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Victories of the Space Marines
Heart of Rage
Penetrating a tyranid-infested space hulk to search for a missing Adeptus Mechanicus force, Blood Angels Librarian Nord and his brothers find that the aliens are not the only threat. In order to survive, they have to face their darkest secret, and relive their Chapter's greatest tragedy.
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This is an expanded version of a story previously available as an audio drama also available in the Victories of the Space Marines anthology.
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2009
1 person is currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
James Swallow
305 books1,073 followersJames Swallow is a New York Times, Sunday Times and Amazon #1 bestselling author and scriptwriter, a BAFTA nominee, a former journalist and the award-winning writer of over sixty-five books, along with scripts for video games, comics, radio and television.
DARK HORIZON, his latest stand-alone thriller, is out now from Mountain Leopard Press, and OUTLAW, the 6th action-packed Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier.
Along with the Marc Dane thrillers, his writing includes, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Tom Clancy, 24, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more.
For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow
Visit James's website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series.
You can also follow James on Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Twitter at @jmswallow, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.
DARK HORIZON, his latest stand-alone thriller, is out now from Mountain Leopard Press, and OUTLAW, the 6th action-packed Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier.
Along with the Marc Dane thrillers, his writing includes, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Tom Clancy, 24, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more.
For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow
Visit James's website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series.
You can also follow James on Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Twitter at @jmswallow, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 28, 2020
An exciting short audio drama featuring the Tyranids and Blood Angels.
A group of BA are tasked by some AdMech to secure a dead Tyranid hive ship, what could possibly go wrong?
It's kinda like Aliens(2) with more explosions.
A group of BA are tasked by some AdMech to secure a dead Tyranid hive ship, what could possibly go wrong?
It's kinda like Aliens(2) with more explosions.
November 4, 2019
“What’s that over the horizon? That’ll be a hulk… a SPACE hulk filled with things that want to…. lick us? Now there’s scary!”
I’ve been listening to audiobooks and dramas lately, it’s something new for me. I’ve been struggling to have the free time to read a novel lately, so I’ve been sneaking in listening to some Black Library audio dramas when I have time. I did also purchase a Graphic Audio drama, which was £60, but I’m keen to see if they are good as I’ve heard. I’ll get back to reading novels in the near future, but thought I’d feel the void as I listen to these.
Heart of Rage was one of the first audio dramas to be released by Black Library, but you wouldn’t know it. The sound effects and music are top notch, really enjoyable and threw me into the story. Which was slightly scary as there are ‘things’ that are rather bloody frightening in this drama.
Aboard the Imperial Navy Frigate Emathia and under the orders of Magos Xeren, an Adeptus Mechanicus Biologis (someone who knows a lot about biology) – Sergeant Kale and Liberian Nord of the Blood Angels chapter are dispatched to search a space hulk for signs for a lost scouting party. It soon turns out that this space hulk is actually a damaged Tyranid hive ship. Intrigue and betrayal persist throughout the story and are really brought to life by James Swallow. There’s a rather a choice seen that reminded me of that scene in Independence Day where the aliens communicate by psychical controlling a human puppet.
I loved the portrayal of Xeren, voiced so well by the excellent Toby Longsworth. Sound effects are great – bolter guns firing with meaty penetrating shots hammering into the aliens. Scratchy vox transmissions and inter-vow communications between the Blood Angels make this AD that much more believable. There’s even music, which is excellent, though I feel Metallica or Nine Inch Nails would have worked even better – I mean we can dare to dream.
Heart of Rage is basically 300 in Space – minus 298 warriors. The coupling of Blood Angels versus Tyranids always works well as members like to keep things up-close-and-personal. If you’ve a spare 71 minutes, then give this one a go, it’s well worth a listen, especially if you like a rather ‘alien’ experience to your Warhammer 40K!
I’ve been listening to audiobooks and dramas lately, it’s something new for me. I’ve been struggling to have the free time to read a novel lately, so I’ve been sneaking in listening to some Black Library audio dramas when I have time. I did also purchase a Graphic Audio drama, which was £60, but I’m keen to see if they are good as I’ve heard. I’ll get back to reading novels in the near future, but thought I’d feel the void as I listen to these.
Heart of Rage was one of the first audio dramas to be released by Black Library, but you wouldn’t know it. The sound effects and music are top notch, really enjoyable and threw me into the story. Which was slightly scary as there are ‘things’ that are rather bloody frightening in this drama.
Aboard the Imperial Navy Frigate Emathia and under the orders of Magos Xeren, an Adeptus Mechanicus Biologis (someone who knows a lot about biology) – Sergeant Kale and Liberian Nord of the Blood Angels chapter are dispatched to search a space hulk for signs for a lost scouting party. It soon turns out that this space hulk is actually a damaged Tyranid hive ship. Intrigue and betrayal persist throughout the story and are really brought to life by James Swallow. There’s a rather a choice seen that reminded me of that scene in Independence Day where the aliens communicate by psychical controlling a human puppet.
I loved the portrayal of Xeren, voiced so well by the excellent Toby Longsworth. Sound effects are great – bolter guns firing with meaty penetrating shots hammering into the aliens. Scratchy vox transmissions and inter-vow communications between the Blood Angels make this AD that much more believable. There’s even music, which is excellent, though I feel Metallica or Nine Inch Nails would have worked even better – I mean we can dare to dream.
Heart of Rage is basically 300 in Space – minus 298 warriors. The coupling of Blood Angels versus Tyranids always works well as members like to keep things up-close-and-personal. If you’ve a spare 71 minutes, then give this one a go, it’s well worth a listen, especially if you like a rather ‘alien’ experience to your Warhammer 40K!
May 22, 2011
an audio drama that does exactly as advertised: Blood Angels, Tyranids, a short and simple plot that even twists at certain points.
I wouldn't recommend it to any warhammer-newbies because of the many "things you need to know first" (curse of the blood angels, tyranid hives, political situation of the mechanicum, etc...) to really appreciate the story.
I wouldn't recommend it to any warhammer-newbies because of the many "things you need to know first" (curse of the blood angels, tyranid hives, political situation of the mechanicum, etc...) to really appreciate the story.
August 30, 2024
“- Your mission will commence momentarily. Are you ready?”
- We are Astartes!” The words were answer enough.
The first Black Library – Warhammer 40K audiobook (or, to be more precise, audio-drama) that I listened to, “Heart of Rage” is a pretty stereotypical Space Marine short story starring the Blood Angels chapter of Adeptus Astartes, the sons of the Primarch Sanguinius. The Marines are on a mission from the Adeptus Mechanicus to capture and study a deactivated, “dead” Tyranid hive-ship for biological data, in an effort to understand and defeat the menace of the Great Devourer.
Narrated by Toby Longworth, the story contains all the staples of Astartes short stories: derelict space hulks, eerie premonitions and dark visions mixed with prayers to the God-Emperor, enemies that appear in vast numbers, desperate but defiant last stands, themes of loyalty, brotherhood and sacrifice for the cause, abominations and fallen former Imperials, internal conflicts of the Marines that battle not only their enemies but their inner curses as well, corrupt and detestable authority figures who never give a single thought to the lives of their subordinates, using them as mere tools to be discarded, dark secrets and finally redemption.
The haunting descriptions of the hideous insides of a living hive-ship in a state of “near-death”, of horrors otherwise indescribable, evoke mental sights of H.R. Giger art, as the Tyranids have been inspired by the Xenomorphs Giger created for the “Alien” franchise. The few lines of description of a dreaded Carnifex sleeping like a child that must not be disturbed are spine-chilling. The ever-present threat not only of an unnamed enemy but also of the Black Rage and the Red Thirst, the curses and gifts of the Blood Angels, is apparent throughout the story.
A tech-priest’s voice-acting rendition that clearly channels Emperor Palpatine of Star Wars infamy and a concerned Russian-sounding captain offer flavor and color to the narration, even though the voices of some of the Marines do not correspond to my idea of what a veteran Battle-Brother’s voice would sound like. The audiobook sound effects bringing forth background noises, battle sounds offer greatly to the immersion and I hope they are a staple of the WH40K audio-dramas.
Overall, a solid reading/listening experience and perhaps a starting point for someone who has a certain knowledge of the Warhammer 40K setting but wants to learn more about the Blood Angels and their struggles in particular.
- We are Astartes!” The words were answer enough.
The first Black Library – Warhammer 40K audiobook (or, to be more precise, audio-drama) that I listened to, “Heart of Rage” is a pretty stereotypical Space Marine short story starring the Blood Angels chapter of Adeptus Astartes, the sons of the Primarch Sanguinius. The Marines are on a mission from the Adeptus Mechanicus to capture and study a deactivated, “dead” Tyranid hive-ship for biological data, in an effort to understand and defeat the menace of the Great Devourer.
Narrated by Toby Longworth, the story contains all the staples of Astartes short stories: derelict space hulks, eerie premonitions and dark visions mixed with prayers to the God-Emperor, enemies that appear in vast numbers, desperate but defiant last stands, themes of loyalty, brotherhood and sacrifice for the cause, abominations and fallen former Imperials, internal conflicts of the Marines that battle not only their enemies but their inner curses as well, corrupt and detestable authority figures who never give a single thought to the lives of their subordinates, using them as mere tools to be discarded, dark secrets and finally redemption.
The haunting descriptions of the hideous insides of a living hive-ship in a state of “near-death”, of horrors otherwise indescribable, evoke mental sights of H.R. Giger art, as the Tyranids have been inspired by the Xenomorphs Giger created for the “Alien” franchise. The few lines of description of a dreaded Carnifex sleeping like a child that must not be disturbed are spine-chilling. The ever-present threat not only of an unnamed enemy but also of the Black Rage and the Red Thirst, the curses and gifts of the Blood Angels, is apparent throughout the story.
A tech-priest’s voice-acting rendition that clearly channels Emperor Palpatine of Star Wars infamy and a concerned Russian-sounding captain offer flavor and color to the narration, even though the voices of some of the Marines do not correspond to my idea of what a veteran Battle-Brother’s voice would sound like. The audiobook sound effects bringing forth background noises, battle sounds offer greatly to the immersion and I hope they are a staple of the WH40K audio-dramas.
Overall, a solid reading/listening experience and perhaps a starting point for someone who has a certain knowledge of the Warhammer 40K setting but wants to learn more about the Blood Angels and their struggles in particular.
February 25, 2021
I have to admit that I prefer written books, but the narrator does a really good job. It was a good book, but short. Most scenes would have benefited from being a bit longer.
Xeren's voice tended to disappear when there was outside noice.
Xeren's voice tended to disappear when there was outside noice.
July 6, 2018
Quality unpretentious pulp short fiction.
February 18, 2020
Listened to the audiobook version, bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Not what I was expecting but I was pleasantly suprised.
March 29, 2021
Epic story telling.
August 7, 2022
Alright but unambitious. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/200...
July 7, 2023
Competent 40K story of Blood Angels investigating a dormant Tyranid Hiveship.
Decently written, just didn't really grab me.
Decently written, just didn't really grab me.
November 16, 2023
Well produced, with some interesting ideas, but had a hard time holding my attention.
January 9, 2024
Quite boring.
January 25, 2025
Setting 3/5
Plot 2/5
Engagement 3/5
Characters 2/5
Style 3/5
Overall: 2.6
Plot 2/5
Engagement 3/5
Characters 2/5
Style 3/5
Overall: 2.6
July 20, 2010
So I got my hands on another of Black Library's audio books. This time it is Heart of Rage by James Swallow.
The book details a Blood Angels squad entering a dead Tyranid hive ship in order to find an Adeptus Mechanicus team that had previously been sent in to the ship.
This book is read by Toby Longworth he reads all of the BL audio books and he does an excellent job. I was a little critical of some of his voices in Thunder from Fenris (because one of them sounded like a certain California Governor) but I really have no complaints in this one. He voices about 10 different people throughout the book and manages to make each of them pretty distinct.
As for the story itself, it is a little predictable, the Astartes are sent into the Tyranid ship which they are assured is dead, but low and behold... not so much. Combat ensues... yadda yadda yadda.
I don't want to sound like I am detracting the story. It is a bit predictable, but I think it is well done. Perhaps it is the sound effects that go along with the audio book, but it did a good job of keeping me interested.
My big complaint, as with Thunder from Fenris was the length. If this book were in written format, it would be a short story, and I believe that this book would fit in nicely with one of the many anthologies that BL has put out, but this is a stand alone story, and instead of coming in a large book for about $13, it is by itself for about $20.
I went to the gym this morning, listen to the story while I worked out, and on the way home, I was done with it. Seems a bit too short for the money I spent.
I give the book the slaughtered Hive Tyrants out of 5.
The book details a Blood Angels squad entering a dead Tyranid hive ship in order to find an Adeptus Mechanicus team that had previously been sent in to the ship.
This book is read by Toby Longworth he reads all of the BL audio books and he does an excellent job. I was a little critical of some of his voices in Thunder from Fenris (because one of them sounded like a certain California Governor) but I really have no complaints in this one. He voices about 10 different people throughout the book and manages to make each of them pretty distinct.
As for the story itself, it is a little predictable, the Astartes are sent into the Tyranid ship which they are assured is dead, but low and behold... not so much. Combat ensues... yadda yadda yadda.
I don't want to sound like I am detracting the story. It is a bit predictable, but I think it is well done. Perhaps it is the sound effects that go along with the audio book, but it did a good job of keeping me interested.
My big complaint, as with Thunder from Fenris was the length. If this book were in written format, it would be a short story, and I believe that this book would fit in nicely with one of the many anthologies that BL has put out, but this is a stand alone story, and instead of coming in a large book for about $13, it is by itself for about $20.
I went to the gym this morning, listen to the story while I worked out, and on the way home, I was done with it. Seems a bit too short for the money I spent.
I give the book the slaughtered Hive Tyrants out of 5.
February 8, 2012
These tale follows a discovery of a tyranid bio-ship by the Imperial Navy and since it's valuable item in the war against them they call the Blood Angels. Our main characters are Brother Librarian Nord and Brother Sergeant Kale. From the beginning we learn that not all things are what it seems and someone knows more than they are telling them. After hearing these story I want to start digging in on the books he wrote. This story is more that Space Hulk adventure. We learn more about Blood Angels and their genetic taint.
The narrator and every character was voiced by Toby Longworth and he try to give them each own voice and maneirism but it was confusing. The sound-effects are good and not overdone as other books tend to do.
If you follow Blood Angels or 40k for that matter then listen to this audiobook but I think it's better to read it. And from what I know it's avaiable through BL Print on Demand book.
The narrator and every character was voiced by Toby Longworth and he try to give them each own voice and maneirism but it was confusing. The sound-effects are good and not overdone as other books tend to do.
If you follow Blood Angels or 40k for that matter then listen to this audiobook but I think it's better to read it. And from what I know it's avaiable through BL Print on Demand book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2014
You know what to expect from novels set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe: Lots of carnage and bloody battles fought between Space Marines, the genetically enhanced super-human warriors and the daemonic enemies of the Imperium of Man
These novels are never sophisticated or high brow, just pure entertainment and sometimes there is nothing wrong with that. If I just want to relax and read a book thats not to be taken too seriously but still provides excitement and enjoyment you will be hard pushed to beat Warhammer 40,000 novels (although it helps to be a sci fi fan)
This particular book is very entertaining, I listened to the audiobook and found it exciting and well put together. The characters voices, sound effects and music are very appropriate and atmospheric.
All in all an excellent introduction and well worth a listen!
These novels are never sophisticated or high brow, just pure entertainment and sometimes there is nothing wrong with that. If I just want to relax and read a book thats not to be taken too seriously but still provides excitement and enjoyment you will be hard pushed to beat Warhammer 40,000 novels (although it helps to be a sci fi fan)
This particular book is very entertaining, I listened to the audiobook and found it exciting and well put together. The characters voices, sound effects and music are very appropriate and atmospheric.
All in all an excellent introduction and well worth a listen!
March 20, 2016
This was an excellent short story/audio drama. It seems that there is a lot of hate for the Magos Biologis, it seems they deserve it at least!
The story flowed very well, and was extremely well written.
The author writes Tyranids extremely well, I think. I really felt that they were mindless and had that constant hunger.
I only with they could have made a full novel out of it, because I wanted to know more about the Tyranids and what was wrong with them/ how Xeran would have planned to accomplish his goals!
The story flowed very well, and was extremely well written.
The author writes Tyranids extremely well, I think. I really felt that they were mindless and had that constant hunger.
I only with they could have made a full novel out of it, because I wanted to know more about the Tyranids and what was wrong with them/ how Xeran would have planned to accomplish his goals!
March 29, 2018
Audiokniha dostáva päť hviezdičiek z piatich - skvelé hlasy, atmosferický podmaz, výborná kvalita. Mňamka.
Ale ani neviem, koľkokrát som tento príbeh hrala v RPG dobrodružstvách - ó, loď, poďme ju skúmať, objavme nečakaný zvrat a zložme na konci bossa! Navyše je to typické 40k weapon porn, kde sa každá akčná scéna máča v TONE opisov zbraní a brnení a heliem... a keď je na vašom príbehu dramatickejší aj obyčajný rozhovor, asi niečo nie je dobre.
5/10 - skvelé spracovanie meh obsahu.
Ale ani neviem, koľkokrát som tento príbeh hrala v RPG dobrodružstvách - ó, loď, poďme ju skúmať, objavme nečakaný zvrat a zložme na konci bossa! Navyše je to typické 40k weapon porn, kde sa každá akčná scéna máča v TONE opisov zbraní a brnení a heliem... a keď je na vašom príbehu dramatickejší aj obyčajný rozhovor, asi niečo nie je dobre.
5/10 - skvelé spracovanie meh obsahu.
September 11, 2012
If you're a sucker for WH40k, read this book. If you're a sucker for Aliens, read this book. If you're a bigger sucker for both, read this book NOW. Fortunately, I'm that big a sucker! I like how the tension is described as the Blood Angels enter the Tyranid ship...the tension is as thick as the twist here. I have more respect for Librarians now.
February 21, 2016
A short story where the Blood Angels venture into a tyranid hiveship.
Short and to the point, it is a good story with characters i would have liked to have seen remain about longer than just 35'ish pages.
Short and to the point, it is a good story with characters i would have liked to have seen remain about longer than just 35'ish pages.
February 2, 2014
I love boarding actions and this one is about boarding a Tyranid ship and that's way cool. Well done. The twist wasn't too surprising, but was well done.
August 29, 2011
A tragic hero story wrapped in a 40000k setting.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews