Of Honour and Iron

Space Marine Conquests #4

by Ian St. Martin

The age of the Dark Imperium has begun, and the human race is poised on the brink of ruin. In their darkest hour, the Emperor’s servants have achieved the impossible: the resurrection of the Primarch Roboute Guilliman. Now Lord Commander of the Imperium of Man, Guilliman marshals his forces in a desperate effort to drive back the predations of Chaos: the Indomitus Crusade. Dispatched ahead of the bulk of Guilliman’s war fleets, Chaplain Helios of the Ultramarines is entrusted by the risen primarch with a mission of vital importance. Will he achieve a crucial victory for Guilliman in time, or will a millennia-old obsession spell his doom? And just what manner of weapons will be needed to wage the war to save mankind?

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction, Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2018

Reviews

[Sud666 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This takes places at the start of the events of the Dark Imperium. A group of Genisis Chapter Marines are holding onto a fallen traitor world that houses a secret weapon. They are under attack by the heretical Iron Warriors. Primarch Gulliman of the Ultramarines sends Chaplain Helios and a squad of Ultramarines to help out the chapter and recover the weapon. To help the cause he throws in a few of the brand new Primaris Marines, the next generation of Space Marines.

A pretty interesting story. Nothing amazing, though the introduction of the Primaris Marines and how they are viewed by the traditional Astartes was interesting. The look into the mindset of the Iron Warriors was also instructive and they are an interesting heretical chapter since they reserve their hate for the Emperor and the Imperium rather than simply worship the Ruinous Powers.

But I am used to more out of my 40K stories and while this is never bad, it isn't quite as epic as I thought. Good information and the Iron Warriors story is interesting, you almost end up rooting for the Warsmith. Almost. If you're a Warhammer fan I think you will like this. Everyone else? There are MUCH better 40K books out there.

[Michael Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pulled from an active warzone by order of their Primarch, Chaplain Helios and Sergeant Theron are sent on a secretive mission to retrieve something vital to the ongoing crusade, with only a handful of the new Primaris Marines for company. Meanwhile on a ravaged Imperial world, the Genesis Chapter lead a doomed defence against the forces of Warsmith Bolaraphon of the Iron Warriors.

All told it’s a smart, well thought-out standalone story that nicely fleshes out a little of the Indomitus Crusade, and takes one of the most interesting looks yet at the Primaris Marines. The conclusion you draw will depend a lot on your preconceptions, as it’s not laid out in black and white for you, but it certainly poses some questions. If you’re at all interested in the ‘current’ state of 40k, this is one to check out.

Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/10/...

[Amanda]

Proofread, so no review.

[Jack Neighbour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. So much so I read the last 186 pages in a day. An interesting take on marines meeting primaris marines. Worth a read.

[James Wetherill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredible, the was definitely the best in the series since Devastation of Baal, 5/5 absolutely loved every second of it!

[Sarah Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was fantastic, such a enjoyable read and so well put together but next time could you not hurt me so much?

[MakutaOfTheDead · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 40K lexicon is massive, daunting, almost overwhelmingly so. The wordplay in any given title can leave a reader lost in what was being described, unless you're a fan or veteran of the series. In reality, once you get a feel for the tone and the general conflict at large - and trust me, in a 40k novel, there WILL be conflict - it makes the reading more fluid.

Any Ultramarine fan will enjoy this one. A mystery to learn just why a particular planet has been targeted, and the miniature war that breaks out everywhere from the ground to the skies to even the space around the planet in question. Set pieces like an entire enemy cruiser slicing through the debris of an already delipidated ship and the final last chunk of battle between the protagonist Space Marine team and their enemies, the Chaos forged Iron Warriors, make this a spectacle. Yet, not one without some decent character writing. The stern, fatherly advice stemming from veteran warrior Helios towards the new Adeptus Astartes deployed to this battle specifically came off as really well done, especially in a series where little character moments may be overlooked. I appreciated all of the conversations of our resident cast, protagonist and antagonist alike.

My only disappointment comes in the rareness of moments with Hyzra, the pirate queen and shipmistress of the Iron Warriors' flagship. Such a cool character, like GLADoS or AUTO set in 40k, only left to two whole scenes. Alas, if that's the price I pay to earn a solid story involving the franchise's poster boys in blue, I'll take it. Just this once. Because it was epic and cool.

[John Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not familiar with this Ian St. Martin author but I gotta say, he writes a good 40k story. A pretty fascinating tale about primaris marines integrating into the rank and file. I always wondered why regular marines wouldn’t feel put out or outdated by them but it totally makes sense now. They see themselves as nothing more than weapons guarding the Imperium and if a stronger, faster more intelligent weapon comes along then it better be put to use immediately. Regular marines insist on the existence of primaris marines. Fascinating. Anyways, cool action scenes and a super rad Chaplain round out this story. There is some weird fluff involving flashbacks to an orc battle that seemed like it belonged to another story, but I just skimmed that and continued to enjoy myself. I’m loving this Dark Imperium stuff.

[Alex Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't expect to find a coming of age story in a WH40k book, but here it is. Decent characterization, with a strong shout-out to the character of Theron of being one of the more notable Space Marines in 40K canon. I really like the characterization of the Primaris Marines, and how the author played up the tensions between the generations of the Space Marines as well as the Primaris' inexperience. Battles were cool, if mayhaps a bit generic compared to most of the other books in the setting. All in all good stuff however.

[Станислав · Rating 3 out of 5]

Особо запомнить нечего, ничего не впечатлило. Сборная маринов и примарисов Ультры отправляется на мир своего дочернего Генезис Чаптер, которых крепко набили Железные воины в поисках особо мощного вируса-пожирателя. В конце прибыла "кавалерия" в виде Робаутэ Жулиманиэ, когда это было уже особо не нужно. Мир вместе с генезас чаптер всё равно сдох, маринов тоже покромсали, вот примарисы типа молодцом. Самые харизматичные были "Железные воины": железо - снаружи, железо - внутри. Вот у них действительно чувствуется боевое братство.

[Seth Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve given this book four stars because it is an entertaining 40k novel, and better written than some of the more recent 40k novels that have been released in the last five years. It has its problem, some of the plots should have been edited out, and the more cheesy aspects of 40k universe pop up from time to time; despite those issues, it was an entertaining read that reminded me why I love the 40k setting.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A blending of old and new

The Indominitus Crusade continues and the stretched thin Ultramarines get replenished with the newest warriors that leave most questioning what has it all come to? A new type of Space Marine? These new recruits are bigger, faster, and stronger but can they fight as a unit? This story shows these Primaris Marines growing into a fighting force and acceptance as Ultramarines.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent straightforward small scale mission of Ultramarines securing important resources against the Iron Warriors. The new state of the galaxy is explained and the Primaris Marines are received by their older battle brothers. Guilliman even makes a short appearance.

[Paul Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this was an audio book!

This is a reAlly good book that I personally think would only benefit from being an audio book read by the inimitable John Banks, their are good books and mediocre books in the warhammer library and this is definitely a good book!!

[Alpharius(Possibly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot, however I feel the actual main characters were a little weak and the arc with the Genesis chapter was undeveloped. I think it should have either been cut or been lengthened. Nevertheless there are some amazing moments were, especially the scene at the end with Gulliuman.

[Matt Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 40k book that shows the integration of Primaris Marines into the tasks if Ultramar.

[AA_Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another decent exploration of the impact of the arrival of the Primaris marines with a nice side order of villainous Iron Warriors

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lachlan Babbage · Rating 3 out of 5]

The codex says……. For 200 or so pages

[Alexandre · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok after thinking about it, it is one of the best in this type of books.