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Warhammer 40,000
Indomitus
A Warhammer 40,000 novel
Drawn to a stricken world, the Ultramarines of Crusade Fleet Quintus, believed by many to be cursed, face a stark choice – fight a desperate last stand or doom a sector to warn the Imperium of the rise of a new Necron empire in the Pariah Nexus.
READ IT BECAUSE
This is the first Warhammer 40,000 novel based on the new edition of the game, and it's packed with amazing action, fantastic characters and tons of intrigue – everything you want in a novel of the Indomitus Crusade.
THE STORY
For nearly ten years, the Indomitus Crusade has waged a war of defiance and reconquest in the war-torn Imperium. Attached to Crusade Fleet Quintus – dubbed the Cursed Fleet by many – the Ultramarines of the Ithraca’s Vengeance are drawn to a stricken world. With millions enslaved, a malign necron technology siphons the souls of the innocent and heralds the Silent Kingdom’s expansion. The Ultramarines face an impossible decision: mount a desperate last stand to destroy the Pariah Nexus, or break away and damn the entire sector to bring word of this ancient foe’s resurgence to the only being capable of halting it – the Lord Primarch Roboute Guilliman.
Drawn to a stricken world, the Ultramarines of Crusade Fleet Quintus, believed by many to be cursed, face a stark choice – fight a desperate last stand or doom a sector to warn the Imperium of the rise of a new Necron empire in the Pariah Nexus.
READ IT BECAUSE
This is the first Warhammer 40,000 novel based on the new edition of the game, and it's packed with amazing action, fantastic characters and tons of intrigue – everything you want in a novel of the Indomitus Crusade.
THE STORY
For nearly ten years, the Indomitus Crusade has waged a war of defiance and reconquest in the war-torn Imperium. Attached to Crusade Fleet Quintus – dubbed the Cursed Fleet by many – the Ultramarines of the Ithraca’s Vengeance are drawn to a stricken world. With millions enslaved, a malign necron technology siphons the souls of the innocent and heralds the Silent Kingdom’s expansion. The Ultramarines face an impossible decision: mount a desperate last stand to destroy the Pariah Nexus, or break away and damn the entire sector to bring word of this ancient foe’s resurgence to the only being capable of halting it – the Lord Primarch Roboute Guilliman.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2020
About the author
Gav Thorpe
388 books608 followersGav spent 14 years as a developer for Games Workshop, and started writing novels and short stories in the worlds of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 when the Black Library imprint was launched in 1997.
He continues to write for Black Library, and his first 'homegrown' novel series The Crown of the Blood has been released via Angry Robot.
Currently living in Nottingham, Gav shares his home with his loving and very understanding partner - Kez, and their beautiful little boy - Sammy.
He continues to write for Black Library, and his first 'homegrown' novel series The Crown of the Blood has been released via Angry Robot.
Currently living in Nottingham, Gav shares his home with his loving and very understanding partner - Kez, and their beautiful little boy - Sammy.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
July 28, 2020
Necrons that resemble skavens with their little conspiracies. Proud marines having arguments for tiny things. 0 lore. An extremely clumsy justification for the new models. I´ve never read a worse W40k book.
Terribly disappointing.
Terribly disappointing.
July 28, 2020
Skip it
There are many great warhammer 40k books- this is not one of them. My main complaints are primarily how the new primaris marines from the similarly titled box set are held up as puppets, rather than advancing the plot. Only the captain and the two lieutenants get much dialog, and even then it's rather old hat (one is aggressive, the other more cerebral). Yawn.
The other major problem i won't go into as it is a major spoilee, in that the ending was a complete dues ex machina, and not of the satisfying warhammer variety (exterminatus, anyone?)
There are many great warhammer 40k books- this is not one of them. My main complaints are primarily how the new primaris marines from the similarly titled box set are held up as puppets, rather than advancing the plot. Only the captain and the two lieutenants get much dialog, and even then it's rather old hat (one is aggressive, the other more cerebral). Yawn.
The other major problem i won't go into as it is a major spoilee, in that the ending was a complete dues ex machina, and not of the satisfying warhammer variety (exterminatus, anyone?)
July 30, 2020
After years of uphill struggle against the forces of the Archenemy, the Ultramarines of Crusade Fleet Quintus are in dire need of a comprehensive victory to lift morale and spur the fleet’s momentum. When the strangely becalmed Warp strands them in a system afflicted by a bizarre psychic malaise, they’re drawn into a desperate defence against the undying Necrons, whose relentless assault and terrifying abilities threaten the Indomitus Crusade and the Imperium as a whole.
If the book’s title is arguably a little misleading, it does do a good job of telling a standalone story which illustrates this particular aspect of the ongoing 40k narrative in a satisfying manner. Readers who just want cold hard facts about the Pariah Nexus and the Indomitus Crusade will be better served by sticking to Codexes and background books, as that’s not what this is about. Anyone interested in a more characterful approach, however, should find plenty to enjoy – not least in how the mild, largely polite sort of conflict amongst the Ultramarines commanders contrasts with the authoritarian battle of wills taking place within the Necron ranks. That this is pretty action-heavy should come as no surprise, but look past that and there’s character and personality – especially for the Necrons – aplenty.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2020/08/...
If the book’s title is arguably a little misleading, it does do a good job of telling a standalone story which illustrates this particular aspect of the ongoing 40k narrative in a satisfying manner. Readers who just want cold hard facts about the Pariah Nexus and the Indomitus Crusade will be better served by sticking to Codexes and background books, as that’s not what this is about. Anyone interested in a more characterful approach, however, should find plenty to enjoy – not least in how the mild, largely polite sort of conflict amongst the Ultramarines commanders contrasts with the authoritarian battle of wills taking place within the Necron ranks. That this is pretty action-heavy should come as no surprise, but look past that and there’s character and personality – especially for the Necrons – aplenty.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2020/08/...
