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Astra Militarum #8
Veterans of the Fall
Having just lost their world, a small group of the Imperiums elite soldiers find themselves beset by an overwhelming number of enemies. The Kasrkin must fight on, with no hope of redemption. This collection of short stories tells of the Tattershields defiant war to the bitter end with the enemies of Mankind.
They were the best of the best. Now they are all that is left.
When Cadia fell, a handful of traumatised survivors found themselves stranded on a ruined redoubt world carved apart by rival cults. Since then, the Kasrkin veterans known as the Tattershields have anchored the crumbling Imperial defence, holding back the overwhelming might of the Archenemy with sabotage, assassinations, and unbreakable discipline. Their commander, Sergeant Kostantin Taikon, is an inspiration to the beleaguered defenders. But he is haunted by guilt and consumed by fatalism, numbly fighting on with no hope of victory or atonement.
The Imperials’ grip on the planet is slipping. Infiltrators sow discord in their ranks, and a sadistic new enemy is bearing down upon them. But when all hope is dead, only defiance remains, and Taikon will lead his indomitable Kasrkin to the bitter end.
This edition contains the short story ‘Tattershield’, the serial ‘Tatters of Hope’, and the novella ‘Veterans of the Fall’.
They were the best of the best. Now they are all that is left.
When Cadia fell, a handful of traumatised survivors found themselves stranded on a ruined redoubt world carved apart by rival cults. Since then, the Kasrkin veterans known as the Tattershields have anchored the crumbling Imperial defence, holding back the overwhelming might of the Archenemy with sabotage, assassinations, and unbreakable discipline. Their commander, Sergeant Kostantin Taikon, is an inspiration to the beleaguered defenders. But he is haunted by guilt and consumed by fatalism, numbly fighting on with no hope of victory or atonement.
The Imperials’ grip on the planet is slipping. Infiltrators sow discord in their ranks, and a sadistic new enemy is bearing down upon them. But when all hope is dead, only defiance remains, and Taikon will lead his indomitable Kasrkin to the bitter end.
This edition contains the short story ‘Tattershield’, the serial ‘Tatters of Hope’, and the novella ‘Veterans of the Fall’.
- GenresScience Fiction40k
384 pages, Paperback
Published May 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 7, 2026
Set after the fall of Cadia you follow a veteran kasrkan squad as they rally imperial remnants to fight against traitors in a civil war that has consumed the redoubt planet. Kasrkan are Cadia's elite warriors but against the infinite horrors of chaos can a handful of kasrkan lead the shattered remnants of imperial forces to victory.
August 22, 2026
Almost like a kill team battle was turned into a book
I love kasrkin, and this book delivered a gritty story of daunting odds and missions impossible. I finished the book with shock. I had been holding my breath as the action reached a crescendo I didn't think possible. I was haunted throughout the book with the sense of how so many of my kill teams battles felt exactly like the combat I was reading. If you want action, like kasrkin, or are curious about how grimdark the 40k setting is... this is your book!
I love kasrkin, and this book delivered a gritty story of daunting odds and missions impossible. I finished the book with shock. I had been holding my breath as the action reached a crescendo I didn't think possible. I was haunted throughout the book with the sense of how so many of my kill teams battles felt exactly like the combat I was reading. If you want action, like kasrkin, or are curious about how grimdark the 40k setting is... this is your book!
July 16, 2026
2.5. Meh, mediocre guard novel. Had some moments, Orrich was a decent character, but the rest was very bland.
July 13, 2026
Not objectively bad but quite superficial compared to my other black library books.
Elite veterans of Cadia take on Chaos Marines, cultists and traitor guardsmen.
There are some stand out characters such as the doc, the former traitor and Gunner but they could have been developed so much more. Maybe in the future? A lot of the battles seemed a bit one sided to me so I didn't feel that much tension throughout the book.
It made me think of a young adults style introduction to a Gaunts Ghosts type concept. It would be good for younger readers.
I probably wouldn't read more of the series unless it focuses on one of the characters I liked but it definitely has a place in the black library that just got a different audience from myself.
Elite veterans of Cadia take on Chaos Marines, cultists and traitor guardsmen.
There are some stand out characters such as the doc, the former traitor and Gunner but they could have been developed so much more. Maybe in the future? A lot of the battles seemed a bit one sided to me so I didn't feel that much tension throughout the book.
It made me think of a young adults style introduction to a Gaunts Ghosts type concept. It would be good for younger readers.
I probably wouldn't read more of the series unless it focuses on one of the characters I liked but it definitely has a place in the black library that just got a different audience from myself.
August 19, 2026
Such a good guard read. Action could’ve been a bit better and the short stories don’t really sell the drama of the characters, but they act as a good prelude for the novel itself. Do agree with some other reviewers that it’s a bit bloated with characters at the end, but I think it was a great read for the mindset of group of people praised their whole lives for being the best slowly get their pride ground down into nothing.
August 7, 2026
It felt like the book had started in the middle and not at the beginning, with a few noticeable characters but some character's sacrifices were washed down due to too many side characters. The consistent changing perspectives did become repetitive, ignoring the protagonist for half the book. It was a good read overall.
June 12, 2026
A pesar de estar dividido en un relato, una serie de historias cortas, y una novela, el libro está cohesionado y se siente continuo y coherente. Al final puede sentirse un poco optimista para ser Warhammer, pero nada mal.
June 19, 2026
A Soldier’s Story - Ranger Approved
A bit overblown with strife and heroism, and a bit sacrilegious with the ease the Guard take down Heretic Astartes, but a worthy successor for “The Fall of Cadia” with salvaged pride for the fans of the Guard.
A bit overblown with strife and heroism, and a bit sacrilegious with the ease the Guard take down Heretic Astartes, but a worthy successor for “The Fall of Cadia” with salvaged pride for the fans of the Guard.
October 25, 2026
10/10 - if you’ve loved the other Guard Novels, particularly Cadia heavy ones like the Minka Lesk series, you should find a lot to love here as well!
May 27, 2026
Might be the best book in Warhammer. Humanity not dying in the darkness but rising above it to shine brightest when needed is represented so well in this book you will get beyond pumped up reading/listening to it. Highest recommendation to anyone who enjoys military, science fiction, brotherhood or humanity kicking ass please give this a read. Going on my Mount Rushmore or Warhammer books.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews