Lazarus: Enmity's Edge

by Gary Kloster

A Warhammer 40,000 Novel

Across the warp storms of the Great Rift, a distress beacon calls for aid. The Rock is listening, for the Dark Angels have only their oaths to remind them of who they are.

READ IT BECAUSE
See what happens when the Dark Angels encounter a planet that might have even more secrets than they do! Can Master Lazarus cope with discovering what it really means to be defined by your oaths?

THE STORY
Supreme Grand Master Azrael summons Lazarus and his Fifth Company to honour an old debt on the Knight world of Reis – a planet upon which the warp has set its hungry gaze.

But Lazarus is not so sure Reis wants to be saved – its Knights are long lost, its governance is dogged by political strife, and internecine conflict hampers the world’s defence against an ancient evil. ­An evil which, like Lazarus himself, refuses to die.

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Novels

395 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 9, 2024

Reviews

[Kevin Carlsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what you want both from a sci-fi novel and from a Warhammer novel. Wildly compelling, overtly grim, but tinged with so much heroism and hope.

[Peter Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made the space marines into humans and the humans into space marines!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rousing Chapter in the History of the Dark Angels

Lazarus: Enmity’s Edge collects its elements from disparate corners of the 40k universe. Starring Lazarus, my fave Dark Angel, it is an excellent tale that mixes mystery and mayhem both grim and dark. The mortal POV character was likable and I thoroughly enjoyed Kloster’s exploration of a new world peppered with familiar elements that had unique flairs. Highly recommended!

[Matt TB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for dark Angel fans, excellent book to start reading Warhammer 40,000.

[Alberto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inicialmente no tenía muchas expectativas. El autor es nuevo, o al menos no lo conocía dentro de BL. Sin embargo, y a pesar de unas cuantas repeticiones en los diálogos, la trama es muy buena y la historia se disfruta mucho. Muy recomendado.

[Chase Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need these ripped from my hands. I can't stop.

[E.J. Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this. You get to see Lazarus struggle with doubt, and his own nightmares returning it, and yet find strength when his men need him to. Also Ysentrud might be my favourite 40k non-Space Marine character for a while (at least in a book anyway).

Also also, I really need that epic takedown of the possessed Knight in animated form already.

Also also also, I did not expect Lazarus to produce one of my favourite quotes about death ever.

[Blair · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic bolter-porn with a mildly entertaining story.

A story centered around the culture of the Dark Angels, which, of course, almost revolves around the idea of hunting down the goddamn Fallen. Starts like that, but then decides to take a different direction in a more subtle way, criticizing this overly repeated plot-point and focusing on a more subtle yet interesting story about the danger of secrets. This started pretty well, but after a while, the story starts becoming redundant, the mystery loses its flavor, and we end up with a rather lackluster, emotionless tale that doesn't offer any interesting new perspectives.

The problem with Lazarus is a common problem with most 40k novels. It focuses on a certain aspect of culture, but seeing from an outsider perspective. The first chapters are centered around Lazarus, and there's an interesting intersection of views and conflicts between the Dark Angels. But after a while, the novel shifts in perspective and we start seeing the world from the views of a mortal human. Sure, I understand this can work to ground the narrative and help the reader feel more in touch with the story, but it sacrifices the more personal introspection shown at the start of the novel.

The author wastes a lot of time with overly detailed descriptions that seem to go on and on. After a while, the descriptions get lost in a haze of technical babble that offers no real depth. Exposition is done a lot in this way too, sometimes I particularly dislike.

The Space Marines are exceptionally dull with a few moments here and there that could have made then standout more. The problem is that the author focuses too much on the action and lore dumps, leaving dialogue as behind as possible, and probably the worst offender is the villain who even goes to monologue like a mustache-twirling character.

I had high hopes for Lazarus but was ultimately disappointed. If you enjoy overly descriptive action than this one works for you, but it doesn't offer much else.

[Paul Sparks · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a shame this book was not released prior to the lions return because it is not a bad book but it is superfluous in the current lore, I listened on Audible and John Banks narration was as alway superb and lifted the story but BL need to think before acting

[Anibal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lazarus: Enmity’s Edge opens with Lazarus executing a solid and intelligent plan against an Ork invasion. One particularly interesting element is the way the commander of the 5th Company can access real-time visual feeds from all Astartes via their vid-links, allowing for highly dynamic tactical decision-making. Unfortunately, the plan is severely compromised when orbital artillery support is withdrawn after the strike cruiser is urgently recalled, badly hampering the Dark Angels’ battlefield disposition. Lazarus ultimately secures victory—but it is a highly costly one, paid in lots of blood.

The narrative then shifts to Reis, where the local Knight House Halven no longer possess their war machines and live in deep animosity with the Adeptus Mechanicus of the northern continent. Both sides believe the other to be responsible for past failures. Old wars against warp creatures have left deep scars on the land and its people, despite the Dark Angels having sealed the rift in the past, leaving a beacon to be used in dire situations.

A growing revolution by the “Gris” near the rift, makes the heir of House Halven to activate the ancient beacon and summon the Dark Angels; against the explicit wishes of his father.

Enter the real GOAT of the novel. No, not Lazarus or even the Dark Angels, but Ysentrud the Learned. Effectively a human servo-skull, Ysentrud carries an immense quantity of knowledge etched directly into her mind. The hostile relationship with the Adeptus Mechanicus has driven House Halven to develop technological replacements of their own, with the Learned being the most fascinating example. Ysentrud is easily the strongest character in the book: brave but feeling fear, brilliant but doubting herself, and decisive action although fearing the consequences; she wants to be someone who's relevant and she manage to impress even demigods. She saves the day more than once, constantly reminding Lazarus of his duty to humanity rather than dogma. Her evolving relationship with Inquisitor-Chaplain Demetrius is particularly compelling and adds real emotional depth.

One thing right at the start of the book was less than perfect in my opinion. Lazarus is eventually recalled to the Rock, where he is summoned before Azrael and it is revealed that the strike cruiser was withdrawn in pursuit of a possible lead on the Fallen. This decision is unsettling and frankly out of character. Sacrificing dozens of Astartes for a mere hint does not align with chapter master Azrael as he has been consistently portrayed in the lore. This version of Azrael feels closer to other more fanatical and inflexible Dark Angels. Given the nature of warp travel, a delay of a few hours would be almost meaningless, and the Dark Angels already possess specialized units dedicated to hunting the Fallen. For a normally pragmatic Supreme Grand Master, this course of action simply makes little sense.

That said, what begins as a fairly average opening grows into an increasingly engaging story. Gary Kloster delivers an antagonist with believable motivations and a genuinely clever plan. The dialogue isn’t always outstanding, but the cast is distinctive and memorable: Fabricator Locum Gretin Lan, Ysentrud,Rafiel and Demetrius among many others stand out. Because of this, the losses feel real and impactful.

For a debut novel with Black Library, Lazarus: Enmity’s Edge is a strong and promising entry. Despite some questionable lore choices, it delivers solid warhammer sci-fi, excellent secondary characters, foes with efficient plans and a growing narrative confidence that makes the book well worth reading.

[Unseen Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets, lies and devils from the past converge around the Dark Angels in this exceptional Warhammer 40,000 novel from Gary Kloster, Lazarus: Enmity’s Edge.

For over 10,000 years the Space Marines of the Dark Angels chapter have defended the Imperium of Man from all manner of insidious threats, all while keeping their own terrible secrets hidden. Maintaining watch for fallen members of their order, the Dark Angels are forced to balance their Chapter’s need for secrecy and revenge with their solemn duty to keep humanity safe from the monsters and heretics stalking the stars. But not every member of the Dark Angel’s inner circle believes that the battles of the past should impact the Chapter’s future.

Lazarus, Master of the Dark Angels Fifth Company, knows the burden that history can have on the soul. The first Primaris Marine to hold rank within the chapter’s inner circle, Lazarus finds himself haunted by the battle that killed him and forced him to undergo the Rubicon surgery. Determined to rid the universe of all psykers and the foul forces of Chaos behind them, Lazarus is a dedicated warrior, although one that questions the secrets that impact his ability to fulfill his duty. That is why, when an ancient beacon located on the planet Reis is activated, the Supreme Grand Master of the Dark Angels, Azrael, summons Lazarus and his Fifth Company to fulfill an old debt of honour.

A thousand years before, the Imperial Knight world of Reis was nearly overwhelmed by a rampaging army of daemons, resulting in the destruction of the planet’s war machine guardians, and only through the intervention of the Dark Angels was Reis saved. But now, after years of peace, Reis finds itself under attack from a new foe, one that may cause another daemonic incursion. Determined to ensure the daemons stay in the warp, Lazarus arrives to assess the situation on Reis, but soon discover that not everything is as it seems. The planet is a hotbed of sinister politics, ancient grudges, and long-buried secrets, all of which conspire to drag Reis closer to destruction. Forced to navigate the planet’s complex history, Lazarus discovers a terrible enemy hiding deep within the planet’s jungles, one that, like Lazarus, refuses to die. To save Reis and his brothers, Lazarus must uncover the true hidden past of the planet and understand the origin of the grudge that could turn the Dark Angels against the Imperium they are sworn to protect.

Wow, Warhammer 40,000 fiction is in peak form in 2024 as Gary Kloster deeply impressed me with Lazarus: Enmity’s Edge. Featuring a particularly complex and captivating narrative that blended awesome action and great characters with a clever and well-written plot, Enmity’s Edge proved to be extremely addictive, and I found myself irreversibly hooked. Exciting, intense and loaded with all manner of intrigue, Enmity’s Edge is one of the best Warhammer books of 2024 and gets a full five-star rating from me.

To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/11/10/...

For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/

[Tullus Stefan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When you have lived with honor, [dying] it is the easiest thing in the world." - Lazarus
Throughout the book, I was eyeing to give it a 4, but the more it went on, the more I immersed myself in the story, the more I started to love it. It is truly a grim, dark battle, as it keeps you on edge (enmity's edge haha) the whole time. I was really wondering when, even if sometimes, the Dark Angels will get ahead. Speaking of Enmity's Edge, I dont understand why this is the title. "Lazarus" ok sure, he is the main character, but there are so many missed opportunities here. Title aside, an interesting way of opening the book. We get to see right away who Lazarus is, what and how he thinks, and how he suffers and copes with himself. He, like Grimaldus, has depth, even as far as to question Azrael's obsesion with the fallen. He is more than a soldier, a space marine brute, he is much more human then so many others, but still a leader, the Master of the 5th. The other characters are almost as memorable as the side characters of Helsreach. You still get to know them, care for them and pray for them all the same. But above all, the biggest surprise of this book is Ysentrud. An absolutely brilliant character. I loved her story and relationship with the Dark Angels squad. You can not but be empathetic towards her, as she is, despite her unique ability, THE human, the relateable one and she plays her role perfectly. I cant belive a Warhammer 40k book almost made me cry at the end. If I am to describe this book in just a few words it would be: Helsreach, with Dark Angels, but on a smaller scale of war. I am so happy I discovered this book and so proud to be a Dark Angels fan.

[Zare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a book in which we see multiple dimensions of the Space Marines, through the lens of no other than the most schizophrenic legion of all - Dark Angels.

Through the adventures and tribulations of the Fifth Company we see how ever present secrets, while a very effective tool, are also sort of a double edge sword. When enemy appears who can do the unimaginable and even break the unbreakable, access to the secrets and their impact finally takes priority and can even compromise or even completely destroy the entire war effort.

It was hard reading about sacrifices of entire platoons because of changed conditions, anger because of the unnecessary losses and eventually coming to peace (of sorts) with the outcome due to higher goals.

If you ask me Lion will have his hands full :)

One other element that made this novel have more impact to me is the interaction between the Dark Angels and Adaptus Mechanicus, as post-humans, with mere human mortals. These interactions show how basic humanity is present in everyone, even in those who seem to be outside of it. I like this, and it is refreshing to see this type of dynamic set in the story-line after the pre-Heresy novels (like Valdor and Primarch books).

Great book, lots of action (some very realistic combat scenes that would not be out of place in the moder day action thrillers), and great characters. I hope we get more books on Dark Angels soon.

Highly recommended.

[Jesper Karlsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

First I'd like to mention that this is a very good book for someone that wants to read their first spacemarine book. Everything gets explained and there is no previous knowledge required.

I was afraid that when Ive gone through the first segment of the book that this would be an other "master of rites" where I would have to read nothing but "this new model from the latest box-set fired its canon", but I'm happy to say that this was only for the first area of the book, and almost feels like something that was put in there in post by some editor, making sure that the reader is informed that these models are available to buy in their local store.

Once that was out of the way and we moved to the area that has the meat of the book, the pacing is better, The book is equivalent to what I would call the marvel movie experience, the good guys are good, the bad guys are bad, and the plot is not too complicated or deep.
The book didn't leave me with any long lasting thoughts or emotions, but that also means that there wasn't anything I was particularly mad about either.

Do not read this if you are looking explore the human conditions through the lens of 40k, read it if you want to read a book about a group of likeable character using swords and guns to kill things.

[Fresh Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cut above the general rank and file of 40K mulch, but doesn’t soar high enough to hit the bracket of ‘must read’.
Without getting into spoilers, Lazarus will be a new comer to most people who in the lore through books only. Characteristically, he doesn’t break the mold for contemporary Astartes that much; aside from his dislike of the DA’s trademark conspiratorial attitude to everything. It’s refreshing to see a DA actually push back against their backwards thinking, to the chapter master no less.

