Matthew Farrer

After Desh'ea tells the story of how Angron met his legion. Wrenched from the his siblings in blood and revolution, the soon to be Primarch of the Word Eaters can do nothing but watch them die and go unmarked. The Emperor took him from them and unceremoniously dumped him on the War Hounds' flagship. Consumed by grief, trauma, and the incessant wailing of the Butcher's Nails, Angron kills all who approach until Khârn is able to get through the overwhelmed demigod scarred in body and mind.

The backstory of Angron and the history of the Warhounds and the legions of Astartes seeking their progenitors is told through exchanges between the charismatic Captain and raging Primarch, as the latter vents his fury and despair on the former, coming close to killing him. All who previously attempted making contact lie broken and bloody around them. The way the information comes out so naturally in conversation in this extremely unnatual situation is spectacular writing.

After Desh'ea reads like a play. I am pretty certain I have aphantasia, and still I can see this story playing out as I read it. The physicality of Angron is so perfectly described, so aptly embodying everything he is feeling and processing. The dialogue between the two is minimal, yet so incredibly impactful. The emotion conveyed is so visceral and the journey of understanding these two proto-men go on with each other is utterly beautiful. I genuinely think this could easily be turned into a script for a dramatic performance or a screenplay for animation thar would be phenomenal. I envisage a dark room with light only briefly playing across the characters faces and the bodies on the floor... I need someone to make this happen.

This story is perfectly heartbreaking and I genuinely think it is the best thing the Black Library has ever published. I have read it many times since I first came across it in the Tales of Heresy anthology, and every time it has brought me to tears. I genuinely don't understand why there aren't more works by Farrer in the Horus Heresy and the Black Library in general, but I absolutely need to read more of his work.

Look, I'm so unbelievably biased because I love this story so much, but I'm absolutely not just trying to be ridiculous and hyperbolic. I truly believe this is one of the most well crafted and emotionally rich story the Black Library has published, and recommend it to anyone, regardless of interest in Warhammer and the Horus Heresy. If you do you have to read this and if you have any interest in the War Hounds/ World Eaters you absolutely need this in your life.… (altro)