Crusaders of Dorn

Space Marine Battles

by Guy Haley

A Space Marine Battles anthology

Seven tales of the crusading sons of Rogal Dorn see them take on dangerous aliens in infernal regions, and wage total war on Armageddon – the xenos won't know what hit them.

READ IT BECAUSE
It's a top quality collection of Guy Haley's Black Templars short stories, gathered together and placed in chronological order for the first time, including a brand new story.

THE STORY
For ten millennia, the Black Templars have continued the Great Crusade, remaining true to the Emperor's dream of a galaxy free of the alien, the traitor and the mutant. One of the few Chapters to venerate the Emperor as a god, they strive always to follow His example and secure His Imperium for all mankind. This anthology showcases seven tales of the sons of Sigismund, including an exploration of High Marshal Helbrecht's first crusade, and three stories from the Third War for Armageddon.

Includes the short stories Circle of Honour, The Black Pilgrims, Helbrecht: The Crusader, The Uncanny Crusade, The Glorious Tomb, Only Blood and Season of Shadows.

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction, Anthologies

224 pages, ebook

First published August 11, 2016

About the author

Guy Haley is the author of over 50 novels and novellas. His original fiction includes Crash, Champion of Mars, and the Richards and Klein, Dreaming Cities, and the Gates of the World series (as K M McKinley). However, he is best known as a prolific contributor to Games Workshop's Black Library imprint.

When not writing, he'll be out doing something dangerous in the wild, learning languages or gaming.

Reviews

[Dawie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short stories revolving around the Black Templars Space Marines chapter. Stories were in some way conected to one another, but most of it felt disjointed. I was hoping to read about how it is being a "Chosen Son of Rogal Dorn", but it left me a bit empty. The same can be said about the last story, it just ended, what is up with that?

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pleasant surprise. The first stretch of it was just okay. About 1/3 through it got interesting and has some stories providing perspectives about what is going on elsewhere during the war on Armageddon from the novel Helsreach. One story was from the perspective of a space marine entombed in a Dreadnought.

[Michael T Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm pretty amazed that Guy Haley got me to care about the Black Templars enough to even finish MOST of what's in here.

Circle of Honour - Brusc's initiation. Not bad.
The Black Pilgrims - Probably my favorite story of the bunch. Fighting on a Space Hulk, and some fun with dimensions. Brusc is along for the ride.
Helbrecht: The Crusader - Helbrecht gives a rousing speech
The Uncanny Crusade - dammit. I can't remember, nor can I find a plot synopsis.
The Glorious Tomb - ditto.
Only Blood / Season of Shadows - A longer, more protracted story that takes place on Armageddon. A fun conundrum for the Templars, but the story wasn't interesting enough to take up the majority of this slim volume. Not bad, though.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection of short stories about the Black Templars

This a great collection of stories of the Black Templars. The collection primarily takes place before the third war of Armageddon with Helbrect's first Crusade as High Marshal to battles on the surface of Armageddon.

I bought the Armageddon omnibus and there are two short stories in here that were in there. That's disappointing, but it was a good reread.

If you are a fan of the Black Templars read 'Armageddon' first and you can supplement that with this.

My one wish about this novel: I wish there was a story of Brusc becoming a Sword Brother.

[eFTy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty nice short stories about the Black Templars, loosely following a few characters. The only one I wouldn't say was a good read is The Uncanny Crusade, along with its totally-not-an-intro companion short story Hellbrecht: The Crusdlader, on one hand because it switches focus from some relatively interesting characters to one that is bland and unidimensional. Ironically, this one also had the only bit of speculatolive sci-fi element in the form of the cythor fiends and the nature of their existnce.

So if you're interested in Templar lore, read the rest.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually avoid Black Library short story collections, but since these were all thematically tied together and were by a single author I figured I'd give it a shot. I enjoy Guy Haley's work and I thought he brought the Black Templars to life very well here. Though there are a few diversions, the stories largely feel connected thanks to a few repeated characters and one "main" character in the form of Brother Brusc. It's solid stuff!

[Joseph Laffoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of stories does a fantastic job of diving deeper into the mindset of many famous Black Templars, digging deep into the hearts of warriors torn between duty and morality. Some died, and they died well, according to their brothers. Others, well, if only they had not been killed when they did, for even a space marine dislikes losing the only family he has. Praise Be! Give it a read, and tell me you didn't love it.

Jonathan Keeble read the audiobook on Audible.

[Michael Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book primarily as an introductory read of the Black Templars. While this is made up of short stories and novelettes, they are all loosely connected using the same characters and locations in many cases.
I came away knowing more about the chapter in general, their main characters and events and became a fan of the Black Templars.

[Glen Vigil · Rating 5 out of 5]

No pity! No remorse! No fear!

Whether you are a neophyte or a sword brother of the black templars you will enjoy! Great stories to give further insight into my favorite chapter! Great read.

[Jetpack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incredibly short (217 pages) and the 7 (!) short stories weren't that good.

Tack on a decent Armageddon novella, and I can get to 3 stars, but now? Ugh, no. Glad I didn't pay $17 for this.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little collection of Black Templar stories.

[Ulzeta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite boring.

[BlacKHeaDSg1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books contains mostly short stories about chapter called Black Templars. It was fine but nothing really special. Only problem is that is just too short.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Every one of these stories, is a detailed look into the black templars as a legion. Each one will keep you one the edge of your seat

[Michael Elder · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty alright collection of stories about the Black Templars. I had just read Helsreach, so was still in the mood for Black Templars. Helsreach was great for showing you that the Templars have more going on than RAH CRUSADERS, while this one was mostly just RAH CRUSADERS!