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Armageddon: Season of Fire
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 24, 2026
Believe it or not - it’s excellent. Three novella’s tie together brilliantly into a very satisfying, classic Warhammer story. Jude gets Steel Legion right, gets SOB right, and gets Space Marines right. I fully expected an Armageddon tie in to be poor, and I’ll be honest I didn’t hold out a lot of hope for Jude Reid, but she delivers here.
July 25, 2026
This book surprised me.
Jude Reid is not a Black Library author I have a lot of experience with so I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into Season of Fire. There’s also a common stigma of the new edition of Warhammer 40K tie-in books being pretty meh.
I am happy to report that this book mostly delivers, and I have fully become a fan of the author. Now this book wasn’t perfect, the last 3rd specifically brings it down a bit but all in all a great 40K read.
The book is structured into three parts/POVs taking part in the ongoing war on the heavily contested planet of Armageddon. You follow a Steel Legion officer, a Sister of Battle, and a Blood Angel space marine. The story arcs of the first two are where this book absolutely shines and had me ready sing the books praises. Unfortunately the Blood Angel arc didn’t really deliver as well as the former (often the case as there’s only so much you can do with Space Marines)
If anything this read has made me want Jude Reid to write a Steel Legion novel.
At the end of the day a very enjoyable and good read.
4.25 stars.
Jude Reid is not a Black Library author I have a lot of experience with so I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into Season of Fire. There’s also a common stigma of the new edition of Warhammer 40K tie-in books being pretty meh.
I am happy to report that this book mostly delivers, and I have fully become a fan of the author. Now this book wasn’t perfect, the last 3rd specifically brings it down a bit but all in all a great 40K read.
The book is structured into three parts/POVs taking part in the ongoing war on the heavily contested planet of Armageddon. You follow a Steel Legion officer, a Sister of Battle, and a Blood Angel space marine. The story arcs of the first two are where this book absolutely shines and had me ready sing the books praises. Unfortunately the Blood Angel arc didn’t really deliver as well as the former (often the case as there’s only so much you can do with Space Marines)
If anything this read has made me want Jude Reid to write a Steel Legion novel.
At the end of the day a very enjoyable and good read.
4.25 stars.
June 27, 2026
Jude Reid manages to start 11th edition off with a total banger!
Absolutely loved this one!
Absolutely loved this one!
June 21, 2026
welcome back to armageddon & hello to the start of 11th edition!
now as always with brand new books, i’ll avoid any spoilers.
(however, at the end of the review - i’m going to mention another book I recommend reading before. not because it’s mandatory, but because it adds a little more weight to this novel).
now first and foremost, I know people may have a little apprehension for this novel, because of the author. in all honesty, and respectfully, i fully understand that. jude has had a few novels that have been a little meh BUT personally - i think this book was great!! i think the end fell a liiiiittle flat for me but overall, i really enjoyed this.
next thing i want to address is the timeline. if anyone saw the preview of this novel on the warhammer community page, it kind of gives of the impression it’s solely focused on the 2nd war of armageddon.
to clarify, we start there - BUT - we don’t not end there. (sorry i want to keep this vague, but hopefully you get the hint).
i would best describe this novel as a game of ‘telephone’. and what the stories share in common, is the location and some other stuff. (again sorry hahah. you’ll get what i mean).
i read an interview that jude mentioned she wanted this to be an ‘ode to armageddon’ and i have to say, it is exactly that, and more. you can clearly see she took the time to research armageddons history. not to long ago, i read all the armageddon related novels in prep for this, and it clearly shows jude did the same. the passion was there, and i love that. she perfectly describes the horrors of armageddon and as a reader, you start to feel that weight on your shoulders.
my only ‘problem’ with the novel was the ending personally. i found i didn’t resonate and care *that* much with our last group of characters. but that being said - i did read this whole thing in one sitting so maybe my brain hurts a bit lol.
LASTLY AND NOT REALLY A SPOILER BUT KIND OF A SPOILER. SO DONT READ PAST THIS IF YOU WANT TO GO IN BLIND
at the beginning of this review, i recommend a novel that in my opinion, should be read before this.
i highly recommend reading ‘emperors gift’ by adb before this. it adds, in my opinion, a very important element and really adds to this. (and it’s an amazing novel. so bonus!)
also - i don’t know how much we should be analyzing characters in this novel or just enjoy it as is… BUT… with my overanalyzing brain…. is jude hinting at someone’s return?
now as always with brand new books, i’ll avoid any spoilers.
