The second Horus Heresy anthology novel, a mixed bag of old and reliable authors and a few new ones, both good and bland.

The story:
After the betrayal at Isstvan, Horus begins his campaign against the Emperor, a galaxy-wide war that can lead only to Terra. But the road to the final confrontation between father and son is a long one – seven years filled with secrecy and silence, plans and foundations being formed across distant stars. An unknown history is about to be unveiled as light is shed on the darkest years of the Horus Heresy, and revelations will surface that will shake the Imperium to its very foundation...

True to the description quite a few blanks are filled in, or in some cases, tie-ins are made to upcoming novels.

The following authors have contributed to the book:

Rules of Engagement by Graham McNeill
Liar's Due by James Swallow
Forgotten Sons by Nick Kyme
The Last Remembrancer by John French
Rebirth by Chris Wraight
The Face of Treachery by Gav Thorpe
Little Horus by Dan Abnett
The Iron Within by Rob Sanders
Savage Weapons by Aaron Dembski-Bowden

It's hard to talk about all stories openly due to spoilers, so for those who still want to read it, go ahead, it is worth picking up, even if a few aren't as great. Here are the synopsis of the stories, as spoiler free as possible.

Rules of Engagement - An Ultramarines story that mainly deals with the creation of the Codex Astartes and an explanation as to why the Ultramarines were nowhere to be found during the Heresy.

Liar's Due - A short about a world that deals with the worries of the heresy.

Forgotten Sons - About a Salamander and Ultramarine whom have been singled out to act as ambassadors to a world that both Horus and the Imperium seek to recruit.

The Last Remembrancer - A story about Rogal Dorn and Iacton Qruze meeting the last Remembrancer, who had followed Horus and penned his thoughts before being released to the Imperium again.

Rebirth - A Thousand Sons story that is a tie-in into the future novel Wraight is going to write about them. Nothing too special, though it does establish a possible major future character.

The Face of Treachery - A Raven Guard tie-in to the audio drama Raven's Flight and the upcoming Deliverance Lost. The ending in particular is most delicious.

Little Horus - A story about well, the title already says it. It talks about the aftermath of the Isstvan massacres and the inner daemons of some.

The Iron Within - Again obvious from the title. An okay story about Iron Warriors with some very clever moments in there, though a bit boring.

Savage Weapons - A short about the Dark Angels and the Night Lords, it goes into some detail explaining why the Dark Angels were absent during the Heresy.

Personally I'm giving this anthology a 4 out of 5. Granted, not every story is great or that earth shattering, but to me, the background lover, it's always nice to have some blanks filled in.