Review of Old Earth by Nick Kyme

I know not everyone is enamored by the Salamanders/Vulkan story thread in the Horus Heresy. I partially understand why—partially. Vulkan's character is one of the most straightforward, monochromatic of the primarchs. He is unfailingly loyal and believes in the value of life. In a grimdark setting, I can see how some might find this 'boring'. For me, however, Vulkan and the Salamanders occupy a symbolic role that has nuance—only a degree of nuance, but nuance nonetheless. If Vulkan Lives and Deathfire have shown us anything, then it's that mortality is not black and white. Old Earth (2017) by Nick Kyme, 47th book in the series, looks to take the Salamander/Vulkan storyline one step closer to resolution, to Terra, and to link it further with the meaning of human existence.

Old Earth begins by confirming (Alert! Spoiler for Deathfire!) Vulkan's resurrection at the end of that novel. Emerging from the fire and ash, he collects his wits and meets happens upon a group of his closest officers who had been looking for him. Knowing that he must abandon his Legion for a mission of the utmost importance (for mystical reasons after his resurrection!), Vulkan takes this small group of Astartes on a harrowing mission through the planet's lava core to... that is for the reader to find out.

Old Earth strengthened my belief in the Salamanders/Vulkan storyline. Vulkan emerged from his torture at the hands of Cruze and seeming death at the hands of the fulgerite spear into a new mindset, one more subdued, more aware of the broader meaning of life. Old Earth is not Proust or Dostoevsky, but Vulkan achieves a degree of nuance that do make his character more complex, and engaging for it. The fire of life still burns, but in more subdued yet expansive fashion.

I focus on Vulkan thus far, but Old Earth actually contains a solid list of dramatis personae. The title gives away the ultimate setting, and there the reader catches up on what is happening from a couple of key points, including the Emperor, Malcador, and Rogal Dorn. Out in space, remnants of the Shattered Legions likewise play a strong role in the novel. The Iron Fists, Raven Guard, Sons of Horus, and Word Bearers all have a role to play in space battles as action definitively starts shifting toward Terra, the conclusion of the series looming on the horizon. Heads roll, a couple key minor characters meet their end, and the overall state of the series takes a noticeable step forward.

Thematically, one of the biggest ideas explored in Old Earth is belief, and the desire to believe. Vulkan Lives! has been a slogan for many Salamanders, but not all are sure he is alive. Some Iron Hands witnessed the beheading of Ferrus Manus at the hands of Fulgrim, but there are rumors he is still alive. Old Earth plays with those two opposing realities in the minds of their Legion's Astartes. The subjectivity of belief is not a well-developed theme, but at the same time, Kyme doesn't lay it on too thick, which is more in line with readers' expectations for the series.

In the end, Old Earth is a good read. It keeps the bar of the series strong, even after several dozen releases. Not all HH readers enjoy the Salamander books, and I'm not sure this book will change their minds. But I will say, Kyme adds a needed layer to Vulkan's character post-resurrection. Plot is where the most value is to be found in Old Earth. Not solely focusing on Salamanders, a couple other major plot threads are also advanced: happenings in void space between the Shattered Legions and Sons of Horus, as well as preparations on Terra as Horus draws closer. A bridge novel, yes, and having some of the relative characteristics. But still worthwhile.