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Imperial Guard
Shadowsword
Arriving in the Geratomro warzone, Honoured Lieutenant Bannick and the crew of the Baneblade Cortein’s Honour are assigned as close support to a company of Shadowsword Titan hunters as they find themselves thrust into a deadly battle for the fate of three star systems. New and deadly allies throw into doubt all that Bannick has been told of the Imperium, while threatening not only his life, but also his soul...
Read it because
Guy Haley returns to tank action in a new tale of Honoured Lieutenant Bannick and his crew, weaving a tight and twisty tale as they face not only cunning enemies, but their own doubts about mankinds place in the galaxy.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2016
37 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Guy Haley
288 books718 followersGuy 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.
When not writing, he'll be out doing something dangerous in the wild, learning languages or gaming.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 21, 2016
Halt the tank, and thank the machine-spirit for its indulgence.
Let first the primary safety catch be released, and praise given unto the Omnissiah, who is the lord of the light of knowledge.
Let the engine main switch be disengaged from its alpha setting, thus freeing it from the sacred duties of the motive unit that propels the armoured servant of the Emperor and Omnissiah into battle. Give praise to Mars, and the majesty thereof.
Let the engine main switch be engaged with the beta setting. All glory to the domains of Mars, which protecteth the wisdom of the past.
Let the engine be activated, so that its might may be harnessed by the most holy dynamo, and so call forth the motive force unto the shell of the tank, and catch it gently within the capacitors.
Sing the praises of the motive force, so that it might quickly fill the energy reservoir.
Ensure capacitor charge is at the one hundredth of one hundred per cent.
Bless the refractor array.
Petition the ranging unit for a truthful refraction index.
Set refraction index.
Sing the praises of the motive force made light, the photonic sword of the Omnissiah.
Fire
What an awesome excerpt from the 'The Prayer of the Volcano Cannon, from an Adeptus Mechanicus primer for the novice enginseer'. That should give you a glimpse of greatness to come.
I do like Guy Haley writing style. I do like his prose, his quotes, excerpts, proverbs, dialogs, monologs, human/machine/xenos interaction etc.
And I do think he is a great author, with a really large portfolio to his name. Sometimes his book are actually simply good stories, sometimes they are awesome plot narratives, sometimes they are let's say controversial (like Pharos — who has a lot of likers an haters (especially NL fans who doesn't like the beating they took).
But in the end, Guy Haley are a high caliber author. Seeing his name on the cover you automatically know it would be at least good, but probably amazing. After all he has a long list of written stories for Black Library (especially he is famous for his Black Templars stuff in W40K — cause he has totally done them justice) and outside it, with sometimes unique, rare but popular sci-fi settings of Dreaming Cities trilogy, great catastrophe book Crash and fun and exciting Richards & Klein investigations series. And much more...
So then you getting a new book from him, it is always a joy to be had. Especially if it's a continuation to his story of a tank crew in a time of a glories and unbegotting Macharian crusade.
Shadowsword is a novel that follow up in steps of its precursor Baneblade and follows the super heavy detachment of Paragonian 7th Company, under the command of Captain Hannick with the main protagonist - Honoured Lieutenant Marken Cortein Lo Bannick.
Via his eyes and emotions of his crew we are getting the view of the tankers world and it's longevity.
Baneblade was the first Guy Haley 'tank' novel and a thoroughly enjoyable read. It was a mix of grimdark 40k madness with a more traditional sci-fi approach for which author is famous. Of course, it wasn't flawless and had it's problems with pacing, especially in the middle.
Some suplots were missed in the end. And orcs (main enemy) got away 'easy' after what they done. Novel was good as a debut and is still a fun read for W40K fan and non fan alike. Some of the 'issues' did migrate into the next installment, but all in all it is much improved.
I would suggest to read Baneblade before the Shadowsword cause it will explain some quotes and depiction in the second novel.
But, as it stands — author, as usual with him, has created a good narrative that could be read as a standalone, without any previous knowledge. But it's much better to get to the second book then you will indeed finish the first.
Narrative. So, Guy Haley returns to tank action in a new tale of Honoured Lieutenant Bannick and his crew, weaving a tight and twisty tale as they face not only cunning enemies, but their own doubts about mankinds place in the galaxy, — at least so the synopsis says.
But what we got eventually is much, much more. As the plot goes the crew of the Baneblade Cortein's Honour are attached to a honorable 'company' of a big and nasty Shadowsword super heavy tank. And thrown into a battle for the fate of entire star systems...
Arriving in the Geratomro warzone, Honoured Lieutenant Bannick and the crew of the Baneblade Cortein’s Honour are assigned as close support to a company of Shadowsword Titan hunters as they find themselves thrust into a deadly battle for the fate of three star systems during Macharian crusade. That is a period of late crusade, then further push of Macharius armies need additional manpower and he start mobilizing leftovers from the conquered planets.
The enemy, at least at the start are actually quite 'human' — and you do believe in their sincerity and reasons behind their rebellion. Departamento Munitorum can do that to you — everyone knows that. But Departamento Munitorum clerks officially approved by the Warmaster himself - they could do worse and you can't decline their demands. Or… you will be label traitoris and purged with all the prejudices for which W40K is so famous for :)
The Geratomro rebelled and to quell the uprising the major show of force was sent, including yours Honoured Lieutenant Bannick.
