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The Siege of Terra #6
Warhawk
Siege of Terra Book 6
With the Lion's Gate space port taken by the enemy, Jaghatai Khan of the White Scars prepares a brazen gambit, but one of his former brothers rises to take up arms against him.
READ IT BECAUSE
The heroic and dynamic White Scars hurtle headlong into combat with the unyielding Death Guard. As brother battles brother, the fate of Terra itself hangs in the balance.
THE STORY
The Inner Walls are breached.
Traitor vanguards tear towards the heart of the Palace, sensing victory. Desperate gambits are attempted: an unwilling saint is released into the ruins, as well as an enthusiastic sinner. A black sword rises, forged from spite, ready to create a legend. But amid the slaughter, Jaghatai Khan, Warhawk of Chogoris, prepares to launch the most audacious strike of the conflict. His goal is nothing less than the liberation of the Lion's Gate space port. Cut off from any help, he stakes everything on one desperate counter-offensive, launched against an old enemy who has been made far greater than he ever was before. As the White Scars ride out against the newly crowned lords of life and death, they know that defeat for them dooms not only the Legion, but Terra itself.
With the Lion's Gate space port taken by the enemy, Jaghatai Khan of the White Scars prepares a brazen gambit, but one of his former brothers rises to take up arms against him.
READ IT BECAUSE
The heroic and dynamic White Scars hurtle headlong into combat with the unyielding Death Guard. As brother battles brother, the fate of Terra itself hangs in the balance.
THE STORY
The Inner Walls are breached.
Traitor vanguards tear towards the heart of the Palace, sensing victory. Desperate gambits are attempted: an unwilling saint is released into the ruins, as well as an enthusiastic sinner. A black sword rises, forged from spite, ready to create a legend. But amid the slaughter, Jaghatai Khan, Warhawk of Chogoris, prepares to launch the most audacious strike of the conflict. His goal is nothing less than the liberation of the Lion's Gate space port. Cut off from any help, he stakes everything on one desperate counter-offensive, launched against an old enemy who has been made far greater than he ever was before. As the White Scars ride out against the newly crowned lords of life and death, they know that defeat for them dooms not only the Legion, but Terra itself.
482 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2021
338 people are currently reading
1290 people want to read
About the author
Chris Wraight
220 books386 followersChris Wraight is a British author of fantasy and science fiction.
His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting.
He is based in the south-west of England.
His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting.
He is based in the south-west of England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
November 18, 2021
Ajak Khan spies his enemy, a captain of Angron’s tragic berserkers, debased fighters he pities as much as he hates, clambering through ruins towards him, followed by a dozen more. In their wake come the hordes, still languishing in no-man’s-land, exposed to the pounding of the guns. Ajak Khan runs, accompanied by his battle-brothers, racing into the close combat he loves.
Chris Wraight’s Warhawk, 8th book in the Siege of Terra series and 62th installment in the 15 years long Horus Heresy saga from Black Library is a massive tome ending for good the White Scars arc started from author in Scars eight years ago, with Jagathai Khan leading remnants of his Legion out from cover to take back the Lion’s Gate space port in the most audacious assault the conflict ever seen.
‘This is the end,’ Dorn told him flatly. ‘All that could have been done, has been done. Every delay, every counter-strike, every anticipation. Now, they get in. Mercury will fail imminently, then Exultant, then the others.’
Sigismund’s unwavering expression never flickered. He was a cold one. Almost too good an Imperial Fist. Almost a parody of their entire philosophy.
I was not much a fan of the Khan and his sons before reading about them in the Horus Heresy books, novellas and short tales, but they just grown into me more and more after every read, Primarch novel included, and this last tome, successfully rounding up the trilogy started with Scars, just deserved all the hype it got since announced months ago, so well written and packed with great and memorable moments ranging from the long standing rivalry between the two Primarchs of V and XIV Legions coming at its bloody peak with two brothers litterally embracing themselves to death at last, and an unforgettable last ride with strong Flash Gordon (1980) vibes... orbital plate Skye is essentially a city sized War Rocked Ajax in one of the best scenes of all the Horus Heresy saga, just wait and see by yourself.
They were out of time, out of luck, and what remained now was only defiance – only bloody-minded, bloody-handed defiance.
‘No, I set you free, my beloved, my best, son,’ said Rogal Dorn, never taking his eyes off his First Captain. ‘Do now what you were made to do.’
He smiled a second time, the expression as icy as the despair that gripped his hearts.
‘Hurt them.’
Not as good as Dan Abnett’s Saturnine, but still a great book with the traitor Legions ready to launch their final assault on the Inner Sanctum and the surviving imperial forces desperate and withdrawing, with a tired Rogal Dorn crushed under the weight of duty, fatigue, and Mortarion’s psychic assault, cloaking the Palace in gloom and desperation.
‘It is for you.’
‘Who says it?’
‘The Emperor.’
Sigismund found himself gazing at the black hilt. He had to make an effort not to reach out and seize it. The damned thing was seducing him. A mingled sense of revulsion and awe froze him in place. ‘He speaks not.’
‘You truly believe that? The sword is yours. It has always been yours.’
And after seven years of fight, a Black Sword and an unwilling Saint are forged in spite, determined to make their enemies suffer in the most painful ways ever at last before the end.
He found himself almost wishing for the moment to come. He knew it had to arrive soon. Guilliman had not made it. Even if the Ultramarines somehow appeared, it would surely be too late to make a difference. Everything would come down to the Throneroom, the fulcrum of the entire grand drama, just as it had always been destined to. The Emperor was there. The Warmaster was closing in.
Not exaggerating at all, but the chapters about Sigismund turning into the Emperor’s Champion at last and his long waited duel against Khârn, unexpectedly narrated from the Betrayer’s point of view just gave me chills down my spine.
‘But you should not have come here alone, monster.’
But even as Erebus’ sceptre began to spark, the air around him crackled and shifted. Four great shapes began to curl into being around him, diffuse like water but thickening fast, with spines and fangs and the genesis of glowing, bestial eyes.
‘I didn’t,’ he said, completing the summoning. ‘And I think you owe my friends an apology.’
The Perpetuals and the Aika 73 Leman Russ tank crew storylines were good ones too for me, and dear old Erebus, swinging by just to remove from the chessboard, for now at last, a recently introduced character not much loved at all by W40K fandom, apparently did nothing wrong for real at this time.
