Teaser

For centuries, the superhuman warriors of the Iron Snakes have protected the Reef Stars from heretics and Xenos alike. Yet even among these mighty heroes, some champions are greater than others, and few are as famed as Damocles Squad . . .

Review

Though not fully a part of Abnett’s Sabbat Worlds setting, Brothers of the Snake is an important part of the canon. The stories contained in this book might take place in the Reef Stars, but these characters will one day make their way to the Sabbat Worlds via Matthew Farrer’s Urdesh duology. As someone who likes tracking down the connections between books, Brothers of the Snake quickly became a book I wanted to read. Though it hasn’t seen recent republication, the audiobook is still available, and so that is where I turned.

The first thing to know about Brothers of the Snake is that it exists somewhere in that space between novel and short story collection. I don’t think the various parts saw prior publication, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they had. Each section deals with a different planet, and a different mission, but the central characters of Damocles squad remain throughout, though the exact make-up of that squad varies as new members are sworn in and old ones die gloriously in battle.

As a result of this structure, there is no overall plot. The last story loops back to the first, but what we’re really seeing is a group of Space Marines doing what they do best. Blasting heretics and exterminating xenos, all while pounding each other on the back and overusing the word ‘brother.’ The characters blend into a haze a few stories in, while the narrative feels more like that of a mission-based computer game than anything else.

The good stuff, however, is very good. One mission takes Damocles Squad to a farming world, with a corn-based cult that really ramps up the horror aspects of the setting. Another mission takes our heroes to a coronation, which gives Abnett the perfect opportunity to skewer the local nobility, both figuratively and literally. Even if the violence and brotherhood does grow repetitive, the scenery is fluid enough to hold the listener’s interest.

When it comes to narration, Toby Longworth is not my favourite. He is, however, on good form here, and it is not entirely his fault that all Iron Snakes have a similar cadence. Certainly, the accents he provides for minor characters are distinct and memorable, and he’s certainly more engaging with Abnett’s work than he was in peter F. Hamilton’s Great North Road.

Brothers of the Snake is a far cry from Abnett’s best, but it’s still an enjoyable slice of action. If you’re a fan of the Sabbat Worlds, it’s also a key piece of history for the setting.

Book Stats

• Narrated by Toby Longworth
• Published by Black Library in 2007
• 10 hrs 58 mins