Style,characters. As always with Guy Haley, who is known for his detailed lists and chronological order of things, we got a lot of 'lists' of army groups/units attached with some chapters. E.g. "Battlegroup Geratomro, Additional assets Adeptus Mechanicus (Mechanicus Militarum assets only, see sheet #992 re. Adeptus Mechanicus support elements). Non-Astra Militarum ground assets, Geratomro campaign, 398.M41". Which provides additional, more epic and global view to the story and take place of excerpts, cause it's really hard to get a lot of good quotes and proverbs associated with big superheavy tanks and 'cheefrul' crew who drive them.
A life of a tanker is short and volatile and author was able to show it in all it's horror and all it's quick minding glory. Novel totally improved on it's precursor Baneblade in all points.
Someone will call me a heretek, but in all the previous years I thought the best 'everything tank related' battle stuff in W40K was written by Dan Abnett in his uberly popular Gaunt Ghosts series (especially novels with 'tankers flavour' Necropolis, Honour Guard, Sabbat Martyr).
But now it has a competitor. Because Shadowsword is a really good novel about everything tanks related. Technics, power, stratagems, crew life etc. Small talks, jokes, relaxation brakes after a 'job well done' — author gets them truly well and creates a consistent story and not simply another bolter porn book...
That goes into even more details then new and deadly allies of the rebels arrive to 'help' the narrative and totally change the 'walk in park' for the tank crews, which they had at the first half of a novel. With each new chapter the story roll from decent into a good and later amazing stuff.
Again, as always with Haley, what goes further is not just a 'tanker' war story of overcoming all odds but also a story of deception, failure and heresy. It provides a really good point of view into the story of human ambitions, fears and dreams. And where, if unnatended, it will all lead.
Everything human related Haley does amazingly! To be honest — he does human characters much better than the SMs. In that he is absolutely like mister Abnett, whose 'human' characters were always more plausible than his superhumans.
So, his protagonists as also his antagonists and their 'way' in the story, - is what actually creates a believable and truly interesting narrative. Bannick himself, eternal Hannick and not human and at the same time truly human Brasslock, Heir the Second Dostain, dreary Pollein and 'eternal Dib' — they what makes this story great! Guy Haley was able to make even a daemon truly likeable.
Which is cool to read — cause with each new chapter it's became more of a pageturner.
Especially I like, how Haley always use folklore and tales from different earth cultures in his W40K novels. This time we got amazing Devil-in-the-bush, guys from US, UK and Australia definitely should know from what 'tale' it did arrived.
I’ll give you a choice, said the Devil-in-the-bush,
A choice between night and day.
I’ll give you a puzzle, said the Devil-in-the-bush,
A game you must assuredly play.
Choose life, choose love,
Choose the sun or the moon,
Choose from what I might give.
Choose to be a king,
Or choose to be wise,
Simply choose, or you shall not live...
Also the characters have great depths, which made me think that author did a lot of investigation and work on armor, battle tanks and their history, tank crew life and place in the global scope of things, prior to the book.
Cons. Novel has some cons — actually they are simply inherited from the Baneblade. It had it's problems with pacing, especially in the middle. There are some chapters that feels totally unnessesary while others are too short.
Anothe small con of that novels are the Black Templar characters, who were presented early and played 'small' part in the story later on. It's like with the Baneblade all over again — then some sub-plots are simply left behind.
Also, I still need an answer from Matt Ward or someone from the editing team to explain me ' story lore choices' which applies for Astra Militarum. For example knowledge about 'Horus' throw into doubt all that Bannick has been told of the Imperium, while threatening not only his life, but also his soul and half of his crew then they met CSM. But at the same time they did know about Horus death at the Emperors hand and that there is CHAOS — simple tankers, not commissars or officers. In different novels it's totally vise versa.
This kind of inconsistencies totally rue the story sometimes.
But all that doesn't stop you from enjoying this beautiful novel.
Resolution. As resolution in true Guy Haley fashion, it’s more than just action set pieces, and has as much character depth and development as it does fantastic combat.
Once again Haley proves himself as an author who can take 40k and make it more than bolter-porn. The action is top notch, and not typical SM 40k fare, as it’s a book about tankers. Stories about soldiers are always great reading but their is something special about the stories that involve soldiers and their vehicles... Even though they may be inanimate objects, the bond between master and steed is cultural pin that has pervaded the human psyche even after the horse become relegated to the sidelines of civilization. The vehicle becomes as much a character as the people inside of it.
Superheavies in this novel feels like a true living things, through the eyes of their crewmen and other 'humans'. And I think that's the best praise to exemplify the amaziness of this book.
All in all Haley's new novel totally deserve 4,5 out of 5 stars!
Sing the praises of the motive force made light, the photonic sword of the Omnissiah… Fire!
Let first the primary safety catch be released, and praise given unto the Omnissiah, who is the lord of the light of knowledge.
Let the engine main switch be disengaged from its alpha setting, thus freeing it from the sacred duties of the motive unit that propels the armoured servant of the Emperor and Omnissiah into battle. Give praise to Mars, and the majesty thereof.
Let the engine main switch be engaged with the beta setting. All glory to the domains of Mars, which protecteth the wisdom of the past.
Let the engine be activated, so that its might may be harnessed by the most holy dynamo, and so call forth the motive force unto the shell of the tank, and catch it gently within the capacitors.
Sing the praises of the motive force, so that it might quickly fill the energy reservoir.
Ensure capacitor charge is at the one hundredth of one hundred per cent.
Bless the refractor array.
Petition the ranging unit for a truthful refraction index.
Set refraction index.
Sing the praises of the motive force made light, the photonic sword of the Omnissiah.
Fire
What an awesome excerpt from the 'The Prayer of the Volcano Cannon, from an Adeptus Mechanicus primer for the novice enginseer'. That should give you a glimpse of greatness to come.
I do like Guy Haley writing style. I do like his prose, his quotes, excerpts, proverbs, dialogs, monologs, human/machine/xenos interaction etc.
And I do think he is a great author, with a really large portfolio to his name. Sometimes his book are actually simply good stories, sometimes they are awesome plot narratives, sometimes they are let's say controversial (like Pharos — who has a lot of likers an haters (especially NL fans who doesn't like the beating they took).
But in the end, Guy Haley are a high caliber author. Seeing his name on the cover you automatically know it would be at least good, but probably amazing. After all he has a long list of written stories for Black Library (especially he is famous for his Black Templars stuff in W40K — cause he has totally done them justice) and outside it, with sometimes unique, rare but popular sci-fi settings of Dreaming Cities trilogy, great catastrophe book Crash and fun and exciting Richards & Klein investigations series. And much more...
So then you getting a new book from him, it is always a joy to be had. Especially if it's a continuation to his story of a tank crew in a time of a glories and unbegotting Macharian crusade.
Shadowsword is a novel that follow up in steps of its precursor Baneblade and follows the super heavy detachment of Paragonian 7th Company, under the command of Captain Hannick with the main protagonist - Honoured Lieutenant Marken Cortein Lo Bannick.
Via his eyes and emotions of his crew we are getting the view of the tankers world and it's longevity.
Baneblade was the first Guy Haley 'tank' novel and a thoroughly enjoyable read. It was a mix of grimdark 40k madness with a more traditional sci-fi approach for which author is famous. Of course, it wasn't flawless and had it's problems with pacing, especially in the middle.
Some suplots were missed in the end. And orcs (main enemy) got away 'easy' after what they done. Novel was good as a debut and is still a fun read for W40K fan and non fan alike. Some of the 'issues' did migrate into the next installment, but all in all it is much improved.
I would suggest to read Baneblade before the Shadowsword cause it will explain some quotes and depiction in the second novel.
But, as it stands — author, as usual with him, has created a good narrative that could be read as a standalone, without any previous knowledge. But it's much better to get to the second book then you will indeed finish the first.
Narrative. So, Guy Haley returns to tank action in a new tale of Honoured Lieutenant Bannick and his crew, weaving a tight and twisty tale as they face not only cunning enemies, but their own doubts about mankinds place in the galaxy, — at least so the synopsis says.
But what we got eventually is much, much more. As the plot goes the crew of the Baneblade Cortein's Honour are attached to a honorable 'company' of a big and nasty Shadowsword super heavy tank. And thrown into a battle for the fate of entire star systems...
Arriving in the Geratomro warzone, Honoured Lieutenant Bannick and the crew of the Baneblade Cortein’s Honour are assigned as close support to a company of Shadowsword Titan hunters as they find themselves thrust into a deadly battle for the fate of three star systems during Macharian crusade. That is a period of late crusade, then further push of Macharius armies need additional manpower and he start mobilizing leftovers from the conquered planets.
The enemy, at least at the start are actually quite 'human' — and you do believe in their sincerity and reasons behind their rebellion. Departamento Munitorum can do that to you — everyone knows that. But Departamento Munitorum clerks officially approved by the Warmaster himself - they could do worse and you can't decline their demands. Or… you will be label traitoris and purged with all the prejudices for which W40K is so famous for :)
The Geratomro rebelled and to quell the uprising the major show of force was sent, including yours Honoured Lieutenant Bannick.
Style,characters. As always with Guy Haley, who is known for his detailed lists and chronological order of things, we got a lot of 'lists' of army groups/units attached with some chapters. E.g. "Battlegroup Geratomro, Additional assets Adeptus Mechanicus (Mechanicus Militarum assets only, see sheet #992 re. Adeptus Mechanicus support elements). Non-Astra Militarum ground assets, Geratomro campaign, 398.M41". Which provides additional, more epic and global view to the story and take place of excerpts, cause it's really hard to get a lot of good quotes and proverbs associated with big superheavy tanks and 'cheefrul' crew who drive them.
A life of a tanker is short and volatile and author was able to show it in all it's horror and all it's quick minding glory. Novel totally improved on it's precursor Baneblade in all points.
Someone will call me a heretek, but in all the previous years I thought the best 'everything tank related' battle stuff in W40K was written by Dan Abnett in his uberly popular Gaunt Ghosts series (especially novels with 'tankers flavour' Necropolis, Honour Guard, Sabbat Martyr).
But now it has a competitor. Because Shadowsword is a really good novel about everything tanks related. Technics, power, stratagems, crew life etc. Small talks, jokes, relaxation brakes after a 'job well done' — author gets them truly well and creates a consistent story and not simply another bolter porn book...
That goes into even more details then new and deadly allies of the rebels arrive to 'help' the narrative and totally change the 'walk in park' for the tank crews, which they had at the first half of a novel. With each new chapter the story roll from decent into a good and later amazing stuff.
Again, as always with Haley, what goes further is not just a 'tanker' war story of overcoming all odds but also a story of deception, failure and heresy. It provides a really good point of view into the story of human ambitions, fears and dreams. And where, if unnatended, it will all lead.
