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Mephiston #1
Blood of Sanguinius
Blood Angels Chief Librarian Mephiston ventures to a war-torn shrine world to uncover the truth about the mysterious Blade Petrific.
The shrine world of Divinatus Prime has become lost to the light of the Astronomican and no ship can piece its veil. Only the Lord of Death himself, Blood Angels Chief Librarian Mephiston, has any hope of discerning the fate of this once pious world. After enacting a powerful blood ritual, Mephiston and an honour guard of his fellow Blood Angels reach the stricken shrine world to find it seized by a religious civil war. Each faction fights for dominance of a potent artefact, the Blade Petrific, said to be wrought by the Emperor Himself. Yet there is more at work here than a mere ideological schism, for Mephiston believes Divinatus Prime could offer answers to how he became the Lord of Death by resisting the Black Rage, and possibly even a way to end the curse of ‘the Flaw’ in all Blood Angels.
The shrine world of Divinatus Prime has become lost to the light of the Astronomican and no ship can piece its veil. Only the Lord of Death himself, Blood Angels Chief Librarian Mephiston, has any hope of discerning the fate of this once pious world. After enacting a powerful blood ritual, Mephiston and an honour guard of his fellow Blood Angels reach the stricken shrine world to find it seized by a religious civil war. Each faction fights for dominance of a potent artefact, the Blade Petrific, said to be wrought by the Emperor Himself. Yet there is more at work here than a mere ideological schism, for Mephiston believes Divinatus Prime could offer answers to how he became the Lord of Death by resisting the Black Rage, and possibly even a way to end the curse of ‘the Flaw’ in all Blood Angels.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2017
84 people are currently reading
479 people want to read
About the author
Darius Hinks
108 books129 followersDarius 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.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 10, 2020
I found this book quite difficult.
Firstly, the characters are a little flat. Secondly, the prologue gives too much away. And, thirdly, it has waves of exciting bits and duller bits. Nothing terribly important or engaging happens until about 40% in.
In order to really get what's going on in the book, it helps if the reader is a 40k fan and that they have some idea of who Mephiston is. To be honest, I'd say forget it, if you don't.
If you do have a decent grasp of 40k lore prepare for a book which has a rather interesting and edgy take on Mephiston which doesn't quite fit with the more unified approach that we have seen more recently from BL regarding lore. For such a big chapter and a big character it appears that there has been editorial restraint in the portrayal of Mephiston and the Blood Angels generally which is somehow both very 90s but rather refreshing at the same time.
I've given it three stars rather than lower because the author has done something which many BL authors fail to do and he's made the action scenes interesting. He carefully weaves the culmination of plot points and reveals into the action so that you feel hooked. The visuals are really well done which pulls you in. The villains were almost interesting. They had infinitely more potential in the prologue than appeared later.
Overall the book was average because it was brought down by the points mentioned toward the beginning of this review. I enjoyed what I enjoyed but it can be sidestepped without missing too much.
Firstly, the characters are a little flat. Secondly, the prologue gives too much away. And, thirdly, it has waves of exciting bits and duller bits. Nothing terribly important or engaging happens until about 40% in.
In order to really get what's going on in the book, it helps if the reader is a 40k fan and that they have some idea of who Mephiston is. To be honest, I'd say forget it, if you don't.
If you do have a decent grasp of 40k lore prepare for a book which has a rather interesting and edgy take on Mephiston which doesn't quite fit with the more unified approach that we have seen more recently from BL regarding lore. For such a big chapter and a big character it appears that there has been editorial restraint in the portrayal of Mephiston and the Blood Angels generally which is somehow both very 90s but rather refreshing at the same time.
I've given it three stars rather than lower because the author has done something which many BL authors fail to do and he's made the action scenes interesting. He carefully weaves the culmination of plot points and reveals into the action so that you feel hooked. The visuals are really well done which pulls you in. The villains were almost interesting. They had infinitely more potential in the prologue than appeared later.
Overall the book was average because it was brought down by the points mentioned toward the beginning of this review. I enjoyed what I enjoyed but it can be sidestepped without missing too much.
