Leviathan

by Darius Hinks

Un pluridecorato tenente degli Ultramarines riconosce i segnali di un imminente attacco dei Tiranidi e lancia una disperata controffensiva per salvare Regium, un orgoglioso mondo Imperiale. L’Imperium combatte per la propria esistenza contro una minaccia senza pari nella galassia, le cui dimensioni surclassano qualsiasi altro pericolo mai affrontato.

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction, Horror, Audiobook, Collections, Gaming Fiction, Military Fiction

382 pages, Hardcover

First published January 24, 2023

About the author

Darius Hinks is an author, writing primarily in the science fiction and fantasy genres. He was born in Birmingham, England, in 1972. He works and lives in Nottinghamshire. Hinks' first novel, Warrior Priest, won the David Gemmel Morningstar award.

Reviews

[Krell75 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siamo nel 40k, il pianeta Regium si erge a baluardo difensivo dei sistemi planetari interni, ma una terribile minaccia rischia di far collassare le sue difese.
A difenderlo ci sono gli Ultramarines, pieni della loro gloria e della loro magnificenza.

Parliamo di una storia adrenalinica ed epica che lascia senza fiato, dove l' azione focalizza tutta l'attenzione del lettore.
Molte le linee narrative che permettono un minimo di lavoro cerebrale altrimenti guidato su binari stabiliti da scontri armati tra spari, fuochi ed esplosioni.
Ogni personaggio sviluppa una sua trama e giunge ad una risoluzione narrativa soddisfacente.

I nemici, chiamati Tiranidi, per me che li incontro per la prima volta e sono (per ora) a digiuno dell' ambientazione di Warhammer 40k, sono sembrati una miscellanea tra gli xenomorfi di Alien e demoni dalle capacità psichiche. Praticamente sono un po' di tutto, non troppo originali e senza anima ma assolutamente temibili.

Un buon romanzo d'azione, si legge con estrema facilità ma non lascia spazio ad alcuna riflessione. Non lo reputo deludente ma piacevole nella sua semplicità.
Peccato, perché con un maggiore approfondimento e cura dei personaggi sarebbe stato migliore.

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We are in 40k, the planet Regium stands as a defensive bulwark of the internal planetary systems, but a new threat threatens to collapse its defenses.
Defending it are the Ultramarines, full of their glory and magnificence.

We are talking about an adrenaline-filled story that leaves you breathless where the action focuses all the reader's attention.
Many narrative lines that allow a minimum of brain work otherwise guided on tracks established by armed clashes between gunshots, fires and explosions.
Each character develops his own plot and reaches a satisfying narrative resolution.

The enemies, called Tyranids, for me who meet them for the first time and am (for now) unfamiliar with the Warhammer 40k setting, seemed like a mix between the xenomorphs of Alien and demons with psychic abilities. Basically they are a bit of everything, not too original and not different from soulless cannon fodder.

A good action novel, it is extremely easy to read but leaves no room for any reflection. I do not find it disappointing but pleasant in its simplicity.
Too bad, because with greater depth and care of the characters it would have been excellent.

[Jacob Bennike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best “advertisement” novel that I’ve read from Black Library. The Cursed City novel was also up there, but that sort of drowned in the release drama around the lack of game copies. Many of these game release novels aren’t very good, however, Indomitus being the previous 40K release novel was outright terrible, but Leviathan is good.

I think this novel is the first time that the Tyranids are actually fun to read. For whatever reason GW seems to really struggle to write them in a way that's interesting, but there are parts of this novel where the way they work is just so brilliantly described (and expanded). Judging by the reception of this book, I think maybe the "hidden" advertisement in the book has worked. It's not a very good “Imperium guuud, xenos baaad” novel, and it sort of shows in the reviews, but I think it's the most engaging the Tyranids have ever been in a novel. You get a look into the intelligence behind them in a way no other Black Library writer has been able to do. Not even in the Tyranid PoV parts of the Baal invasion novel that I've forgotten the name of. If you like Tyranids or even the Genestealer Cults, and if you like the more horror side of 40K than the bolterporn, then you’ll like this book.

Between Leviathan and Adrian Tchaikovskys Day of Ascension I think it's actually the first time in 40K history, that it's interesting to play the bugs.

Ps. The audiobook performer isn’t very good on this one.

[Matt Lancaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

honestly not bad for a launch box book. once you got past the trope-breaking trope of an ultramarine not acting like an ultramarine and a tyranid not acting like a tyranid, the characterization of the biologis and librarian was really compelling.

also, unlike a lot of 40k books, pivotal characters died horribly throughout, and the setting of a tyranid invasion was refreshingly horrific.

[Joey McQuade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exactly what you’d expect from a warhammer novel. Not an amazing story but certainly fun and entertaining.

[Diveristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nonsense disjointed filler novel for a new edition of 40k. Written in a rush I imagine with little prompt and it suffers for it.

[Thom Norman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published to go alongside the launch of the new edition of Warhammer 40,000 and its special edition launch box, Leviathan, one can imagine the author had to work within some pretty tight commercial constraints. Nevertheless, this is a totally solid and fairly enjoyable 40K novel.

Garrisoning the world of Regium,Space Marines of the Ultramarine chapter spot an approaching Tyranid splinter fleet. The novel charts their desperate attempt to steam the unstoppable tide of the Great Devourer.

This is a very standard Black Library affair, lots of gore, lots of action, multiple perspectives and plenty of epic heroism from the boys in blue. Generally, I’d say it’s a solid book, not much particularly remarkable but definitely not boring and the plot feels engaging and fairly satisfying. I do want to give a special shout to two civilian characters who we meet trying to escape the death of their planet, I actually really loved these two and found that I was really rooting for them to survive. I think BL books very rarely make you feel anything for the characters, so this was a great little side plot within the novel.

Overall, if you are a BL fan and want to get hyped for the new edition, this book will deliver.

[Jack Neighbour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Far better than the mephiston trilogy. Look forward to seeing what Darius hinks writes next.

[Ridel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overflowing with Personality

Leviathan stumbles out of the gate as the tie-in novel for the launch of WH40K 10th edition. It doesn’t bother establishing the Fourth Tyrannic War and why the Sanctus line matters, failing to illustrate the return of Hive Fleet Leviathan and its impact on the Indomitus Crusade. The author further reaches for a grab-bag of recognizable names without leveraging any of the deep lore of such factions. Cadians exist to shout “Cadia Stands” and the Ultramarine 1st Company has forgotten their history with Hive Fleet Behemoth. Guilliman’s name is bandied about, but missing are Primaris Space Marines and modern Imperial combined arms. For a novel committed to introducing gamers to the setting, it forgot to try.

The author’s failings extend beyond the lore and into storytelling. There’s no attempt to illustrate military strategy, and there are too many viewpoints: two main characters, eight supporting subplots and multiple throwaway vantages. The author regularly switches between these perspectives but fails to maintain a cohesive timeline. Scenes that occur within minutes of one another are interrupted by others that take days. It’s impossible to understand how the planet is being invaded as events have no relationship to one another. These writing failures compound with weaknesses such as antagonists that have no numerical limits, know whatever the plot demands, and teleport around the planet.

For all of Leviathan’s flaws, the characters are phenomenal. The Apothecary is possibly the Black Library’s best, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t call out the Governor and Confessor as having some incredible arcs. Imperial citizens that have human weaknesses and grow before their inevitable ending? Astonishing. The author has more than his share of flaws: there are basic storytelling errors and the treatment of the lore is infuriating. The quality of the novel and its atmosphere feel like a bygone era. But to create memorable protagonists in such a short time frame is something exceptional, and long-time Black Library enthusiasts might appreciate the rare character work.

Recommended, with many reservations.

[Finnegan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason I am not putting 5 stars is because I understand the limited scope of appeal for a book of this sort. I love the warhammer universe, and therefore understood many things that maybe were not explained clearly for a new reader. I loved the story, and really enjoyed every character, rooting for them (which is uncommon in this fictional universe). It got to the point where at the end, I really wanted to read more about the story, to have it continue.

A book like this is definitely not a literary masterpiece. But, in the same way my lovely girlfriend reads Rebecca Yarros and enjoys it because she doesn’t have to think much about it, I didn’t have to think much about it. There is no deeper meaning, it is a story meant to be an enjoyable story. Aliens and explosions and big suits of space armor. Neat.

[Jason Ray Carney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fascinating Warhammer 40k novel about a Tyrannid invasion. It follows several pov character groups, giving you a variety of perspectives,
from planetary administration to rank and file soldier to Ultamarine special forces to mere civilians. The Tyrannids come off as an intractable force of nature, an enemy that is more like an burgeoning ecological disaster than an opposing intelligent army. The writing is very good. There are several inspirational displays of courage and a general and sustained tone of high epic drama. My only quibble would be that because there are so many pov character groups, they are often unceremoniously killed off. It feels brutal in the beginning but eventually starts to feel truncated, as if Hinks reached a point where several loose ends needed to be tied up quickly to complete the overarching plot. The last few chapters are so heroic, definitely worth reading the novel for.

[Nonika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool story and the Tyranid's plots had me giggling and rooting for them!! I had so much fun reading this!! 💕

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ideas in this one were great to read, especially an aside from the view of one of the servitor heads that make up the logic engines. I also enjoyed the human interaction with the marines. The flashbacks reminded me of the first time I read the Space wolf books years ago. I loved the scale of the combat and the resilience of the marines and the level of super human power compared to the defenders in the hive and the fortress.
Overall I really enjoyed the read.

[Matt TB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not great but at least it was better than Indomitus and Dark Imperium which has felt like advertisements for the miniatures which launched alongside the novels.

[Troy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining 40K novel, especially if you are a Tyranid/GSC fan. The story is a nice kickoff for 10th edition 40K.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hits about a 2.5 once it gets going after page 200 or so.

First off, let me premise this with the fact that I have a Tyranids army and I really like Tyranids in general. Nor do I think any of my complaints are all that related to Darius Hinks as an author. I think the way Games Workshop wants people to write about Tyranids is just generally not great. Onto the review!

I didn't pick up the 10th edition launch box, because I already owned most of the Tyranid forces featured in the box, so it wasn't worth my time. However, Games Workshop has been putting out companion novels to coincide with the launch and since I quite like reading I picked this up. I was excited to read a book about the Tyranids, because I feel like they are not written about too often. However, even at the beginning of the book I started running into similar issues I had with other books I read about the Tyranids, such as Warrior Brood. However, I've come to find out I'm just not a C.S. Goto fan after reading a few more novels by them, so I was hoping Hinks would put a better spin on things... sadly he did not. (I will say, I did like his writing a lot more, so I'm sure there are other books by Hinks I would like.)

There are two issues I have with this novel. First off, it's a launch box book. I wasn't expecting some grand lore book launching a series as compelling as Horus Heresy or anything of that caliber. I was expecting a fun one-shot jaunt into the fourth Tyrannic war. Hive Fleet Leviathan versus the Ultramarines! Should be epic! To Hinks' credit, by the end it was VERY epic. Some of the battle line parts of the novel were easily brought this to a 3-star level. The sequence where the Tyranids had deceived the Solar Auxilia was pretty awesome. Unfortunately, this was not most of the novel. Not that I want to read just a battle report for 400 pages, I do want characters, but despite a long lead up of half the book which felt quite slow, there wasn't much to any of the characters.

The book primarily focused on Vultis, a Space Marine that has spent a huge amount of time researching the xenos threat. The book kicks off with the Leviathan fleet attacking an Imperium vessel and Vultis encounters a new Xenos threat, which is never named. However, I sort of assumed it was a Norn Emissary. Anyway, Vultis escapes to the planet Regium nearby and that's when the Hive Fleet begins to invade the entire planet.

It's a fine story on how tyranids work, but it does come up a bit short on writer motivation. The problem with tyranids is that, even in the lore, they're just too powerful. They basically cut people's communications off and swarm a planet so intensely that there is really only one outcome, most everyone is going to die. So, as an author, you need to plan on people just dying all over. Maybe you can save the main character? But even then, it's going to be a real long shot. Even if they escape to a planet nearby, that planet will just be eaten next. So, realistically, Tyranids aren't going to be stopped. In the game, you can win battles against Tyranids and maybe stop smaller branch fleets, but huge hive fleets like Leviathan... yeah, you're not stopping that stuff. It's only going to be replaced by another massive fleet at some point anyway, as the codices say, they don't even think this is all of the hive invasion. So, eventually this galaxy will just be overrun with tyranids if they ever wanted to move the time line forward (not that they ever will, so celebrate retcon hell with everyone else...)

So yeah, there isn't going to be a lot of space to create deep characters and why bother, they're all gonna die. A lot of the novel falls flat, there are a couple cool moments here and there. Since I knew what was going to happen as I started the book, that long 200 page lead up to the full invasion war just came off as a bit tedious to read. I think it could have easily been a hundred pages shorter, because a lot of the side characters just didn't matter much.

Now, the bigger, more frustrating problem is how GW insists on writing about the tyranids. Now, I understand just about all of the xenos material are written through the lens of the Imperium. So, this is humanity's way of cataloging what they know. I get it, it's a semi-cool approach. And, honestly, after thinking about it, this makes the thing I hate so much more galling to read in these novels! The Tyranids (somehow similar to Chaos) have taken on this role of being more of a cosmic horror. It's a bit more to the Cthulhu-esque level where they do not care about us, all living things are their food. The Chaos gods at least do care to interact with humanity and other sentient life. Tyranids do not care. We are their food and that is all we are. So, as far as novels go, it's a monster story where you can't interact with the other side because it's just an animal. This is what makes them a lot more like dealing with the movie Aliens (and also the whole swarm mechanic thing). I get that, it's fine. I like stories like this and have read novels that are good with these restrictions.

However, as it applies to the game and novel crossover, it gets really annoying. It's like they go far out of their way to tell their authors that the tyranids are an unknowable other, so just describe them. So, there are multiple times in this novel where Hinks is describing one of the models in "vague" terms like "the Tyranid had tentacles..." and it's like, ok, which one? There are like five of those and they do different things. I started getting more and more frustrated every time I came across this. I wanted Games Workshop to sell me some models! Tell me it's a Malceptor ramming into the city! Tell me it's a Trygon bursting out of the ground. Sell me some models damnit! But no, GW, just wants to leave that money on the table. Once, and only once at the very end of the novel with less than ten pages to go do they actually call one of them the Norn Emissary! The one from the beginning, that I was able to figure out. None of the others though... ugh. It was just so tedious to read about this.

The reason I find this so frustrating is because the Imperium is allegedly the ones who named the tyranids. Humans are the ones who have called these things the ravener, the barbagaunt etc. So, to me, it's just stupid not to name them. I get it that most people die who encounter tyranids, but my god, who cares. Name the damn models. I can suspend my disbelief that a random Solar Auxilia person won't know a Trygon from a ravener, I'm telling you now, it won't ruin my experience of the story. In fact, it might get me to buy a model! I might sit there and say, hey that thing sounded pretty cool in the battle, I'll pick up a box of raveners and paint them like Hive Fleet Leviathan. But no, no, vague descriptions... could be a bunch of different choices. Things don't need to be that unknowable to be threatening, we don't need to H.P. Lovecraft everything to death here.

Anyway, I long for the day GW decides that maybe they can name more tyranid models in a book. Apparently they're becoming sort of okay with it, hence we have the Norn Emissary... far too late in the book though. I will definitely pick up other books by Hinks and read them, because as an author, I think he did a good job with the limitations he was given.

[SpiritualKungFu · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the premise but execution was not very strong, the writing wasn't bad but some of the dialogue was a bit poor, I would give it some leeway as a Warhammer book but it actually makes it worse in some ways, like the hive city being completely destroyed but only killing thousands, the Tyranids attacking in waves instead of a massive swarm for no reason other than to get shot, the Imperial Guard waiting for said Tyranid wave until it's only 20ft away, like why? Because it's more cinematic? Their guns surely shoot futher then that, worse was the marines though, the book at times makes it feel like this is the marines first run in with Tyranid while telling us multiple times how often they have fought, not to mention this is the first company, a company made of veterans from fighting the Tyranids, also basically the whole company gets wipped out again which is a pretty big deal but for some reason doesn't get mentioned, also they say 2/3 of the company are off but they have 40 marines there, I know girlman changed things but it's doesn't really add up, anyway just got a bit dull by the end and too many story threads that ended poorly or were poor the whole way through.

[dabtsuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

really fun, really pulpy fantasy take on war of the worlds - and, imo, way more engaging.

this book knows what it wants to be and doesn't shy away from it: prose is readable without being too simplistic, characters are easily understood and all represent a different type of response to impending apocalypse, the aliens feel alien and their threat feels believably dangerous, the plot doesn't stagnate or get bogged down in explaining too much, the setting feels controlled...

it's been a while since i've read a fantasy/sci-fi book that wasn't just disguised YA, and i'm glad i broke that streak with this one. credit to the author!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine book, but it suffered from its large cast in the early chapters. Keeping track of multiple locations and multiple characters at said locations felt more tedious than emersive. Even if the payoff in the later parts of the book was enjoyable, it felt laborious to get there at times because of this.

The tyranids were incredibly well written, coming across as a horrific and believable threat. Their creeping presence and the impending, inevitable doom that they represented too was often used incredibly well to help chapters close on a high note of suspension.

[Dylan Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first experience of a 40K novel and it’s definitely made me excited to explore all the rest of the literature.

Really fun, violent story of Ultramarines and Tyranids - if you’ve played Soace Marine 2, this is a great point to jump in. Full of melodrama and fairly obvious twists and turns, but a really fun book and story that I couldn’t put down.

[Callum McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read, a great introduction to the 40k universe, felt a little rushed towards the end on how it was wrapped up but enjoyable none the less!

[Jonathan Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Darius Hinks. He does a great job translating Warhammer lore into exciting, descriptive and easy to understand novels. I also really like the books that tie into releases. Reading this while painting a box of tyranids made it very enjoyable. I got lost on the story line once or twice, but it came back together. I also had some trouble connecting with the characters but that’s normal with Space Marines— they’re not meant to be very relatable. Lots of main characters died horribly throughout, and the setting of a tyranid invasion was refreshingly horrific.

[CB Stormblessed · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[smol duk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice try GW, using this book to try and get me to buy the Leviathan box. Jokes on you, I already bought the box before even starting this book! Where's your God Emperor now?

[R R Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book far more than I thought I would. The characters in it are on the whole excellent and the motivations varied, but well thought out.
My only gripe is that in places where the scene changes are rapid it felt oddly disjointed. But this was few and far between.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a launch book, really rather good. A good amount of characterisation in what is essentially just a long description of a siege. The xenos are well written, the humans are all so different and the Astartes all feel like separate entities, rather than the usual dull clone of each other.

[Henry Knecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big man shoot bad guy with big Gun 10/10

[Matthew Wake · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as tie in novels for go new releases, Leviathan is a real highlight.
It gives you everything you expect of a Space Marine novel; action, broody space marines, more action. But it also attempted to tread new ground with the updated lore and ‘characters’ featuring in the new edition of the game.
Leviathan makes it easy to imagine how the stories of Black Library can be developed into games in front of you.

The characters were unique and varied enough to provide interest, and Darius was more than willing to let them die well before you thought their story was told. The setting had unique elements to make it more interesting, but it did feel like just another 40K world.

Not my favourite book by Darius Hinks, but a great addition for anyone new to the setting, or anyone looking to check in with where they are up to.

[Dustin Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrifying, grim, and apocalyptic. But the story gave us hope, meaning, and wasn’t entirely futile. 5/5 would be invaded my a numberless host of monstrous aliens again.

[Eleena Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book within 2 days despite being in a constant flurry of travelling, so that should be an indicator of how deeply it had hooked me 😂

All jokes aside, it was an EXCELLENT read for me. I enjoyed every second. Regium was a wonderful setting for this story, and in under 400 pages I had grown attached to this world, the forests and caves, the beliefs of the people intertwined with the Imperial Cult, and I grieved for its loss almost as keenly as I grieved for the loss of other, more lore-significant planets from the world of 40k. The book also really showcased the full horror that is a Tyranid swarm and for me, as this is my first read where the Tyranids are the primary foe, this was brilliant as an intro.

I also enjoyed the cast of characters very much, Vultis being a clear favourite of mine. He is quite different to any Space Marine I have ever read about, naturally due to the role he occupies within the Ultramarines and I quite like this depiction, of a researcher and scientist who is a bit different to the others and a little sidelined for that reason. He was a fun character to follow, and his friendship with Baraca is exactly the kind of thing I love to see in a Space Marine novel. I am so sad at how it ended. I think I got stabbed through the heart when Vultis thought that he didnt grieve Baraca’s death as he had chosen it, but only grieved that he would not spend his own last moments by his friend’s side. All the final stands in this book hit hard, honestly. Abarim, Damaris, Karpova. The last scene we got of Tanaro and the civilians. Emotional, masterful work. I love that.

I love too how Vultis now carries on Baraca’s ways. “Not my time to die”, scoring the lines into his pauldron. It is bittersweet to me. Baraca is gone now, but Vultis carries his memories forward. I wonder what Vultis is up to these days. It does pain me so when I grow attached to a character and they disappear off into the endless dark of the void never to be seen again. I hope we’ll catch up with Vultis again someday and see how he has gotten on with his experiments, and if he’s given Baraca’s talk of faith and mysticism a bit more consideration in the time between.

[Federico Gorziglia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amo i Tiranidi e, anche se questa storia già la conoscevo dal codex, ho comunque apprezzato la forte impronta action della narrazione. Purtroppo, come al solito, i Tiranidi sono la massa brulicante di mostri che distruggono tutto e basta. Leggendo le altre recensioni poi, mi sono anche accorto dei punti deboli del romanzo, ma essendo il primo che leggo dell'universo di Warhammer mi ha intrattenuto parecchio, senza essere troppo complicato. Ottimo entry point.