Lord of Excess opinion

Sea Dragon

Acolyte
Featured
Apr 17, 2024
214
127
Spain
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So, after getting a PDF copy of the book and reading it within 2 days, I can say that I enjoyed quite. Perhaps because we were rather starved for content, but it felt good to read again about slaaneshi marines doing their thing. As many people have already said in Reddit, the book has 2 very different paced parts. The 1st one is way better in my opinion: we get to know the characters and their unique obessive traits (so good to see more facets of Slaanesh, like greedy hoarding), we get to see the reaction of imperials when witnessing EC, and we have a wonderful Genestealer cults plot. The second part, after a timeskip, on the contrary, gets stale very fast, with Xantine being deeply stupid in every page (except at the end, when his contingency plan with Lordling is revealed, pure gold again), and everything becoming very predictable.

All in all, a good light read, like a teaspoon of honey to grow our appetite for more (oh, and more is coming, with Eidolon novel incoming) but... it lacks a lot of development. It shows some interesting aspects of Slaanesh lore, but nothing in depth. I would have loved to see more of the warband members and their issues, how they interact with the human population... And Xantine not being such a brainless fool. Alas, will have to wait to read about more competent slaaneshi heroes. But for now, I'll sum it up saying it's a good enough book, enjoyable and with some very good bits, and not boring at all.
 
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A drink for a person dying of thirst, really, I'd have taken pretty much anything.

It was readable, but I didn't like how telegraphed every twist was. Some bits were good, like Lordling, and Xantines whole obsession being the need to be loved, but it mostly felt like missed potential. The timeskip I hated, I felt there was a much more interesting story in the rise and fall of Xantines perfect society. Rather than skipping right to it all going to pot.
 
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Taking me forever to get through it between work, kids and the site, but the early part is turning out as expected, decent page turner.

Lots of things that, if reading more into that the author intended I'm sure, you could view and hints to the possible future EC direction.

New one that clicked for me was the breakaway / antagonism with the Black Legion featuring again. Has me wondering with release Lore might see the unified EC and Fulgrim foiling Abaddon / out for revenge. Remember the first rumour kick off in Arks of Omen had Abaddon raging at Fulgrim.

Chaos Civil war instead of against the Imperium / Block crusade would be a change. going completely bonkers could even see that as a driving force for Primaris 'new men' and Bile to feature, plus whatever Vashtorr is up to.

Like I said, reading a LOT more into it, but when you see the same themes times and agains you have to start wondering.
 
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Taking me forever to get through it between work, kids and the site, but the early part is turning out as expected, decent page turner.

Lots of things that, if reading more into that the author intended I'm sure, you could view and hints to the possible future EC direction.

New one that clicked for me was the breakaway / antagonism with the Black Legion featuring again. Has me wondering with release Lore might see the unified EC and Fulgrim foiling Abaddon / out for revenge. Remember the first rumour kick off in Arks of Omen had Abaddon raging at Fulgrim.

Chaos Civil war instead of against the Imperium / Block crusade would be a change. going completely bonkers could even see that as a driving force for Primaris 'new men' and Bile to feature, plus whatever Vashtorr is up to.

Like I said, reading a LOT more into it, but when you see the same themes times and agains you have to start wondering.
I mean, even if the current lore direction doesn't focus Chaos wars, they are still extremely common on a daily basis, both in and out of the Eye. Like in the Night Lords omnibus, you see them fighting with Huron. No honor amongst traitors, specially when resources are so limited. Tho it would be amazing if that translated to the mainstream lore and had an impact on the tabletop.
 
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Xantine my beloved! I liked this book so much, finally some warband acting on their own, giving in to their cravings, and indulging in shenanigans without too many battle scenes!
 
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