Raldoron: Revenant

The Horus Heresy: Characters

by Guy Haley

Raldoron is considered one of the greatest swordsmen in the galaxy, but can this peerless warrior face the sins of the past and lead an army of raw recruits to victory against treacherous former allies?

Raldoron, First Captain of the Blood Angels, is renowned the Imperium over as one of the greatest swordsmen in all the Space Marine Legions. Though outwardly calm, calculating and decisive, the Archein of Wisdom’s iron self-control hides a bloody past.

As the primarch Sanguinius leads the Imperial Reprisal Fleet to the Garmon Cluster to slow the traitor Horus’ relentless advance upon Terra, Raldoron is forced to rely on unblooded inductii, rapidly recruiting as many men as possible from the cluster’s warzones. These new warriors could very well be the future of the Blood Angels, if they can follow the Archein’s shining example and master the Red Thirst. But their violent nature threatens a return to the past, revealing the half-forgotten horrors of the Revenant Legion for all the galaxy to see…

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction, Novels

208 pages, Hardcover

Published September 22, 2026

About the author

Guy Haley is the author of over 50 novels and novellas. His original fiction includes Crash, Champion of Mars, and the Richards and Klein, Dreaming Cities, and the Gates of the World series (as K M McKinley). However, he is best known as a prolific contributor to Games Workshop's Black Library imprint.

When not writing, he'll be out doing something dangerous in the wild, learning languages or gaming.

Reviews

[slop savant · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is nothing wrong with this book. It’s a strong entry in the Horus Heresy Characters series and shows the challenges of a changing face of the legion as it inexorably moves to its last days before being eventually shattered into many parts.

The action is well done, the supporting characters are strong, and the overall arc is satisfying and suitably grim. Haley is a strong writer and he satisfies in this short and sweet novel.

It is, however, a touch listless when its primary character is a bit of a black hole of charisma. I had a good deal of reticence before this book would come out if Raldoron was a strong enough character to tell this story and I leave satisfied that he was not.

Did this book need to happen? No. Was it good anyway? Yeah, but that’s not the point is it? It’s a question we should ask more and more as 30k as a whole rapidly approaches over 100 novels and a timeline that requires a healthy relationship with Microsoft Excel and an unhealthy relationship with free time.

[Kevin Eisenhuth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredibly dull when the action is happening, Im not big on bolter porn generally speaking but this seemed particuarly uninspired.

The last 15 pages or so was probably the best part of the book.

I dont really know whats wrong with these Horus Heresy character books. Started off very strong with Valdor and Luther but after that it ranges from slop to mid

[Nestor Ivanovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent look at the figure of Raldoron , all happening during Hwresy time , not long before Siege of Terra. Despite being quite short novel, I absolutely loved the story and the grim vibe of BA induction mi trying to control the Ted Thirst

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

[as with new books, spoiler free!]

overall, this was just okay for me. i am a massive guy haley fan and as everyone else, i do love the blood angels. but this unfortunately will fall into the “did we need this?” category. this didn’t really expand raldorons character THAT much. the ending conversation [spoiler free] was the only time i really felt like i was exploring his character.

at the end of the day, i think if you know absolutely nothing about raldoron, you might enjoy this but i think sticking to the heresy/siege novels that he features in will give you more.

[Davy · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

After reading Guy Haley’s “Raldoron”, I think I’m officially a fan of these Horus Heresy character stories. In my experience, they don’t necessarily move the larger plot forward or reveal a ton of new lore. Instead, they give us a closer look at a Legion or character in a way that adds a unique richness to the universe.

“Raldoron” in particular was a chilling reminder that even the “heroes” of 40K rarely live up to that name. There are no good guys in 40K, or at least they don’t last very long if they do exist.

[Anibal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guy Haley sets Raldoron: Revenant in the Garmon Cluster with Sanguinus in the strategic lead (so the best approximate date is 013.M31), with Horus advancing towards Terra and the Blood Angels running out of time to replace their losses. Raldoron commands experienced legionaries alongside hastily trained recruits who have strength and courage “the Angforia”, but far less practice controlling the Red Thirst. Although this isn’t essential reading for 30k fans, it’s still really valuable, specially for Blood Angels aficionados.

What I liked most was the effort these warriors make to remain human contrary to so many legions who focus on their transhumanity. They talk to ordinary people, turn to art to steady their minds, and try to understand what their rage might cost those around them. A brief, warm conversation between Sanguinius and Raldoron says a great deal about the wisdom behind that struggle. The Solar Auxilia characters also give the war a human scale and a painful perspective on fear, duty and loss.

I wish a few threads, especially the captured Death Guard warrior, had been given more space, but the horror how that encounter ends is particularly ghastly and described in a way only Guy Haley could make it right. Also, the last conversation is exceptionally powerful.

Haley offers no easy answer to what happens when heroes can also be monsters. He lets them grieve, recognise the harm they have done, and try to do better, even as they struggle to reconcile the demands of war with the needs of the people caught in it.

That stayed with me long after the battles ended.

[Skywatcher Adept · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raldoron playing easy mode. This is a "Raldoron's plan had worked" type of book. Overwhelming numbers of Blood Angels with their Saiphan Elevatii Auxilia beat Death Guard with their human allies. Raldoron beats a Death Guard captain in a duel. Saiphan Auxilia captain beats a Death Guard sergeant in another duel. Blood Angel Inductii run amok.
I still recommend buying this book but don't expect another Luther or Valdor. The book is worth having for a couple of cool quotes by Raldorn like:
"We are human Simeon, we were born monsters"
"We are all reduced to numbers"

[Seb Vanbesien · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I appreciated how the Blood Angels seem like a caring and close to humans chapter, and this book shows how incredibly fragile that is. And what a superhuman effort is required to keep that in check. I adore Guy Haley’s work. He has the ability to make you care about small human characters (and then stomp on your heart when you least expect it). Too bad it is a short book. I would’ve loved more.

[Kevin the Chicken Chaser · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

I'm definitely burnt out on the SM books, i really didn't find this as interesting as i was hoping for. Tbh, i think its because, other than small personality things, all SM are essentially the same. It also didn't bring anything new other than a back story to a character, a pretty minor character all things considered.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still think the Horus Heresy books are better than general 40k, but it's because of the wider range of emotion the characters contend with

Some of that is present here but it's very shallow. What is there is well written