Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #115240 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Customer Reviews

The future of the Blood Angels is at stake.
Inquisitor Ramius Stele had engineered a hideous plan with a warp daemon. Brother had turned against brother, putting the Blood Angels on the brink of a civil war within their Chapter. Many brothers are now dead. Unless a solution can be found, the IX Legion Astartes may be forced to recluse themselves. They have new inductions of aspirants, but they will not be enough. This is talk of cloning, but the possibility of mutation is daunting. A gathering of the entire successor Chapters is called for. The conclave will decide whether or not the Blood Angels survives to see the next millennium.

Brother-Sergeant Rafen is given the difficult task of convincing Seth, the Chapter Master currently on the planet of Eritaen, to answer the conclave summons even though it would interfere with his sacred duties. Seth's Flesh Tearers will do their utmost to goad Rafen into challenge, but Rafen has been ordered not to engage them no matter how much they might deserve being beaten to a pulp. The biggest problem is that Astartes always seek for a tactical advantage in all situations. Should Seth's Chapter find out how weak the Blood Angels have recently become, would they use the knowledge to their own advantage somehow? If so, what would the repercussions be? If not, can everyone put aside their rivalries and work together to rebuild their force before their enemies show up?

***** The Astartes is too proud for its own good sometimes, and it makes for some volatile scenarios. I especially enjoyed watching Rafen and Noxx go head-to-head more than once. The author, James Swallow, has done an incredible job with all the character developments and individual characteristics. If you have not read the Blood Angels Omnibus, I urge you to do so. Knowing the background makes everything in this book so much clearer. If you do not read the omnibus, you will not find yourself floundering too badly. The author gives new readers a pretty good picture. I look forward to the next installment! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Good up to the point it got stolen
I was very much enjoyin this book, until some sticky fingered person at work took a shine to it. Never know how it finishes. Hence 4/5

A bit on the short side
OK a short book by James and whilst some of the newer readers will have discovered after picking it up its part of a series which if you haven't read the others will leave you missing a lot of the nuances within. (They are available as the Blood Angel Omnibus so save the money and enjoy.) Well written with combat that takes you through the trenches along with the troops and whilst it's a hard fight with the chapters fate in the God Emperors hands, it's a story that will leave the reader wondering what's going to happen to them. A fun read and something that can easily be digested in one sitting if you're of the mind to.