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Dawn of Fire #7
Sea of Souls: Dawn of Fire: Warhammer 40,000, Book 7
Audiobook 7 in the Dawn of Fire Series
Fleet Secundus marches toward the Eye of Terror, ready to strike at the heart of the Archenemy. However, a battle for survival awaits as the greater schemes of the Indomitus Crusade descend into treachery and intrigue.
LISTEN TO IT BECAUSE
It's a jaw-dropping entry in the Dawn of Fire series, as the Indomitus Crusade prepares to take the fight to the heart of Abaddon's warpsworn empire.
THE STORY
The mighty fleets of the Indomitus Crusade face terrors and dangers beyond imagining. As Guilliman's crusade marches forth, bringing the Emperor's light to thousands of worlds, Fleet Secundus is headed for the darkest dark – the Eye of Terror itself.
Along with warriors of the Adepta Sororitas and the Adeptus Astartes, the Imperial Navy battle cruiser Judgement of the Void pushes deeper into contested space. But as their journey unfolds, the forces of Chaos close in, and a battle for survival is about to begin – one which has ramifications not just for Fleet Secundus, but for the future of the galaxy itself.
Fleet Secundus marches toward the Eye of Terror, ready to strike at the heart of the Archenemy. However, a battle for survival awaits as the greater schemes of the Indomitus Crusade descend into treachery and intrigue.
LISTEN TO IT BECAUSE
It's a jaw-dropping entry in the Dawn of Fire series, as the Indomitus Crusade prepares to take the fight to the heart of Abaddon's warpsworn empire.
THE STORY
The mighty fleets of the Indomitus Crusade face terrors and dangers beyond imagining. As Guilliman's crusade marches forth, bringing the Emperor's light to thousands of worlds, Fleet Secundus is headed for the darkest dark – the Eye of Terror itself.
Along with warriors of the Adepta Sororitas and the Adeptus Astartes, the Imperial Navy battle cruiser Judgement of the Void pushes deeper into contested space. But as their journey unfolds, the forces of Chaos close in, and a battle for survival is about to begin – one which has ramifications not just for Fleet Secundus, but for the future of the galaxy itself.
Audible Audio
First published December 2, 2023
82 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Chris Wraight
218 books380 followersChris Wraight is a British author of fantasy and science fiction.
His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting.
He is based in the south-west of England.
His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting.
He is based in the south-west of England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
February 23, 2024
This is the closest 40K fiction has got to horror writing for me. A good read. Well paced with good character progression. And I didn’t see the end coming.
February 22, 2024
Age of Sail in Space
At last, the Indomitus Crusade goes on the offensive, as Sea of Souls sheds the previous five novels of defensive actions for a tale of an Imperium battlecruiser and her Lord-Captain carving a path to the Eye of Terror as part of Fleet Secundus. I wasn’t aware I needed a grimdark Age of Sail story, but the author knows his audience. The ensemble cast includes classics like a Sailing Master and Engineering Chief, as well as uniquely WH40K characters like the Navigator and Astropath. We get a feeling of sailing the Warp, how a Void Ship develops its own unique culture, and living with the absurd Victorian-esque manners of Imperial officers.
Sea of Souls isn’t solely focused on the Navis Imperialis. Like the rest of the Dawn of Fire series, Battle Sisters and Space Marines make their contractually mandated appearances. The author has gone out of his way to craft a unique story, as they originate from lesser-known factions and have distinct personalities. Their minimal presence, along with a mustering of Fleet Secundus, makes the story feel like a part of the galaxy-wide crusade. It’s quite a change from its small-minded predecessors.
If I’m frustrated by anything, it’s that my spoiler policy prevents me from discussing the second and third acts. Sea of Souls is supremely well-paced. It provides great detail on the Imperial Navy while also painting the broader picture of the crusade. The author has masterfully blended classic Age of Sail tropes with grimdark sensibilities; I adored the little details, such as dinner in the Captain’s Mess or signals from the fleet. But there is no such analogy for the journey’s end, which is nothing but WH40K at its finest.