March 2, 2017
This was an interesting book that did 3 things for me: 1) Examine the religious conflicts present in the Imperium, 2) Continue to characterize the Blood Angels especially differentiating them from the Dark Angels and the Emperor's Children and 3) Look at the character and myth of Mephiston. The Chief Librarian seems to be a conflicted and sometimes tortured being of incredible psychic power. This novel presents him primarily through the eyes of the chief protagonist, Lexicanium Antros. The plot speed slowly builds up to about halfway through the book and the resolution forms a link to, presumably, the next book.
July 19, 2019
An entertaining read. It starts slow, but gains momentum as the story goes on...and it's part 1 of at least 2. Dagnabbit!
December 28, 2020
Meh
Lots of unexplained and uninteresting WH40k nonsense in the early parts of the book. Some more engaging moments, especially at the end, and some background into Mephiston’s origin, which made it tolerable.
I personally find Mephiston to be an un-engaging and two dimensional character. He’s mysterious. He’s got magic powers. Why would you care about his character or anything that happens to him, you ask? You wouldn’t. You are given no reason to, like almost anyone else in this book.
Read it if you love Blood Angels, and are hungry to find out about a bit of the origins of the mysterious Librarian. If you’re anyone else, skip it.
Lots of unexplained and uninteresting WH40k nonsense in the early parts of the book. Some more engaging moments, especially at the end, and some background into Mephiston’s origin, which made it tolerable.
I personally find Mephiston to be an un-engaging and two dimensional character. He’s mysterious. He’s got magic powers. Why would you care about his character or anything that happens to him, you ask? You wouldn’t. You are given no reason to, like almost anyone else in this book.
Read it if you love Blood Angels, and are hungry to find out about a bit of the origins of the mysterious Librarian. If you’re anyone else, skip it.
November 10, 2020
Another one from the Black Library 2020 Humble Bundle. https://www.humblebundle.com/books/vo...
The story happens in the scifi 40K universe in some "veiled" shielded world of Divinatus Prime and introduces Blood Angels (to me, at least, as I'm a newbie to the whole shebang). It has a decent mystery and some really well written action sequences to paint the canvas in your head. But what's pretty annoying - the author didn't finish the story to get another book out of the whole ordeal. Such manipulation doesn't bode well in my book. One book should have been plenty, anything else is just yanking the chain. Although the battle in the end sadly left me really wanting to know who the third bastard behind the vale is. Probably somebody more well-versed in the 40K lore would have her suspicions, I am just a victim of the cliffhanger. Damn.
Another revelation from this one was the fact that there is magic in the WH40K universe. Somehow I thought magic was left behind into the fantasy battles, but I guess having a whole galaxy with aliens, spaceships, power armor, energy weapons and genetic engineering is not enough to have awesome miniatures for painting.
My personal little dictionary into WH40K universe (leaving in the notes from other reads):
Space Marines or Adeptus Astartes - the posterboys of WH40K. Foremost amongst the defenders of Humanity, created by the Emperor by generic engineering. Wearing Power Armor that Starcraft marines copied without remorse.
Blood Angels - one of the 20 Fist Founding Legions of the Space Marines, their armor main color is red. At least some of them seem to have some magic?
Lasrifle/lasgun - energy rifle. Many variations: lascarabine, shotlas,
Bolter/boltgun - kinetic rifle
Psyker - a person with psychic abilities, called Librarians in Space Marines. Like Chief Librarian Mephiston, the titular character of the book.
Segmentum - a region of the Milky Way Galaxy, Sol and Terra are in the Segmentum Solar, "galactic center"
Emperor of Mankind - living god who sits on the Golden Throne on Terra, ruler of the Imperium of Man
Astra Militarum - aka Imperial Guard serve as the Imperium of Man's primary combat force in the 41th century
Low Gothic - common tongue like English in the 21st century
Praetorian Guard - regiments with roman numerals (e.g XXIV) of Astra Militarum from the planet Praetoria. Known for discipline and presenting perfectly formed firing lines like Napoleonic battles.
Inquisitor - secret policemen and intelligence agents of the Imperium. Split into three main orders or "ordos majoris," the Ordo Xenos (Alien Hunters), the Ordo Malleus (Daemonhunters) and the Ordo Hereticus (Witch Hunters). Aliens like Orks, the Tyranids, the Aeldari, the Necrons and the T'au.
Vostroya - Imperial industrial world in the Halo Zone < Segmentum Obscurus, galactic "north". Home to Vostroyan Firstborn regiment of Astra Militarum. The homeworld of the narrator prisoner.
The story happens in the scifi 40K universe in some "veiled" shielded world of Divinatus Prime and introduces Blood Angels (to me, at least, as I'm a newbie to the whole shebang). It has a decent mystery and some really well written action sequences to paint the canvas in your head. But what's pretty annoying - the author didn't finish the story to get another book out of the whole ordeal. Such manipulation doesn't bode well in my book. One book should have been plenty, anything else is just yanking the chain. Although the battle in the end sadly left me really wanting to know who the third bastard behind the vale is. Probably somebody more well-versed in the 40K lore would have her suspicions, I am just a victim of the cliffhanger. Damn.
Another revelation from this one was the fact that there is magic in the WH40K universe. Somehow I thought magic was left behind into the fantasy battles, but I guess having a whole galaxy with aliens, spaceships, power armor, energy weapons and genetic engineering is not enough to have awesome miniatures for painting.
My personal little dictionary into WH40K universe (leaving in the notes from other reads):
Space Marines or Adeptus Astartes - the posterboys of WH40K. Foremost amongst the defenders of Humanity, created by the Emperor by generic engineering. Wearing Power Armor that Starcraft marines copied without remorse.
Blood Angels - one of the 20 Fist Founding Legions of the Space Marines, their armor main color is red. At least some of them seem to have some magic?
Lasrifle/lasgun - energy rifle. Many variations: lascarabine, shotlas,
Bolter/boltgun - kinetic rifle
Psyker - a person with psychic abilities, called Librarians in Space Marines. Like Chief Librarian Mephiston, the titular character of the book.
Segmentum - a region of the Milky Way Galaxy, Sol and Terra are in the Segmentum Solar, "galactic center"
Emperor of Mankind - living god who sits on the Golden Throne on Terra, ruler of the Imperium of Man
Astra Militarum - aka Imperial Guard serve as the Imperium of Man's primary combat force in the 41th century
Low Gothic - common tongue like English in the 21st century
Praetorian Guard - regiments with roman numerals (e.g XXIV) of Astra Militarum from the planet Praetoria. Known for discipline and presenting perfectly formed firing lines like Napoleonic battles.
Inquisitor - secret policemen and intelligence agents of the Imperium. Split into three main orders or "ordos majoris," the Ordo Xenos (Alien Hunters), the Ordo Malleus (Daemonhunters) and the Ordo Hereticus (Witch Hunters). Aliens like Orks, the Tyranids, the Aeldari, the Necrons and the T'au.
Vostroya - Imperial industrial world in the Halo Zone < Segmentum Obscurus, galactic "north". Home to Vostroyan Firstborn regiment of Astra Militarum. The homeworld of the narrator prisoner.
October 18, 2020
Read only if you really really like the subject matter. Otherwise stay clear unless you somehow really enjoy over the top magic fantasy science-fiction with a very teenage edge lord chic.
June 17, 2021
Hola Amigos! Как всегда пройдемся по пунктам:
О чем:
Сеттинг Warhammer 40к.
Главный библиарий Кровавых Ангелов - Мефистон владеет безграничной силой, что грозит вырваться из под контроля. Дабы совладать с ней - Мефистон решает отыскать древний артефакт, что хранится на планете, отрезанной от Империума.
Повествование сосредоточено на достаточно молодом библиарии Антросе, который участвует в событиях и, как и читатель, абсолютно не понимает что вообще происходит.
Персонажи:
Нельзя сказать, что персонажи совсем не прописаны, но о глубине, раскрытии и продуманной личной или межличностной драме речи не идет, даже учитывая стандарты сеттинга.
По сути сюжет вращается вокруг трех библиариев ордена, а остальные персонажи - просто статисты.
Повествование:
Сюжет книги затянутый и скучный, по ходу повествования не происходит практически ничего интересного, а если что-то и происходит, то какая-то варповская наркомания (опять же, даже по меркам WH).
Парадоксально, что не смотря на скучный сюжет - читать текст все же интересно, ведь написан он весьма неплохо. По аналогии с фильмами - будто бы хороших режиссера и оператора заставили работать по сырому и слабому сценарию школьника с конкурса талантов для шестилетних. Но в литературе все эти роли находятся в голове автора и добротные слог и стиль написания не исправляют сюжетной несостоятельности.
Боевые сцены - невыразительные и часто сопряжены с очередной "наркоманией".
Юмора нет в принципе.
Мнение:
"Мефистон" вызывает ассоциации со средним фильмом или ТВ сериалом, который ты смотришь на даче или в гостиничном номере, потому что больше нечего - и тебе нормально. Но при этом ты можешь в любой момент прерваться и с легкостью забыть о нем навсегда.
Если и советовать кому-то книгу, то самым ярым фанатам Кровавых Ангелов или любителям сеттинга, читающим всё, что угодно с логотипом Warhammer.
В остальном же - безликое, слабое и несостоятельное произведение, которое нужно (именно нужно) пропускать и не тратить время.
Оценка 6/10.
Рейтинг "goodreads" - 3.5/5
Моя группа Вконтакте - https://vk.com/ashborndetv
О чем:
Сеттинг Warhammer 40к.
Главный библиарий Кровавых Ангелов - Мефистон владеет безграничной силой, что грозит вырваться из под контроля. Дабы совладать с ней - Мефистон решает отыскать древний артефакт, что хранится на планете, отрезанной от Империума.
Повествование сосредоточено на достаточно молодом библиарии Антросе, который участвует в событиях и, как и читатель, абсолютно не понимает что вообще происходит.
Персонажи:
Нельзя сказать, что персонажи совсем не прописаны, но о глубине, раскрытии и продуманной личной или межличностной драме речи не идет, даже учитывая стандарты сеттинга.
По сути сюжет вращается вокруг трех библиариев ордена, а остальные персонажи - просто статисты.
Повествование:
Сюжет книги затянутый и скучный, по ходу повествования не происходит практически ничего интересного, а если что-то и происходит, то какая-то варповская наркомания (опять же, даже по меркам WH).
Парадоксально, что не смотря на скучный сюжет - читать текст все же интересно, ведь написан он весьма неплохо. По аналогии с фильмами - будто бы хороших режиссера и оператора заставили работать по сырому и слабому сценарию школьника с конкурса талантов для шестилетних. Но в литературе все эти роли находятся в голове автора и добротные слог и стиль написания не исправляют сюжетной несостоятельности.
Боевые сцены - невыразительные и часто сопряжены с очередной "наркоманией".
Юмора нет в принципе.
Мнение:
"Мефистон" вызывает ассоциации со средним фильмом или ТВ сериалом, который ты смотришь на даче или в гостиничном номере, потому что больше нечего - и тебе нормально. Но при этом ты можешь в любой момент прерваться и с легкостью забыть о нем навсегда.
Если и советовать кому-то книгу, то самым ярым фанатам Кровавых Ангелов или любителям сеттинга, читающим всё, что угодно с логотипом Warhammer.
В остальном же - безликое, слабое и несостоятельное произведение, которое нужно (именно нужно) пропускать и не тратить время.
Оценка 6/10.
Рейтинг "goodreads" - 3.5/5
Моя группа Вконтакте - https://vk.com/ashborndetv
March 19, 2017
Mephiston is a fascinating character, and the opportunity to learn more about him is a tantalising one…which makes it strange that this novel should offer so little actual insight into him. Mephiston is a remote, almost idealised figure for much of the story, capable of terrifying feats of power but always several steps removed from the reader. There are glimpses of an intriguing vulnerability to him, and occasional moments of development, but we don’t get to really dig into what makes him tick.
As a simple, straight-up action story it works fine – well paced, with some imaginative set pieces and an enjoyable enough plot. It’s just a little disappointing that it plays so safe and tries so little to really expand upon what we already know.
Read the full review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/20...
As a simple, straight-up action story it works fine – well paced, with some imaginative set pieces and an enjoyable enough plot. It’s just a little disappointing that it plays so safe and tries so little to really expand upon what we already know.
Read the full review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/20...
January 29, 2022
This series is named after Mephiston yet he is not the main point of view character... WHY!
The book is nothing but a series of battles and none of the antagonists are more than generators of speedbumps for Mephiston and his blood-buddies to run over.
However it is rare to see psykers in the imperium being badasses and more than a reliability. In this story the librarians kick ass and almost all problems from transport to combat is done with their powers. There are also a certain goofiness that reminds me of earlier 40k that i enjoy.
The book is nothing but a series of battles and none of the antagonists are more than generators of speedbumps for Mephiston and his blood-buddies to run over.
However it is rare to see psykers in the imperium being badasses and more than a reliability. In this story the librarians kick ass and almost all problems from transport to combat is done with their powers. There are also a certain goofiness that reminds me of earlier 40k that i enjoy.
May 17, 2018
One of the 40k books I've enjoyed the most
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. For my taste it had everything. Reflection and moving characters a head . Good book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. For my taste it had everything. Reflection and moving characters a head . Good book.
April 6, 2020
As a big Blood Angels fan and wanting to know more about Mephiston as a character within the chapter I was a little disappointed at this one.
The book starts randomly in the middle of a ritual, with no introduction into what the aim of this ritual is or who the participants are? This didn't bode well for me as I believe a book should always start with a good plot introduction followed by strong character development. Unfortunately this was not the case and I was left confused and bewildered as to who these other librarians or lexicanums were?
The book does eventually develop and the story unravels into the usual Blood Angel vs Chaos cultist story line, however more could of been done. It ends strongly and leads onto the second book in the series quite well, I'm just not sure whether I am ready to read the next book and I'm still unsure as to who Mephiston is?
The book starts randomly in the middle of a ritual, with no introduction into what the aim of this ritual is or who the participants are? This didn't bode well for me as I believe a book should always start with a good plot introduction followed by strong character development. Unfortunately this was not the case and I was left confused and bewildered as to who these other librarians or lexicanums were?
The book does eventually develop and the story unravels into the usual Blood Angel vs Chaos cultist story line, however more could of been done. It ends strongly and leads onto the second book in the series quite well, I'm just not sure whether I am ready to read the next book and I'm still unsure as to who Mephiston is?
November 13, 2020
Darius is at his best writing a magnificent battle scene. If that's your thing, you'll be pleased with this book as most chapters have an epic one.
If you're already familiar with Mephiston, blood angels, Sanguinius, and Warhammer 40k lore, then this will be a good read for you. The author spends little time introducing these.
I, personally, did not find much to care about until the second half of the book.
If you're already familiar with Mephiston, blood angels, Sanguinius, and Warhammer 40k lore, then this will be a good read for you. The author spends little time introducing these.
I, personally, did not find much to care about until the second half of the book.
September 3, 2023
So bad it killed my Black Library binge.
If you put a Saturday morning cartoon and a Castlevania cartridge into a blender with some sick, ran the blender, then poured the contents onto a sheet of A1 and attempted to discern some sort of meaning from the disgusting patterns, you'd get much the same experience as reading this book.
Absolute dross out of five.
If you put a Saturday morning cartoon and a Castlevania cartridge into a blender with some sick, ran the blender, then poured the contents onto a sheet of A1 and attempted to discern some sort of meaning from the disgusting patterns, you'd get much the same experience as reading this book.
Absolute dross out of five.
March 29, 2025
This first in a trilogy of books about Mephiston of the Blood Angels, sees him hunting down a relic - The Blade of Petrific - which was once touched by the Hand of The Emperor Himself... (lots of capitalisation there).
The Blade is held on Divinatus Prime but it has gone 'missing' and Mephiston is the only one capable of travelling through the Warp to get to it. Fortunately, he can bring an honour guard of his fellow Blood Angels and some other Librarians.
As you may expect from a Warhammer 40k novel, this has lots of shooting, and just general 'Grim Darkness'... there is death here. There is also a lot of background knowledge assumed - unlike Dominion - this is not intended as an introductory book to the Warhammer 40k universe - or even the Blood Angels.
And that is fine, different books can have different aims and in this book Hinks shows the power, knowledge and skills of Mephiston to the 'max'. It's a great book for this, and if you already like Blood Angels and Mephiston in particular then this is definitely one for you. It also means I can happily move Hinks off my 'naughty' shelf and read some more of this novels.
My grade for the book is probably slightly biased by it including Blood Angels, and it's probably only 3 stars if you don't like the Chapter... but that's the joy of Black Library releasing so many books - there's definitely something for everyone.
The Blade is held on Divinatus Prime but it has gone 'missing' and Mephiston is the only one capable of travelling through the Warp to get to it. Fortunately, he can bring an honour guard of his fellow Blood Angels and some other Librarians.
As you may expect from a Warhammer 40k novel, this has lots of shooting, and just general 'Grim Darkness'... there is death here. There is also a lot of background knowledge assumed - unlike Dominion - this is not intended as an introductory book to the Warhammer 40k universe - or even the Blood Angels.
And that is fine, different books can have different aims and in this book Hinks shows the power, knowledge and skills of Mephiston to the 'max'. It's a great book for this, and if you already like Blood Angels and Mephiston in particular then this is definitely one for you. It also means I can happily move Hinks off my 'naughty' shelf and read some more of this novels.
My grade for the book is probably slightly biased by it including Blood Angels, and it's probably only 3 stars if you don't like the Chapter... but that's the joy of Black Library releasing so many books - there's definitely something for everyone.
August 29, 2025
Honestly, if it wasn’t for me being a Blood Angels player, I would have been quite disappointed in this. The narrative is a bit all over the place and feels quite disjointed. However, the lore side , as well as the way the battles etc are portrayed, makes it intriguing and kept me going with it.
October 3, 2025
2.5 I guess? This was the author's first dip into 40K if I rememeber correctly, so I can give a little bit of a pass. But man, something about reading from the perspective of a fanboy Space Marine who can't stop talking about how cool Mephiston is feels a bit silly.
April 15, 2018
Always fun to read about the Blood Angels chapter. This was an easy read- average story.
February 7, 2020
Maybe 3.75 stars. Some good overall plot development, but it was a bit slow in parts. The characters weren't overly exciting, but I do like where the story arc is headed.
January 7, 2021
Really enjoyed this. Always been a favorite character of mine in the 40k universe
February 5, 2021
Not a bad story. There is alot of action and it moves along at a good pace.
April 29, 2021
Mephiston is a awesome character. Im glad he had a book. But this was “okay” at best. Not mad i read it. Two more books left in the current serious by the same author. I hope it gets better.
March 20, 2022
Bit dry in places must admit. But does have its merits in showing the character as well as a newer Librarians development.
May 19, 2022
I found this one of the least engaging of the Warhammer 40k books I have been reading. Not terrible but a bit meh. Neither the plot nor the characters engaged me enough.
September 9, 2023
Confessor Zyn was hilarious, I was listening to the audio edition of the book and the way he was portrayed was fantastic.
October 14, 2023
Struggled to finish, did not enjoy the audiobook narrator and I found the story uninspired
January 19, 2024
Well written, good intro to librarians.
July 2, 2025
the angel
This book in one word is absolutely amazing Mephiston is a interesting character and this book show you how powerful he really is
This book in one word is absolutely amazing Mephiston is a interesting character and this book show you how powerful he really is
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews