Out of Print Hardcover Space Marine Battles Novella ----- This is the origin story of the most savage and ferocious Chapter of Space Marines, fighting under the Chapter Master Amit's banner for the first time – see how the saga of the Flesh Tearers began. ----- Formed in the aftermath of the Horus Heresy, the Flesh Tearers, veterans of the Blood Angels Legion now cast adrift, gather behind their leader, Chapter Master Amit, and set out to forge their own destiny. When a mistake brings them into conflict with another newly-created Chapter of Space Marines, a legacy is forged that will haunt the Flesh Tearers for then thousand years...
Throughout the book you are really shown the true feelings of the fleshtearers chapter, the shame and anger about no longer being bloid angels and ultimately the understanding that to be astartes in thus new age they must be more then butchers
A good continuation on the Flesh Tearers ongoing theme; redemption and damnation. I thoroughly enjoyed not knowing if the Tearers were just blood thirsty or possessed at any given moment. Not sure about the choice of putting Flesh of Cretacia first though, I think that was a poor choice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was never a big fan of the Blood Angels and their derivative chapters. Usually they're big whiny emo vampire babies that are SO ANGRY because no one UNDERSTANDS THEIR PAIN. I imagine they listen to crappy screamo music and wear a lot of wristbands. Basically, what I'm saying is that I read these books for three reasons: a lack of any sense of self-worth, masochism and a very long commute (see reasons 1 & 2).
Unsurprisingly, this novella does nothing to change my mind. Within the first couple of chapters, we're given ample evidence of just how moody and violent everyone is. Examples include letting serfs fight over rags and freeze to death or injecting oil into someone's face because they were 10 seconds late to work. I'm guessing the author was trying to set up some anti-hero cred, but the whole thing is so ham-handed it just comes across as mustache-twirling villainy. Like, even bad guys would laugh at it.
Anyway, my interest in the plot only picked up once, about half-way in, once they arrive at a planet. There's a nice space battle scene, but things quickly fall apart into nonsense. (We're told no one from the Imperium has had contact here since before the Heresy, but later we find out that the planet's ruling council had sent a distress signal to some Ultramarines, who show up as if this is a routine thing.) Some more fighting happens, all to show how dark and conflicted the Flesh Tearers are, but it's shallow. The story ends with basically everyone going crazy evil, even when they don't need to.
“I no longer believe us to be angels. Yet we are more than butchers – we must be.”
Excerpt From Sons of Wrath
Another great entry into the Flesh Tearers canon that Andy Smillie keeps delivering on. This one has much more of the old school “grim dark” of 40K stories. Whereas “Flesh of Cretacia” showed them finding their new home world, and “Trial by Blood” showed where they are at in the current 40k universe, this novella details Chapter Master Amit and the Chapter as a whole coming to terms with the current state of the galaxy after the Heresy and no longer being a Blood Angel. You can feel the anger and resentment over it as they all deal with this change and how they’re reputation as butchers is one some embrace and others want to move on from while dealing with the curse of their Blood.
I only wish this had been a full novel, I feel like there was a lot more to explore and flesh out, but it was a very enjoyable read, and I wish he would write more about this Chapter.
“If we are to die cursed, then so be it,’ said Amit. ‘We will not die damned.”
Set before the events in Flesh of Cretacia, Sons of Wrath might have offered a glimpse into the mind of Chapter Master Amit and one of the most divisive chapters in the WH40k universe. Instead it's all chaff and no substance, barely touching on a lot of important themes, like how the space marines deal with Sanguinius' death and the introduction of Guilliman's codex.
Sons of wrath breaks no boundaries and explores no new territories, instead relying on tropes. A demon's conspiracy and lots of bolter porn that we cannot truly enjoy because its really all pointless. With no distinguishing qualities - tweak a few things and this book could be about the World Eaters or Marines Malevolent - it's a huge letdown from the previous offering.
OK - Sons of Wraith! First of all - it SHOULD be longer. Even if story is good - it has such a holes in the story, due to running out of page range. For example - the story with wraith and daemons should be fleshed more. All the zurconian stuff happens with - ??? what - ah -ok - really - and why it all happened exactly? Plus the Eagle Warriors - they are not even at least fleshed out.
Due to the good Amit story, some cool characters and some interesting plot at the start - i would give it a 3 stars - BUT IT SHOULD BE A FULL NOVEL and not a novella/ Characters are not fleshed out enough.
But i think that Andy is the author for the BA and all their successors - he is indeed writing ange, rage and wraith well.
His second novella in Black Library’s Space Marine Battles series, Sons of Wrath sees Andy Smillie continue to delve into the psyches of the brutal Flesh Tearers chapter, this time setting his story almost immediately after the events of the Horus Heresy. Still struggling to come to terms with the emotional and psychological impact of Sanguinius’ death, Chapter Master Amit and his brothers rail against their new identities as Flesh Tearers – as they vent their rage first against each other and then in battle with a tricksy foe, it remains to be seen whether the blood-thirsty Flesh Tearers are truly able to control their thirst for violence.
Great story, and a nice insight into how the marines of the newly formed chapters actually feel about being removed from their brothers in the legion's We also see some of the after effects of the death of sanguinius Highly recommended
Another superbly written novella by Andy Smillie. This story is set just after the Second Founding, and Amit is still adjusting to life after the Blood Angels. It shows well the distrust between the different loyalist chapters.