Plot wise, it’s a semi departure from the usual 40k one off plots. It’s still chaos, but it’s not the usual chaos fluff you’re used to. The baddie is boring, but it’s ’gimmick’ isn’t.

The best bit of the book by far! Is the inclusion of the human character Ysintrude. Turns out it isn’t particularly good for your health to get conscripted to helping Space marines do their day-job.

Definitely worth a read.

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling action in the 41st Century.

The Dark Angels carry with them a heavy burden, secrets of the past that cannot come to light.

Lazarus lived and died fighting for the Imperium. But by crossing the Primaris Rubicon, he was revived. Now he finds himself on a planet divided, with a dark history full of secrets.

What makes the story so enjoyable was the great protagonists. Lazarus is conflicted about his role, carrying doubts within him. Ysentrud is a Mutant strain native to her planet, but is relatively baseline human. She has been trained to member vast quantities of information but must serve a man who cares nothing for the past.

Ysentrud is a great character to have in the book. Her inexperience to Space Marines gives the audience a great perspective to better understand the nature and behaviour of Lazarus and co.

Great action scenes, cool characters and interesting world-building that had me intrigued throughout.

[Andrew Peel · Rating 1 out of 5]

13 Chapters too long, if I never see the word gris again in my life again it will be too soon. Repeating the same idea four times on one page does not make that idea better in a story. There’s no need to give a character his full Chapter title every single time he occurs in the book - like Interrogator-Chaplain. As for the story Dark Angels vs Zombies that are somehow infected by a demon we never find out about? Possibly the worst 40k novel I’ve read in decades. I honestly can’t think of a positive thing about it.

[Thevoicebeyond · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good enough Warhammer book, sitting nicely in the ‘fun’ pile of bolter heavy reads.

The best part of this book is the cool alternative to servitors.

The Dark Angel stuff mostly avoids the classic tropes, but they are a little too adjacent to Ultramarines for me in their speech. Their actions are fine, but they didn’t quite scratch the itch for dark and brooding.

Plot and set pieces are exactly what you’d expect from a space marines book. Good enough for some light entertainment, but definitely not in the same league as other series.

[Jack Doud · Rating 2 out of 5]

While there is good character work being done it is depressingly buried under mediocre bolter porn. Gary goes in some new and intersting directions for a 40k novels characters but the battles are boring and repetitive which destroys the flow of the narrative. This has the feel of having been edited by Nick Kyme. Overall it's on par with your average 40k novel but is disappointing for anyone who's already read extensively in the setting.

[Maxim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kloster starts this book off strong. We get to know the main character, his motivations, and feelings. Then get to explore a unique world in the imperium of man.
My only critique is that with how strong the book starts. And with it having a satisfying ending. The middle was simply good.
It definitely was not bad, but not as enthralling as the first third of the book I found I could not tear myself away from.

[Austin Coolman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid book. We are finally given the full back story on Lazarus and his leading of the 5th. Dark Angels are finally not make to look like docks and shadowy bad guys. I’d give it a 4.5 instead of an outright 4 but the current timeline doesn’t get touch much at all other than the last line in the book. All in all, solid listen for Dark Angels fans.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Space Wolf fan, the Dark Angels are frienemies and not to be bothered with. Primaris Marines are also not well trusted. Gary Kloster wrote an amazing story that has me raving about both! It is a Dark Angels story that focused on being a Space Marine, and not hunting the Fallen. I enjoyed Lazarus and highly recommend it for a different view of Dark Angels.

[RtD87 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the Best to Come From the Black Library

Easily some of the best fiction in the 40k universe. Great characters that are easy to root for, and a baddie worth hating. I loves the extensive exposition between characters as well. Cant wait to see where Lazarus, and the 5th end up next. For the Lion!

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lazarus: Enmity’s Edge was a fun read with some solid action, but the title character’s questionable tactics held it back. While the battles were entertaining, Lazarus’s decisions often felt unstrategic, which undercut the tension. A decent addition to the setting, but not a standout.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. It was... Okay? The Chaplain was interesting as was the learned. The plot was decent, I guess, but kind of straight forward run of the mill 40k books. Didn't care for the baddies. Overall, a pretty forgettable book.

[Ben Secker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one, Gary will be a black library writer to watch! Cannot wait for another 5th company adventure.
Glory to the Lion!

[Kenny Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book about the Dark Angels 5th Company!

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent plot but felt like a filler with the lions return

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doesn’t expand the pre-Lion return lore much, but interesting look at Lazarus with well-written plot and nuanced Dark Angels characters and enemies.

[D Santilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best WH40K books I have read in a while. The characters are engaging and the plot keeps you guessing. Please write more for Games Workshop!