(however, at the end of the review - i’m going to mention another book I recommend reading before. not because it’s mandatory, but because it adds a little more weight to this novel).
now first and foremost, I know people may have a little apprehension for this novel, because of the author. in all honesty, and respectfully, i fully understand that. jude has had a few novels that have been a little meh BUT personally - i think this book was great!! i think the end fell a liiiiittle flat for me but overall, i really enjoyed this.
next thing i want to address is the timeline. if anyone saw the preview of this novel on the warhammer community page, it kind of gives of the impression it’s solely focused on the 2nd war of armageddon.
to clarify, we start there - BUT - we don’t not end there. (sorry i want to keep this vague, but hopefully you get the hint).
i would best describe this novel as a game of ‘telephone’. and what the stories share in common, is the location and some other stuff. (again sorry hahah. you’ll get what i mean).
i read an interview that jude mentioned she wanted this to be an ‘ode to armageddon’ and i have to say, it is exactly that, and more. you can clearly see she took the time to research armageddons history. not to long ago, i read all the armageddon related novels in prep for this, and it clearly shows jude did the same. the passion was there, and i love that. she perfectly describes the horrors of armageddon and as a reader, you start to feel that weight on your shoulders.
my only ‘problem’ with the novel was the ending personally. i found i didn’t resonate and care *that* much with our last group of characters. but that being said - i did read this whole thing in one sitting so maybe my brain hurts a bit lol.
LASTLY AND NOT REALLY A SPOILER BUT KIND OF A SPOILER. SO DONT READ PAST THIS IF YOU WANT TO GO IN BLIND
at the beginning of this review, i recommend a novel that in my opinion, should be read before this.
i highly recommend reading ‘emperors gift’ by adb before this. it adds, in my opinion, a very important element and really adds to this. (and it’s an amazing novel. so bonus!)
also - i don’t know how much we should be analyzing characters in this novel or just enjoy it as is… BUT… with my overanalyzing brain…. is jude hinting at someone’s return?
July 31, 2026
Don't let the flashy cover or the release of the new edition fool you. This book, although some parts well-written and entertaining, ultimately is a big nothing-burger of a book. It does absolutely nothing to advance the plot of the 40k universe in any meaningful way. Whether in terms its overall trajectory of the Imperium or any characters that we may see later.
The book is written in three parts, shifting perspectives between three characters as well as time. One Imperial Officer, an Adepta Sororita, and a Blood Angel of the Adeptus Astartes. The overall point and theme in this story is that the war for Armageddon is a pointless doom regardless of time and who is involved. Which even in the 40k theme is a bit ridiculous considering bigger fights have been fought and won. (Refers notes to Horus Heresy, War of the Beast, Black Crusades, etc.)
The problem with this book is that while it has three diverse perspectives, none of them are long enough for the reader to become properly invested in any of them. A lot of the dialogue simply seems to be repetitive, and annoying power-trips from characters. A lot of "you do not have authority to tell me what to do" type banter.
Although some parts of the first two of the perspectives were well-written, Jude Reid (or GW depending on who's idea it was) absolutely butchered the Blood Angels. Having read many of the Blood Angels books this is a sad adaption of one of the most famous Chapters in the setting. The BA are known as being the "noblest" of the Space Marine Chapters. In this book however, they are little more than angry man children who seem to care for nothing besides the mission. The characters are almost as shallow as my 2-year old son's backyard splash pool. The marines are quick to anger, vain, cruel, seek constant glory, and seem to care nothing for much else. Oh and of course, more childish saber rattling to show who has authority in the room. Which would not necessarily be a problem, except for the fact that THIS IS NOT HOW BLOOD ANGELS ACT.
All of the parts are followed by an emo Space Wolf who is stuck in a perpetual guilt trip without much substantiation or explanation of their struggles either. When dialogue with this character gets interesting, they pop a smoke grenade and magically disappear, how original. Overall, I'd skip this read and just watch a YouTube video about it later.
The book is written in three parts, shifting perspectives between three characters as well as time. One Imperial Officer, an Adepta Sororita, and a Blood Angel of the Adeptus Astartes. The overall point and theme in this story is that the war for Armageddon is a pointless doom regardless of time and who is involved. Which even in the 40k theme is a bit ridiculous considering bigger fights have been fought and won. (Refers notes to Horus Heresy, War of the Beast, Black Crusades, etc.)
The problem with this book is that while it has three diverse perspectives, none of them are long enough for the reader to become properly invested in any of them. A lot of the dialogue simply seems to be repetitive, and annoying power-trips from characters. A lot of "you do not have authority to tell me what to do" type banter.
Although some parts of the first two of the perspectives were well-written, Jude Reid (or GW depending on who's idea it was) absolutely butchered the Blood Angels. Having read many of the Blood Angels books this is a sad adaption of one of the most famous Chapters in the setting. The BA are known as being the "noblest" of the Space Marine Chapters. In this book however, they are little more than angry man children who seem to care for nothing besides the mission. The characters are almost as shallow as my 2-year old son's backyard splash pool. The marines are quick to anger, vain, cruel, seek constant glory, and seem to care nothing for much else. Oh and of course, more childish saber rattling to show who has authority in the room. Which would not necessarily be a problem, except for the fact that THIS IS NOT HOW BLOOD ANGELS ACT.
All of the parts are followed by an emo Space Wolf who is stuck in a perpetual guilt trip without much substantiation or explanation of their struggles either. When dialogue with this character gets interesting, they pop a smoke grenade and magically disappear, how original. Overall, I'd skip this read and just watch a YouTube video about it later.
July 13, 2026
Im positivily surprised by how good this book was.
I had given the previous book i read from Ried, Morven Vahl one of my lowest ratings Ive given and I had felt a pang of disappointment when i saw she was the author of the new armageddon book.
But those fears were unfounded, my previous criticism were all negated by the change of setting.
The antagonist (the orks) do not need any complicated motivations, they can fight for the fun of it.
And we are not following the pinnacle of imperial authority, but rank and file troops in a frontline hellhole.
Out protagonists are flawed people put in impossible situations, having to chose between duty and the lives of others and their own.
My favorite part was the really strong act one, where we got to meet a character who struggles with finding meaning and will, to continue his service, after the imperium took away his only son from him, and in a sense his future, a concept which i have not seen explored much in all the other 40k novels ive read.
The criticism i can level against this book, is that after act one the book became more action oriented and less philosophical, and my personal preferences leans more towards concepts rather then gun fights.
I would have also like a bit more of a conclusion of the act one character coming full circle, either through the blood angles chaplian, or through some miracle of the relic, leaving him with some closure, but perhaps that is something for a sequel?
Final conclusion, is that its a great book, and its also an easy read for someone new to the hobby, the only things that prevented me from giving it five stars, is that it didnt tick some specific boxes to create a long lasting impression, that some other books did.
But from now on i will look forward to Rieds next entry to the black library.
I had given the previous book i read from Ried, Morven Vahl one of my lowest ratings Ive given and I had felt a pang of disappointment when i saw she was the author of the new armageddon book.
But those fears were unfounded, my previous criticism were all negated by the change of setting.
The antagonist (the orks) do not need any complicated motivations, they can fight for the fun of it.
And we are not following the pinnacle of imperial authority, but rank and file troops in a frontline hellhole.
Out protagonists are flawed people put in impossible situations, having to chose between duty and the lives of others and their own.
My favorite part was the really strong act one, where we got to meet a character who struggles with finding meaning and will, to continue his service, after the imperium took away his only son from him, and in a sense his future, a concept which i have not seen explored much in all the other 40k novels ive read.
The criticism i can level against this book, is that after act one the book became more action oriented and less philosophical, and my personal preferences leans more towards concepts rather then gun fights.
I would have also like a bit more of a conclusion of the act one character coming full circle, either through the blood angles chaplian, or through some miracle of the relic, leaving him with some closure, but perhaps that is something for a sequel?
Final conclusion, is that its a great book, and its also an easy read for someone new to the hobby, the only things that prevented me from giving it five stars, is that it didnt tick some specific boxes to create a long lasting impression, that some other books did.
But from now on i will look forward to Rieds next entry to the black library.
July 30, 2026
I picked up Armageddon: Season of Fire because Games Workshop's marketing for the new edition of The Rules did its job. I bought the Armageddon boxed set and was wrestling with an important hobby question: Should I paint my Space Marines as Blood Angels or Ultramarines? Surely this book would help me decide.
It did... just not in the way I expected.
This is a surprisingly odd choice for promoting a tabletop wargame. Rather than making me want to throw painted miniatures onto the table and start rolling buckets of dice, it spends its time exploring faith, sacrifice, duty, and the utter futility of war through three interconnected stories. By the end, it arrives at roughly the same conclusion as Edwin Starr: War... huh... yeah... what is it good for? Absolutely nothing.
Not exactly the message I expected from the company whose business model depends on selling tiny plastic soldiers.
The stories themselves are well written and thoughtfully connected, even if they lean more toward reflection than bolter porn. If you're looking for nonstop Space Marine heroics, this probably isn't it. If you're interested in the human and spiritual cost of endless war in the 41st Millennium, there's plenty here to appreciate.
As for my original question? Mission accomplished.
My Space Marines will be Ultramarines.
The Blood Angels, while undeniably cool, spend enough of this book acting like spectacularly arrogant jerks that they completely talked me out of painting them.
So thanks, Jude Reid. I came looking for hobby inspiration and accidentally made a chapter selection.
It did... just not in the way I expected.
This is a surprisingly odd choice for promoting a tabletop wargame. Rather than making me want to throw painted miniatures onto the table and start rolling buckets of dice, it spends its time exploring faith, sacrifice, duty, and the utter futility of war through three interconnected stories. By the end, it arrives at roughly the same conclusion as Edwin Starr: War... huh... yeah... what is it good for? Absolutely nothing.
Not exactly the message I expected from the company whose business model depends on selling tiny plastic soldiers.
The stories themselves are well written and thoughtfully connected, even if they lean more toward reflection than bolter porn. If you're looking for nonstop Space Marine heroics, this probably isn't it. If you're interested in the human and spiritual cost of endless war in the 41st Millennium, there's plenty here to appreciate.
As for my original question? Mission accomplished.
My Space Marines will be Ultramarines.
The Blood Angels, while undeniably cool, spend enough of this book acting like spectacularly arrogant jerks that they completely talked me out of painting them.
So thanks, Jude Reid. I came looking for hobby inspiration and accidentally made a chapter selection.
August 2, 2026
Where do I start with this?
The book is written as 3 separate novellas for Roth the imperial guard major, Sabreen the Sister of battle, and Gavriel the blood angel.
First of all the fact that there is hundreds of years of time gap between stories doesn’t make any sense and it was presented very clunky.
I enjoyed Roth’s story and Sabreen’s for the most part.
What really killed it for me was Gavriels story. The Blood angels were described as being petulant, callous and totally uncaring of human suffering. Completely felt out of character for them. I also hated that the rest of Gavriels squad was killed off unceremoniously. It made no sense to do that.
The hinting of a romantic relationship between Gavriel and the sister of battle Loeryn and of the space wolf and the canoness was also very jarring. The fact that these space marines were just presented as brutal oafs with no self control while the sisters of battle were written as moderate and caring was ridiculous. In essence the sisters of battle were the real heroes and the space marines were essentially villains.
The book is written as 3 separate novellas for Roth the imperial guard major, Sabreen the Sister of battle, and Gavriel the blood angel.
First of all the fact that there is hundreds of years of time gap between stories doesn’t make any sense and it was presented very clunky.
I enjoyed Roth’s story and Sabreen’s for the most part.
What really killed it for me was Gavriels story. The Blood angels were described as being petulant, callous and totally uncaring of human suffering. Completely felt out of character for them. I also hated that the rest of Gavriels squad was killed off unceremoniously. It made no sense to do that.
The hinting of a romantic relationship between Gavriel and the sister of battle Loeryn and of the space wolf and the canoness was also very jarring. The fact that these space marines were just presented as brutal oafs with no self control while the sisters of battle were written as moderate and caring was ridiculous. In essence the sisters of battle were the real heroes and the space marines were essentially villains.
August 4, 2026
Jude Reid has crafted a truly phenomenal 40k novel. Themes of sacrifice, damnation, duty, honor, treachery, and struggle are well explored throughout the whole book. Armageddon feels like hell. A nightmarish cycle of constant war. Heroes rise, fall, and are forgotten over and over. A microcosm of the 40k universe in general. Every scene feels cinematic and the pacing is excellent. There's some really subtle and well executed horror elements, especially in the middle. Just awesome, really truly amazing.
July 14, 2026
Easily the best 40K book I’ve read so far. Jude Reid is really assured and edging towards pushing out of the confides of 40K books, or at least Sisters ones. Sure it’s the same old harrowing mission ending in death but it was very well presented and actually had a bit of resonance to it. I hope to be truly surprised by one of these one day though.
August 3, 2026
a boring disappointment with a very unsatisfactory ending. 3 different stories tied together with no satisfactory ending for any of them.
Characters were flat, a crepe has more substance than they did.
Indomitus was good, Leviathan was good. I now wish I pirated this, which says alot about what I thought of it
Characters were flat, a crepe has more substance than they did.
Indomitus was good, Leviathan was good. I now wish I pirated this, which says alot about what I thought of it
August 8, 2026
The first two stories, about the guardsman and the Sister were good, but then came the Space Marine and boy, just like all space marine stories in recent times, dull and lifeless. Even the orks seemed lessened, and on Armageddon that’s some feat to manage.
July 5, 2026
I really enjoyed the first act with the steel legion. the rest of the book really dragged on and I hated the ambiguity of the ghost of Armageddon. Don’t know what it represented.
July 22, 2026
I read the hardcover not currently added to Goodreads.
August 11, 2026
Decent. Liked the first story.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews