Augustus

I really, really enjoyed it. It really highlighted the strengths of the Lion. Much of what we have seen of him has been like Phoebus said: Themes telling the story instead of the other way around. And we get the "The Lion can't read people " Here we have a Primarch that is secretive, demanding, silent, and brooding but this is portrayed as being done with a purpose and accepted in the Legion. Moreso, it is explicitly hinted(is that a thing) to be in the genetic makeup. None of the characters bemoan the fact. Really cool. I also enjoy reading about new characters. I sometimes don't like that in a universe setting we read about the same 3-4 characters in each legion (seemingly so at any rate) and with the traitor legions it feels like no one died. I was happy to buy it. I've been out of the scene for a while but a nice Dark Angel book will bring me back.

I'd like to see two sets: One with the Lion and Luther and another with Astelan and Corswain. Those two need to fight.

It's hit or miss for me and invariably affected by my mood. I think it's genuinely a smart move to have humans there to juxtapose with Space Marines. It's why the DB's Talos series was spot on imo. Then you read something like Pandorax and Azrael and The Gk grandmaster bicker like children or a married couple. Or they wear their emotions on their sleeves. Space Marine chapters are varied, I want them to be unique, bizarre, or at times completely "normal" which is why I like the lose leash (or lack thereof) that BL maintains. That said I don't envy the task at making supper genius 9 ft tall warriors relatable to the average readers, but if the author goes that route I wish they do it well.

It would be really cool if the Dark Angels get a transmission claiming to be from Terra and bringing new Primaris marines and Technology only to get rebuffed. Then Azrael is like, we have need need for so-called "primaris" marines. We already have our own and they are ready to awaken. On Phil Kelly. What has he written besides codexes?

Arik was implied to not blame the Emperor. He may have understood and after with the reasoning behind the Emperor's in regard to the treatment of Thunder Warriors, only that he didn't want to die.

What I like is the Dark Angel's push loyalty and obedience but are somehow ingrained be it through teaching/genetic engineering to doubt and question. I am sure the gradual unravelling of the Fallen has a large part to play. But the juxtaposition of Loyalty to the Chapter! while simultaneously finding out many of the truths the Chapter promulgated are in fact half truths if not outright lies. I enjoy this aspect but sometimes I just want to see the Dark Angels crush some heretics, aliens, or mutants with no lingering shadow of the Hunt at play. One of my favorite scenes in all of 40k was Boreas taking his Crozius to orks and with every hit "Suffer. Not. The. Alien. To. Live." To me it encapsulated everything that I think are cool about Space Marines.

It's just a shame that Curze was used for so many confrontations. Dorn, Lion, Guillimen, Sanguinius, Vulcan. I loved Savage Weapons and the Corax angle. Too bad we Corax wasn't used much in regards to him. They kinda used him as every Primarchs' Boogeyman.

Theory:... Practical:... Any buyers?

I got tired of Ultramar reading about it during the Imperium Secundus storyline only to see them basically come back to it in 40k with the required power creep. Talk about full circle.

While probably not fun to read about from a Loyalist fan perspective, but the loyalists get their wins by turning the traitors' victories pyrrhic. The failure of the virus bombing Istvaan III Escape of the Eisenstein Loyalist's escaping Istvaan IV (kinda made flat by Horus, at Alpharius' request, allowing them to. Alpharius' failed gambit (deadened IIRC that Horus didn't really care what he did) Sanguinius rejecting Chaos (lessened by the fact the Horus didn't want him) Scars getting word of the Heresy and following the Emperor Manus rejecting Horus Failed Assassination of Guillimen. Vulcan (still) lives! Space Wolves slipping out of the Alpha Legion's trap. The Night Lords (sorta) failing keeping the Dark Angels from. Broken as a cohesive fighting force--then Pharos. (Never really understood this one as the warp storms were doing their Job for them) Warp Storm shenanigans fail to keep the Blood Angels from Terra. Too tired to think of any more but I believe I agree with you that there are not too many battles that come to mind for Loyalists. But I think that was intended. The Loyalists are on the ropes. But due to the fact that the series is older than loan I paid off on my house it feels that they've been there a looong time. -- Just my opinion but I never really understood why the series is "sequential" if the ending is already known.

Thats a good assessment. I'd add the Dark Angels to my own personal "mixed" column.

There's lots I like about Gav. He makes the 40k universe seem really big and everyone in it rightfully ignorant. "His" universe really conveys the myth, ignorance, and overall grimdarkness of 40k. Sometimes though, his characters actions seem ignorant --to me. It seems to be his style. Like... In his books he has an event or plot he wants to happen and he sees it through which might come off forced. Conversely some other authors might be considered to take a more character driven story. There could be downsides to that as well.

Rome went from burning Christians in droves to it being the quasi state religion in 30 years. So I'd say anything is possible in 10,000. :)

I generally agree. Although there are a few advantages that being of flesh and blood might give them over the demon ones. One off the top of my head is that in my line of thinking is that the demon ones might not be as broadly focused compared to their opposite numbers. They embody one of the 4 aspects or Undivided. They might lose themselves to their own Chaos-ness in a fight.

Haha. I didn't say I liked it. But I could totally see that happening. :)