August 2, 2020
For a while now I’ve been praising Warhammer books saying that they are far more than you’d expect. While they will never be high literature, the prose and characters pull you into this Universe and get you to care about the events of this wartorn galaxy. There are characters like Dante, Khayon and Fulgrim that are surprisingly deep and nuanced, and their stories mean something. Throughout the horrific events, you even see how it affects an individual soldier or planet inhabitant, and feel the impact and scale of the horrors that are unfolding. So it is with severe disappointment that I suggest you avoid Indomitus, the flagship book for Warhammer 40,000 9th Edition.
I understand that the books that launch and edition have a certain requirement to hype up the new models and set some of the scenes for new and returning players. This was me when I read Dark Imperium and Dark Imperium: Plague War, and I found some of the over describing of the Primaris cumbersome and unnecessary. However, it didn’t detract otherwise engaging stories and conflicts. Unfortunately, Indomitus is little more than descriptions of the new models and this is something it repeats frequently to hammer home the ‘awesome-ness’ of units like the Outriders or Bladeguard. If behind the constant descriptions there were interesting characters or a story worth my time, then I could easily forgive this issue but there isn’t.
The set up for Indomitus that a ship of Ultramarines gets lost in the warp and stumbles upon some Necrons invading a system. What follows is a series of small skirmishes leading to a slightly larger fight at the end. We mostly follow two Ultramarines who can be reduced to the thinky one and the fighty one. They are so plainly two dimensional and generic that they are barely characters. The Ultramarines squabble and argue of minor details in what appears to be an attempt to show a rivalry but it only comes off as childish. I’ve mentioned before that I find Ultramarines overly generic in the first place, but this book takes that to a whole new level.
For the full review please visit Bits & Pieces - https://bitsandpieces.games/2020/08/0...
I understand that the books that launch and edition have a certain requirement to hype up the new models and set some of the scenes for new and returning players. This was me when I read Dark Imperium and Dark Imperium: Plague War, and I found some of the over describing of the Primaris cumbersome and unnecessary. However, it didn’t detract otherwise engaging stories and conflicts. Unfortunately, Indomitus is little more than descriptions of the new models and this is something it repeats frequently to hammer home the ‘awesome-ness’ of units like the Outriders or Bladeguard. If behind the constant descriptions there were interesting characters or a story worth my time, then I could easily forgive this issue but there isn’t.
The set up for Indomitus that a ship of Ultramarines gets lost in the warp and stumbles upon some Necrons invading a system. What follows is a series of small skirmishes leading to a slightly larger fight at the end. We mostly follow two Ultramarines who can be reduced to the thinky one and the fighty one. They are so plainly two dimensional and generic that they are barely characters. The Ultramarines squabble and argue of minor details in what appears to be an attempt to show a rivalry but it only comes off as childish. I’ve mentioned before that I find Ultramarines overly generic in the first place, but this book takes that to a whole new level.
For the full review please visit Bits & Pieces - https://bitsandpieces.games/2020/08/0...
February 5, 2023
ndomitus di Gav Thorpe è un romanzo appartenente all’ambientazione legata al gioco da tavolo e alle sue mille derivazioni, Warhammer 40.000.
Non mi dilungherò a spiegare la vastità del fenomeno e di tale ambientazione. Per chi non li conoscesse suggerisco un rapido consulto all’IA (https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/) che si è mostrata sorprendentemente informata su tutti gli aspetti di tali epoepea. Lo dico con cognizione di causa, visto che, pur avendo letto diversi libri legati a quest’ambientazione, non avevo mai incontrato i Necron. Tale razza mi ha stupito per i continui rimandi all’antica civiltà egizia, con le sue navi tomba e mastaba, e mille altri riferimenti e così ho approfondito con l’aiuto dell’IA.
Chi segue il blog conosce l’ammirazione che provo verso il worldbuilding che caratterizza WH40K. Impressionante perché abbraccia non solo un mondo, ma l’universo intero con una profondità e un’ispirazione che hanno del “magico”. In questo Gav Thorpe si cala alla perfezione con rimandi che attingono a piene mani alla teosofia, sfruttandoli e calandoli nel caos delle guerre spaziali del lontano futuro. Gli Ultramarines protagonisti dell’episodio in questione non sono il mio capitolo prediletto, ma riescono ugualmente a conquistare il lettore nel corso dell’avventira con il loro coraggio e sprezzo del pericolo e cieca obbedienza all’Imperatore. Belle anche le dinamiche all’interno della linea di comando sia dello schieramento post-umano che dei Necron. Tutto da scoprire. Recensione completa su: https://evasioneletteraria.blogspot.c...
Non mi dilungherò a spiegare la vastità del fenomeno e di tale ambientazione. Per chi non li conoscesse suggerisco un rapido consulto all’IA (https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/) che si è mostrata sorprendentemente informata su tutti gli aspetti di tali epoepea. Lo dico con cognizione di causa, visto che, pur avendo letto diversi libri legati a quest’ambientazione, non avevo mai incontrato i Necron. Tale razza mi ha stupito per i continui rimandi all’antica civiltà egizia, con le sue navi tomba e mastaba, e mille altri riferimenti e così ho approfondito con l’aiuto dell’IA.
Chi segue il blog conosce l’ammirazione che provo verso il worldbuilding che caratterizza WH40K. Impressionante perché abbraccia non solo un mondo, ma l’universo intero con una profondità e un’ispirazione che hanno del “magico”. In questo Gav Thorpe si cala alla perfezione con rimandi che attingono a piene mani alla teosofia, sfruttandoli e calandoli nel caos delle guerre spaziali del lontano futuro. Gli Ultramarines protagonisti dell’episodio in questione non sono il mio capitolo prediletto, ma riescono ugualmente a conquistare il lettore nel corso dell’avventira con il loro coraggio e sprezzo del pericolo e cieca obbedienza all’Imperatore. Belle anche le dinamiche all’interno della linea di comando sia dello schieramento post-umano che dei Necron. Tutto da scoprire. Recensione completa su: https://evasioneletteraria.blogspot.c...
October 23, 2020
This book could've been great. The level of existing 40k lore out there is rich enough to allow even a toys-pushing novel to reach at least decent levels of entertaining prose.
Instead, we got moustache-twirling villainy from a completely ridiculous Necron Overlord, long (very long) sections about Space Marine lieutenants reading data and a number of pointless story arcs which felt they were there so there is more in the book than just descriptions of the new tabletop models (the whole navigators going blind thing, the rubber-bouncy-void-null-zone-travel thingy, the orbital space station nobles, the null humans plotline (so do they die or not?), the "space marines resist the void because they are cool", the "Cursed fleet" allusions that never get resolved or lead anywhere).
I did enjoy the whole Destroyer point of view parts, at least. Of course, SPOILER ALERT that quickly became simplistic. While normally an entertaining author, Gav Thorpe missed a ton of opportunities to develop cool tidbits of Necron lore and storyline. The part about the children, for example. But no, all we got was "wife went crazy while becoming a robot so must kill all humans/and/or/living things". Not to mention the ending of that particular storyline: "oh, guess I can't kill all living things... DIES"
An underlying plotline was the plasmancer revenge shtick, a revenge for something that was never truly mentioned or explained. In fact, everything the Space Marines manage to do is due to this covert permanent sabotage the plasmancer was fastidiously running against her own "allies". I get that Newcrons lore is all about scheming nobles, but a scheme without a narrative thread is just an empty shell of adjectives (and in our case convoluted technobabble about protocols).
Best thing I can say about the book is the space battle description scene.
Disappointing.
Instead, we got moustache-twirling villainy from a completely ridiculous Necron Overlord, long (very long) sections about Space Marine lieutenants reading data and a number of pointless story arcs which felt they were there so there is more in the book than just descriptions of the new tabletop models (the whole navigators going blind thing, the rubber-bouncy-void-null-zone-travel thingy, the orbital space station nobles, the null humans plotline (so do they die or not?), the "space marines resist the void because they are cool", the "Cursed fleet" allusions that never get resolved or lead anywhere).
I did enjoy the whole Destroyer point of view parts, at least. Of course, SPOILER ALERT that quickly became simplistic. While normally an entertaining author, Gav Thorpe missed a ton of opportunities to develop cool tidbits of Necron lore and storyline. The part about the children, for example. But no, all we got was "wife went crazy while becoming a robot so must kill all humans/and/or/living things". Not to mention the ending of that particular storyline: "oh, guess I can't kill all living things... DIES"
An underlying plotline was the plasmancer revenge shtick, a revenge for something that was never truly mentioned or explained. In fact, everything the Space Marines manage to do is due to this covert permanent sabotage the plasmancer was fastidiously running against her own "allies". I get that Newcrons lore is all about scheming nobles, but a scheme without a narrative thread is just an empty shell of adjectives (and in our case convoluted technobabble about protocols).
Best thing I can say about the book is the space battle description scene.
Disappointing.
August 1, 2020
Felt forced to be to much like the Indomitus Box. It wasn't bad though had some exciting parts. What I really didn't like was how whiney the Necrons came across. Not at all how I would picture ancient terminator like beings bent on re-conquest of the galaxy.
August 9, 2020
All action.
The Necron lickspittle is hilarious - "Sunlight Lord of the Gold Sands/Eagle Of The Void/Lord Of The Silver Mountain/Mighty Overlord Of The Six Hills/Majestic Ruler Of The Void Seas/Sunderer Of The Fourth Wall, etc"
The Necron lickspittle is hilarious - "Sunlight Lord of the Gold Sands/Eagle Of The Void/Lord Of The Silver Mountain/Mighty Overlord Of The Six Hills/Majestic Ruler Of The Void Seas/Sunderer Of The Fourth Wall, etc"
January 27, 2024
Not as bad as some reviews would have you believe, yes there are more interesting books about Warhammer but this still has its own enjoyable story. The Ultramarines are not the biggest draw in my opinion although they did grow on me as I neared the books conclusion. Instead it is the macrons which are the greater appeal with the constant back and forth power struggle between Simut and Ah-hotep. A lot of the characters endings were bittersweet in this novel and reminds me of the ending of Talos and first claw in ‘The Night Lords Omnibus’. Honestly if you enjoy spacemarines or necrons then this book could be worth the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2026
A little disappointed by this first real introduction to the world of the Necrons. I was hoping for something more substantial than this cheap villain who curls his moustache and thinks he's king of the hill when he's nothing but an incompetent idiot.
The Astartes are better, but it's hard to feel any real empathy for them, except perhaps for Prax, who is the least prone to hubris of the bunch.
The title Indomitus is a bit misleading, as we are far from Guilliman's reconquest campaign - that's the Dawn of Fire series - but rather a simple skirmish that introduces the Necrons into the game.
