Agent of the Throne: Truth and Dreams

The Horusian Wars

by John French, Beth Chalmers (Narrator), Cliff Chapman (Narrator)

THE STORY
As an agent of the Throne, former soldier Ianthe serves Inquisitor Covenant and faces some of the most dangerous and insidious threats the galaxy has to offer.

On the hunt for the rogue psyker Silas Norn, Ianthe and her associates run afoul of the Imperial authorities and are imprisoned. Norn too is captured and incarcerated, but with the ability to manipulate the minds of his victims he is far from easy quarry. To stop him, Ianthe must not only find him, she must overcome the buried ghosts of her hidden past.

Genres: 40k, Audiobook, Science Fiction

Audiobook

First published April 10, 2018

About the author

John French is a writer and freelance game designer from Nottingham, England. His novels include the Ahriman series from Black Library, and The Lord of Nightmares trilogy for Fantasy Flight. The rest of his work can be seen scattered through a number of other books, including the New York Times bestselling anthology Age of Darkness. When he is not thinking of ways that dark and corrupting beings could destroy reality and space, John enjoys talking about why it would be a good idea... that and drinking good wine.

Reviews

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the full series review: https://bitsandpieces.games/2021/01/2...

Keeping up the pace of story telling found in Blood and Lies, Truth and Dreams manages to offer a more exciting story with a slightly more interesting villain. Resuming action in the midst of a hunt for a rogue Psyker, the story revels in its noir stylings even if the dialogue can become somewhat predictable.


From rattling gunfire to the slow drags Ianthe takes on a pipe as she recounts the adventure, the sound design continues to add a wonderful texture to the proceedings. Best of all, we get a little more insight into the character of Ianthe and her experiences (Kul and Autobanas remain a little flat but then it’s not their story). Her moments of brief exposition not only expand our understanding of her but expand the world in which she operates and the forces that influence the Imperium. Whether it’s the ignorance of the local authorities below her or the illusive powers who’s will she enacts.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

My audible review:

"I bought this having heard the excellent "Blood and Lies," which was tight, gritty and serious.

While this production does have some genuinely exciting moments, the gritty tone has gone and, in places, seems to have switched black humour for "laughs." Clearly relationships have advanced in the intervening period but still.

There is at least one glaring plot hole and, unless the story of Silas Norn is continued elsewhere, the end makes no sense at all either.

I really want to like this but after 4 or 5 listens (I felt sure I was missing something) the story just doesn't hang together."

Now for spoilers:

In some scenes, Ianthe borders on shrill and hysterical. This doesn't fit the "rep" that's being established for her as a stone cold killer. Poor voice direction?

So, major plot holes.

Firstly, Cull turns up at the prison and says he's cut a deal, he says it's a good deal. The deal is then explained to Ianthe. In the next scene, Cull quickly expresses the opinion that it's a terrible deal. He's there for the explanation of the deal, so if [insert name here]'s bait-and-switched him, he surely would have objected?

This brings me to the second, massive plot hole, Ianthe concludes that [insert name here] has engineered this entire situation. But to what end? Why on Terra would she have Norn bought to the prison, only to then ask Ianthe to root him out? Paraphrasing: "Norn is loose in my prison, I need him sorted out." "Why did you send a team that bought him to the prison, then?"

Finally, when Norn is "talking" to Ianthe, he states quite baldly, that he knows she is Inquisition. They then discuss how the Inq recruits and how you never really get away. He says, I thought you were a new enemy, not an old one with a new face. Then, at the very end, he says "they didn't send you at all."

This suggests to me that maybe Ianthe isn't who she thinks she is, and says as much during her flash-forwards but at the point of the flash forwards she STILL doesn't apparently know the truth of the matter. The flash forwards are almost confessional, so I'd think, at that point, she'd at least know what she is confessing to.

Maybe Ashes & Oaths ties this up? If not, it's a hot mess. And a hot mess a standalone besides.

[Joe Coulter · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In the Imperium, truth is a weapon. Dreams are a liability.”

Agent of the Throne: Truth and Dreams is Warhammer 40k espionage at its finest—a taut, cerebral slice of shadowplay where words are as deadly as bolters, and silence is often the last thing you hear. John French crafts a slow-burn thriller that shows the true reach of the Inquisition—not in open warfare, but in whispered commands and political precision strikes.

This audio drama (and its script) follows Inquisitorial agent Ianthe, a razor-sharp operative walking a wire-thin line between lies, manipulation, and loyalty to the Throne. She's smart, surgical, and absolutely lethal—not because she fights, but because she understands what the Imperium needs to believe.

French’s writing digs deep into the politics of faith and perception, revealing the Imperial truth: what matters is not what is, but what is believed. It’s not an action-heavy story—but the tension runs high, the stakes are massive, and every word feels like it’s part of a larger, darker puzzle.

Verdict: A grim, gripping tale where faith is weaponized, and the Inquisition’s reach feels truly limitless. Truth hurts. Dreams die. And the Throne endures.

Recommended for: Fans of Inquisition lore, Black Library political intrigue, and audio drama-style storytelling that favors whispers over warcries.

Not for: Readers looking for large-scale battles or traditional space marine action. This one operates in the shadows.

[Cloak88 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Small taste of a larger story 3.5 stars

This is a quick bit of cloak-and-dagger work in the 40K universe. The story on it's own is interesting, and clearly hints at a much larger story. Characters are introduced and mysteries are intermingled between the well written action scenes. The cast and sound effects convey the story well and give the perfect atmosphere for the gritty 40K universe.

In all a good story, and probably an excellent story in conjunction with the rest of the series, but on its own worth only 3.5 stars.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't get excited about this series the way others do. The acting and production value is definitely there but at the end of the day the "stories of the week" weren't anything to write home about and the tapestry he was building towards appears to be forever incomplete. Now that I've heard all three, I'd say they get progressively better, with this one in the middle of the pack.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way too much going on in too little time, leaving all pieces undeveloped. The idea of a Battle Royale prison and mind manipulating psyker could easily have been split into their own one hour episodes.

[Chris Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warhammer 40k done right... but SO short :(

[Tem Saysword · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of these!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and easy Warhammer 40k book

[C. K. Andersson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel that this one could have been longer, because the antagonist seemed really interesting to me. Still, I enjoyed it a lot! The narrators are amazing.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good addition to this series. They're short stories - so nothing too in-depth, but still enjoyable if you like 40k and the Horusian wars.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10

[Periklis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great BL audiodrama. Really cinematic. Loved the "film noir" narration and the ocasional synth score. The plot's basically a prison break out. With psychers. Can't wait for the next installment in the series....

[Sarah McNally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually pretty good. Better than the last one. The main character is still annoying though. Maybe in the next instalment, she can complete a task without being the reason every male character dies. Would be cool.