Overall, I must say I haven't been this engrossed in novels since I read A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings. Receiving word of Abaddon and Aximand's arrival Loken and Torgaddon leave the palace, Loken being attacked by Kharn until a Sons of Horus' tank drives over them and impales Kharn on its dozer blades. This book just needed a few more POV character telling their side of the story and this would have rivaled nearly any book in the Heresy as the best of the best. Horus and Abaddon take a decent step away from cackling villains like they were in “False Gods,” but the political intrigue of Horus is gone.

Don't get me wrong there was a fair amount of violent action for big fans of this, but in terms of character tensions it largely felt like each character had 1 major development and that was that. Hindsight being 20-20, I think I would have enjoyed Horus' Fall considerably more if they had done it differently (maybe an extra novel or 2 and some accompanying audios/shorts showing Horus at his absolute best, and making the Fall not happen in a single novel), but still a fantastic read.I did feel that the speed at which the loyal marines accepted that they had been betrayed was a tad easy. With the loyalists all but destroyed the traitors fall back and Horus firebombs the city from orbit, Tarvitz and the scant few survivors bracing for the end knowing that they hurt the traitors and bought time for Garro to reach Terra.

Despite the amount of the novel dedicated to chronicling Horus' descent to evil, there seems to be a big jump where he crosses the line. The other worldly space wizard aspect is amazing for creating wonder and horror in a grimdark setting.

Admittedly, it was a tad easier to believe given the fact that they were being slaughtered, but I expected a bit more heartache from some of them rather than instant acceptance. I look passed most of its lesser qualities and say it was a good course correction in what I feared was going to be a train wreck of a series after False Gods. I'm aware that the next books in the Horus Heresy series will now pick on small events and highlight specific Legions rather than covering the overall arc as these first three have done. Galaxy in Flames follows pretty seamlessly on from Horus Rising and False Gods, and all the characters were present and correct for the explosive finale to the Horus Heresy's opening act. I modelled him no other weapons other than his force staff to try give the feel his powers are what he has come to rely upon.

New bonds are formed with those bloodthirsty World Eaters, the dull Death Guard and perfectionist Emperor's Children - those whom are seen to be clinging to the old ways - that of love for the Emperor beyond all, are to be sorely tested.However, Counter manages to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the last installment of the initial trilogy.