This was about taking the Lion’s Gate space port, driving out the occupiers and getting the orbital guns back in operation, and then holding the place for as long as they could. Even if they achieved the first of those things, they’d be surrounded, cut off from any possible resupply and forced to dig in against an enemy who seemed to command virtually infinite numbers.
Price to mr. Wraight for writing one of best novels in the series in my opinion, for taking the few obscure and often conflicting chunks of lore about White Scars and turning them into a glorious and memorable plotline.
Kalgaro found himself smiling. The more he studied the signals, the more the picture was confirmed. The White Scars hadn’t gone anywhere, and now they were out in the open again, streaming towards the space port, a coordinated spearhead that was already burning swiftly through the wastelands. ‘A moment to be thankful,’ he said. ‘Our friends are still with us.’
He turned from the unit and began to give orders.
And now, after a certain revelation bordering to retcon but still so good, I just have to read again about the Doom of the Death Guard in my old copy of GW Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned as soon as possible.
But that wasn’t the point. Sigismund turned to the Imperial defenders, his bloodstained sword hot in his hands.
‘Witness this!’ he shouted, his hearts thudding with the glorious rhythm of exertion. ‘They can be hurt. They can be killed.’
Haak was listening. Her troops were listening. They no longer looked terrified.
‘So stand up,’ he growled. ‘And do your duty.’
Two books left, althought I’ve read somewhere that Dan Abnett’s final one is so massive that Black Library is probably going to split it in two ones, but the end is in sight at last and I just can’t wait for it.
It was the last temptation Sigismund ever had. His lips remained sealed.
I fight for the Imperium as it will become.
Khârn surged back into contact, his axe-teeth screaming, his limbs pumping, blood and sweat mingling in the steam-gouts that flared from his ravaged armour. And the Black Sword met him squarely, as silent, cold and passionless as the grave.
Onward to book 63th .
October 8, 2021
I hope I’m not damning Warhawk with faint praise when I say that it is exactly the book I expected it to be; Chris Wraight seems incapable of writing anything that disappoints.
It’s bizarre to think that he only ended up writing the White Scars’ journey through the Heresy because no-one else was, he has imbued them with such character it’s hard to imagine anyone else covering them so successfuly. This novel effectively rounds out the trilogy he started with Scars, whilst also building upon the Siege of Terra narrative established in prior books. The Death Guard are another faction that Wraight has demonstrated a great affinity for writing and they also shine here, though, as always, I would prefer even more of the page count devoted to the traitor legions.
Perhaps more tightly focused than some of the other SoT books, Warhawk still conveys the awesome scale of the conflict both in terms of numbers involved and the damage wrought by it. There is a definite sense of finality to the book, events are building towards the inevitable conclusion and the post-Heresy Imperium is starting to coalesce around the major players. The journey of Sigismund in particular is really effective at conveying this.
As is often the case with the better HH novels the parts I enjoyed the most and that will linger the longest in my memory concern non-Astartes. The Skye platform has a memorable and evocative if economic arc, bringing to life a pretty incomprehensible piece of technology, but my favourite sections had to be those following the crew of an Imperial Army Leman Russ. I’m a sucker for any BL book that features a good tanker story and this one doesn’t fail to deliver, especially the in-universe discourse on the relative strengths and weaknesses of this distinctive piece of STC technology.
A great book that maintains the standards of the series and hopefully sets up interesting points for the next two.
It’s bizarre to think that he only ended up writing the White Scars’ journey through the Heresy because no-one else was, he has imbued them with such character it’s hard to imagine anyone else covering them so successfuly. This novel effectively rounds out the trilogy he started with Scars, whilst also building upon the Siege of Terra narrative established in prior books. The Death Guard are another faction that Wraight has demonstrated a great affinity for writing and they also shine here, though, as always, I would prefer even more of the page count devoted to the traitor legions.
Perhaps more tightly focused than some of the other SoT books, Warhawk still conveys the awesome scale of the conflict both in terms of numbers involved and the damage wrought by it. There is a definite sense of finality to the book, events are building towards the inevitable conclusion and the post-Heresy Imperium is starting to coalesce around the major players. The journey of Sigismund in particular is really effective at conveying this.
As is often the case with the better HH novels the parts I enjoyed the most and that will linger the longest in my memory concern non-Astartes. The Skye platform has a memorable and evocative if economic arc, bringing to life a pretty incomprehensible piece of technology, but my favourite sections had to be those following the crew of an Imperial Army Leman Russ. I’m a sucker for any BL book that features a good tanker story and this one doesn’t fail to deliver, especially the in-universe discourse on the relative strengths and weaknesses of this distinctive piece of STC technology.
A great book that maintains the standards of the series and hopefully sets up interesting points for the next two.
October 9, 2021
Well, here we are. The end is in sight.
I described Mortis as a meta commentary about this series being bogged down in its own bloat.
Warhawk then, also serves as a meta commentary on the series. Because a book focused around a desperate counter-attack against the physical embodiments of the concept of bloated inertia works as a desperate counter-attack against a bloated, inert series.
It helps that Chris Wraight is a damn good writer. Simple things, like the structure he uses to link different chapters containing different characters that add pace and coherence to the book help. But the main strength on show here is that he genuinely wants to let characters be characters - not proxies for plastic toy soldiers. People have motivations, doubts, and take actions in a way that fleshes out their identity. There's not a single dull paragraph of explosion porn in the whole thing.
I just feel bad that he's had to mention in the author's notes that an unreliable narrator character who may as well be called "Bob the Unreliable Narrator" is - in fact - an unreliable narrator to head off the waves of neckbeards and grognards who think different in-universe perspectives are plot holes.
One of the best of the series. If the last two keep up this quality, then the Siege of Terra run might be worth it. Even if the Horus Heresy as a whole is at least 40 books too long.
I described Mortis as a meta commentary about this series being bogged down in its own bloat.
Warhawk then, also serves as a meta commentary on the series. Because a book focused around a desperate counter-attack against the physical embodiments of the concept of bloated inertia works as a desperate counter-attack against a bloated, inert series.
It helps that Chris Wraight is a damn good writer. Simple things, like the structure he uses to link different chapters containing different characters that add pace and coherence to the book help. But the main strength on show here is that he genuinely wants to let characters be characters - not proxies for plastic toy soldiers. People have motivations, doubts, and take actions in a way that fleshes out their identity. There's not a single dull paragraph of explosion porn in the whole thing.