The Astartes are better, but it's hard to feel any real empathy for them, except perhaps for Prax, who is the least prone to hubris of the bunch.
The title Indomitus is a bit misleading, as we are far from Guilliman's reconquest campaign - that's the Dawn of Fire series - but rather a simple skirmish that introduces the Necrons into the game.
October 26, 2020
Un pestiño tremendo. Parece escrito en dos fines de semana. Uf...
October 8, 2020
Different to the other 40K books I’ve read and the author presents these differences in the style and character at the beginning. I quite liked how this was more about character development and the interactions between them rather than just fighting and explosions which usually dominate these books. Admittedly in some places it fell a little flat in these attempts but for the most part I quite enjoyed this fresh perspective and I’d like to see more attempts at this style from the BL.
Must agree with some other reviews that it is very much written to promote the new model releases and game, but I must say it worked wonderfully for them because I’ve just started a Necron collection. Take from that what you will.
Overall 3.5/5.
Also the short story “our lord on terra” is a complete waste of time, don’t even bother.
Must agree with some other reviews that it is very much written to promote the new model releases and game, but I must say it worked wonderfully for them because I’ve just started a Necron collection. Take from that what you will.
Overall 3.5/5.
Also the short story “our lord on terra” is a complete waste of time, don’t even bother.
June 10, 2021
Good for a Warhammer 40k book.
The most interesting things to me were the personalities of the different Astartes officers and the interactions between them. Each officer has his own strengths and weaknesses. When they work together well they can leverage these effectively.
Praxemedes was my favorite, possibly because I can relate to him the most in terms of personality.
The book also shows the value of teamwork and meritocracy.
The most interesting things to me were the personalities of the different Astartes officers and the interactions between them. Each officer has his own strengths and weaknesses. When they work together well they can leverage these effectively.
Praxemedes was my favorite, possibly because I can relate to him the most in terms of personality.
The book also shows the value of teamwork and meritocracy.
October 20, 2023
My Background:
Since my first interest in Warhammer, I have watched many lore videos, The Ultramarine movie, I have also read a few of the old codex and I have red both Books of the Twice Dead King. Indomitus is the third full novel I have read. This is also my first novel containing the Imperium point of view. Spoilers in the segments below.
Background:
Indomitus came out with the story being the big part of Ninth Edition from what I understand. The story focuses on the Indomitus crusade which began in Eight edition following the return of Roboute Guilliman Primarch of the Ultramarines. He launches the crusade to regain lost words and push back the enemy of man. Originally the enemy was Chaos however within this book show the new threat they are running into. The Necron Dynasties.
Necrons:
The book begins from the Ultramarines Point of View however I mainly read this book for the Necrons. The Necron part of the book follows the point of view of three Necrons Simut (Leader of the Necron Fleet), Ah-hotep (Fancy Science Wizard) and Zozar (Destroyer).
Simut = In my opinion the least interesting of the three and of the six overall characters the story focus on. An arrogant Coward who really does not do much beside walking and sitting along the deck of whatever ship he happens to be on. A real disappointment after Oltyx from the Twice Dead King who share a similar position. His death towards the end of the book is great with his arrogance being used against him. His other great moment is when his first ship is destroyed, and he thinks it was an assassination attempt on him.
Ah-hotep = The main focus of the Necron point of view in the book and my favorite of the three. A plasmancer from a dynasty destroyed by Simut leading to Ah-hotep working to destroy him. My one issue is that she does not really try to kill or get revenge until the latter half of the book. Instead, it just seems she wants to take his job because he bad at it. Her actions in Simut death is a great bit of the story. She is very clever unable to match up physically with Simut guard, but able to outplay Simut and use his weakness to her advantage.
Zozar = A destroyer who job is to be used as the blunt weapon of the Necron fleet. Despite his eagerness from battle, I did not find him boring or uninteresting. his backstory was sad and well told giving meaning to his actions. Unlike other characters in Media who seek battle out of love for fighting or blood, Zozar seeks the deaths of other because they are a reminder of his past. Necron history they were born on a world filled with radiation leading to must growing sick and short life spans. They are offered a way to escape their fate with Zozar being one of the scientists to put together the Biotrasnfer, a machine which turned them into living machines. A prospect which enslaved their people to the star gods which killed Zozar wife and two kids. He seeks the death of organic creature because they are a reminder of what he did and who he lost.
Ultramarines:
The book shifts between the two factions with more rapid switching as the book goes on. The Ultramarines part of the book also follows three characters. Aeschelus (Primaris captain), Nemetus (Trained Primaris lieutenant) and Praxamedes (Vertin Primaris lieutenant). Primaris are the newest version of Space Marines which are genetically enchanted supper soldiers. I do wish that one of the three Ultramarines was one of the older Space Marines. I think it would have been interesting to see how they compare to Primaris Marines.
Aeschelus = Captain of the fleet who is very eager to fight. Unfortunately, they have been moving from empty pocket of space to empty pocket. They are towards the front of the Crusade and the first to run into the growing Necron Threat. By himself he is not the most interesting how when matched up with the regular humans and the Space Marines he does become a lot more interesting. He really shows the difference between a Space Marine and a regular human. Humans may show fear, however he does not with his mind a bit more logical. However early on in the book his eagerness to battle leads to him disobeying orders which later leads to him facing up against the Necrons. A warning does get back to the rest of the Crusade. However, his actions do get most of his group killed. The book ends with him and Nemetus making one last stand while Praxamedes gets away.
