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Space Marine Battles
Armageddon
Black Templars Chaplain Grimaldus leads the defence of Hive Helsreach, a city in the path of a massive greenskin force on the war-wracked world of Armageddon. Battle rages and the Black Templars win several vital battles, but as the ork numbers grow and the Imperial defenders dwindle, Grimaldus and his loyal Sword Brethren are forced into a desperate last stand that will test the Chaplain’s resolve and leadership to their limits.
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It's a losing battle to save a city from a never-ending tide of orks, but the Black Templars refuse to give in, no matter the odds. And Chaplain Grimaldus proves why he's right for the job by inspiring everyone around him – human and Space Marine – to the point where they might just win the impossible war.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2013
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402 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 16, 2014
"There is only war... but still time for some wonderful character development despite this"
This book, this book, ADB is such a wonderful writer. He has this knack where he can bring to life human characters, which is such a gift considering how Warhammer 40k is awash with superhuman individuals. Ironically Helsreach the first novel in the Armageddon sequence is about Reclusiarch Grimaldus, a Black Templar. It's a rather dark and gritty tale, rather? No it's a tale with no hope and plenty of death. This is what you can expect from a universe with the mantra "There is only war". Set on Armageddon Prime, if you know your 40K canon, your know this is one of the major engagements of the 41st millennia. Aaron doesn't skimp on the brutality of the Orks or the aloofness of the Black Templars - who are far removed from humanity as any Space Marine Chapter might be.
Dembski-Bowden's style is fluid, he shows such a ease of balance between engaging the reader within the fight scenes he writes and his character development. This isn't your usual bolter porn, which some Black Library writers seem to fall into - namely Nick Kyme who struggles with character development and has difficulty telling a story without a Marvel-esque moment.
I'm gushing, whoops! Helsreach central story is about Chaplain Grimaldus, who finds himself promoted to his former mentors rank of Reclusiarch (commander of the Chaplains). Within a short space of time the Black Templar finds himself in command of the Chapters ground forces at Armageddon. A much begrudged appointment. The Black Templars aren't a defensive force, they attack attack ATTACK. A defensive stance isn't anathema to them - which can be seen later in the novel when several of his squad command speak out against a siege-style conflict. Why is this? Well the Black Templars are still fighting The Great Crusade for the Emperor of Mankind. They are conquering and recovering planets lost to the Imperium over the past 10,000 years. Sigismund the former 1st Captain of The Imperial Fists formed the Templars and swore to never stop attacking - a motto of the Chapter.
There is a lot going on in Helsreach, Grimaldus central story, Jursian Master of the Forges side story - I won't spoil it, but brings in some old technology thought lost. Grimaldus squad command includes, Nerovar, Primarus, Bastilian, Cador and Artirion who is rather humorous in a father sort of way. Then there is the space battle going on above Armageddon Prime. Not to mention the many human characters which ADB seems to weave in effortless - Colonel Sarren, Major Rykken, Ciro Tyro, Andrej whom is a sort of Russian type character "I am lucky yes, you will like me yes, I think I'm right". There's also a Titan battle group, Salamanders, Imperial Navy fighter and bomber groups and The Sisters of the Order of The White Rose... blimey.
If you enjoy 'last stand moments' then you're going to like this novel immensely!
The short story included in the Armageddon edition is called Blood And Fire which follows on a few weeks after the siege of Helsreach Hive. Grimaldus is again the central character and finds himself investigating the demise of a Chapter none as Celestial Lions whom are in (possible) conflict with the Inquisitors for reasons unknown. This is a very nice addition to Helsreach and certainly adds more content and links to a possible future novel.
Here is the downside, the book costs £20. Now in my opinion that is way too much. Black Library have had some strange marketing policies for the past few years and it bothers me that they say we are about the fans (in essence) but take clear advantage of those fans in regards to their wallets/purses. For example, here are some of the formats released; eshorts (1000 word story), audio drama shorts (about 10 minutes long), audio dramas, audio enhanced dramas, audio books, eshort stories, estories, short stories, novellas, anthologies, omnibuses, novels, premium editions, limited editions, hardback Horus Heresy editions, trade release, mass market release. Sure there are a few more. So it's confused - especially when they don't announce releases until the month ahead. What really is poor by them, is A - there pricing, B - that they don't tell you other stories have been released elsewhere i.e. eshort and then publish them into paper.
Rant over. If you wish to just enjoy Helsreach you can pick it up for around £6 via Amazon.
This book, this book, ADB is such a wonderful writer. He has this knack where he can bring to life human characters, which is such a gift considering how Warhammer 40k is awash with superhuman individuals. Ironically Helsreach the first novel in the Armageddon sequence is about Reclusiarch Grimaldus, a Black Templar. It's a rather dark and gritty tale, rather? No it's a tale with no hope and plenty of death. This is what you can expect from a universe with the mantra "There is only war". Set on Armageddon Prime, if you know your 40K canon, your know this is one of the major engagements of the 41st millennia. Aaron doesn't skimp on the brutality of the Orks or the aloofness of the Black Templars - who are far removed from humanity as any Space Marine Chapter might be.
Dembski-Bowden's style is fluid, he shows such a ease of balance between engaging the reader within the fight scenes he writes and his character development. This isn't your usual bolter porn, which some Black Library writers seem to fall into - namely Nick Kyme who struggles with character development and has difficulty telling a story without a Marvel-esque moment.
I'm gushing, whoops! Helsreach central story is about Chaplain Grimaldus, who finds himself promoted to his former mentors rank of Reclusiarch (commander of the Chaplains). Within a short space of time the Black Templar finds himself in command of the Chapters ground forces at Armageddon. A much begrudged appointment. The Black Templars aren't a defensive force, they attack attack ATTACK. A defensive stance isn't anathema to them - which can be seen later in the novel when several of his squad command speak out against a siege-style conflict. Why is this? Well the Black Templars are still fighting The Great Crusade for the Emperor of Mankind. They are conquering and recovering planets lost to the Imperium over the past 10,000 years. Sigismund the former 1st Captain of The Imperial Fists formed the Templars and swore to never stop attacking - a motto of the Chapter.
There is a lot going on in Helsreach, Grimaldus central story, Jursian Master of the Forges side story - I won't spoil it, but brings in some old technology thought lost. Grimaldus squad command includes, Nerovar, Primarus, Bastilian, Cador and Artirion who is rather humorous in a father sort of way. Then there is the space battle going on above Armageddon Prime. Not to mention the many human characters which ADB seems to weave in effortless - Colonel Sarren, Major Rykken, Ciro Tyro, Andrej whom is a sort of Russian type character "I am lucky yes, you will like me yes, I think I'm right". There's also a Titan battle group, Salamanders, Imperial Navy fighter and bomber groups and The Sisters of the Order of The White Rose... blimey.
If you enjoy 'last stand moments' then you're going to like this novel immensely!
The short story included in the Armageddon edition is called Blood And Fire which follows on a few weeks after the siege of Helsreach Hive. Grimaldus is again the central character and finds himself investigating the demise of a Chapter none as Celestial Lions whom are in (possible) conflict with the Inquisitors for reasons unknown. This is a very nice addition to Helsreach and certainly adds more content and links to a possible future novel.
Here is the downside, the book costs £20. Now in my opinion that is way too much. Black Library have had some strange marketing policies for the past few years and it bothers me that they say we are about the fans (in essence) but take clear advantage of those fans in regards to their wallets/purses. For example, here are some of the formats released; eshorts (1000 word story), audio drama shorts (about 10 minutes long), audio dramas, audio enhanced dramas, audio books, eshort stories, estories, short stories, novellas, anthologies, omnibuses, novels, premium editions, limited editions, hardback Horus Heresy editions, trade release, mass market release. Sure there are a few more. So it's confused - especially when they don't announce releases until the month ahead. What really is poor by them, is A - there pricing, B - that they don't tell you other stories have been released elsewhere i.e. eshort and then publish them into paper.
Rant over. If you wish to just enjoy Helsreach you can pick it up for around £6 via Amazon.
August 26, 2025
"We are Templars, and we attack, we advance, as the last proud knights of the Great Crusade. But we were crusading for the right of mankind to exist. Our wrath must be pure, else it is worthless and futile. We are judged in life for more than the evil we destroy. We are judged for what virtues we represent, for the ideals that lie behind our blades."
A novel, supported by a novella, on the heroics of Grimaldus, Reclusiarch of the Black Templars on Armageddon.
A novel, supported by a novella, on the heroics of Grimaldus, Reclusiarch of the Black Templars on Armageddon.
June 7, 2022
A fun read. Highly recommended.
January 27, 2023
The Black Templars faced an invasion by the Orks on Armageddon.
September 20, 2017
Much Black Templars Badassery. It took me a while to warm up to the protagonist, but it turns out this is intentional on the author's part. Wow.
May 5, 2017
Compilation bringing together the novel Helsreach and the short story Blood and Fire.
Helsreach is amazing. A wide array of characters (both Black Templar Space Marines and Imperial Guard and civilians) who, while not very complex, provide variety and colour to the story. Very good pacing with intense battle sequences carefully placed between slower passages. The main character felt a bit odd and without direction though it is very likely that that was the intention of the author. The build towards the end is very well crafted if maybe a bit over dramatic and not quite fitting in place with the rest of the book. Very good, solid book overall. The first Black Library book to actually make me laugh.
Blood and Fire was very confusing. It starts as a detective/mystery story which changes into a drama, continues with an odd child between Braveheart and the famous Charge of the Light Brigade and ends on a vague, anticlimactic note. Taken individually, each part is really good but together they don't really mesh that well.
Helsreach is amazing. A wide array of characters (both Black Templar Space Marines and Imperial Guard and civilians) who, while not very complex, provide variety and colour to the story. Very good pacing with intense battle sequences carefully placed between slower passages. The main character felt a bit odd and without direction though it is very likely that that was the intention of the author. The build towards the end is very well crafted if maybe a bit over dramatic and not quite fitting in place with the rest of the book. Very good, solid book overall. The first Black Library book to actually make me laugh.
Blood and Fire was very confusing. It starts as a detective/mystery story which changes into a drama, continues with an odd child between Braveheart and the famous Charge of the Light Brigade and ends on a vague, anticlimactic note. Taken individually, each part is really good but together they don't really mesh that well.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews