Blood and Fire

Space Marine Battles #Novella

by Aaron Dembski-Bowden

In the aftermath of the war for Hive Helsreach, Black Templars Chaplain Grimaldus receives a unexpected distress call from an old ally. The Celestial Lions Space Marines are being targeted by the Inquisition and have been brought to the brink of extinction. Will they regroup and rebuild, or will they choose to go out in a final blaze of glory? That is what Grimaldus must decide...

Read it because
As if the prospect of Black Templars and Celestial Lions fighting side-by-side against an ork horde wasn't enough, Blood And Fire also shines a light on some of the deep divisions within the Imperium. in the face of such inner turmoil and underhanded treachery, even the zeal of the legendary Grimaldus may not be enough to save his Space Marine allies.

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction, Fiction, Novella

102 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2013

Reviews

[Ton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warhammer 40K novella about treachery and revenge, and most of all what duty means to a Space Marines chaplain. Grimaldus is our narrator, and spins a satisfying yarn of hate and bloodshed in the service of the Imperium. Also the first e-book (slate) I ever read. Go figure.

[AJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up because I'm a Black Templars fan and this is one of the more well written 40k novellas I've read. The story follows Grimaldus Reclusiarch of the Black Templars as he learns of the unfortunate fate of his geneseed brother chapter the Celestial Lions following the battle of Helsreach on the Hive World of Armageddon.

While this is well written, and serves up a few tid bits of history with a side of nostalgia on these sons of Dorn only a fan could appreciate, it's a wee bit too long. There's a lot of picture painting here leaving little to imagination. Outside of a few brief endearing sentiments shared between the Lions and Grimaldus in regards their censure by the Inquisition there really wasn't much else playing on my emotions or exciting my interest.

After half way through it feels like a slog. I hoped it would continue building up to the last stand of the Lions, but it ends in such a anticlimactic way not even drop pods sent down by Helbretch himself could rescue the ending. The epilogue that followed, felt like being tucked in with a warm blanket as my eyes glazed over.

Just a side note regarding the characterization of Grimaldus. I didn't get the vibe of a cold blooded judgmental hardass as some did considering his resume. In fact I haven't yet seen it in the 40k books I've read in which he appears. If he were such the story would be a lot shorter.

That said if you like everything laid out for you to the letter and want a little more back drop on the relationship of these eccentric battle brothers by all means don't listen to me and give it a whirl.

[Frédéric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella following-up the Helsreach campaign. Grimaldus is back and- surprise, surprise- he is still an asshole.
But somehow the guy grows on me. Go figure.

[Michael Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helsreach, Aaron Dembski-Bowden’s novel set during the Third War for Armageddon, was the second ever Space Marine Battles book. A couple of years after its release it was repackaged in a new edition entitled Armageddon along with a companion novella, Blood and Fire. That novella is now available as a standalone volume for those who already have Helsreach, and it picks up just days after the events that concluded the previous story. Reclusiarch Grimaldus is once again front and centre, this time investigating claims by the Celestial Lions, a fellow successor chapter of the Imperial Fists, that the Inquisition is deliberately driving them to destruction. Only a handful of the chapter remain, and Grimaldus is faced with the difficult decision of whether to support them in a last, glorious charge or find a way to help them rebuild their shattered forces.


Read the rest of the review at http://trackofwords.wordpress.com/201...

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helsreach itself no longer existed as anything more than a battlefield. We had killed the city while fighting to save it. Its skyline was an amputated thing of cleaved towers and – in the rare hours the wind died down – pillars of black smoke. The central spire – modest by the standards of many hives – still stood despite extensive shelling from both sides, now home to huddled masses of stinking alien invaders taking shelter from the storms.

The true city that spread around the spire’s foundations was a flattened ruin. Of the millions that had lived there a year before, perhaps a quarter yet drew breath. Most were holed up in underground bunkers, or in what precious few intact districts were still warded by the steel ring of Guard armour battalions. The city had been reinforced by huge numbers of fresh Guard soldiers, just in time to linger in a seasonal deadlock. Tens of thousands of rifles going unfired.

Blood and Fire is an unexpected sequel to Helsreach, following the stoic Grimaldus once more. He is still on Armageddon. This story is about his intervention in a feud between another space marine chapter and the Inquisition.

What does this story add to Helsreach? Not a lot. Grimaldus is dealing with the loss of his companions in the last book. Andre and the other memorable cast members reprise their roles. This novella is filler. If it was stand alone, it would be forgettable, but because Helsreach looms over it like a cathedral parked next to a chapel, the book feels simpler and threadbare.

‘I thought you said you would give no speech.’


‘You have a great deal to learn about being a Chaplain,’ I replied, ‘if you consider that a speech.’

3/5: Aaron Debmski-Bowden is still one of the best Warhammer writers, but this one is not Helsreach.

[Ben Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to Helsreach I didn't know we had, but very glad we got.

Blood and Fire is a novella, set after the events of Helsreach, following Grimaldus, his chaplain-in-training companion as they investigate what has be fallen one of the many space marine chapters which fought in the Third War for Armageddon, the Celestial Lions.

Being a novella, there isn't too much to dive into, but what is here is great stuff. You get more reflection of the titular, always angry Grimaldus, whose arc (as continued from Helsreach) sees its final, satisfying conclusion after his development from the first novel. As well as this, hearing the fate of the Celestial Lions and seeing their interactions with their Black Templar cousins, and their different mannerisms, chapter cultures and such is always a welcome treat.

Conclusion: This is ADB at his best, good action, good pacing, and good characters all combining into a great story. Easy recommend if you loved Helsreach, if only because it'll make you appreciate it that much more. If not, you might not enjoy as much, though still good. 4.5/5 stars

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A somber tale of honor, vengeance, and sacrifice.

An indirect sequel to Helsreach, the story continues with the aftermath after the big fight where Grimaldus almost dies, and loses more than he would have liked. Now, a new and old ally stands between the hammer and anvil, as he is torn to a final stand where his fate will be decided. The Celestial Lions call out in a final roar for a witness to their end.

Short but well narrated, the story feels more personal thanks to the POV style, where we take the eyes of Grimaldus to observe the last moments on the planet of Armageddon. This is a short story that doesn't provide much substance or continuation to Helsreach's narrative, but it builds the universe and gives us a rather theatrical and honorable piece of lore, with great moments of quiet solemnity and an explosive ending that is, surprisingly, positive and ''joyful'', if such a thing can exist in 40k.

A quick and entertaining read, ADB never disappoints.

[Antonin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story takes place following the event narrated in Helsreach. Grimaldi did back to find out what happened to the Celestial Lions, another Chapter of Dorn’s lineage.

These kind of Black Library novels are often quite boring and rely almost exclusively on the love for the characters. But in this one, I was pleasantly surprised. The set up is interesting enough to catch the reader, and the situations faced by Grimaldus make it an pretty interesting read from his point of view. It’s a good one if you liked Helsreach and Grimaldus itself.

The whole Inquisition sub-story is a bit under-exploited, regarding the length of the story, but we get to know more about Grimaldus’ past, about how he became a chaplain, and some reminiscence of Helsreach glory. And a plus, the Celestial Lions are pretty cool too.

Read if you liked Helsreach and would like more, if you’d like a good story about Black Templars or discover the Celestial Lions fate.

[Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always love ADB’s writing, read this to learn more of the Celestial Lions chapter and ended up that plus a sequel to the Helsreach novel. Grimaldus is back, and I enjoyed his POV much more in this one than in Helsreach. Probably because I understood him better and didn’t go in blind like I did in the first book, and because he’s much more developed in his role whereas he was constantly unsure of his place in Helsreach. Andrej makes an appearance which is great, I enjoyed the interactions between two very different Chapters from the same bloodline.

[Ethan Jarmush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn. They ask Grimaldus to give a speech, he’s like no no not today. Then proceeds to gives another one of the best speeches I’ve ever heard. And then Andrei, the regular human, only man on history to file a complaint against Grimaldus. Dude miraculously survives every battle, even the space marines are like 🤔🤨🤨

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading a 40k book that isn't the Horus Heresy. I love the 40k universe but have never read any of the specific 40k books but only 30k. This was a great first read in the 40k setting, it is a sequel to Helsreach though which I haven't read but I've seen the fanfilm. Definitely recommend to any fan of the setting

[Luke Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic struggle to save their fellow Astartes from ignominiously fading into history sees Grimauldus and the Black Templars march forth...

An epic short story filled with all the better elements of the Adeptus Astartes, and showing Aaron Dembski Bowden can write loyalist Astartes as well as heretics...

[J.P. Harker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not something I'd usually read but ADB's name inspired confidence. I suspect I'd have liked it more had I read Helsreach first, but I didn't realise this was a sequel/spinoff until it was too late. Nevertheless a perfectly good story, unsurprising from this writer.

[Jayme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Battles = BORING
Sitting around the campfire monologuing = EXCITING

Is this a sign of the times (times being my age????)

Good follow up to Helsreach. In fact, I’ve always said follow up novellas to standalone stories are the way to go if at all. Here it works splendidly 👌👌👌

[Paul Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grimaldus and Andre

It's the A team from Helsreach back in action again, a really great story that makes you realise just how psychotic the Reclusiarch really is

[Ulzeta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read. Highly recommended.

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its no Helsreach, but it was entertaining enough I guess

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Maestitia Reclusiam · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖋️ Critique Complète :
➡️ https://reclusiam.net/blood-fire/crit...

Une nouvelle efficace qui se laisse lire et qui marque le lecteur grâce à ses situations originales. Un récit qui semble faire le lien entre deux grandes guerres. W&S...

[Anthony Giordano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my review on this novella here:

http://hachisnaxreads.blogspot.com/20...

[Peter Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent tale for the fans of all Sons of Dorn

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Further development of Grimaldus; made me care about the fate of the Celestial Lions; ending felt rushed.