Nemetus = The least interesting of the three Ultramarines however his way of thinking compared to Praxamedes is very interesting. Praxamedes is far more logical often working with caution while Nemetus often rushes in. As the book goes on, they often lean into each other point of view with Nemetus agreeing that Praxamedes would make the best of them to lead the escape ship back to the crusade. Even to the point he says he is likely to get distracted and go off to fight another foe.
Praxamedes = The intro character to the story who does have the best interactions with the regular humans along the ship. In the beginning of the book Aeschelus does get mad with Praxamedes cation but it does save the ship from destruction. Praxamedes despite his desire for combat does a good job being ship command while the other two are leading different parts of the battle. In the end of the book, he escapes back towards the rest of the Crusade. However, it is not reveled if he makes it or not, a shame in my opinion.
An overall good book somewhat slowed down by the lead up taking over half of the book. Slowly the two factions are led towards one another with most of the fighting taking place during the latter chapters.
Since my first interest in Warhammer, I have watched many lore videos, The Ultramarine movie, I have also read a few of the old codex and I have red both Books of the Twice Dead King. Indomitus is the third full novel I have read. This is also my first novel containing the Imperium point of view. Spoilers in the segments below.
Background:
Indomitus came out with the story being the big part of Ninth Edition from what I understand. The story focuses on the Indomitus crusade which began in Eight edition following the return of Roboute Guilliman Primarch of the Ultramarines. He launches the crusade to regain lost words and push back the enemy of man. Originally the enemy was Chaos however within this book show the new threat they are running into. The Necron Dynasties.
Necrons:
The book begins from the Ultramarines Point of View however I mainly read this book for the Necrons. The Necron part of the book follows the point of view of three Necrons Simut (Leader of the Necron Fleet), Ah-hotep (Fancy Science Wizard) and Zozar (Destroyer).
Simut = In my opinion the least interesting of the three and of the six overall characters the story focus on. An arrogant Coward who really does not do much beside walking and sitting along the deck of whatever ship he happens to be on. A real disappointment after Oltyx from the Twice Dead King who share a similar position. His death towards the end of the book is great with his arrogance being used against him. His other great moment is when his first ship is destroyed, and he thinks it was an assassination attempt on him.
Ah-hotep = The main focus of the Necron point of view in the book and my favorite of the three. A plasmancer from a dynasty destroyed by Simut leading to Ah-hotep working to destroy him. My one issue is that she does not really try to kill or get revenge until the latter half of the book. Instead, it just seems she wants to take his job because he bad at it. Her actions in Simut death is a great bit of the story. She is very clever unable to match up physically with Simut guard, but able to outplay Simut and use his weakness to her advantage.
Zozar = A destroyer who job is to be used as the blunt weapon of the Necron fleet. Despite his eagerness from battle, I did not find him boring or uninteresting. his backstory was sad and well told giving meaning to his actions. Unlike other characters in Media who seek battle out of love for fighting or blood, Zozar seeks the deaths of other because they are a reminder of his past. Necron history they were born on a world filled with radiation leading to must growing sick and short life spans. They are offered a way to escape their fate with Zozar being one of the scientists to put together the Biotrasnfer, a machine which turned them into living machines. A prospect which enslaved their people to the star gods which killed Zozar wife and two kids. He seeks the death of organic creature because they are a reminder of what he did and who he lost.
Ultramarines:
The book shifts between the two factions with more rapid switching as the book goes on. The Ultramarines part of the book also follows three characters. Aeschelus (Primaris captain), Nemetus (Trained Primaris lieutenant) and Praxamedes (Vertin Primaris lieutenant). Primaris are the newest version of Space Marines which are genetically enchanted supper soldiers. I do wish that one of the three Ultramarines was one of the older Space Marines. I think it would have been interesting to see how they compare to Primaris Marines.
Aeschelus = Captain of the fleet who is very eager to fight. Unfortunately, they have been moving from empty pocket of space to empty pocket. They are towards the front of the Crusade and the first to run into the growing Necron Threat. By himself he is not the most interesting how when matched up with the regular humans and the Space Marines he does become a lot more interesting. He really shows the difference between a Space Marine and a regular human. Humans may show fear, however he does not with his mind a bit more logical. However early on in the book his eagerness to battle leads to him disobeying orders which later leads to him facing up against the Necrons. A warning does get back to the rest of the Crusade. However, his actions do get most of his group killed. The book ends with him and Nemetus making one last stand while Praxamedes gets away.
Nemetus = The least interesting of the three Ultramarines however his way of thinking compared to Praxamedes is very interesting. Praxamedes is far more logical often working with caution while Nemetus often rushes in. As the book goes on, they often lean into each other point of view with Nemetus agreeing that Praxamedes would make the best of them to lead the escape ship back to the crusade. Even to the point he says he is likely to get distracted and go off to fight another foe.
Praxamedes = The intro character to the story who does have the best interactions with the regular humans along the ship. In the beginning of the book Aeschelus does get mad with Praxamedes cation but it does save the ship from destruction. Praxamedes despite his desire for combat does a good job being ship command while the other two are leading different parts of the battle. In the end of the book, he escapes back towards the rest of the Crusade. However, it is not reveled if he makes it or not, a shame in my opinion.
An overall good book somewhat slowed down by the lead up taking over half of the book. Slowly the two factions are led towards one another with most of the fighting taking place during the latter chapters.
August 16, 2025
I enjoyed the Necron parts, constantly a war for power within the faction, it was cool to understand more about how the infighting is constant and how the overnull works BUT god this was a tough read, I got stumped on it and lost passion about halfway though and it felt like a slog to finish it! it was just a certified okay book! if you're looking for a book to read and just say huh I read a book this is the one for you!
March 1, 2022
Found this a difficult read. The space marines seem way more human but not in a good way. Long periods where nothing seems to happen. Still a good read but I won’t pick it up again.
July 27, 2020
While the story was interesting and compelling, the purpose of the book was to introduce all of the new models and units for the latest edition of the game. It was jarring several times in the prose when each unit was detailed in both their role and their equipment.
Yes, it served well as an introduction but for readers familiar with the lore and game, it is weaker than most of the novels.
Yes, it served well as an introduction but for readers familiar with the lore and game, it is weaker than most of the novels.
July 29, 2020
I’m very shocked that everyone is giving this “lacklustre” novel above a 2 - I think a 2 is even stretching it for a 20 dollar purchase.
Mundane, stereotypical character development, and awful plot flow. I am beyond disappointed in this novel. I found myself striving for the end hoping it’d get better... it never did. Not to mention, it felt like words were being repeated for the sake of filling up word count.
Makes The First Wall read like a masterpiece (and even that was not even close to what Dan Abnett wrote). Very disappointed with my purchase.
Mundane, stereotypical character development, and awful plot flow. I am beyond disappointed in this novel. I found myself striving for the end hoping it’d get better... it never did. Not to mention, it felt like words were being repeated for the sake of filling up word count.
Makes The First Wall read like a masterpiece (and even that was not even close to what Dan Abnett wrote). Very disappointed with my purchase.
August 20, 2020
Indomitus had a lot more interpersonal debates on either side of the main conflict, which I wasn't exactly expecting, but found entertaining.
August 14, 2020
The Necrons, and I particular, the Destroyers, are presented in a really compelling and well-rounded way. Camp as tits too, which is always refreshing and welcome in 40k, more factions should be aware of their absurdity.
It’s also nice to see marines struggle to relate to mortals.
Overall though, this book falls a little short of what I enjoy- for all the politicking on spaceship corridors, for all the action and world-building, it just wasn’t that much fun to read.
It’s also nice to see marines struggle to relate to mortals.
Overall though, this book falls a little short of what I enjoy- for all the politicking on spaceship corridors, for all the action and world-building, it just wasn’t that much fun to read.
August 15, 2020
This was an action packed book that looked at the complicated relationships between Ultramarine commanders. The Necrons are also shown as very fractured and nuanced. The plot and action were fast paced and exactly why I read these books. I look forward to more books set in the Indomitus Crusade.
August 20, 2020
When I read a Black Library book I enter with a few hopes:
-Interesting characters/settings
-Exciting action scenes
Having recently picked up warhammer 40k after over a decade of not playing, I thought this book would be a good way to get me pumped for the game. Well I was in for a disappointment.
Nearly all the characters in Indomitus are flat and uninspiring. The book is told by two perspectives, one taking the view of Necrons, the other the view of Ultramarines, with the two forces fighting this dual view should have created some interesting content...
On the Ultramarines side we have the Captain, who isn't a terrible commander, but a bit vain and glory hungry. We have the Lieutenant who is inexperienced and glory hungry, and we have the other Lieutenant who is cautious and, you guessed it glory hungry. These characters only have the barest amount of superficial growth during the story, and so their bland start just continues throughout the story.
On the Necron side we have an incompetent megalomaniac, a scheming person, and a resigned servant. The Necron side of things did have one ray of interest, the craze Destroyer lord created a villain with a unique background and motive, and giving some much needed different perspective to the narrative.
The action scenes also were rather disappointing, frequently under-described, or lacking clear goals.
The audio is an amazing quality, with the narrator really giving it his all; however, the content is so bland that even this can't save it.
Honestly best to avoid.
-Interesting characters/settings
-Exciting action scenes
Having recently picked up warhammer 40k after over a decade of not playing, I thought this book would be a good way to get me pumped for the game. Well I was in for a disappointment.
Nearly all the characters in Indomitus are flat and uninspiring. The book is told by two perspectives, one taking the view of Necrons, the other the view of Ultramarines, with the two forces fighting this dual view should have created some interesting content...
On the Ultramarines side we have the Captain, who isn't a terrible commander, but a bit vain and glory hungry. We have the Lieutenant who is inexperienced and glory hungry, and we have the other Lieutenant who is cautious and, you guessed it glory hungry. These characters only have the barest amount of superficial growth during the story, and so their bland start just continues throughout the story.
On the Necron side we have an incompetent megalomaniac, a scheming person, and a resigned servant. The Necron side of things did have one ray of interest, the craze Destroyer lord created a villain with a unique background and motive, and giving some much needed different perspective to the narrative.
The action scenes also were rather disappointing, frequently under-described, or lacking clear goals.
The audio is an amazing quality, with the narrator really giving it his all; however, the content is so bland that even this can't save it.
Honestly best to avoid.
September 6, 2020
First off, I read some reviews before starting and really wanted to like it. However in my opinion this is such poorly written story. I have absolutely no connection with the characters and couldn't care less what happens. It's just so flat, clichéd and two dimensional.
I've got to page 191, and I can't take it anymore. I'm done. I feel like a weight has lifted that I have decided that I don't have to finish it.
The reason for the 2 stars and not one is that some of the battle scenes were ok with some enjoyment.
Obviously this book is there as a side story to the main plotline to support the Indomitus boxed-set but name dropping in every time what each unit does is pretty jarring. While I was hoping the Necron side would be interesting and refreshing, they ended up being annoying.
Just don't bother, there are MANY other Black Library novels more worth your time.
I've got to page 191, and I can't take it anymore. I'm done. I feel like a weight has lifted that I have decided that I don't have to finish it.
The reason for the 2 stars and not one is that some of the battle scenes were ok with some enjoyment.
Obviously this book is there as a side story to the main plotline to support the Indomitus boxed-set but name dropping in every time what each unit does is pretty jarring. While I was hoping the Necron side would be interesting and refreshing, they ended up being annoying.
Just don't bother, there are MANY other Black Library novels more worth your time.
August 16, 2020
Coming on the heels of some spectacular books in the Siege of Terra series and other pre-40k stories, the bar was very high for the titular book of Bobby G's new crusade. Alas, those aren't the servitors you're looking for.
The two opposing 'factions', the Necrons and the Ultramarines, spend a lot of their 'screen time' squabbling among themselves in some way or another. The Space Marines come across as lacking conviction and direction. The Necrons on the other hand, despite their clear advantages, seemingly prefer to expend power and resources on infighting.
The audiobook edition adds insult to injury by giving the Necrons voices of Nickelodeon cartoon villains. Gav Thorpe can do so much better than this.
The two opposing 'factions', the Necrons and the Ultramarines, spend a lot of their 'screen time' squabbling among themselves in some way or another. The Space Marines come across as lacking conviction and direction. The Necrons on the other hand, despite their clear advantages, seemingly prefer to expend power and resources on infighting.
The audiobook edition adds insult to injury by giving the Necrons voices of Nickelodeon cartoon villains. Gav Thorpe can do so much better than this.
October 24, 2021
Indomitus is brtutal epic! It delivers seat of the pants action from the start! Full of daring do and epic battles, characters doing epic things on a vast level! The setting is full of vast vistas and both the Ultramarines and the Necrons come across as real three-dimensional characters with their own motivations! The neat parrellel between the underlings and the commanders of the Necrons and Ultramarines works brillianlty and creates an epic duel between the characters from the start as the characters go right out for the ultimate prize! Epic hcarectirisation throughout on a canvas that is constantly alternating! Brilliant Crisp High Five! Get it When You Can! :D
June 21, 2021
Good introduction to the modern 40k verse, perfect for those who don't want to chug through 50+ horus heresy books (not that they're bad, just that there's so many)
Would recommend to someone who just bought the indomitus box set so everytime they mention a units name they can just point out the model from the set. Not too big a gripe, but if product placement exists for books this one definitely has it lol
Would recommend to someone who just bought the indomitus box set so everytime they mention a units name they can just point out the model from the set. Not too big a gripe, but if product placement exists for books this one definitely has it lol
August 19, 2021
Thorpe's Indomitus does not disappoint, especially as the cornerstone book for a massive release within the WH40k universe - he dives into the mindset and moves of both the Ultramarines and the Necrons, giving fascinating glimpses into a entirely unhuman psyche and thought processes with skill. While I'm not traditionally an Ultramarine fan, Thorpe has done a solid job of making me curious about what comes next for the Indomitus Crusade.
September 21, 2022
Algunas veces apetece dejar aparte tu género habitual y leer algo totalmente diferente. En este caso, ciencia ficción, en el sub-género de "space opera" y encima con ambientación "grim dark".
Soy fan del universo Warhammer que apareció a principios de los 90 y siempre me ha gustado seguirle la pista a una saga que va evolucionando con el tiempo, como si una novela río se tratara. No son unas novelas fáciles de leer, pues beben de un juego de mesa (wargame) en el que también hago mis pinitos.
Si aceptamos que es un subgénero muy sectorizado, entonces acotamos su número de lectores, con lo cuál, el libro tendría que ser bueno, para que alguien neófito al tema lo adquiriera. Pero, hay escritores que destrozan el género. En los corrillos frikies, a Gav Thorpe se la apoda "El Torpe" por su manera de escribir. Yo no lo sabía, hasta ahora.
Por qué si relatas una historia de ciencia ficción en un universo tan cerrado, lo que menos puedes hacer es perderte en absurdas y parabólicas descripciones técnicas del funcionamiento de un motor interestelar, o de como piensa una raza robótica alienígena sentiente exterminadora de toda vida.
Páginas y páginas de vocablos técnicos de juego y pseudo ciencia, de referencias a hechos descritos en manuales de juego o en otras novelas que ni siquiera se han publicado en castellano, que empantanan una narración de una batalla épica contra fuerzas arrolladoras, donde la victoria es enfrentarse a un mal a pesar de los peores pronósticos. Donde vencer las dificultades ya es algo por lo que sentirse orgulloso, a pesar de que no se obtenga el éxito.
En fin, ya se que hay pocos lectores del Universo Warhammer 40000, y con este tipo de obras, entiendo que pueda haber menos. Si no habéis leído nada de este mundo, esta NO es una buena novela para iniciarse en él. Y si conocéis este mundo, espero que os guste la facción Necron, pues la Ultramarine es denostada implacablemente.
Soy fan del universo Warhammer que apareció a principios de los 90 y siempre me ha gustado seguirle la pista a una saga que va evolucionando con el tiempo, como si una novela río se tratara. No son unas novelas fáciles de leer, pues beben de un juego de mesa (wargame) en el que también hago mis pinitos.
Si aceptamos que es un subgénero muy sectorizado, entonces acotamos su número de lectores, con lo cuál, el libro tendría que ser bueno, para que alguien neófito al tema lo adquiriera. Pero, hay escritores que destrozan el género. En los corrillos frikies, a Gav Thorpe se la apoda "El Torpe" por su manera de escribir. Yo no lo sabía, hasta ahora.
Por qué si relatas una historia de ciencia ficción en un universo tan cerrado, lo que menos puedes hacer es perderte en absurdas y parabólicas descripciones técnicas del funcionamiento de un motor interestelar, o de como piensa una raza robótica alienígena sentiente exterminadora de toda vida.
Páginas y páginas de vocablos técnicos de juego y pseudo ciencia, de referencias a hechos descritos en manuales de juego o en otras novelas que ni siquiera se han publicado en castellano, que empantanan una narración de una batalla épica contra fuerzas arrolladoras, donde la victoria es enfrentarse a un mal a pesar de los peores pronósticos. Donde vencer las dificultades ya es algo por lo que sentirse orgulloso, a pesar de que no se obtenga el éxito.
En fin, ya se que hay pocos lectores del Universo Warhammer 40000, y con este tipo de obras, entiendo que pueda haber menos. Si no habéis leído nada de este mundo, esta NO es una buena novela para iniciarse en él. Y si conocéis este mundo, espero que os guste la facción Necron, pues la Ultramarine es denostada implacablemente.
August 17, 2020
I've been a fan of 40k as a background and hobby for over a quarter of a century, and in that time I have read plenty of Black Library novels, including a great number of tie-in books for new games/supplements. Without doubt, this is the best one. It doesn't try to slavishy hang a narrative around the specific contents of the Indomitus boxed game but instead uses the models in that set as a jumping off point to tell an epic story with more than a few surprises.
Think you know how a novel that centres a group of Ultramarines as protagonists will go? Think again. These aren't the all-conquering, immaculately perfect poster boys you may expect. These are living, breathing characters with flaws, doubts and who can make mistakes. They're also not necessarily carrying the day purely through being star-spangled awesome, if indeed they're carrying it at all.
Opposite them we have equal screen time with the Necrons, including a spiteful, prideful and not necessarily all that bright Overlord, his Plasmancer and a Royal Warden who takes his job and only his job extremely serious indeed, while managing somehow to convey deadpan sarcasm in a completely neutral way. The Necron characters here are every bit as entertaining as the Marines, and the way in which the novel fleshes out the Necrons as a race, including what they're working for and why through it various characters is absolutely welcome.
The ending will leave you wanting a sequel to see how certain things turn out, but it's also perfect ending in and of itself, should a sequel never appear. I really can't recommend this book highly enough to any 40k fiction fan.
Think you know how a novel that centres a group of Ultramarines as protagonists will go? Think again. These aren't the all-conquering, immaculately perfect poster boys you may expect. These are living, breathing characters with flaws, doubts and who can make mistakes. They're also not necessarily carrying the day purely through being star-spangled awesome, if indeed they're carrying it at all.
Opposite them we have equal screen time with the Necrons, including a spiteful, prideful and not necessarily all that bright Overlord, his Plasmancer and a Royal Warden who takes his job and only his job extremely serious indeed, while managing somehow to convey deadpan sarcasm in a completely neutral way. The Necron characters here are every bit as entertaining as the Marines, and the way in which the novel fleshes out the Necrons as a race, including what they're working for and why through it various characters is absolutely welcome.
The ending will leave you wanting a sequel to see how certain things turn out, but it's also perfect ending in and of itself, should a sequel never appear. I really can't recommend this book highly enough to any 40k fiction fan.
November 30, 2020
A good solid 40 book. If you are into Ultramarines or Necrons then its worth the read. I especially enjoyed the Necrons side. The vengeance sweet and the Destroyers tragic.
That being said I am a bit surprised with the level of negative reviews I am reading.
I will admit this is not the greatest 40k book or even Thorpe's greatest, but it was still a solid enjoyable story. I always kind of keep an eye on how accessible a 40k book would be to a fresh soul un-tarnished by the warp (Warhammer fan) This book feels like its good for some one who has maybe already dipped a toe in, maybe paged through a codex, had a friend explain some stuff or maybe played a video game.
To circle back to the frustration with the negative reviews it stems to two issues.
1. not meeting an unrealistic expectation for the book to be ground breaking and truly epic.
2. That it comes off like a commercial. I assume in large part because it names units that came in the Indomitus box set. Well this may cause a cringe in some its likely a mandate from GW in the book guidelines. We need a book about Space Marines versus Necrons, use the unit names.
I am just saying if you choose to read a book that is the companion to a set being released and are upset that it is heavily tied to that set and isn't part of the epic conclusion to something like a 57 book and counting, 14 year long series (Seige of Terra: The First Wall)
I am not sure I can agree with your high expectations.
That being said I am a bit surprised with the level of negative reviews I am reading.
I will admit this is not the greatest 40k book or even Thorpe's greatest, but it was still a solid enjoyable story. I always kind of keep an eye on how accessible a 40k book would be to a fresh soul un-tarnished by the warp (Warhammer fan) This book feels like its good for some one who has maybe already dipped a toe in, maybe paged through a codex, had a friend explain some stuff or maybe played a video game.
To circle back to the frustration with the negative reviews it stems to two issues.
1. not meeting an unrealistic expectation for the book to be ground breaking and truly epic.
2. That it comes off like a commercial. I assume in large part because it names units that came in the Indomitus box set. Well this may cause a cringe in some its likely a mandate from GW in the book guidelines. We need a book about Space Marines versus Necrons, use the unit names.
I am just saying if you choose to read a book that is the companion to a set being released and are upset that it is heavily tied to that set and isn't part of the epic conclusion to something like a 57 book and counting, 14 year long series (Seige of Terra: The First Wall)
I am not sure I can agree with your high expectations.
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