Brief Plot Outline (NO spoilers!):
Fulgrim focuses on the confrontation between two Primarchs, Fulgrim (Primarch of the Emperor's Children) and Ferrus Manus (Primarch of the Iron Hands). And, as a result, the slow descent into Chaos of the Emperor's Children.

It covers the traitors' from the Children's viewpoint of the events at Isstvan III and some of Isstvan V. Isstvan V is even more important than Isstvan III and the Eisenstein's journey combined. In the current 40,000 timeframe, the event is known as the Isstvan V Drop Site Massacre, remembered in fear because iot's where Horus' intentions become known to all, and the Heresy is more widespread than believed.

As a character, Fulgrim is shown to start off as a lover of art, and, like his entire Legion, does everything to acheive perfection. But, towards the end of the book, he still strives for perfection, but his judgement is clouded, wispers plauge him day and night. At the end of the book itself, he is no longer the same character, possesed by an evil that exceedes Horus'.

Review:

Writing: Compared to False Gods, Graham McNeill does a much better job this time around. He shows how the Emperor's Children, once the most loyal of The Emperor's Legions, becomes little more than perverse mainiacs obsessed with stimulating their senses. He shows Fulgrim himself much better than the other book, and is the first author to cover the Drop Site Massacre in any real detail.

Overall: This is so far the highlight in the series. While Horus Rising delivers a brilliant beginning, and Galaxy In Flames is a strong novel too, Fulgrim towers above them all.


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