Mechanicum

By: Graham McNeill

Narrated by: Toby Longworth

Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

As the flames of treachery spread throughout the Imperium, Horus plots to subvert or destroy all those who would stand against him.

On Mars, home world of the Mechanicum priesthood, the great manufactory-cities have long produced much of the weaponry required for the expeditionary fleets across the galaxy - making the world invaluable to whoever controls it in the coming war.

Now, the Warmaster's agents begin to stoke the fires of rebellion, turning the loyalist forges and the mighty Titan Legions against one another. And, with whispers spreading of an ancient terror lurking beneath the Red Planet's surface, the Dark Mechanicum rises....

©2008 Games Workshop Limited (P)2015 Games Workshop Limited

great book, essential as well

This book is a pleasure to listen too, and its essential for understanding the nature of the Mechanicus, and its role in The Horus Heresy

6 people found this helpful

New Light

I'm fairly new to the Warhammer universe. I've read about 18 books and listened to 2, this being the second. I wasn't really a fan of the Mechanicum before. In other books their depiction came off as more annoying than anything. There were a few individual members that I liked here and there, but as a whole I didn't care for them. This book changed that. Seeing how Mars functions with its Forges and better yet how their War Machines work is amazing. I also like that the story is tied directly to the first three Horus Heresy novels, unlike some others that jump in the timeline.

The narrator is a great fit for the job too. He has the perfect vocal range for the Mechanicum, and does a good job with different voice to help separate the characters out. None of them are annoying, and are distinct.

Definitely a top 10 of 40k books I've picked up so far.

5 people found this helpful

Not bad!

It not best HH book (it is no Betrayer, Know No Fear, Master of Mankind or The First Heretic) but it is also not the worst either (which IMHO is Vulkan Lives...a truely dreadful book). But still...worth a listen! Toby Longworth is a great narrator as always.

4 people found this helpful

Must read for 40k

If you like 40k lore this is a must read. it's a fantastic history of Mars

1 person found this helpful

Good start, fumbles a bit toward the end.

Pretty good overall, but Dalia's storyline suffers at the end.

It's rather pretentious to make fun of the damsel trope in old literature when your character is suffering from Mary Sue syndrome with some chosen one trope thrown in.

1 person found this helpful

A tale of Martian Civil War

This chapter of the Horus Heresy was a little harder to follow than previous books, lots of characters, lots of names. Still an excellent story and the narrator is probably my favorite of all the books in the series.

1 person found this helpful

Story

It took a minute to get the story going but got really good after a while. A lot of information was the reason it took a minute to get to the action but after that everything feel into place it was a great book

Loved it

One of the best books i have heard by far, i abslolutely loved it all the way

meh

just couldnt get into it. usually really like warhammer books too. didnt finish it either

phenominal

this is one of the best books in the Heresy series, I have listened to it two times

Machine, heal thy self

Favourite heresy book so far

Probably due to my love of Titans, this was my favourite book thus far in the series

5 people found this helpful

The best self-contained novel in the HH series.

It takes an especially talented writer to take a 30K/40K novel away from the genre's pulp roots, but McNeill is such a writer. The plot is water-tight, the pacing akin to a screenplay, the description appropriately verbose, and the characters humane and relatable. Don't expect a grand exploration of themes, instead adjust your expectation for a story that is perfect in its concision, simplicity, and humanity. This audiobook wouldn't nearly be so strong if not for the multiple voices of Toby Longworth. It is astounding how he can make every character unique, how he can immerse and excite you with a wide range of tempo and volume. The perfect narrator, in my opinion.

3 people found this helpful

Amazing from start to finish

What can i say about this book that would explain how good this book Is love warhammer 40k? Get this book love the lore then get the book want a truly incredible story then get THIS BOOK now

2 people found this helpful

what a book riveting

engaging till the end excellent read. keeps you listerning till the end. another great book from the horus heresy series.

2 people found this helpful

Epic

Superbly written, and a great performance 10/10 a powerhouse of a sci-fi book. Possibly my favourite of the Horus Heresy collection.

2 people found this helpful

A must for any fan of the mechanicum

loved every moment. makes me want to buy a not so small mortgage worth of models

2 people found this helpful

Great story but could have been read louder.

All told a good story and a great continuation to the story but it seemed to be quietly read at times which lessened my enjoyment just a tad.

1 person found this helpful

the rise of the dark mechanicum

the story seemed to be very well spaced so the book was finished right as you feel the need to know more about the red planet . it's a shame black library didnt play with the michanicums history. very impressive read

1 person found this helpful

Not my favourite so far

The story is decent but the Narrator is a bit annoying. He has a habit of starting sentences speaking extremely quietly and by the end of the sentence he is basically roaring. Not due to what is happening in the story -i think it's just a style thing. I didn't connect with the mechanicum "heroes" as much as I did with the protagonists in the previous Horus Heresy novels.

1 person found this helpful

The finale is worth it

A bit long and drags out in places however the finale makes it all worth it

1 person found this helpful