Everything human related Haley does amazingly! To be honest — he does human characters much better than the SMs. In that he is absolutely like mister Abnett, whose 'human' characters were always more plausible than his superhumans.
So, his protagonists as also his antagonists and their 'way' in the story, - is what actually creates a believable and truly interesting narrative. Bannick himself, eternal Hannick and not human and at the same time truly human Brasslock, Heir the Second Dostain, dreary Pollein and 'eternal Dib' — they what makes this story great! Guy Haley was able to make even a daemon truly likeable.
Which is cool to read — cause with each new chapter it's became more of a pageturner.
Especially I like, how Haley always use folklore and tales from different earth cultures in his W40K novels. This time we got amazing Devil-in-the-bush, guys from US, UK and Australia definitely should know from what 'tale' it did arrived.
I’ll give you a choice, said the Devil-in-the-bush,
A choice between night and day.
I’ll give you a puzzle, said the Devil-in-the-bush,
A game you must assuredly play.
Choose life, choose love,
Choose the sun or the moon,
Choose from what I might give.
Choose to be a king,
Or choose to be wise,
Simply choose, or you shall not live...
Also the characters have great depths, which made me think that author did a lot of investigation and work on armor, battle tanks and their history, tank crew life and place in the global scope of things, prior to the book.
Cons. Novel has some cons — actually they are simply inherited from the Baneblade. It had it's problems with pacing, especially in the middle. There are some chapters that feels totally unnessesary while others are too short.
Anothe small con of that novels are the Black Templar characters, who were presented early and played 'small' part in the story later on. It's like with the Baneblade all over again — then some sub-plots are simply left behind.
Also, I still need an answer from Matt Ward or someone from the editing team to explain me ' story lore choices' which applies for Astra Militarum. For example knowledge about 'Horus' throw into doubt all that Bannick has been told of the Imperium, while threatening not only his life, but also his soul and half of his crew then they met CSM. But at the same time they did know about Horus death at the Emperors hand and that there is CHAOS — simple tankers, not commissars or officers. In different novels it's totally vise versa.
This kind of inconsistencies totally rue the story sometimes.
But all that doesn't stop you from enjoying this beautiful novel.
Resolution. As resolution in true Guy Haley fashion, it’s more than just action set pieces, and has as much character depth and development as it does fantastic combat.
Once again Haley proves himself as an author who can take 40k and make it more than bolter-porn. The action is top notch, and not typical SM 40k fare, as it’s a book about tankers. Stories about soldiers are always great reading but their is something special about the stories that involve soldiers and their vehicles... Even though they may be inanimate objects, the bond between master and steed is cultural pin that has pervaded the human psyche even after the horse become relegated to the sidelines of civilization. The vehicle becomes as much a character as the people inside of it.
Superheavies in this novel feels like a true living things, through the eyes of their crewmen and other 'humans'. And I think that's the best praise to exemplify the amaziness of this book.
All in all Haley's new novel totally deserve 4,5 out of 5 stars!
Sing the praises of the motive force made light, the photonic sword of the Omnissiah… Fire!
October 15, 2017
Warhammer? Keine Ahnung, mal gehört. Weshalb ich trotzdem ein Buch aus diesem Universum gelesen habe? Ganz einfach: wegen des Covers!
Ja, ich habe ein Faible für Panzer. Ob grosse, kräftige oder kleine, putzige - diese Fahrzeuge faszinieren mich ungemein. Natürlich springe ich da auf ein Cover an, das einen Panzer in vollem Einsatz zeigt. Rückentext kurz überflogen: auch inhaltlich geht es um Panzer! Gekauft!
„Shadowsword: Titanenjäger“ ist Teil einer Reihe, man kann den Band aber auch so lesen. Zumindest habe ich das getan. Es gibt einige Rückblenden, deren Hintergrund man nicht kennt, aber für den Zusammenhang im Grossen sind sie klar genug.
Natürlich kenne ich mich auch in dem Universum nicht wirklich aus und konnte mir auch oft nicht merken, wer wer ist, aber das war mir egal. Bereits der Prolog begeisterte mich. Und auch wenn ich im Verlaufe der Geschichte Mühe hatte, die vielen Figuren zu unterscheiden, so kümmerte mich das nicht. Denn für mich waren die Panzer die eigentlichen Hauptfiguren.
In dieser Welt haben die Panzer sowas wie einen eigenen Geist, der auch angebetet wird. Eine ganze Religion ist um diese speziellen Geräte entstanden, mit eigenen Priestern. An einer Stelle hiess es, der Panzer leide daran, dass sie eine Schlacht verloren hätte, sei deswegen depressiv und nicht einsatzfähig.
Als Leser muss man schon eine Vorliebe für diese Sci-Fi-Welt und die kriegerische Handlung haben. Denn in der Geschichte zieht die Mannschaft von einem Auftrag zum nächsten. Zwar gibt es einen groben Handlungsbogen, aber da wir Hauptsächlich bei der Lux Imperior mitreisen, erleben wir als Leser eben die Schlachten, die gekämpft werden.
Dieses Buch war für mich mal etwas ganz Anderes, etwas Neues und bisher Unbekanntes. Nur schon deswegen hatte ich beim Lesen meinen Spass. Mal sehen, wann mir das nächste Buch mit Panzer-Cover in die Hände fallen wird!
Ja, ich habe ein Faible für Panzer. Ob grosse, kräftige oder kleine, putzige - diese Fahrzeuge faszinieren mich ungemein. Natürlich springe ich da auf ein Cover an, das einen Panzer in vollem Einsatz zeigt. Rückentext kurz überflogen: auch inhaltlich geht es um Panzer! Gekauft!
„Shadowsword: Titanenjäger“ ist Teil einer Reihe, man kann den Band aber auch so lesen. Zumindest habe ich das getan. Es gibt einige Rückblenden, deren Hintergrund man nicht kennt, aber für den Zusammenhang im Grossen sind sie klar genug.
Natürlich kenne ich mich auch in dem Universum nicht wirklich aus und konnte mir auch oft nicht merken, wer wer ist, aber das war mir egal. Bereits der Prolog begeisterte mich. Und auch wenn ich im Verlaufe der Geschichte Mühe hatte, die vielen Figuren zu unterscheiden, so kümmerte mich das nicht. Denn für mich waren die Panzer die eigentlichen Hauptfiguren.
In dieser Welt haben die Panzer sowas wie einen eigenen Geist, der auch angebetet wird. Eine ganze Religion ist um diese speziellen Geräte entstanden, mit eigenen Priestern. An einer Stelle hiess es, der Panzer leide daran, dass sie eine Schlacht verloren hätte, sei deswegen depressiv und nicht einsatzfähig.
Als Leser muss man schon eine Vorliebe für diese Sci-Fi-Welt und die kriegerische Handlung haben. Denn in der Geschichte zieht die Mannschaft von einem Auftrag zum nächsten. Zwar gibt es einen groben Handlungsbogen, aber da wir Hauptsächlich bei der Lux Imperior mitreisen, erleben wir als Leser eben die Schlachten, die gekämpft werden.
Dieses Buch war für mich mal etwas ganz Anderes, etwas Neues und bisher Unbekanntes. Nur schon deswegen hatte ich beim Lesen meinen Spass. Mal sehen, wann mir das nächste Buch mit Panzer-Cover in die Hände fallen wird!
May 27, 2025
Guy steps it up in the 2nd book with a more desperate and fast paced battle against rebels and chaos forces alike, really showing how unequipped the guard is to deal with these forces.
May 22, 2019
"To protect the line of Magor, so we swear.
To be the guardians of Geratomro, so we swear.
To forbear no enemy to live, so we swear.
To hold the Emperor dearer than life, so we swear."
Now, it's really funny that, on first seeing the Russian edition of this book, I didn't want to read it - because, dammit, it's about some huge-scale tank battle in the fictional version of an unbelievably far future! Well, after some hesitation of that kind, I did indeed buy the novel - it was WH40K first and foremost, and I was just beginning to venture into the setting's depths, a tad unable yet to tell those Iron Hands from Black Templars (yeah, can you believe it?..)
- and then... It's been for me one of the most-liked Black Library stories ever since.
Okay, so there is quite a lot of tank warfare action (the title isn't misleading in this regard); and almost every Astra Militarum character is a great example of what I so admire about Warhammer - especially, the primitive-worlder Gollph with his ingrained sense of honour and comradeship, who easily finds himself at home among the crew of one of the Imperium's mightiest battle machines. However, it's not all just about war, and certain... instances are definitely not for the squeamish or faint-hearted, as the guests from one pretty exuberant Renegade Legion get their time to shine...
But, surprisingly or not, my personal favourite part of the book was the complete story arc of the young Dostain, ambitious but rather naive 'Heir the Second' to the lofty post of Planetary Governor - your typical, over-privileged specimen of the Imperium's high echelons. As far as I know, there's not much along these lines in Warhammer books overall, but here the story even leans towards romantic, of sorts. Because this Dostain is hopelessly in love with another representative of the large family - a girl who is And even though in desperately trying to win over his distant, scornful beloved, Dostain effectively becomes responsible for the horrible things destroying his homeworld, at the end he does find inner strength to stand his ground against Geratomro's new masters - if only for just a moment...
After all, as the nicely-woven short Geratomran parable goes, it's always about the choice. So, no matter what, one's got to make the right one!
P.S. Curiously, this is my sixth review on Goodreads. How very fitting...
To be the guardians of Geratomro, so we swear.
To forbear no enemy to live, so we swear.
To hold the Emperor dearer than life, so we swear."
Now, it's really funny that, on first seeing the Russian edition of this book, I didn't want to read it - because, dammit, it's about some huge-scale tank battle in the fictional version of an unbelievably far future! Well, after some hesitation of that kind, I did indeed buy the novel - it was WH40K first and foremost, and I was just beginning to venture into the setting's depths, a tad unable yet to tell those Iron Hands from Black Templars (yeah, can you believe it?..)
- and then... It's been for me one of the most-liked Black Library stories ever since.
Okay, so there is quite a lot of tank warfare action (the title isn't misleading in this regard); and almost every Astra Militarum character is a great example of what I so admire about Warhammer - especially, the primitive-worlder Gollph with his ingrained sense of honour and comradeship, who easily finds himself at home among the crew of one of the Imperium's mightiest battle machines. However, it's not all just about war, and certain... instances are definitely not for the squeamish or faint-hearted, as the guests from one pretty exuberant Renegade Legion get their time to shine...
But, surprisingly or not, my personal favourite part of the book was the complete story arc of the young Dostain, ambitious but rather naive 'Heir the Second' to the lofty post of Planetary Governor - your typical, over-privileged specimen of the Imperium's high echelons. As far as I know, there's not much along these lines in Warhammer books overall, but here the story even leans towards romantic, of sorts. Because this Dostain is hopelessly in love with another representative of the large family - a girl who is And even though in desperately trying to win over his distant, scornful beloved, Dostain effectively becomes responsible for the horrible things destroying his homeworld, at the end he does find inner strength to stand his ground against Geratomro's new masters - if only for just a moment...
After all, as the nicely-woven short Geratomran parable goes, it's always about the choice. So, no matter what, one's got to make the right one!
P.S. Curiously, this is my sixth review on Goodreads. How very fitting...
April 22, 2019
Easily one of the better written Warhammer 40K books i have enjoyed to date.
For the story picks up with Bannick and company from the Baneblade book, continuing their tank battles and struggles. However this time they are forced to fight an army trying to break away from the grip of the Imperium and it is grim dark indeed.
The book better shows the institutionalized cold and brutality of the Imperium from the point of view of the Astra Militarum and somehow manages to make a Black Templar come across as more sane, compassionate and less zealous than a Commisar...
I really enjoyed this book for it showed a side of war and the Imperium rarely shown in W40K. Also, big tank wars? Who dosnt love that.
For the story picks up with Bannick and company from the Baneblade book, continuing their tank battles and struggles. However this time they are forced to fight an army trying to break away from the grip of the Imperium and it is grim dark indeed.
The book better shows the institutionalized cold and brutality of the Imperium from the point of view of the Astra Militarum and somehow manages to make a Black Templar come across as more sane, compassionate and less zealous than a Commisar...
I really enjoyed this book for it showed a side of war and the Imperium rarely shown in W40K. Also, big tank wars? Who dosnt love that.
July 8, 2018
4/5. Damn alright.
December 27, 2016
Bookworm Speaks!
Warhammer 40,000
Shadowsword
by Guy Haley
*****
Acquired: Barnes and Nobel Booksellers
Series: Astra Militarum
Publisher: Games Workshop (October 25, 2016)
Hardcover: 304 Pages
Language: English
*****
WARNING!!! This Review may contain SPOILERS!!!
*****
The Story:
Superheavy battle tanks go to war in this explosive action-thriller.
Arriving in the Geratomro warzone, Honoured-Lieutenant Bannick and the crew of the Baneblade Cortein’s Honour are assigned as close support to a company of Shadowsword Titan-hunters as they find themselves thrust into a deadly battle for the fate of three star systems. New and deadly allies throw into doubt all that Bannick has been told of the Imperium, threatening not only his life, but also his soul…
****
The Review: A sequel to the novel Baneblade also by Guy Haley, once again takes the readers into the mechanical bowels of one of the Imperium’s innumerable tanks commanded by Lo Bannick and his crew who make their return from the previous volume.
One of the best aspects of the text is the descent of one of the POV characters into heresy. The word heresy is so prevalent in volumes of the Black Library, that it could be used as a drinking game. The consequence of this, though, is the over saturation of the term to the point where it loses meaning. Heretics are just the bad guys, the dragons for the hero to slay.
The character of Dostain, one of the monarchs of Geratomro was a pleasant surprise. He adds a touch of humanity to the whole ‘corruption’ business. We rarely see the heretics before they actually become heretics. His descent into darkness feels very authentic and while reading it, Bookworm finds himself saying, “Don’t do it Dostain! It’s a trap!” What it also does is really enforce the insidiousness of the Warp and why the Imperium has such an iron fisted, zero tolerance approach to the whole business. It so much subtler than we expect and in a way is relatable to ‘corruption’ in the real world. A little here and a little there, but it can doom worlds in the 41st Millennium and as a result: the scorched earth policy against it.
This book works because it incorporates several elements of the Warhammer 40K Universe that to Bookworm are the best things about the universe.
One of the best facets of the entire Warhammer 40k is how it is such a visceral, graphic universe with metaphors and adjectives piled upon one another to such an extent that in any other universe would seem positively ludicrous, being so over-the-top. In Warhammer it all seems to fit together, vis a vis the world the Geratomro just oozes with such character. The manner of which the nobles are described i.e. Dostains family is just saturated with detail and character without ever venturing too far into exposition or plot dumps. This world is allowed to grow and blossom right before our eyes in a way that feels authentic even though the setting is so fantastical. Furthering the author’s skill with world building is the diverse range of emotion that the writing conjures. Disgust is particularly strong with the Geratomro royal family but awe, dread, excitement, and even drama are all crafted around the reader.
The alternate facet is Bannick and his crew. Bookworm has stated multiple times that for all its melodrama, Warhammer 40k is one of the most human franchises he has ever encountered. As much fun as the Space Marines are, it always fun to see normal humans face down the terrible foes of the Imperium of Man. There are merely people trying to get the mission done and they retain this mindset throughout the book even as more ominous events start to take shape around them. Speaking of Space Marines…one of Bookworm’s favorite events takes place in this volume: Space Marines and Mortals, particularly the Black Templar Adelard and the crew of the Baneblade. It is constantly referenced that Space Marines are trans-human and differ in several fundamental levels from normal humans and as a result, mostly look down upon them. In this case Brother Adelard regards Lo Bannick as an equal and critical to the success of the mission. It’s actually rather touching despite the serious circumstances. It touches upon the common humanity that makes Warhammer 40k so compelling.
If there is any flaws to be had with this tome, one of them would be that it may be a bit excessive, even for Warhammer. Simply put: the story never stops. It grabs the reader by the collar and drags them full speed ahead right to the end. The reader rarely gets time to breathe during the whole escapade. The POV chapters, thankfully, never get too excessive but they go by at nearly hyper speed as the book nears it’s climax.
Some lines of dialogue may make some readers roll their eyes, but histrionic speech is part and parcel of the grim darkness of the far future so most readers of this franchise will learn to expect such writing.
Needless to say, this is not the best place for Neophytes to begin their saga in the Imperium of Man, it is a lot to take in one sitting.
Final Verdict: Shadowsword is a worthy addition to the Black Libraries shelves. While all Black Library tomes are well written as a general rule, Shadowsword stands out as one of the best crafted that Bookworm has encountered in quite some time. It is easy to see why Guy Haley is among the Chapter Masters of the Black Library
Four Shadowswords out of Five
thecultureworm.blogspot.com
Warhammer 40,000
Shadowsword
by Guy Haley
*****
Acquired: Barnes and Nobel Booksellers
Series: Astra Militarum
Publisher: Games Workshop (October 25, 2016)
Hardcover: 304 Pages
Language: English
*****
WARNING!!! This Review may contain SPOILERS!!!
*****
The Story:
Superheavy battle tanks go to war in this explosive action-thriller.
Arriving in the Geratomro warzone, Honoured-Lieutenant Bannick and the crew of the Baneblade Cortein’s Honour are assigned as close support to a company of Shadowsword Titan-hunters as they find themselves thrust into a deadly battle for the fate of three star systems. New and deadly allies throw into doubt all that Bannick has been told of the Imperium, threatening not only his life, but also his soul…
****
The Review: A sequel to the novel Baneblade also by Guy Haley, once again takes the readers into the mechanical bowels of one of the Imperium’s innumerable tanks commanded by Lo Bannick and his crew who make their return from the previous volume.
One of the best aspects of the text is the descent of one of the POV characters into heresy. The word heresy is so prevalent in volumes of the Black Library, that it could be used as a drinking game. The consequence of this, though, is the over saturation of the term to the point where it loses meaning. Heretics are just the bad guys, the dragons for the hero to slay.
The character of Dostain, one of the monarchs of Geratomro was a pleasant surprise. He adds a touch of humanity to the whole ‘corruption’ business. We rarely see the heretics before they actually become heretics. His descent into darkness feels very authentic and while reading it, Bookworm finds himself saying, “Don’t do it Dostain! It’s a trap!” What it also does is really enforce the insidiousness of the Warp and why the Imperium has such an iron fisted, zero tolerance approach to the whole business. It so much subtler than we expect and in a way is relatable to ‘corruption’ in the real world. A little here and a little there, but it can doom worlds in the 41st Millennium and as a result: the scorched earth policy against it.
This book works because it incorporates several elements of the Warhammer 40K Universe that to Bookworm are the best things about the universe.
One of the best facets of the entire Warhammer 40k is how it is such a visceral, graphic universe with metaphors and adjectives piled upon one another to such an extent that in any other universe would seem positively ludicrous, being so over-the-top. In Warhammer it all seems to fit together, vis a vis the world the Geratomro just oozes with such character. The manner of which the nobles are described i.e. Dostains family is just saturated with detail and character without ever venturing too far into exposition or plot dumps. This world is allowed to grow and blossom right before our eyes in a way that feels authentic even though the setting is so fantastical. Furthering the author’s skill with world building is the diverse range of emotion that the writing conjures. Disgust is particularly strong with the Geratomro royal family but awe, dread, excitement, and even drama are all crafted around the reader.
The alternate facet is Bannick and his crew. Bookworm has stated multiple times that for all its melodrama, Warhammer 40k is one of the most human franchises he has ever encountered. As much fun as the Space Marines are, it always fun to see normal humans face down the terrible foes of the Imperium of Man. There are merely people trying to get the mission done and they retain this mindset throughout the book even as more ominous events start to take shape around them. Speaking of Space Marines…one of Bookworm’s favorite events takes place in this volume: Space Marines and Mortals, particularly the Black Templar Adelard and the crew of the Baneblade. It is constantly referenced that Space Marines are trans-human and differ in several fundamental levels from normal humans and as a result, mostly look down upon them. In this case Brother Adelard regards Lo Bannick as an equal and critical to the success of the mission. It’s actually rather touching despite the serious circumstances. It touches upon the common humanity that makes Warhammer 40k so compelling.
If there is any flaws to be had with this tome, one of them would be that it may be a bit excessive, even for Warhammer. Simply put: the story never stops. It grabs the reader by the collar and drags them full speed ahead right to the end. The reader rarely gets time to breathe during the whole escapade. The POV chapters, thankfully, never get too excessive but they go by at nearly hyper speed as the book nears it’s climax.
Some lines of dialogue may make some readers roll their eyes, but histrionic speech is part and parcel of the grim darkness of the far future so most readers of this franchise will learn to expect such writing.
Needless to say, this is not the best place for Neophytes to begin their saga in the Imperium of Man, it is a lot to take in one sitting.
Final Verdict: Shadowsword is a worthy addition to the Black Libraries shelves. While all Black Library tomes are well written as a general rule, Shadowsword stands out as one of the best crafted that Bookworm has encountered in quite some time. It is easy to see why Guy Haley is among the Chapter Masters of the Black Library
Four Shadowswords out of Five
thecultureworm.blogspot.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2024
I enjoyed this quite a lot. Good tank battles, grim imperial guard life stuff, more Honoured Lieutenant Bannick. The core plot is fairly simple, all truth being told. But it's elevated by the setting adding some interesting touches.
It felt to me like this had less of the flashback-ey non-combat stuff than the first book. That could be an effect of audio-booking Baneblade and reading this one. An improvement for me, but maybe not for others.
I've dropped a star as I felt the ending was rather rushed. And, while I know there is an in-universe explanation for it, it's always a bit annoying when so many characters have such similar names.
At the end of the day if you liked Baneblade then you will absolutely enjoy this.
It felt to me like this had less of the flashback-ey non-combat stuff than the first book. That could be an effect of audio-booking Baneblade and reading this one. An improvement for me, but maybe not for others.
I've dropped a star as I felt the ending was rather rushed. And, while I know there is an in-universe explanation for it, it's always a bit annoying when so many characters have such similar names.
At the end of the day if you liked Baneblade then you will absolutely enjoy this.
April 11, 2021
The story follow a crew of Shadowsword super battle tank named Lux Imperator.
The book is sequel of Baneblade, which I highly recommend you read first.
Shadowsword give wider background clue than Baneblade. The main stage here is not only the crew, but the whole super battle tank company. You will see
- How super battle tank company waging war ?
- Their enemy
- Their tactics.
- What is the role of Shadowsword, and also Baneblade in the battlegroup.
The book is sequel of Baneblade, which I highly recommend you read first.
Shadowsword give wider background clue than Baneblade. The main stage here is not only the crew, but the whole super battle tank company. You will see
- How super battle tank company waging war ?
- Their enemy
- Their tactics.
- What is the role of Shadowsword, and also Baneblade in the battlegroup.
November 23, 2025
I would prefer to give it a 3.5/5, but I'll round up.
A book with many classic Guard tropes, imperial aristocrat intrigues, and an ending set of interactions that really kicked this book up for me.
A good look at how the Black Templars come off to even pious Guardsman - in view of their fanaticism and religious zeal.
And a very stupid and desperate and fat planetary governor to top it all off.
A book with many classic Guard tropes, imperial aristocrat intrigues, and an ending set of interactions that really kicked this book up for me.
A good look at how the Black Templars come off to even pious Guardsman - in view of their fanaticism and religious zeal.
And a very stupid and desperate and fat planetary governor to top it all off.
June 9, 2018
Another Solid 40k war machine book.
I’m partial to books about the big mar machines, and this was a solid one. Excellent description of daemonic corruption/seduction as well.
I’m partial to books about the big mar machines, and this was a solid one. Excellent description of daemonic corruption/seduction as well.
July 4, 2019
Follow up to BaneBlade, if you liked that story you should like this one as well.
September 23, 2019
Great Story
I chose this rating as, having read Baneblade, I thought this was just as good. A really good read and highly recommended.
I chose this rating as, having read Baneblade, I thought this was just as good. A really good read and highly recommended.
December 21, 2020
Amazing. The best 40k fiction i have read in very long time. This is black library at its very best, scifi with a tint of horror.
August 9, 2022
A fun read.
November 12, 2025
dnf 55% ... I was just bored. felt like a 60 page book stretchd to infinity. I went to check the pub date and yeah it tracks.
December 3, 2025
not as good as Baneblade, but still pretty brilliant.
huge missed opportunity to not update the little silhouette at the start of the chapters though.
huge missed opportunity to not update the little silhouette at the start of the chapters though.
May 4, 2017
What can I say? I really enjoy reading military sci-fi with big tanks or such like. There's something very enthralling reading about the crew of such warmachines. they are so much more protected than the ordinary soldiers, but at the same time they are locked in such a tight confine and with very limited visual contact with the outside world. every anti tank team or dedicated tank hunter is a hidden sniper. Even a glancing hit can take out a weapon mount or a viewing port, leaving you blinded on one side. And at the same time we get to experience this awesome battle tank with enough fire power to level a city block in an instant!
There's such contrast between the protection and vulnerability. Between the few crew members and the awesome potential for destruction.
A few highlights:
The only things I can gripe about is that I'd rather read about the Baneblade than the Shadowsword :P
Also a message for the author:
...ok. I might be a bit miffed about the ending as well, but it did fit with the story and theme, so that's probably just me =)
There's such contrast between the protection and vulnerability. Between the few crew members and the awesome potential for destruction.
A few highlights:
The only things I can gripe about is that I'd rather read about the Baneblade than the Shadowsword :P
Also a message for the author:
...ok. I might be a bit miffed about the ending as well, but it did fit with the story and theme, so that's probably just me =)
November 2, 2016
This is an awesome, dark and gritty look at a Super Heavy Tank crew's life. We rejoin the characters from 'Baneblade' as they are tasked with the difficult duty of bringing the Emperor's justice to traitors. Haley does an excellent job of trying to realistically portray why formerly loyal subjects could be pushed to Chaos by the Imperium itself. I particularly enjoyed the moments of self awareness when characters think about war crimes they are committing. The end is heartbreaking because it is inexorably logical and doesn't care a whit about compassion or mercy as is fitting in the grim darkness of the far future.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews