Review: Sigismund: The Eternal Crusader

Sigismund: The Eternal Crusader by John French
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After completing ‘Sigismund-Eternal Crusader’ by John French, I was left with more ambiguity than when I had first started reading. Before going into the story, the only things I knew about the character was for being the Emperor’s Champion, as well as the first High Marshall of the newly formed Black Templar chapter.

Now, if you know anything about the Black Templar, if there is a word which defines the entire purpose of the chapter, it would be ‘zealous’; or you know ‘Crusading’ of the eternal kind. These guys are the 40k equivalent of the Knights Templar in real history, devoted to the Emperor to an almost pathological degree, and willing to scour entire civilizations should they happen to run counter to the emperor’s light. As such, they maintain something called the eternal crusade, forever committed to wage war in the name of the Emperor in whichever battlefield needs them. Seeing as how this is Warhammer 40000, it’s fertile grounds for purveyors of war, as there is much to go around.

In a surprising departure from most 40K novels, the narrative is not centered around any particular war or invasion. Anyone who has read more than a couple warhammer novels, especially those featuring Adeptus Astartes, can attest to this structure. There is some overarching campaign or invasion, Space Marines are deplored to the warzone, a series of battles and confrontations ensue, with intermittent periods of story and character development (if any).

This story instead, could be considered a character study, of the undefeated champion of the Imperial Fists champion, from the moment he is first unwittingly ‘volunteered’ for the dangerous and inhumane procedures and training leading to the formation of humanity’s finest super soldiers. We see through a series of recollections, as he learns, hones his skills in battle, rising through the rank to become a veteran confidant of the primarch Rogal Dorn.

While performing his duty with the characteristic stoicism and poise that defines his legion, Sigismund has nonetheless a seed of contention festering in his soul. As to what the purpose of his existence is. The genetic enhancement and psycho indoctrination tell his rational mind, his purpose is to be a weapon, to be waged by the emperor, for the good of humanity. Still, that part of him, perhaps a relic of the times before, gazes at the abyss and struggles to seek purpose, the end, his ultimate calling.

We see, in his memories, how he meets and learns from personalities in his life, from his own battle brothers to brothers from other legions to his venerable gene-sire and even the venerable God Emperor, blessed by his name in the hallowed grounds of Holy Terra. Each experience brings him closer to the answer, that vague specter which has eluded him all his life.

The other half of the narrative, interspersed with his memories, is the interview he’s engaged in at current time, with respected remembrancer Soloman Voss, who, despite being only human, is able to gleam from the stoic warrior, answers which centuries of war and seeking had not yet manifested.

Now, around this part is where the story sort of leaves you hanging, with no satisfactory conclusion. This might in part be, due to the fact that chronologically, the novel takes place in a past, the future of which has already come to pass. Or because Sigismund, our protagonist, is a character who is still in midst of his Hero’s journey; the conclusion of which we the readers are privy to, not he himself.

It’s the problem with these sorts of prequels; the story you tell has to incorporate events which have already transpired. Not everyone can pull off a ‘Better Call Saul’ nicely tying into ‘Breaking Bad’.

Lastly, when I mentioned that the story was different from your usual 40K fanfare, this doesn’t mean there is no fighting. Astartes are genetically engineering war machines, and said process often tends to strip them of their very identities. With it, common human emotions and empathy. In fact, it’s mentioned multiple times how, when interacting with normal people, Space marines are either awkward, unable to grasp the nuances of human interactions, or in case of chaos marines, treat them as no better than slaves or meat bags.

So, the best and only way that the astartes are able to create a bond, is through battle. Sigismund is no exception, bonding with his battle brothers through training battles, with members of other chapters such as the world eaters and night lords through ultraviolet duels. The former of which is like the de facto and only way anyone can get those meat heads of the red sands to listen. While the latter, seeing as how we’re talking about Night Lords, is less about bonding, and more not ending up killing one another violently. Let’s face it, outside of the Night Lords trilogy, Konrad Curze and his legion tends to be grade A pieces of shits. Sort of comes with the whole sadistic torture and fear mongering amongst mortals schtick they have.

In conclusion, if you mind the slow burn, and entire chapters of grown men reminiscing about fond older times, Sigismund-the eternal crusader is a different flavor for those seeking to explore the lore of one of the arguably most entertaining loyalist factions in 40k. Good reading.


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