Highly Recommended for WH40K fans.
At last, the Indomitus Crusade goes on the offensive, as Sea of Souls sheds the previous five novels of defensive actions for a tale of an Imperium battlecruiser and her Lord-Captain carving a path to the Eye of Terror as part of Fleet Secundus. I wasn’t aware I needed a grimdark Age of Sail story, but the author knows his audience. The ensemble cast includes classics like a Sailing Master and Engineering Chief, as well as uniquely WH40K characters like the Navigator and Astropath. We get a feeling of sailing the Warp, how a Void Ship develops its own unique culture, and living with the absurd Victorian-esque manners of Imperial officers.
Sea of Souls isn’t solely focused on the Navis Imperialis. Like the rest of the Dawn of Fire series, Battle Sisters and Space Marines make their contractually mandated appearances. The author has gone out of his way to craft a unique story, as they originate from lesser-known factions and have distinct personalities. Their minimal presence, along with a mustering of Fleet Secundus, makes the story feel like a part of the galaxy-wide crusade. It’s quite a change from its small-minded predecessors.
If I’m frustrated by anything, it’s that my spoiler policy prevents me from discussing the second and third acts. Sea of Souls is supremely well-paced. It provides great detail on the Imperial Navy while also painting the broader picture of the crusade. The author has masterfully blended classic Age of Sail tropes with grimdark sensibilities; I adored the little details, such as dinner in the Captain’s Mess or signals from the fleet. But there is no such analogy for the journey’s end, which is nothing but WH40K at its finest.
Highly Recommended for WH40K fans.
December 14, 2023
Once you go into the Sea of Souls, you'll never be the same again.
It was incredible. I'll be honest, my expectations for this novel were low, but Chris Wraight just took them and turned them around in one fell swoop, delivering a gorgeous, gripping, very dark and tragic story. It's no exaggeration to say that this is the best book about life on an Imperial Navy ship since Lord Solar Macharius and Relentless. Unfortunately, due to the novel's length, I couldn't fully attach to and understand Avati and Miriam, who seem to start to open up towards the end, but still remain somehow alien, unlike Garrok or Kiastros.
On a separate note, I really enjoyed the few but interesting descriptions of the Iron Shades chapter and their homeworld, Shoba. Would love to read more about them!
The only thing I have some questions about is the positioning of this book by BL. Its synopsis doesn't fully reflect the plot, to say the least, and the cover shows Maizad and Isobel, to whom not many pages are devoted, instead of Leroa, Garrok or Santalina.
It was incredible. I'll be honest, my expectations for this novel were low, but Chris Wraight just took them and turned them around in one fell swoop, delivering a gorgeous, gripping, very dark and tragic story. It's no exaggeration to say that this is the best book about life on an Imperial Navy ship since Lord Solar Macharius and Relentless. Unfortunately, due to the novel's length, I couldn't fully attach to and understand Avati and Miriam, who seem to start to open up towards the end, but still remain somehow alien, unlike Garrok or Kiastros.
On a separate note, I really enjoyed the few but interesting descriptions of the Iron Shades chapter and their homeworld, Shoba. Would love to read more about them!
The only thing I have some questions about is the positioning of this book by BL. Its synopsis doesn't fully reflect the plot, to say the least, and the cover shows Maizad and Isobel, to whom not many pages are devoted, instead of Leroa, Garrok or Santalina.
November 20, 2025
More sci-fi horror than the other books of the DoF series. Wraight manages to create a good and convincing stifling and paranoid atmosphere. The horrors of the Warp are not for mortal eyes to see...
January 24, 2024
This is the second best book in the series after The Gate of Bones. Chris Wright did a great job explaining the inner workings of the Imperial Navy and the ship's hierarchy. This entry should have been categorized as a horror book because parts of the second half of this book were shocking—especially the scene in the atropathic choir. Hopefully, the next book keeps this level of quality, as the series so far has been very hit-or-miss for me.
January 10, 2026
Chris Wraight's "Sea of Souls, or: The Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day of an Imperial Warship" is a Warhammer Horror novel in all but name, and one of the best ones at it.
It's Book 7 in the Dawn of Fire series, but is very much a standalone novel and works perfectly fine on its own - I have not read any of the other DoF books and had no trouble at all jumping in and following everything going on (albeit I could have missed some references here and there, of course). As far as I know, this is a new set of characters in an enclosed environment that have their own (mis)adventure.
Wraight expertly uses the premise of "Spaceships are basically submarines in space" to create a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere, and things quickly turn from good to bad to worse for the various members of the 'Judgement of the Void's officers and crew. The cast consists mostly of regular humans, who're three-dimensional, relatably human and understandably flawed, which are the main focus of the plot. A squad of Space Marines and a Sister of Battle are also along for the ride.
The book is a relentless spiral into the abyss, with problems mounting up and various mysteries weaving themselves into the happenings on the ship. I really like how Wraight uses restricted perspective and limited knowledge as narrative tools here - the reader only ever knows as much as the characters, who are in turn reliant on their instruments, their experience and what they are being told by others. This really helps sell the atmosphere and tighten the screw on the various misfortunes that befall ship and crew, while they're valiantly toiling to save the day after all.
I can only recommend the consistency and structural discipline of Wraight here. This is a perfectly rounded Horror book, in my opinion, and it's almost a shame that it is softly gate-kept by being advertised as part seven of an ongoing series, which might keep it apart from readers not interested in the DoF series as a whole.
All I can say is: If you like Warhammer 40,000 at all, go for it! (If you dare...)
It's Book 7 in the Dawn of Fire series, but is very much a standalone novel and works perfectly fine on its own - I have not read any of the other DoF books and had no trouble at all jumping in and following everything going on (albeit I could have missed some references here and there, of course). As far as I know, this is a new set of characters in an enclosed environment that have their own (mis)adventure.
Wraight expertly uses the premise of "Spaceships are basically submarines in space" to create a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere, and things quickly turn from good to bad to worse for the various members of the 'Judgement of the Void's officers and crew. The cast consists mostly of regular humans, who're three-dimensional, relatably human and understandably flawed, which are the main focus of the plot. A squad of Space Marines and a Sister of Battle are also along for the ride.
The book is a relentless spiral into the abyss, with problems mounting up and various mysteries weaving themselves into the happenings on the ship. I really like how Wraight uses restricted perspective and limited knowledge as narrative tools here - the reader only ever knows as much as the characters, who are in turn reliant on their instruments, their experience and what they are being told by others. This really helps sell the atmosphere and tighten the screw on the various misfortunes that befall ship and crew, while they're valiantly toiling to save the day after all.
I can only recommend the consistency and structural discipline of Wraight here. This is a perfectly rounded Horror book, in my opinion, and it's almost a shame that it is softly gate-kept by being advertised as part seven of an ongoing series, which might keep it apart from readers not interested in the DoF series as a whole.
All I can say is: If you like Warhammer 40,000 at all, go for it! (If you dare...)
January 3, 2025
In the Grim Darkness of the future there is only…
Darkness, despair, depression, futility.
A tough read, not boring but seemed to take me ages to actually get through.
But I always find the Dawn of Fire’s take a long time to read, lengthy and small print!
As much as this isn’t the most positive of reads I think Wraight dealt with the utter horror of life in the Imperium incredibly well.
Spoilers;
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Usually even in Warhammer the good guys win, or at least the books protagonists will win whichever their allegiance.
This books does an excellent job at making you think the good guys will still win, right up to the last few pages, fantastically done.
Darkness, despair, depression, futility.
A tough read, not boring but seemed to take me ages to actually get through.
But I always find the Dawn of Fire’s take a long time to read, lengthy and small print!
As much as this isn’t the most positive of reads I think Wraight dealt with the utter horror of life in the Imperium incredibly well.
Spoilers;
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Usually even in Warhammer the good guys win, or at least the books protagonists will win whichever their allegiance.
This books does an excellent job at making you think the good guys will still win, right up to the last few pages, fantastically done.
October 17, 2024
A great book, properly grimdark and superbly written, verring from sci-fi to full on horror and back again. Wraight for me has cemented his position as the best current 40k writer. Mr Abnett and ADB are unquestionably all-time greats, but right now noone is putting out better work in the setting than Wraight.
Once again, he succeeds here in making the setting itself, here the battle cruiser Judgement of the Void, as much a character as any of the crew. Wraight confines his story to the ship itself and it's desperate, cursed journey, documenting its crews descent into madness and the calamities that ensue. The action sequences are breathless and chaotic, perfectly done. The characters are brilliantly written and fleshed out, as is each of their journeys. Read in less than 3 days, couldn't put it down.
Once again, he succeeds here in making the setting itself, here the battle cruiser Judgement of the Void, as much a character as any of the crew. Wraight confines his story to the ship itself and it's desperate, cursed journey, documenting its crews descent into madness and the calamities that ensue. The action sequences are breathless and chaotic, perfectly done. The characters are brilliantly written and fleshed out, as is each of their journeys. Read in less than 3 days, couldn't put it down.
October 18, 2024
Horror books don’t usually get me scared, but this one had me feeling dread and anticipation. Couldn’t put it down, read the last 300 pages in one sitting. First truly scary 40k book I’ve read! You can also feel us getting closer to the end of the Dawn Of Fire saga, and tensions are mounting!
June 29, 2025
A very grim dark chapter of the indomitus crusade! I really enjoyed this story, it was an interesting change of pace for sure.
December 11, 2023
effortlessly the best book in the dawn of fire series. it’s almost like a pitch for an introduction to 40k universe movie. it’s kind of very close to (the film) event horizon, easing you into learning about the basic pieces and concepts that make up 40k. it has a small cast mostly consisting of a human void ship crew. like there’s mostly a single space marine, and a single sister of battle. henry cavill’s warhammer TM should use a story exactly like this to begin the televised adventure.
chris wraight is such a curse. dawn of fire was dead in the dirt as a book series, and now it’s suddenly better than it’s been. and this also hooks back into the second best book in the series. it will be so disappointing when the next book is terrible again and none of the rest are written by him 😔
chris wraight is such a curse. dawn of fire was dead in the dirt as a book series, and now it’s suddenly better than it’s been. and this also hooks back into the second best book in the series. it will be so disappointing when the next book is terrible again and none of the rest are written by him 😔
October 2, 2025
This book proves the theory I have about Warhammer novels: the good ones are simply good science fiction with a Grimdark skin.
Absolutely amazing science fiction story, that makes masterful use of the different scales and dimensions of the universe to deliver a gut punching experience from start to finish. In a rare case of good character development, I know and will always remember the entire main cast of the novel and all it's twist and turns.
It sits comfortably with The Gate of Bones as the best two entries in the series so far, and even though I love The Gate of Bones, I would say that as a story by itself, it is even better, even though I guess The Gate of Bones is one of the more consequential novels in the Dawn of Fire series.
Absolutely amazing science fiction story, that makes masterful use of the different scales and dimensions of the universe to deliver a gut punching experience from start to finish. In a rare case of good character development, I know and will always remember the entire main cast of the novel and all it's twist and turns.
It sits comfortably with The Gate of Bones as the best two entries in the series so far, and even though I love The Gate of Bones, I would say that as a story by itself, it is even better, even though I guess The Gate of Bones is one of the more consequential novels in the Dawn of Fire series.
December 4, 2023
Different Direction
Elephant in the room, outside of a few bits, this is more Dawn of Fire adjacent than a mainline book in it.
Sea of Souls is a very good look into how an Imperial Navy ship runs, the obligatory over the top characters 40k does so well. We also get a nice dose of the Imperium shooting itself in the foot, not saying more without spoilers. The inquisition is handled really well in the sort of massive presence that is there, but you don't know what's going off.
It is worth a read, but if you are just here for Dawn of Fire proper, this book won't tide you over.
Elephant in the room, outside of a few bits, this is more Dawn of Fire adjacent than a mainline book in it.
Sea of Souls is a very good look into how an Imperial Navy ship runs, the obligatory over the top characters 40k does so well. We also get a nice dose of the Imperium shooting itself in the foot, not saying more without spoilers. The inquisition is handled really well in the sort of massive presence that is there, but you don't know what's going off.
It is worth a read, but if you are just here for Dawn of Fire proper, this book won't tide you over.
December 18, 2023
Probably the best piece of 40K literature I read this year on par with second The End and The Death tome and definitely the best in the whole Dawn of War series by a pretty big margin.
Without major spoilers the main plot is rather simple: Navy battle cruiser slowly descending into the Eye of Terror with the crew of mostly unaugmented people struggling to overcome spreading corruption and an Inquisition macguffin on board. The pace is steady and tightly packed with action so it doesn't really give the readers much time to adjust. The ending is tragic and sorrow. If there’s any criticisms at all it’s that the novel could really benefit from larger volume to spend more time with some of the characters.
I'm extremely impressed with Chris Wraights trajectory as an author in a few recent years. He's undoubtedly becoming a must-read writer and a major pillar of Black Library roster of authors along with Dan Abbnett and Aaron Dembski-Bowden. However unlike some of his colleagues more 'grandiose' approach he really nails to deliver the normal human POV in this realm of total madness. Like an Inquisitions view on xenos in Vaults of Terra trilogy as well as here we see the plot wrapped mostly from the POV of Navy officers - strong-willed and relatively educated by the lore standards but humans nonetheless, relying on technologies more than any kind faith/sorcery and viewing other more exotic sub-groups like Navigators and astropaths as a barely tolerated necessary evil.
There was also a possible subtle hint that some of the more skeptical and 'atheistic' characters like Garrock and Avati are actually able to resist Chaos much more effective because of their independent thinking and ability to question authority. Overall this things that makes us humans more 'human'.
Anyway, it’s a great read, just hope they could use the momentum to finish the series on the strong note.
Without major spoilers the main plot is rather simple: Navy battle cruiser slowly descending into the Eye of Terror with the crew of mostly unaugmented people struggling to overcome spreading corruption and an Inquisition macguffin on board. The pace is steady and tightly packed with action so it doesn't really give the readers much time to adjust. The ending is tragic and sorrow. If there’s any criticisms at all it’s that the novel could really benefit from larger volume to spend more time with some of the characters.
I'm extremely impressed with Chris Wraights trajectory as an author in a few recent years. He's undoubtedly becoming a must-read writer and a major pillar of Black Library roster of authors along with Dan Abbnett and Aaron Dembski-Bowden. However unlike some of his colleagues more 'grandiose' approach he really nails to deliver the normal human POV in this realm of total madness. Like an Inquisitions view on xenos in Vaults of Terra trilogy as well as here we see the plot wrapped mostly from the POV of Navy officers - strong-willed and relatively educated by the lore standards but humans nonetheless, relying on technologies more than any kind faith/sorcery and viewing other more exotic sub-groups like Navigators and astropaths as a barely tolerated necessary evil.
There was also a possible subtle hint that some of the more skeptical and 'atheistic' characters like Garrock and Avati are actually able to resist Chaos much more effective because of their independent thinking and ability to question authority. Overall this things that makes us humans more 'human'.
Anyway, it’s a great read, just hope they could use the momentum to finish the series on the strong note.
January 5, 2024
The Sea of Souls is fantastic 40K. Tense, full of creeping dread, and with a great cast of characters that really highlights the Imperial Navy unlike many recent books that relegate them to being largely secondary characters in supporting roles. Chris Wraight is among my favorite 40K authors and this particular book feels like him firing on all cylinders.
As a Dawn of Fire book, I think it functions fine given how often these books feel a bit disconnected from one another. There are plot elements that connect to the larger story and I suspect they are more important then they seem at first. Frankly, I really appreciated that this story focuses on just what is happening on this particular ship and not multiple point of views across the entirely of the Indomitus Crusade the way some of the other books have been in prior entries so it dropping much of the pretense of cramming the whole Crusade into single books works fine for me.
I did skip over two books and was considering dropping Dawn of Fire altogether before I saw that Wraight was writing this one, so it could be I'm missing a bit from those skipped entries, but even as a standalone 40K novel this works very well and I'd happily recommend it.
One final note:
As a Dawn of Fire book, I think it functions fine given how often these books feel a bit disconnected from one another. There are plot elements that connect to the larger story and I suspect they are more important then they seem at first. Frankly, I really appreciated that this story focuses on just what is happening on this particular ship and not multiple point of views across the entirely of the Indomitus Crusade the way some of the other books have been in prior entries so it dropping much of the pretense of cramming the whole Crusade into single books works fine for me.
I did skip over two books and was considering dropping Dawn of Fire altogether before I saw that Wraight was writing this one, so it could be I'm missing a bit from those skipped entries, but even as a standalone 40K novel this works very well and I'd happily recommend it.
One final note:
April 25, 2024
The best Dawn of Fire book (so far) and the best depiction of void war and just void setting in general that I've read in 30k/40k. The online description of this book as being about Fleet Secundus is a lie. This is a bottle story, taking place entirely on board the Judgement of the Void, a Battle Cruiser headed by Lord-Captain Iannis Kiastros and his fantastic crew of (mostly) unaugmented humans with some light transhuman and Sororitas presence. Every POV is a joy, from Kiastros' second in command down to the master of armsmen you are constantly bouncing around from one interesting story to the next until they start to mesh together and come to a head at the half-way point and then you're off to the "oh this is a horror novel now" races.
Forget Eisenhorn, this is a near perfect introduction to 40k if you forget the whole it's the 7th entry in a 9 part series thing. The impending doom you feel building through the book has you constantly saying "don't go in there" and "turn around, turn around!" like your favorite horror movie. The more I think about it this is just one of the best Warhammer books I've read period, what a great ride. 6/5 stars if it were possible.
Forget Eisenhorn, this is a near perfect introduction to 40k if you forget the whole it's the 7th entry in a 9 part series thing. The impending doom you feel building through the book has you constantly saying "don't go in there" and "turn around, turn around!" like your favorite horror movie. The more I think about it this is just one of the best Warhammer books I've read period, what a great ride. 6/5 stars if it were possible.
October 6, 2024
3.5 Stars.
Full disclosure, this was my very first dive into Warhammer 40k. Aside from watching husband play a Space Marine game many years ago, I had zero knowledge of Warhammer. I only read this book because it was recommended as having a similar vibe to Event Horizon - and it does!
Much more hardcore sci-fi than I am used to, however, I was surprised at how quickly I was enveloped in the world of space battles and lifetimes spent on a ship. I liked that some of the language was classic ocean ship based (bilge rats for example), and the depth of world building was immense. The main cast of characters was all interesting and flawed, and we even get a peak at the thousands of background characters and what their lives must be like.
The horror aspect I was looking for, arrives a bit later in the book than I would have liked, but there was some great stuff once it came! Definite Event Horizon/ Hellraiser style gore!
This is a great book for anyone looking to scratch that Event Horizon itch - a solid mix of sci-fi and horror.
Full disclosure, this was my very first dive into Warhammer 40k. Aside from watching husband play a Space Marine game many years ago, I had zero knowledge of Warhammer. I only read this book because it was recommended as having a similar vibe to Event Horizon - and it does!
Much more hardcore sci-fi than I am used to, however, I was surprised at how quickly I was enveloped in the world of space battles and lifetimes spent on a ship. I liked that some of the language was classic ocean ship based (bilge rats for example), and the depth of world building was immense. The main cast of characters was all interesting and flawed, and we even get a peak at the thousands of background characters and what their lives must be like.
The horror aspect I was looking for, arrives a bit later in the book than I would have liked, but there was some great stuff once it came! Definite Event Horizon/ Hellraiser style gore!
This is a great book for anyone looking to scratch that Event Horizon itch - a solid mix of sci-fi and horror.
November 23, 2025
The Dawn of Fire series continues to wander all over the grim darkness of the far future without anything resembling a cohesive narrative, this time out featuring a bunch of new characters in a psychological and metaphysical horror story exploring the perils of warp travel; part Shining, part Eisenstein.
So there's a lot to like, with distrust and psychological warfare layering complexity onto what might on the surface seem a straightforward plot. It is let down a little by its length and a little more by characters that I struggle to invest in - everyone feels like they're here to play a role in the story rather than as rounded characters. And presumably the central maguffin will play a role in future novels but aside from that this felt detached even from such a decentralised overarching story. I find myself saying this a lot with 40k novels, but there's a fantastic short story hiding amongst lots and lots of unnecessary pages here. Nonetheless, still one of the better Dawn of Fire entries.
So there's a lot to like, with distrust and psychological warfare layering complexity onto what might on the surface seem a straightforward plot. It is let down a little by its length and a little more by characters that I struggle to invest in - everyone feels like they're here to play a role in the story rather than as rounded characters. And presumably the central maguffin will play a role in future novels but aside from that this felt detached even from such a decentralised overarching story. I find myself saying this a lot with 40k novels, but there's a fantastic short story hiding amongst lots and lots of unnecessary pages here. Nonetheless, still one of the better Dawn of Fire entries.
August 12, 2025
So they say this is a side-quest to the main plot of the series, but a really good one. I'd say that's the best description of it. Easy 5 stars. Modern cosmic-horror. Great cast of characters, and feels like it could be a part of the crpg Rogue Trader.
***MINOR SPOILERS***
The infighting between not only firstborn and primaris marines, then between those who believe in the divinity of the emperor, and then with THOSE and the Black Templars was 🤌🤌🤌
I’ve read about an undercover chaos cultist prior to a chaos incursion at least 2-3 times now (one of my favourite tropes dare I say) but this was a first reading about an inquisitor hunting then spying on a chaos cultist prior to an incursion 👀
Also the reveal in the epilogue about HOW this supposed side-quest all fits in to the narrative blew my mind. Was not expecting that whatsoever!!
***MINOR SPOILERS***
The infighting between not only firstborn and primaris marines, then between those who believe in the divinity of the emperor, and then with THOSE and the Black Templars was 🤌🤌🤌
I’ve read about an undercover chaos cultist prior to a chaos incursion at least 2-3 times now (one of my favourite tropes dare I say) but this was a first reading about an inquisitor hunting then spying on a chaos cultist prior to an incursion 👀
Also the reveal in the epilogue about HOW this supposed side-quest all fits in to the narrative blew my mind. Was not expecting that whatsoever!!
December 16, 2023
A good book that shows the dangerous effects of the warp in Warhammer 40k. Someone compared the book to the movie Event Horizon, and I can definitely see the similarities.
We follow the crew of the Imperial Navy battle cruiser, Judgement of the Void. The book really managed to give information about the ship itself, and the lives of its crew members. Later parts of the book brought some horror elements into the story, which I really enjoyed. I can't say much without spoiling the experience, so it's best to go in blind.
Overall a four star book, mainly because I thought some chapters didn't really add much to the plot, instead, they slowed the pace a bit.
We follow the crew of the Imperial Navy battle cruiser, Judgement of the Void. The book really managed to give information about the ship itself, and the lives of its crew members. Later parts of the book brought some horror elements into the story, which I really enjoyed. I can't say much without spoiling the experience, so it's best to go in blind.
Overall a four star book, mainly because I thought some chapters didn't really add much to the plot, instead, they slowed the pace a bit.
January 3, 2024
I don't really know how should I rate this novel. The first half (maybe three quarters) was great. An excellent insight into life on a imperial battleship. Lot of void combat action, charismatic captain ... all well written. The last part, when the situation on the ship gets out of control and most of the characters go mad, was much worse. I do not know exactly why. Maybe everything went too smoothly to hell. All the characters I liked have either died or turned to the wrong side. I am sorry to say I finished the last chapters more by force of will.
January 4, 2024
Yes, the first plot twist is telegraphed perhaps a little too directly but this isn't a book about the catch, it's about the chase. Chris Wraight's ability to slip into any new topic in the 40k universe and write it in amazing, lively detail is very much on display here. To the extent that I would welcome a Navy-focused series from him with open arms. Sea of Souls brings the severe, history-inspired reality of the Imperial Navy into the spotlight, weaving into it an important thread of the Dawn of Fire storyline. Highly recommended, even as a standalone!
February 22, 2024
What an entry. I'll admit that through the prologue and the first chapter, I wasn't sure I was going to like this one. It is small scale in a lot of ways, one of the shortest Dramatis Personae lists I've ever seen in one of these novels, and the entire story is confined to the innards of a single ship. Right off the bat, some of the crew seems nearly insufferable, but as you get drawn further in, it is just one you can't put down. At times you want to cheer, and at other times, it is genuinely terrifying. Just fascinating work by Wraight with this one.
August 14, 2024
A wonderful insightful view of the inner workings of an imperial battle ship. The story starts out very hopeful and enthusiastic but soon becomes something much, much worse.
Though it does have a very thin plot line in regards to the dawn of fire series (as far as i can tell), it was still an interesting read into how insidious the denizens of the warp can be.
Massive shout out to sister Isobel, a sister hospitaller, easily the most human and likeable sister of battle I have read.
Though it does have a very thin plot line in regards to the dawn of fire series (as far as i can tell), it was still an interesting read into how insidious the denizens of the warp can be.
Massive shout out to sister Isobel, a sister hospitaller, easily the most human and likeable sister of battle I have read.
November 11, 2025
What seems like a “side quest” in the Dawn of Fire series is probably one of the most epic books in the series.
Following a naval vessel as it navigates the warp and attempts to regroup with the fleet, we see an expertly written descent into madness that Lovecraft himself would be proud of.
A few cameos at the end help to connect this book to the rest of the series, but as a standalone adventure, it is bar none.
Following a naval vessel as it navigates the warp and attempts to regroup with the fleet, we see an expertly written descent into madness that Lovecraft himself would be proud of.
A few cameos at the end help to connect this book to the rest of the series, but as a standalone adventure, it is bar none.
December 7, 2023
Finally another good book in the DoF series
I absolutely loved the first book of Dawn of Fire, and had high expectations on the series Expectations that have been disappointed by the next books and I stopped after 4.
This is the first one I picked after the gap, and I am glad to say it was a very good one.
Not 100% perfect, but a good 80%.
I absolutely loved the first book of Dawn of Fire, and had high expectations on the series Expectations that have been disappointed by the next books and I stopped after 4.
This is the first one I picked after the gap, and I am glad to say it was a very good one.
Not 100% perfect, but a good 80%.
December 19, 2023
Este es uno de los libros del año, al menos en lo que respecta a Warhammer 40K. Lo único que me pareció raro (sin desagradarme, en realidad) fue lo lineal de la historia. No hay saltos de tiempo (gracias por eso) ni desarrollo de historias paralelas. Pero el capitán Snoop Dog tiene su flow y me mantuvo entretenido en todo momento.
January 7, 2024
Excellent read, though more like a Warhammer Horror
Very enjoyable but do not expect the main/broader storyline to progress or major players to appear - very good read with characters you can feel for, but definitely a self-contained plot and setting that happens to be set in the 40k universe
Very enjoyable but do not expect the main/broader storyline to progress or major players to appear - very good read with characters you can feel for, but definitely a self-contained plot and setting that happens to be set in the 40k universe
October 28, 2024
Absolutely peak 40k. A diverse cast of colourful, multi-faceted, deep and believable characters that stand out from the worn-out cliches. The storyline is compelling and suspenseful, incorporating a multitude of world-building elements that come together to make an Imperial Battlecruiser of the 42nd Millennium come alive.
February 14, 2025
This one might be my favourite of the Dawn of Fire series so far, taking a hard turn into horror territory. Chris Wraight does a great job of recreating an Age of Sail story in space before taking it in a much darker direction. You don't need to have read the rest of the series to enjoy this one, but you do need to love the grimdark. Recommended.
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