything else is second nature. But then again, what is to be expected from formation that is tasked with enemy destruction in such a away that nothing remains of them, not a living soul, not even entire planets.

And so we see Lion finally enabled to leave place of his contemplation [where he apparently spent ten centuries] and enter one after another Imperial worlds fighting for their own lives, under constant attacks of Chaos. What will surprise him the most are contacts with his sons, Dark Angels of old, marked as Fallen in current time, and their almost unique reaction of trying to kill him the moment they see him - not out of rage (although some definitely have anger and rage in their hearts) but out of self-preservation, because they know the Lion, and his punishment.

As story progresses, Lion comes to terms that his actions in the past were not .... lets say the best possible and soon he becomes aware that fateful destruction of Caliban was very likely caused by the Chaos itself with a goal of fully destroying the First Legion. And so he tries to mend the ties with his pariah sons, and with great trepidation looks forward to contacting the Imperium, because he is afraid that Caliban but on grander scale will take place again. He is aghast how things have played out and what grew in place of his Father's dream (comments on technological state of Imperium are excellent, especially considering that First had access to magnificent technology for waging war).
One more item that permeates the story is shock on everyone when they meet Lion face to face - this together with Lion's realizations about himself are so grounded, human reactions that just make Lion more relatable (and not just from perspective of Lion of old). Fallen are portrayed also in a very relatable way - mighty warriors but with element that is missing from almost all Space Marines chapters in 40th millennium - there is no religious zeal, just grounded military oriented thinking and professionalism and aspiration to protect Humanity from destruction wrought by Chaos forces.

Of course not all fallen are redeemable and Lion is aware of this. Fate of Baelor is truly tragic but also redemption story that shows how many Fallen have selected mercenary way of life, constantly on the lookout for their modern brethren and stepping in to whatever cause they see fit - sometimes tragically falling to the Warp treacherous promises. I hope we very soon get to see Lion meeting the Cypher.

Excellent story, gives a lot of insight into the inner workings of the First and Legion's relation to the Lion. He is back and with him loyal Fallen are coming ready to fight for their gene-father and against approaching darkness. Interesting times are ahead, I am looking forward to meeting between Old First and modern Dark Angels Chapter.

Highly recommended. ( )

Mike Brooks is asked to perform a magic trick: bring back a primarch out of thin air, make The Fallen sensible, do it all without making the needs of the tabletop game sales completely abusing the coherency of his story. He pulls it off! ( )