I just feel bad that he's had to mention in the author's notes that an unreliable narrator character who may as well be called "Bob the Unreliable Narrator" is - in fact - an unreliable narrator to head off the waves of neckbeards and grognards who think different in-universe perspectives are plot holes.
One of the best of the series. If the last two keep up this quality, then the Siege of Terra run might be worth it. Even if the Horus Heresy as a whole is at least 40 books too long.
September 27, 2024
Proper review at some point, but the only emotions this series is making me feel are in response to how slapdash, rushed, and hamstrung the authors, characters and narratives are because all air, feeling, and pathos has long left the building.
I truly don't blame Wraight. This could use been worse. It could have been Mortis.
However, the Siege of Terra is absolutely the Horus Heresy in its final series of Game of Thrones era, complete with an equally disappointing and not anything at all Cleganebowl...
Well done, Black Library, you made me feel absolutely nothing for the swansong of my favourite character in this whole series and reduced [Cerberus] to a grumbling prick.
Oofa. Doofa.
I truly don't blame Wraight. This could use been worse. It could have been Mortis.
However, the Siege of Terra is absolutely the Horus Heresy in its final series of Game of Thrones era, complete with an equally disappointing and not anything at all Cleganebowl...
Well done, Black Library, you made me feel absolutely nothing for the swansong of my favourite character in this whole series and reduced [Cerberus] to a grumbling prick.
Oofa. Doofa.
December 24, 2025
Space Mongolians go weeeeeeh! Had a good time. One of the better Siege of Terra entries.
October 4, 2021
This is a disappointing book. Chris Wraight who wrote the brilliant „Path of Heaven” did not manage to grasp the magic of that book again. The whole legion feels slightly out of character here.
Scars in the beginning of the book feel lifeless even when charging at the enemy. Then they briefly change into Blood Angels and in the end they turn into Imperial Fists. What happened to this Legion?
Loyalists' unconventional air support in Warhawk feels much more interesting than the charging Jetbikes of the Ordu. The long awaited duel between the Primarchs (shown on the cover) seems too long and less interestingly crafted than a brief encounter of the Khan with a Death Guard Leviathan dreadnought (which was awesome, yet OP on the Khan’s side).
Other characters like Valdor also feel off. After writing the Valdor novel Wraight should be able to do something more with the Emperor's #1 Custodian. The mortal soldiers feel like 40k Imperial Guard rather than 30k Imperial Army.
Sigismund & Euphrati Keeler have a much better showing in "Warhawk" - we discover the genesis of the "skulls everywhere" phenomenon of the 40k architecture. The perpetual arc here is not as good as in "Saturnine" or "Mortis". And I expected more for the Death Guard from the author of "The Lords of Silence".
There are a lot of awesome "inbetween" descriptions in this book: the infrastructure, the wastelands, the carnage & destruction but the main parts of Warhawk feel lackluster.
Please do better in book 7 ADB.
Scars in the beginning of the book feel lifeless even when charging at the enemy. Then they briefly change into Blood Angels and in the end they turn into Imperial Fists. What happened to this Legion?
Loyalists' unconventional air support in Warhawk feels much more interesting than the charging Jetbikes of the Ordu. The long awaited duel between the Primarchs (shown on the cover) seems too long and less interestingly crafted than a brief encounter of the Khan with a Death Guard Leviathan dreadnought (which was awesome, yet OP on the Khan’s side).
Other characters like Valdor also feel off. After writing the Valdor novel Wraight should be able to do something more with the Emperor's #1 Custodian. The mortal soldiers feel like 40k Imperial Guard rather than 30k Imperial Army.
Sigismund & Euphrati Keeler have a much better showing in "Warhawk" - we discover the genesis of the "skulls everywhere" phenomenon of the 40k architecture. The perpetual arc here is not as good as in "Saturnine" or "Mortis". And I expected more for the Death Guard from the author of "The Lords of Silence".
There are a lot of awesome "inbetween" descriptions in this book: the infrastructure, the wastelands, the carnage & destruction but the main parts of Warhawk feel lackluster.
Please do better in book 7 ADB.
January 13, 2023
Wow! Just wow! If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would have
I was enthralled from the start and it gives so much more meat to the bone to what and who the white scars are
Can’t wait to start the next one as I’m nearing the end of the siege books
I was enthralled from the start and it gives so much more meat to the bone to what and who the white scars are
Can’t wait to start the next one as I’m nearing the end of the siege books
February 18, 2025
Warhawk, the sixth entry in the Siege of Terra series is a triumphant and blistering chapter nearing the epic conclusion of the Siege of Terra. Chris Wraight delivers a novel that not only elevates the White Scars as a legion and their enigmatic Primarch, Jaghatai Khan, but also amplifies the emotional and strategic stakes of the siege itself which was much needed. From the outset, the novel pulses with a relentless energy befitting the V Legion, sweeping readers into a maelstrom of warfare that is both exhilarating and deeply personal. Though what Wraight achieves with Jaghatai Khan here is nothing short of extraordinary. Too often relegated to the shadows of his more bombastic brothers, the Khan now emerges fully realized—philosophical, deadly, and more than anything deeply human. Moreover Wraight beautifully captures his complex relationship with the wider Imperium, with the Khan fighting for Terra not out of blind loyalty to the Emperor, but because he believes in the world he and his Legion has bled to build and if it must fall then so shall he with it. Wraight tightens the tension around the walls of the Imperial Palace, making every battle feel like another step toward inevitable ruin. The air is thick with desperation, and the novel's pacing mirrors the siege itself—crushing, relentless, and unstoppable. Sigismund's role in the narrative is as well especially powerful. The First Captain of the Imperial Fists is a force of nature himself, as his zealotry and indomitable will carve a harsh path through the chaos as he fully embraces himself as a living weapon of the crumbling imperium. His interactions with the Khan are also a real highlight, contrasting the White Scars' more free spirited fluidity with the unyielding, stoic resolve of the Fists which I liked a lot. And then, there is the duel-Jaghatai Khan versus Mortarion. Wraight delivers one of the most iconic Primarch confrontations in the entire Siege of Terra series, with this battle being less a contest of strength than it is a clash of ideologies. The Khan, swift and untethered, versus Mortarion, the embodiment of decay and inevitability. Every blow is laced with meaning—Mortarion fights to impose his stagnant, deathly vision of the universe, while the Khan fights for life, motion, and freedom. All of these elements combine to create what is definitely my favorite entry in the Siege so far and easily one of my all time favorite novels of the verse.
June 20, 2023
This is one of the better 40K books “for adults” in my opinion. The white scars are in it, showing once again how 40K spesh migraines can be written without being silly, but really, it extends to basically everyone in the book except for the Death Guard who are the “happy Nurgle” way.
I personally happen to prefer this way of writing Nurgle followers. I think it’s much more sinister when they accept the inevitable path of Nurgles ultimate depression, and then just roll with it. I also think it’s maybe the first time Mortarion wasn’t weak. Sure, parts of it pissed off a lot of Death Guard enjoyers, but I think it was mostly the ones who bought into the legion being sooooo durable even though the tragedy of them have always been that they weren’t able to stomach things when it got tough. So there is that part of it, and you may get upset if you’re not a based Death Guard enjoyer.
Other than that it’s sort of a weak Siege of Terra novel. It’s much better than 4/5 of the others, but that’s not really saying much considering 4/5 of the others should’ve been a single short story. Things actually happen in this one, so it’s not just 9 billion pages about a fight for a door, which is nice, but it’s still basically 9 billion pages of “setup”.
You’re going to read it, and at least it’s more enjoyable than it’s predecessors. I think it’s the best of the 6 so far, but I also do like the White Scars a lot.
I personally happen to prefer this way of writing Nurgle followers. I think it’s much more sinister when they accept the inevitable path of Nurgles ultimate depression, and then just roll with it. I also think it’s maybe the first time Mortarion wasn’t weak. Sure, parts of it pissed off a lot of Death Guard enjoyers, but I think it was mostly the ones who bought into the legion being sooooo durable even though the tragedy of them have always been that they weren’t able to stomach things when it got tough. So there is that part of it, and you may get upset if you’re not a based Death Guard enjoyer.
Other than that it’s sort of a weak Siege of Terra novel. It’s much better than 4/5 of the others, but that’s not really saying much considering 4/5 of the others should’ve been a single short story. Things actually happen in this one, so it’s not just 9 billion pages about a fight for a door, which is nice, but it’s still basically 9 billion pages of “setup”.
You’re going to read it, and at least it’s more enjoyable than it’s predecessors. I think it’s the best of the 6 so far, but I also do like the White Scars a lot.
July 29, 2023
And so we are creeping ever close to the end. With this sixth installment quite a few storylines draw to a close. Of course I’m not going to mention in what way, or which storylines. Suffice it to say there is a confrontation in this book, that makes it so much worth the read. It was breathtaking to say the least, and certainly for me one of the best fights of the entire series. This book was good, very good, and I enjoyed pretty much all of the narrative. So…time to move on to the next one: both looking forward to it, as well as slightly sad as well, as I’m realising that I’m truly nearing the end now.
January 7, 2022
Another solid entry in the siege of Terra series.
This book addresses the growing fatigue of 7 years defending a fortress spanning the Himalayas.
Everyone is tired.
I loved it. Very much an injection of hope into a slowly waning fight.
10/10 moment where Sigismund kills Kharn, and you feel sorry for Kharn. He has lost a brother, someone who was his equal that could bring him satisfaction and challenge. But Sigismund is beyond caring for anyone.
Leaving Kharn to die alone.
This book addresses the growing fatigue of 7 years defending a fortress spanning the Himalayas.
Everyone is tired.
I loved it. Very much an injection of hope into a slowly waning fight.
10/10 moment where Sigismund kills Kharn, and you feel sorry for Kharn. He has lost a brother, someone who was his equal that could bring him satisfaction and challenge. But Sigismund is beyond caring for anyone.
Leaving Kharn to die alone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2023
Great read, finally get to see sigismund crush people. Great story between khan and Morty, all well written. Only complaint would be the john and oll part doesn't interest me much but that has been with all the siege books.
March 10, 2024
Cool plot, very odd and jarring tone of voice for several established characters. Lacked the finesse of the best books in the series. Spoils a massive future plot point in the afterword which was rather annoying.
January 17, 2022
Best book of the series so far, the Astartes parts of the book are epic but it's sightly let down by the pretty dull perpetual story arc.
September 26, 2024
+ Passable plot with some scenes that deliver
+ As with previous Chris Wright titles, White Scars are really brought to life and given unique character
+ Nurglings (and other demons)
+ Occurrences of long-term series characters (even if they feel a bit out of place)
- Way too many perspectives lead to quite a jarring experience, including some characters we don't care about at all; too unfocused
- Story progresses only marginally in a large book
+ As with previous Chris Wright titles, White Scars are really brought to life and given unique character
+ Nurglings (and other demons)
+ Occurrences of long-term series characters (even if they feel a bit out of place)
- Way too many perspectives lead to quite a jarring experience, including some characters we don't care about at all; too unfocused
- Story progresses only marginally in a large book
July 1, 2024
Big step back up again after Mortis
October 6, 2022
Good read, as the title betrays, this book is mostly about the Khan in this phase of the siege. I like that both him and Mortarion both come to a reckoning at last!!
November 13, 2021
PLEASE Horus! Kill the Emperor! Please!
This series is torment!
I swear these books are getting worse by each installment.
This one? Ultimately pointless, incredibly boring, absolutely nothing happens that isn't already facts.
Really exciting duel, now that we know the daemon primarchs are immortal and just respawn instantly.
After reading the Dark Imperium Trilogy, which moves the setting forward, the Heresy - and particularly the Siege of Terra - seems stale and static.
Which it has to be, to some extent. Certain events are cut in stone, which primarchs will live and die, how will it all end.
8 books are just too much for an event where very little interesting *can* happen.
The dig at the Leman Russ design was hilarious however. I've seen people badmouth the terrible tank designs in 40k many times, I liked that there was an in-universe commentary on it.
Still, what a purposeless shitty load of worthless conversations and boring bolter porn.
People who think otherwise really needs to read a real book, instead of only shoving pulp action into their minds.
This series is torment!
I swear these books are getting worse by each installment.
This one? Ultimately pointless, incredibly boring, absolutely nothing happens that isn't already facts.
Really exciting duel, now that we know the daemon primarchs are immortal and just respawn instantly.
