The Lion: Son of the Forest

Warhammer 40,000

By: Mike Brooks

Narrated by: Timothy Watson

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

The Lion. Son of the Emperor, brother of demigods and Primarch of the Dark Angels. Awakened. Returned. And yet...lost.

LISTEN TO IT BECAUSE

Witness the Emperor’s First Son make his dramatic return to the 41st Millennium! Much has changed since he last walked among the stars, but not Lion El’Jonson’s drive to protect humanity from the threats that assail it from all sides.

THE STORY

After ten thousand years of dreaming, locked in stasis at the heart of his shattered home world, Lion El'Jonson wakes to the nightmare of Imperium Nihilus.

In this midnight age, the dying embers of humanity are threatened on all sides by the hungry darkness. Alone, even the Lion has no hope of prevailing against such evil – but there are those who would aid him in his quest. Hunted to the edge of endurance, many among his Fallen knights have long-awaited the day their liege would return to redeem them. The Lord of Shadowed Paths must gather these lost loyalists to his side once more, and stride forth to vanquish a traitorous son and the twisted Chaos warband that calls him master.

Faced with these strange times, the Lion can be certain of nothing and no one, except for himself. But in a galaxy without the Emperor, without the Imperium, without his Legion, and without Caliban…who is he?

©2023 Games Workshop Limited (P)2023 Games Workshop Limited

A Must-Listen for Warhammer 40k fans

[MINOR SPOILERS]
Needless to say, this is a must-listen to fans of the Lion and Warhammer 40k in general. The Lion makes his return to the setting in a way that is unexpected but not unwelcome.

The story primarily focuses on the return of the Lion and how he reacts to the current setting and the opposition he is forced to face. You are able to not only see the inner-thoughts and reflections of the Lion, but his growth as well. It was great seeing how the Lion reacted to the state of the imperium and the overall galaxy.

It is also extremely interesting to see how the Fallen plays into the story as well. Not to get into
major spoilers, however, it was intriguing to know that not all of the Fallen were necessarily traitors to the emperor and the imperium.

Overall, this is a must-listen for all Warhammer 40k fans as it provides great insight in the mind of the Lion and the Fallen as well as how an event such as his return might shape the galaxy.

Forward for the Lion!!

What a great example of character development that works in the 40k universe. Fantastic writing the story was impossible to put down (2 Days) and a pleasant surprise was the quality narrator, well done. If there are not 2 sequels I will feel shorted!

Best Story Handsdown

This story had me wanting more every chapter and it didn't disappoint!! This was the best story hands down and it had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish!! I currently still have goosebumps!!! I cannot wait for the follow up to this story!! to see the Dante and the Blood Angles show up at the end ( chefs kiss ) GREAT STORY TELLING!!!

Great story, develop writer

I really liked this story. It is exciting to have the Lion back. This story "states" things that should be built into the narrative. The writing often felt like reading the owner's manual for a piece of heavy machinery. I truly wanted the content, though. So it was much easier to consume.

An authority excellent listen

This novel was everything I hoped it would be. I loved how this novel was told from the Lion’s perspective mainly with only a second other narrator. I like this “older, wiser” Lion and the the redemption arc of the fallen. I hope there are more of these novels to come from Mike Brooks.

Pretty good for Dark Angels fans.

Fairly good book overall, though you will require some understanding of the Dark Angels history to understand some things.

Bringing back a Primarch - The right way

Son of the Forest probably ranks as one of my most enjoyed experiences with Black Library. They perfectly captured Lion El'Jonson's personality, faults, strengths and more. His reunification of his former sons culminating in a riveting climax had me power listening to this book over the last week. I'm more than pleased with the outcome and I am eagerly awaiting to see what they do next with this character. It's safe to say this is one of Black Library's best works!

finally a primary book about a primarch!

personal and inner thoughts of a primarch from his perspective is great. too many of the HH primarch novels have the name of a primarch but rarely from their perspective let alone any at all 'screen time'

it took some getting use to. because this Lion is so different from the HH lion, but it actually states that in the story that he himself feels different. instead of just the writer writing him differently. so major props.

enjoyed it immensely and can't wait to see the answers of soooo many questions that the novel brings up.

Highly suggested

Spoiler free opinion of The Lion, Son of the forest ratings out of 10.

Enjoyment 8.5 The book read fast and was well written.

Lore followed 6, they broke with lore and retconned several aspects but in a very good fashion, even taking a tongue in cheek direction on it.

Main character 10 yup I like Lion after this...not before so much.

Side charracter 8.5 the only way to put more into the side charracters would be to take away from the main story.

Enemy 7 some appeared one dementional, but shit most authors don't spend a hundred pages on a guy who is about to die... {redacted} GRRM.

Changes to the 40k world 6 based on the fact he is a primarch.

Mini to fiction Lion 6 he is more awesome than his mini and people hyped odd things I did not notice.

Mini to fiction Lionguard 2, they missed a wonderful chance here.

Overall, I give the book 8.5 - 9 if you hated the Lion because who he was, you will understand him; if you were indifferent or possibly slightly against like me, you will like him

excellent book

An overall excellent story that kept the vibe of the dark angels and the fallen excellently