I gotta say I dont read many books that are not related to Horus Heresy timeline. After reading this book I have to say that is my big mistake and will work to remedy that.

Farsight is T'au Fire Caste commander trying his best to destroy the Orks threatening both T'au core colonies and what will become later known as Farsight Enclaves. This will put him into multiple crosshairs (from his own side and aliens).

Story is told over the long period of time. Farsight's conflict with Orks backfiring on occasion in such a spectacular way that Ethereals get mobilized to chastise the commander (his successes forgotten in a heartbeat). He loses people, he is forced to enforce very strange decisions by the Ethereals and have advices overruled by the powers to be. He does enjoy autonomy and is unorthodox when it comes to combat operations, but again his very pragmatic approach to war (even consulting with the very interesting Inquisitor acting as Kindred Spirit with T'au) brings him into constant conflict with his superiors. He witnesses his support just disappearing without trace and witnesses. He even gets scolded by his mentor, now "alive" as AI imprint on a engram chip (if you played Cyberpunk 2077 game you know what I am talking about) and sent to physical and mental recovery because he is considered wanting. And constantly in the background there is an ominous presence that tries to claim him, and almost succeeds (this part of story is done beautifully, true first contact).

Excellent book about space faring race that is very reliant on technology and AI but is newcomer onto the great stage in almost every other way. With their mysterious caste organization where mixing of ones skills (and knowledge) is not allowed, makes them a very ripe fruit for the forces from the Warp. Secrets piling up one onto another will prove to be something that Farsight just cannot live with.

Highly recommended, I have to admit I enjoyed it much more than I expected. ( )