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Blood Angels #3
Red Fury
The next installment in the popular Blood Angels series, Red Fury starts a new story arc telling the Blood Angels fight to restore their Chapter to its full glory!
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
5 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
James Swallow
307 books1,079 followersJames Swallow is a New York Times, Sunday Times and Amazon #1 bestselling author and scriptwriter, a BAFTA nominee, a former journalist and the award-winning writer of over sixty-five books, along with scripts for video games, comics, radio and television.
DARK HORIZON, his latest stand-alone thriller, is out now from Mountain Leopard Press, and OUTLAW, the 6th action-packed Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier.
Along with the Marc Dane thrillers, his writing includes, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Tom Clancy, 24, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more.
For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow
Visit James's website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series.
You can also follow James on Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Twitter at @jmswallow, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.
DARK HORIZON, his latest stand-alone thriller, is out now from Mountain Leopard Press, and OUTLAW, the 6th action-packed Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier.
Along with the Marc Dane thrillers, his writing includes, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Tom Clancy, 24, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more.
For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow
Visit James's website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series.
You can also follow James on Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Twitter at @jmswallow, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 29, 2010
Red fury starts off with a blood angel sergent on and his squad on the planet Eritaen. Their mission is to find the Flesh tearer chapter master and ask him to give some of his precious battle-brother to the blood angel chapter so that they can regain their numbers after the events that led them to the brink of civil war.
The blood angels and their successor chapters meet on baal but then the traitor fabius bile appears and wreaks havoc on the planet. Chapters unite and fend of the attack, but Fabius bile gets a sample of blood from the blood angel primarch,Sanguinus. Then, Rafen promises his chapter master to retrieve the blood of his primarch from Fabius, and then it all ends here.
I though the book good and fun to read. Rafen, the seargent is well described and he always sees what is best for his chapter. This book descibes a lot about the blood angel democracy/universe. The only thing that I dont like about this book is that the successor chapters of the blood angels dont cooperate and then it just gets into old conflicts. Exept that I really liked it, I also like the authors style in how he writes. Another great warhammer 40K book.
The blood angels and their successor chapters meet on baal but then the traitor fabius bile appears and wreaks havoc on the planet. Chapters unite and fend of the attack, but Fabius bile gets a sample of blood from the blood angel primarch,Sanguinus. Then, Rafen promises his chapter master to retrieve the blood of his primarch from Fabius, and then it all ends here.
I though the book good and fun to read. Rafen, the seargent is well described and he always sees what is best for his chapter. This book descibes a lot about the blood angel democracy/universe. The only thing that I dont like about this book is that the successor chapters of the blood angels dont cooperate and then it just gets into old conflicts. Exept that I really liked it, I also like the authors style in how he writes. Another great warhammer 40K book.
October 9, 2025
For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my battle-brother eternal.
Too many quotes to share, this is the story of my people, beautiful, poetic and tragic.
Too many quotes to share, this is the story of my people, beautiful, poetic and tragic.
January 16, 2015
Bookworm Speaks!
Warhammer 40,000
Red Fury by James Swallow
****
The Story: The adventures of Rafen, Battle Brother of the Blood Angels continue as the Blood Angels face a terrible crisis after the devastating fallout of the Blood Angels Civil War. Their number’s severely depleted, Lord Commander Dante is forced to call upon the disparate Son’s of Sanguinius in order to make overtures to their brethren and seek a solution. All the while a sinister plot boils within the Blood Angels themselves and Rafen and his squad must contend with the fallout of their actions during the Blood Angels Civil War.
The Good: What is good about this story really is the characters. Once again we see Rafen and he seems to be handling his guilt over the Arkio affair rather well even if he does succumb to ennui at times. What makes Rafen so compelling is in his reactions to the way the Chapter’s leadership is treating him. On one hand they view him with suspicion. Rafen was touched by chaos and the terrible curse of the Blood Angels, the Red Thirst and the Black Rage have awakened within him and it is only a matter of time before he succumbs to them like all of his brethren. At the same time, the chapter has been impressed with Rafen and can see greatness within him as well as his squad. The fact that his Chapter Master and Chief Librarian, who might as well be demigods to him seem to be quite trusting and on speaking terms with him. It is a classic example of someone who has had power thrust upon him when he never truly desired it. This quiet humility is what makes Rafen such a good leader and a compelling character.
The characters he interacts with as well are compelling in their own way. One of his squad mate’s Turcio, was one of the Battle Brother’s who had been corrupted and had sided with Arkio during the Blood Angels civil war but was determined to be free of corruption and now is attempting to redeem himself. His quiet determination and desire to prove himself worthy is a excellent trait that makes him relatable on many levels.
Lord Commander Dante and Mephiston are also given a good performance. A common criticism of Warhammer 40k and many action stories is that the characters come off as one dimensional. This is not an incorrect conclusion. The Chapter Master’s can especially come off as one dimensional due to the distance that command require’s but Lord Commander Dante is an exception to this. He does a good job of keeping his emotions in check but we are allowed time by the author in order to see the man underneath the armor. His thoughtful nature contrasts with the fearsome nature of the Blood Angels and also contrasts with the fiery aesthetic of Gabriel Seth or Mephiston.
Mephiston is the Chief Librarian of the Blood Angels and Lord Commander Dante’s second in command of Chapter. His personality is a little more active than Dante’s. A flame to a rock as it were. He cuts a fearsome figure but we catch a glimpse of his character beyond his fearsome reputation.
The fact we get to see various other chapters in action is one of the strengths of this tome as well. In the novel verse of the 41st Millennium several chapters get more emphasis (i.e. the Space Wolves, the Ultramarines) and while the focus is definitely on the Blood Angels, the opportunity to examine other chapters such as the Flesh Tearers and the Angels Sanquine.
The Flaws: The great strength of the novel is also the gateway to one of the larger flaws in the text. The Flesh Tearers characters do not get a lot of respect, both by the writer and the Imperium of Man. Gabriel Seth and Noxx and other Flesh Tearers are portrayed as being standoffish, confrontational and to be frank, whiny. This is explained that the Flesh Tearers are a particularly monstrous chapter of the Space Marines. Their ranks have already been severely depleted over the centuries by the terrible curses that afflict all the son’s of Sanquinius. Their violent, bloodthirsty reputation has made them feared by the people of the Imperium and by other Astartes, so it is understandable that they would be bitter and resent being asked for help when they are the ones who need help for so long now. But the Flesh Tearers are not helped by being so insultingly aggressive, more justice could have been done to them.
Finally, the overall story does take a few more chapters than it should to really find its footing. There is sometimes not enough action and too much talking and vice versa. It takes too much time to get to the nitty gritty of the action that makes Warhammer 40k so beloved. A lot of times, its Space Marines arguing.
Final Verdict: Red Fury is an excellent addition to the librarium of the Blood Angels and sure to delight any fan of the Son’s of Sanquinius. The action is great, the characters are memorable, and the reader will be biting their nails throughout the final act.
Four out of Five Stars
thecultureworm.blogpsot.com
Warhammer 40,000
Red Fury by James Swallow
****
The Story: The adventures of Rafen, Battle Brother of the Blood Angels continue as the Blood Angels face a terrible crisis after the devastating fallout of the Blood Angels Civil War. Their number’s severely depleted, Lord Commander Dante is forced to call upon the disparate Son’s of Sanguinius in order to make overtures to their brethren and seek a solution. All the while a sinister plot boils within the Blood Angels themselves and Rafen and his squad must contend with the fallout of their actions during the Blood Angels Civil War.
The Good: What is good about this story really is the characters. Once again we see Rafen and he seems to be handling his guilt over the Arkio affair rather well even if he does succumb to ennui at times. What makes Rafen so compelling is in his reactions to the way the Chapter’s leadership is treating him. On one hand they view him with suspicion. Rafen was touched by chaos and the terrible curse of the Blood Angels, the Red Thirst and the Black Rage have awakened within him and it is only a matter of time before he succumbs to them like all of his brethren. At the same time, the chapter has been impressed with Rafen and can see greatness within him as well as his squad. The fact that his Chapter Master and Chief Librarian, who might as well be demigods to him seem to be quite trusting and on speaking terms with him. It is a classic example of someone who has had power thrust upon him when he never truly desired it. This quiet humility is what makes Rafen such a good leader and a compelling character.
The characters he interacts with as well are compelling in their own way. One of his squad mate’s Turcio, was one of the Battle Brother’s who had been corrupted and had sided with Arkio during the Blood Angels civil war but was determined to be free of corruption and now is attempting to redeem himself. His quiet determination and desire to prove himself worthy is a excellent trait that makes him relatable on many levels.
Lord Commander Dante and Mephiston are also given a good performance. A common criticism of Warhammer 40k and many action stories is that the characters come off as one dimensional. This is not an incorrect conclusion. The Chapter Master’s can especially come off as one dimensional due to the distance that command require’s but Lord Commander Dante is an exception to this. He does a good job of keeping his emotions in check but we are allowed time by the author in order to see the man underneath the armor. His thoughtful nature contrasts with the fearsome nature of the Blood Angels and also contrasts with the fiery aesthetic of Gabriel Seth or Mephiston.
Mephiston is the Chief Librarian of the Blood Angels and Lord Commander Dante’s second in command of Chapter. His personality is a little more active than Dante’s. A flame to a rock as it were. He cuts a fearsome figure but we catch a glimpse of his character beyond his fearsome reputation.
The fact we get to see various other chapters in action is one of the strengths of this tome as well. In the novel verse of the 41st Millennium several chapters get more emphasis (i.e. the Space Wolves, the Ultramarines) and while the focus is definitely on the Blood Angels, the opportunity to examine other chapters such as the Flesh Tearers and the Angels Sanquine.
The Flaws: The great strength of the novel is also the gateway to one of the larger flaws in the text. The Flesh Tearers characters do not get a lot of respect, both by the writer and the Imperium of Man. Gabriel Seth and Noxx and other Flesh Tearers are portrayed as being standoffish, confrontational and to be frank, whiny. This is explained that the Flesh Tearers are a particularly monstrous chapter of the Space Marines. Their ranks have already been severely depleted over the centuries by the terrible curses that afflict all the son’s of Sanquinius. Their violent, bloodthirsty reputation has made them feared by the people of the Imperium and by other Astartes, so it is understandable that they would be bitter and resent being asked for help when they are the ones who need help for so long now. But the Flesh Tearers are not helped by being so insultingly aggressive, more justice could have been done to them.
Finally, the overall story does take a few more chapters than it should to really find its footing. There is sometimes not enough action and too much talking and vice versa. It takes too much time to get to the nitty gritty of the action that makes Warhammer 40k so beloved. A lot of times, its Space Marines arguing.
Final Verdict: Red Fury is an excellent addition to the librarium of the Blood Angels and sure to delight any fan of the Son’s of Sanquinius. The action is great, the characters are memorable, and the reader will be biting their nails throughout the final act.
Four out of Five Stars
thecultureworm.blogpsot.com
August 22, 2018
It's a great thing when you like each book a little more than the one before it in a series. I feel Swallow is developing a very enjoyable, readable style. Went right into the 4th book.
Read
January 25, 2022This is the third book in the series but I read it as a stand-alone novel and it didn't seem to matter. This book is set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe and probably isn't much interest to readers who don't know the setting at least a bit.
The book begins with a Blood Angels squad being sent to find the Flesh Tearers chapter in the middle of a battle, in order to deliver a message. There's quite a lot of action in this opening and I was quite interested to find out what was going on. There's then quite a long period when not that much happens, as the Blood Angels gather representatives from their successor chapters in their fortress monastery on Baal.
I thought it would be interesting to see a group of legendary characters gathered, and to see what the Blood Angels want, but it was all a bit bland. As a former Blood Angels player I would be more interested than most people, but I still wasn't that interested. Not a terrible book, but not great either.
The book begins with a Blood Angels squad being sent to find the Flesh Tearers chapter in the middle of a battle, in order to deliver a message. There's quite a lot of action in this opening and I was quite interested to find out what was going on. There's then quite a long period when not that much happens, as the Blood Angels gather representatives from their successor chapters in their fortress monastery on Baal.
I thought it would be interesting to see a group of legendary characters gathered, and to see what the Blood Angels want, but it was all a bit bland. As a former Blood Angels player I would be more interested than most people, but I still wasn't that interested. Not a terrible book, but not great either.
March 29, 2025
Third book the James Swallow's Blood Angels Books and so far, easily the best out of the three in my opinion. Much better story line and further character development than the DEUS ENCARMINE and DEUS SANGUINIUS books preceding it. Good read.
March 20, 2022
it was fun but idk how i read this at 14
January 9, 2024
Quite fun.
March 19, 2015
Red Fury takes up with Rafen, now Brother-Sergeant, leads his squad on a planet where Chaos forces have taken hold. The Flesh-Tearer Space Marines drop a building on their heads. They know the Blood Angels will survive, and just want to be annoying, partly because they think they have come to interfere. In fact, Rafen came to deliver a message, to ask their Chapter Master Seth to come to a conclave of chapters -- successor chapters, also derived from Sanguinius.
Seth comes. So do many other chapters that derive from Sanguinius. And the Blood Angels Chapter Master, Dante, reveals to them what happened and that the Blood Angels are badly depleted. At this level, usually what happens is that the chapter is broken up, and its Marines allocated to other chapters. However, being the First Founding chapter, what the Blood Angels ask for is a tithe of men from their successor chapter, to replenish their numbers. The Chapter Masters are not pleased with this request, with Seth leading the objections.
Meanwhile an Apothecary of the Blood Angels is trying to replace the fallen members with his own experiments. He receives aid from a mysterious figure from the Adeptus Mechanicus -- his servant sees how dangerous this figure could be, but the Apothecary is blinded by his need. When he attempts to show it to the Chapter Masters, it goes awry. Badly. And then things go from bad to worse. Rafen is one of those sent to stop the experiments, and they find that the figure is, in reality the infamous Fabius Bile. Ancient and treacherous sorcerer and mad scientist.
And then there is real danger that the results will overwhelm them all.
Seth comes. So do many other chapters that derive from Sanguinius. And the Blood Angels Chapter Master, Dante, reveals to them what happened and that the Blood Angels are badly depleted. At this level, usually what happens is that the chapter is broken up, and its Marines allocated to other chapters. However, being the First Founding chapter, what the Blood Angels ask for is a tithe of men from their successor chapter, to replenish their numbers. The Chapter Masters are not pleased with this request, with Seth leading the objections.
Meanwhile an Apothecary of the Blood Angels is trying to replace the fallen members with his own experiments. He receives aid from a mysterious figure from the Adeptus Mechanicus -- his servant sees how dangerous this figure could be, but the Apothecary is blinded by his need. When he attempts to show it to the Chapter Masters, it goes awry. Badly. And then things go from bad to worse. Rafen is one of those sent to stop the experiments, and they find that the figure is, in reality the infamous Fabius Bile. Ancient and treacherous sorcerer and mad scientist.
And then there is real danger that the results will overwhelm them all.
March 20, 2016
So, this review is going to be horribly biased because of my interest in the Blood Angels and all of the Successor Chapters. Especially the Flesh Tearers, who are some pretty important characters in the plot. Lucky me! So, the novel overall is fairly slow paced to begin with, and if you aren't a huge Blood Angels fan(or at least interested in them) I think you will view this as a chore, though since I am an interested fan, I loved it.
I think that they could not have chosen better antagonists, from THE mad scientist, to their own nature. It was all awesome. I loved getting to see all of those chapter masters together, and how they all interacted, and to see Seth, the Chapter Master of the Flesh Tearers, was REALLY awesome, as I LOVE the Flesh Tearers. Something about their mentality gets me interested and motivated, and getting to see them be understood and fight with their cousins as awesome.
I can easily say the highlights of this were once the Bloodchild(Bloodfiends) came in, the interactions with the FT, and the appearance of mad bat-shit crazy mad scientist. I am reading the next short story *Heart of Rage* now!
I think that they could not have chosen better antagonists, from THE mad scientist, to their own nature. It was all awesome. I loved getting to see all of those chapter masters together, and how they all interacted, and to see Seth, the Chapter Master of the Flesh Tearers, was REALLY awesome, as I LOVE the Flesh Tearers. Something about their mentality gets me interested and motivated, and getting to see them be understood and fight with their cousins as awesome.
I can easily say the highlights of this were once the Bloodchild(Bloodfiends) came in, the interactions with the FT, and the appearance of mad bat-shit crazy mad scientist. I am reading the next short story *Heart of Rage* now!
August 3, 2012
Ugh. You would think that Lord Dante and Mephiston fighting with the Chapter Masters of the successor chapters would be cooler and more epic. It's not. C'mon Swallow! You want to show us how the Blood Angels are noble? Show them in relation to regular people. When they meet mere mortals show noblesse oblige not contemptuous disdain! More jet packs and what everyone wants to see... Death from Above! Furioso Dreadnoughts! Deeps striking Land Raiders! Fast Baal Predators! I'm so blase about these novels being RPG sessions. I want mass land combats!
February 19, 2016
Reading this was an absolute joy.
I can not imagine anyone but James Swallow as the writer for the Blood Angels, his use of imagry, language, style and expression are as if penned at the hand of one of the sons of Sanguines.
Rafen faces new trials and tribulations as agents of Chaos cause mayhem on Baal itself, but he does not stand alone, cousins and brothers from the first founding and second founding chapters come together to hold a conclave on the very fate of the first founding chapter.
If you want to see Space Marines being all that they can be, give this series a look.
I can not imagine anyone but James Swallow as the writer for the Blood Angels, his use of imagry, language, style and expression are as if penned at the hand of one of the sons of Sanguines.
Rafen faces new trials and tribulations as agents of Chaos cause mayhem on Baal itself, but he does not stand alone, cousins and brothers from the first founding and second founding chapters come together to hold a conclave on the very fate of the first founding chapter.
If you want to see Space Marines being all that they can be, give this series a look.
August 4, 2011
I give this book a hearty...meh. Swallow excelled in his story The Flight of the Eisentstein, but his treatment of the Blood Angels and their heroes is truly uninspired. The first two novels were mired in battles and gore, this one was mired in soap opera interactions and surprise surprise a sub-plot featuring Chaos and a Marine too stupid or proud to see it for what it is. Stick with well penned Marine novels by the likes of Abnett.
April 23, 2020
Although it took forever for the book to start, once it did, it was a great read. The Blood Angels ask for help from the other Chapters, who are descendants of Sanguinius, but in the same time the mad experiments of an Apotechary have devastating results. Now some of the strongest Space Marines in the galaxy face hideous freaks in a battle without mercy...
Swallow is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine.
Swallow is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine.
August 22, 2015
Red Fury was a great space marine novel. It had more than enough action to keep even a die-hard fan satisfied, but there were a surprisingly large number of more emotional moments between characters.
While the overall plot does rely on yet ANOTHER Blood Angel apothecary being tricked by an enormously obvious villain (same as Book 1), when it does reach its climax, the plot and resolution is actually extremely satisfying.
Definitely a fun read for fans of the game or the space marines.
While the overall plot does rely on yet ANOTHER Blood Angel apothecary being tricked by an enormously obvious villain (same as Book 1), when it does reach its climax, the plot and resolution is actually extremely satisfying.
Definitely a fun read for fans of the game or the space marines.
July 28, 2009
I enjoyed this book better than its two predecessors, Deus Encarmine and Deus Sanguinius.
It gave a better understanding of the Blood Angels better than the first two books and i think it had a more solid story.
It gave a better understanding of the Blood Angels better than the first two books and i think it had a more solid story.
October 25, 2008
really good continuation of the "Blood Angels" series. It actually included almost all of the successor chapters of the BA's.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2011
A superb book chronicaling one Blood Angel on his campaignes.
August 22, 2015
was actually pretty good...would give it 3.5 stars...ist a bit short...but the characters are cool...mephiston rules
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews