I'm not telling you this to reveal myself as some kind of Jonny-come-lately, or cynic who does not read for pleasure. Instead I wish to share a little of my sense of awestruck enjoyment as I read through A Thousand Sons, Prospero Burns and Wolf King, among others. I'd heard these were good books, I'd been meaning to read them for some time, and anticipated devouring them gladly.

I was not disappointed. Dan Abnett's detailing of the Rout's culture and his descriptions of hand-to-hand combat were achieved with outstanding lyricism. Graham's excellent battle scenes and the sense of doomed arrogance surrounding Magnus enthralled me, while Chris Wraight's race through the Alaxxes Nebula had me sitting attentive and silent (anyone who knows me, knows this is not me).

I came to my work fully intent on doing these earlier tales justice, continuing the feel of them, acknowledging the excellent flourishes given the Legion and, most importantly, honouring Russ himself, a man so shaded by many minds he has taken on the aspect of reality.

He and I got on famously. I came to love his impudence, his thoughtfulness and his loneliness. Russ is among the more human of the primarchs - so human he had his Legion find a way to get Space Marines drunk. Human enough to hide his ability and his wisdom to better fit in with his Fenrisian peers. Each of the primarchs is fascinating, and as I write about each one I find them deeply compelling figures, but of all those I've featured in stories so far, Russ is the only one I think I would wish to befriend, and the only one who might return the favour.

His Legion, too, are more human than many Space Marines. They are so grounded in the culture of Fenris they could not be any other way. Humorous, quarrelsome, yet mighty and noble, their legacy passes from their Legion to their Chapter in the wake of the Heresy, and makes them among the most relatable of the Adeptus Astartes. Like the Blood Angels, Ultramarines and Salamanders, the Space Wolves care. Though they appear savage, they see the inherent value in life. Their dogged belief in fate means they also see the inevitability of death, but they do their best to cheat it. And, unlike the other three Legions mentioned here, they're the only ones who'd invite you round for a drink once they'd saved you. Although if they ever do, I advise you not to sample the mjod…