After reading the Dark Imperium Trilogy, which moves the setting forward, the Heresy - and particularly the Siege of Terra - seems stale and static.
Which it has to be, to some extent. Certain events are cut in stone, which primarchs will live and die, how will it all end.
8 books are just too much for an event where very little interesting *can* happen.
The dig at the Leman Russ design was hilarious however. I've seen people badmouth the terrible tank designs in 40k many times, I liked that there was an in-universe commentary on it.
Still, what a purposeless shitty load of worthless conversations and boring bolter porn.
People who think otherwise really needs to read a real book, instead of only shoving pulp action into their minds.
December 3, 2024
I loved the fight, but not the one depicted on the cover! Did not see it happening like that until it was already happening!
Read
October 10, 2021My hardcover copy should arrive in a few days. I couldn't wait to read this though, as Chris Wraight has emerged as one of my favourite Black Library authors. My review is thus of the Kindle version.
He delivered on this. He does some very cool twists, not the lame M. Night Shaymalan type, but by viewing scenes we expected from a perspective that we didn't. I also really enjoyed the tank crew subplot, which actually is very important to the overall story. Seeing the normal humans in action is often the most grueling and rewarding part of the Siege novels. Wraight shows us the inchoate Imperial religion taking form, and it's a grim dark thing indeed.
He delivered on this. He does some very cool twists, not the lame M. Night Shaymalan type, but by viewing scenes we expected from a perspective that we didn't. I also really enjoyed the tank crew subplot, which actually is very important to the overall story. Seeing the normal humans in action is often the most grueling and rewarding part of the Siege novels. Wraight shows us the inchoate Imperial religion taking form, and it's a grim dark thing indeed.
October 6, 2021
Superb.
Here we see the fall of optimistic Imperial Truth to the dogmatic Imperial Cult. Slowly but surely, like a disease it becomes more powerful as the heroes of The Imperium become their 40K mirrors.
Primarchs exhausted and debased fighting, bickering like siblings do. Their soldiers battered, broken, corrupt and conniving, only doing what they can to survive in a new world of fury.
Some good character development from some.
Though this book does have Erebus in it. And we all *love* our favourite egotistical Word Bearer don't we? -5000 for his involvement!
Here we see the fall of optimistic Imperial Truth to the dogmatic Imperial Cult. Slowly but surely, like a disease it becomes more powerful as the heroes of The Imperium become their 40K mirrors.
Primarchs exhausted and debased fighting, bickering like siblings do. Their soldiers battered, broken, corrupt and conniving, only doing what they can to survive in a new world of fury.
Some good character development from some.
Though this book does have Erebus in it. And we all *love* our favourite egotistical Word Bearer don't we? -5000 for his involvement!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2025
Typical brilliance from Wraight, who crafts not one but two genuinely epic/moving fight scenes.
I think the way he went about handling the Kharn/Sigismund fight is genuinely genius and one of the best/cleverest bits of writing in the entire HH series.
So many potential pitfalls or events that’s could be underwhelming or characters that could be annoying or unrealistic avoided. Even made the John/Oll stuff bearable ;)
I think the way he went about handling the Kharn/Sigismund fight is genuinely genius and one of the best/cleverest bits of writing in the entire HH series.
So many potential pitfalls or events that’s could be underwhelming or characters that could be annoying or unrealistic avoided. Even made the John/Oll stuff bearable ;)
November 22, 2021
A highly entertaining book in the Siege of Terra series that actually moves the plot forward, fleshes out a lot of scenes that were just part of "semi-canon" 40k lore and actually gives a solid foundation to the transformation of the Imperium of Man from the age of Unity to the grimdark setting we all love.
Easily one of the best books in the series.
Easily one of the best books in the series.
September 18, 2025
Book Review: The Siege of Terra: Warhawk by Chris Wraight
As someone still relatively new to the vast and intimidating universe of Warhammer 40K, I approached Warhawk with both excitement and a little trepidation. Having worked my way through the previous novels in the Siege of Terra series, I was curious to see how this sixth installment would balance accessibility for newcomers like me with the expectations of seasoned Warhammer fans.
First, I was impressed by how Chris Wraight continues to make the epic events of the Siege of Terra approachable. Unlike some of the earlier novels in the Horus Heresy saga, which can feel densely packed with lore and terminology, Warhawk strikes a careful balance: it doesn’t shy away from complex concepts like legion politics, strategic maneuvering, and the psychological toll of warfare, yet it manages to provide enough context for readers like me to follow the story without feeling completely lost. While terms like “Primarch,” “Legion,” or “Warmaster” carry a weight of significance, Wraight drops explanations in a way that feels natural rather than forced, which was a relief for someone still building their understanding of the universe.
The pacing in Warhawk is particularly noteworthy. Unlike some of the earlier books, which occasionally lingered on exposition, this novel propels the reader through the action with relentless momentum. From the opening pages, the tension is palpable. Wraight excels at describing massive battles in ways that are both cinematic and comprehensible. As a newcomer, I found the depictions of space and ground engagements thrilling, and I appreciated that the narrative doesn’t get bogged down by the technicalities of futuristic warfare. Instead, it emphasizes character decisions, heroism, and the immense stakes of the Siege.
Speaking of characters, one of the standout elements of Warhawk is Wraight’s nuanced portrayal of both protagonists and antagonists. Even though the scale of the story involves entire legions and planetary-scale warfare, the novel still finds room to humanize—or perhaps “primarch-ize”—key figures. I felt invested in their struggles, ambitions, and moral conflicts, which is an achievement given the enormity of the setting. For example, Wraight delves into the emotional burdens of leadership under impossible circumstances, showing that even near-godlike warriors are capable of doubt, fear, and even compassion. This focus on character made the story feel more grounded and emotionally engaging than I initially expected from a Warhammer 40K book.
Another aspect I appreciated was the clarity of the narrative amidst the chaos of war. With multiple factions, betrayals, and shifting fronts, it could have been easy for a newcomer to feel lost. Yet Wraight’s storytelling maintains coherence while still conveying the immense scale and complexity of the siege. Battle sequences are vividly depicted, with a clear sense of geography and strategy, making it easy to visualize the events and understand their significance.
That said, the novel does assume some familiarity with previous books, which makes reading it in sequence almost essential. I felt that while much of the action is exciting on its own, the emotional weight of certain events landed more effectively because I had experienced the prior installments. For a newcomer who hasn’t read the earlier Siege of Terra novels, some of the character motivations and historical context might feel a little opaque.
In terms of style, Wraight’s prose is accessible without being simplistic. He balances epic, grandiose descriptions with intimate moments, and his ability to shift between large-scale battle scenes and personal reflections keeps the pacing dynamic and engaging. I also appreciated that the novel doesn’t shy away from the darker, grimmer aspects of the universe, staying true to Warhammer 40K’s tone while still providing moments of hope and heroism.
Overall, Warhawk is a thrilling, accessible, and emotionally engaging entry in the Siege of Terra series. For newcomers to Warhammer 40K who have been following the series, it successfully builds on the foundation of previous books while delivering high-stakes action, complex characters, and the grand scale of the Horus Heresy. While full immersion in the series’ lore requires patience and attention, Wraight’s storytelling makes the journey rewarding rather than overwhelming. I found myself eagerly turning pages, invested in both the fates of the characters and the outcome of the monumental siege.
For anyone still getting acquainted with the universe, Warhawk is both an exciting continuation of the story and a helpful bridge into the larger, intricate world of Warhammer 40K. It has made me more eager than ever to explore the earlier Horus Heresy novels and immerse myself in the rich tapestry of the lore.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
As someone still relatively new to the vast and intimidating universe of Warhammer 40K, I approached Warhawk with both excitement and a little trepidation. Having worked my way through the previous novels in the Siege of Terra series, I was curious to see how this sixth installment would balance accessibility for newcomers like me with the expectations of seasoned Warhammer fans.
First, I was impressed by how Chris Wraight continues to make the epic events of the Siege of Terra approachable. Unlike some of the earlier novels in the Horus Heresy saga, which can feel densely packed with lore and terminology, Warhawk strikes a careful balance: it doesn’t shy away from complex concepts like legion politics, strategic maneuvering, and the psychological toll of warfare, yet it manages to provide enough context for readers like me to follow the story without feeling completely lost. While terms like “Primarch,” “Legion,” or “Warmaster” carry a weight of significance, Wraight drops explanations in a way that feels natural rather than forced, which was a relief for someone still building their understanding of the universe.
The pacing in Warhawk is particularly noteworthy. Unlike some of the earlier books, which occasionally lingered on exposition, this novel propels the reader through the action with relentless momentum. From the opening pages, the tension is palpable. Wraight excels at describing massive battles in ways that are both cinematic and comprehensible. As a newcomer, I found the depictions of space and ground engagements thrilling, and I appreciated that the narrative doesn’t get bogged down by the technicalities of futuristic warfare. Instead, it emphasizes character decisions, heroism, and the immense stakes of the Siege.
Speaking of characters, one of the standout elements of Warhawk is Wraight’s nuanced portrayal of both protagonists and antagonists. Even though the scale of the story involves entire legions and planetary-scale warfare, the novel still finds room to humanize—or perhaps “primarch-ize”—key figures. I felt invested in their struggles, ambitions, and moral conflicts, which is an achievement given the enormity of the setting. For example, Wraight delves into the emotional burdens of leadership under impossible circumstances, showing that even near-godlike warriors are capable of doubt, fear, and even compassion. This focus on character made the story feel more grounded and emotionally engaging than I initially expected from a Warhammer 40K book.
Another aspect I appreciated was the clarity of the narrative amidst the chaos of war. With multiple factions, betrayals, and shifting fronts, it could have been easy for a newcomer to feel lost. Yet Wraight’s storytelling maintains coherence while still conveying the immense scale and complexity of the siege. Battle sequences are vividly depicted, with a clear sense of geography and strategy, making it easy to visualize the events and understand their significance.
That said, the novel does assume some familiarity with previous books, which makes reading it in sequence almost essential. I felt that while much of the action is exciting on its own, the emotional weight of certain events landed more effectively because I had experienced the prior installments. For a newcomer who hasn’t read the earlier Siege of Terra novels, some of the character motivations and historical context might feel a little opaque.
In terms of style, Wraight’s prose is accessible without being simplistic. He balances epic, grandiose descriptions with intimate moments, and his ability to shift between large-scale battle scenes and personal reflections keeps the pacing dynamic and engaging. I also appreciated that the novel doesn’t shy away from the darker, grimmer aspects of the universe, staying true to Warhammer 40K’s tone while still providing moments of hope and heroism.
Overall, Warhawk is a thrilling, accessible, and emotionally engaging entry in the Siege of Terra series. For newcomers to Warhammer 40K who have been following the series, it successfully builds on the foundation of previous books while delivering high-stakes action, complex characters, and the grand scale of the Horus Heresy. While full immersion in the series’ lore requires patience and attention, Wraight’s storytelling makes the journey rewarding rather than overwhelming. I found myself eagerly turning pages, invested in both the fates of the characters and the outcome of the monumental siege.
For anyone still getting acquainted with the universe, Warhawk is both an exciting continuation of the story and a helpful bridge into the larger, intricate world of Warhammer 40K. It has made me more eager than ever to explore the earlier Horus Heresy novels and immerse myself in the rich tapestry of the lore.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
October 1, 2023
After the abominable mess that was the buried dagger I had given up on the Horus Heresy and was not easily swayed back; warhawk tempted me because I adored the Khan and his bitter struggle with the pallid king that is Mortarion. That struggle I adamantly adored but halass warhawk is burdened with extra weight that drags it down.
the core of the book, the final mad charge of the Vth legion is great, it is captivating and although as with most things in the horus heresy its end is not unknown, it was still tense to read. I particularly liked the buildup of the great charge, the gathering of the tanks, the orbiral plate trick was clever and the tank crew was a good idea, often I find the inclusion of the human side in these space opera's to be a bit bothersome but in this case it made for a great addition. Their counterparts, the deathguard did not quite reach the same level but a worthy enough counterpart. So if it has been this with a few segments added I would have more then happy... Halass there was John grammaticus, I really am sick of this character, I never really liked the concept of the perpetuals and feel that the emperor, Malcador and perhaps then the reveal of Erda, the mother of the primarchs would have been more then enough. What do these perpetuals really add to the overall setting? I don't care for them and never did.
Other additions were hit and miss, Valdor's solo mission to find a biocriminal out to find space marine stuff, I feel this is one of the links with the current push for the new generation of space marines, meh is my reaction to it. The return of Loken of the luna wolves was okish but I was more interested in the return of Euphrati keeler and her continued role in founding the imperial church, that I do feel added something to the story and helped to set the tone of the mad world, this apocalyptic war beyond all wars. Lastly the Sigismund segment, good tense and grimdark as it should be, linking it to the black legion books that came out a few years earlier.
Again coming back to John Grammaticus what my issue with it is, is that it reminded me in tone to the most awful books ever produced by black library, the Inquisitors war. In particular there too a small ragtagband of characters want to infiltrate the imperial palace to talk to the emperor to convince him off something. I don't even know anymore what John wants to do when they reach the emperor but I can't even begin to phantom why an alpha marine and actae, the girl that was a token of the word bearer legion have teamed up with him and what they could possibly hope to achieve. In a mad universe of titanic scale I am simply not interested in these kind of rpg style mishmash parties on a quest. A second thing I disliked about it, is how it distracted from the main story and how it broke with the oppressive atmosphere, Mortarion was up to something monstrous and it was working, this aura of despair and weariness grinding everyone down even Rogal Dorn, but then we get shipped back to John and his ragtag group of companions... sigh.
Warhawk and by extension warhammer 3OK would have been so much better without perpetuals besides the emperor, the stigilite and Erda whose reveal is now such a mundane thing. Ok another perpetual instead of OMG someone else was besides the emperor this whole time?? Which it should have been. You could skim read those segments but they are still there though....
the core of the book, the final mad charge of the Vth legion is great, it is captivating and although as with most things in the horus heresy its end is not unknown, it was still tense to read. I particularly liked the buildup of the great charge, the gathering of the tanks, the orbiral plate trick was clever and the tank crew was a good idea, often I find the inclusion of the human side in these space opera's to be a bit bothersome but in this case it made for a great addition. Their counterparts, the deathguard did not quite reach the same level but a worthy enough counterpart. So if it has been this with a few segments added I would have more then happy... Halass there was John grammaticus, I really am sick of this character, I never really liked the concept of the perpetuals and feel that the emperor, Malcador and perhaps then the reveal of Erda, the mother of the primarchs would have been more then enough. What do these perpetuals really add to the overall setting? I don't care for them and never did.
Other additions were hit and miss, Valdor's solo mission to find a biocriminal out to find space marine stuff, I feel this is one of the links with the current push for the new generation of space marines, meh is my reaction to it. The return of Loken of the luna wolves was okish but I was more interested in the return of Euphrati keeler and her continued role in founding the imperial church, that I do feel added something to the story and helped to set the tone of the mad world, this apocalyptic war beyond all wars. Lastly the Sigismund segment, good tense and grimdark as it should be, linking it to the black legion books that came out a few years earlier.
Again coming back to John Grammaticus what my issue with it is, is that it reminded me in tone to the most awful books ever produced by black library, the Inquisitors war. In particular there too a small ragtagband of characters want to infiltrate the imperial palace to talk to the emperor to convince him off something. I don't even know anymore what John wants to do when they reach the emperor but I can't even begin to phantom why an alpha marine and actae, the girl that was a token of the word bearer legion have teamed up with him and what they could possibly hope to achieve. In a mad universe of titanic scale I am simply not interested in these kind of rpg style mishmash parties on a quest. A second thing I disliked about it, is how it distracted from the main story and how it broke with the oppressive atmosphere, Mortarion was up to something monstrous and it was working, this aura of despair and weariness grinding everyone down even Rogal Dorn, but then we get shipped back to John and his ragtag group of companions... sigh.
Warhawk and by extension warhammer 3OK would have been so much better without perpetuals besides the emperor, the stigilite and Erda whose reveal is now such a mundane thing. Ok another perpetual instead of OMG someone else was besides the emperor this whole time?? Which it should have been. You could skim read those segments but they are still there though....
October 2, 2025
“The traveller is the one who takes his truth with him into strange lands. The moment he forgets his truth, he ceases to be a traveller, and becomes the strange land.”
---
“What can we really do for this Imperium? Can we sustain it now, bearing its weight on our shoulders? Not the way we were made. But we can kill for it. We can break, we can burn, we can unmake. We have done everything they asked of us. We have held their battle line, scored it with our own blood, and it has not been enough. If we are to die here, on a world that has no soul and no open sky to rejoice in, then we will die doing what we were schooled to do.”
---
'Crew of the Skye orbital platform!' he shouted. He had very little idea how much those still in the lower reaches would be able to hear, but at least those still living around him - Eisen and Sleva included - were able to look up and listen. 'You can see and feel the evidence for yourself, so you do not need me to tell you that we are at the end now.' (...)
'Protocol demands that I give you leave to head for the saviour pods now,' Nuta went on, 'but, in this case, I would not recommend it. The territory below is held by the enemy, and we know what they do to their captives. Our imminent demise will, I trust, take a few more of the bastards out, which is something to take satisfaction from.' (...)
'So we go down with our ship, like the seafarers of old. Your names may not be remembered, but our name, the name of the fortress you served on, can never be erased now. Be proud. Stand tall, as the end comes, and be as damned proud as any warrior of the Emperor!'
'All we ever demanded, in truth, was a proper chance to serve,' he said. The flames cleared across the realviewers, and he got one final, snatched glimpse of the Lion's Gate space port, wheeling away to the north, its skirts glowing red with the fire of the White Scars' assault, the one they had helped deliver. 'We were given a chance,' he said, smiling in satisfaction. 'We took it.'
----
"They had laughed together, the two of them. They had fought in the roaring pits, and had sliced slabs out of one another, and at the end they had always slumped down in the straw and the blood and laughed. Even the Nails had not taken that away, for in combat the Nails had still always shown the truth of things. 'Be… angry!' he bellowed, thundering in close. 'Be… alive!'
Because you could only kill the things that lived. You couldn't kill a ghost, only swipe your axe straight through it. There was nothing here, just frustration, just the madness of going up against a wall, again and again. The Nails spiked at him. He fought harder. He fought faster. His muscles ripped apart, and were instantly reknitted. His blood vessels burst, and were restored. He felt heat surge through his body, hotter and whiter than any heat he had ever endured. The Black Sword resisted it all, silently, implacably, infuriatingly. It was like fighting the end of the universe. Nothing could shake the faith before him. It was blind to everything but itself, as selfish as a jewel-thief in a hoard."
---
“What can we really do for this Imperium? Can we sustain it now, bearing its weight on our shoulders? Not the way we were made. But we can kill for it. We can break, we can burn, we can unmake. We have done everything they asked of us. We have held their battle line, scored it with our own blood, and it has not been enough. If we are to die here, on a world that has no soul and no open sky to rejoice in, then we will die doing what we were schooled to do.”
---
'Crew of the Skye orbital platform!' he shouted. He had very little idea how much those still in the lower reaches would be able to hear, but at least those still living around him - Eisen and Sleva included - were able to look up and listen. 'You can see and feel the evidence for yourself, so you do not need me to tell you that we are at the end now.' (...)
'Protocol demands that I give you leave to head for the saviour pods now,' Nuta went on, 'but, in this case, I would not recommend it. The territory below is held by the enemy, and we know what they do to their captives. Our imminent demise will, I trust, take a few more of the bastards out, which is something to take satisfaction from.' (...)
'So we go down with our ship, like the seafarers of old. Your names may not be remembered, but our name, the name of the fortress you served on, can never be erased now. Be proud. Stand tall, as the end comes, and be as damned proud as any warrior of the Emperor!'
'All we ever demanded, in truth, was a proper chance to serve,' he said. The flames cleared across the realviewers, and he got one final, snatched glimpse of the Lion's Gate space port, wheeling away to the north, its skirts glowing red with the fire of the White Scars' assault, the one they had helped deliver. 'We were given a chance,' he said, smiling in satisfaction. 'We took it.'
----
"They had laughed together, the two of them. They had fought in the roaring pits, and had sliced slabs out of one another, and at the end they had always slumped down in the straw and the blood and laughed. Even the Nails had not taken that away, for in combat the Nails had still always shown the truth of things. 'Be… angry!' he bellowed, thundering in close. 'Be… alive!'
Because you could only kill the things that lived. You couldn't kill a ghost, only swipe your axe straight through it. There was nothing here, just frustration, just the madness of going up against a wall, again and again. The Nails spiked at him. He fought harder. He fought faster. His muscles ripped apart, and were instantly reknitted. His blood vessels burst, and were restored. He felt heat surge through his body, hotter and whiter than any heat he had ever endured. The Black Sword resisted it all, silently, implacably, infuriatingly. It was like fighting the end of the universe. Nothing could shake the faith before him. It was blind to everything but itself, as selfish as a jewel-thief in a hoard."
February 21, 2024
"If we are to die here, on a world that has no soul and no open sky to rejoice in, then we will die doing what we were schooled to do.”
If there is one thing you can consistently rely on in the Horus Heresy, it's that Chris Wraight will always deliver the goods, and when he's focusing on the White Scars, you are in for a literary work of excellence. I'd been wanting to read his take on the retaking of Lion's Gate Spaceport, the greatest part that the White Scars played in the Siege of Terra, for ages, and as ever, he blew it out of the water; from the moment you start reading, you're hooked...
'As the Siege of Terra drags on and the noose tightens about the defenders, more and more desperate gambits are unleashed to thwart the advance of Horus's traitors. Jagahtai Khan, Primarch of the White Scars, musters all his strength on a last desperate counterstrike against Lion's Gate Spaceport. If it can be recaptured, the Imperials can sever a key enemy supply line and reduce the numbers of fresh troops landing on Terra's surface. But with Lion's Gate held by the daemon-empowered, disease-riddled warriors of the Death Guard and their monstrous Primarch Mortarion, all eager to settle the score between their legions once and for all, if Jaghatai's plan fails, it means death for him, the White Scars and perhaps all of Terra's defenders..."
Chris Wraight continues his ongoing talent of fleshing out the White Scars, making them such riveting, dynamic characters you feel for and worry about (both old favourites like Shiban and Ilya, and newcomers like Jangsai). The battle scenes are as grandiose and epic as always, and it was fun to see little tidbits of Warhammer 40K lore appearing (such as Sigismund receiving the Black Sword and his transition into both the first Emperor's Champion and what he will embody as the founder of the Black Templars, the final death that will pitch Kharn the Betrayer headlong into Khorne's embrace, the first glimpse of the Imperium's transformation into the nihilistic, warlike theocracy it is in the 41st millennium), while the piece de resistance, the final confrontation between Jaghatai and Mortarion is a masterwork of a duel, the pair ripping lumps out of each other as they seek to conclude their enmity at blade point...
Another masterwork story from an author who truly gets the Vth Legion, written with the themes that have filled his stories around them (finding light in impenetrable darkness, choosing to embrace hope when all seems hopeless, and staring the inevitability of death in the face with laughter on your lips and a blade in your hand...)
If there is one thing you can consistently rely on in the Horus Heresy, it's that Chris Wraight will always deliver the goods, and when he's focusing on the White Scars, you are in for a literary work of excellence. I'd been wanting to read his take on the retaking of Lion's Gate Spaceport, the greatest part that the White Scars played in the Siege of Terra, for ages, and as ever, he blew it out of the water; from the moment you start reading, you're hooked...
'As the Siege of Terra drags on and the noose tightens about the defenders, more and more desperate gambits are unleashed to thwart the advance of Horus's traitors. Jagahtai Khan, Primarch of the White Scars, musters all his strength on a last desperate counterstrike against Lion's Gate Spaceport. If it can be recaptured, the Imperials can sever a key enemy supply line and reduce the numbers of fresh troops landing on Terra's surface. But with Lion's Gate held by the daemon-empowered, disease-riddled warriors of the Death Guard and their monstrous Primarch Mortarion, all eager to settle the score between their legions once and for all, if Jaghatai's plan fails, it means death for him, the White Scars and perhaps all of Terra's defenders..."
Chris Wraight continues his ongoing talent of fleshing out the White Scars, making them such riveting, dynamic characters you feel for and worry about (both old favourites like Shiban and Ilya, and newcomers like Jangsai). The battle scenes are as grandiose and epic as always, and it was fun to see little tidbits of Warhammer 40K lore appearing (such as Sigismund receiving the Black Sword and his transition into both the first Emperor's Champion and what he will embody as the founder of the Black Templars, the final death that will pitch Kharn the Betrayer headlong into Khorne's embrace, the first glimpse of the Imperium's transformation into the nihilistic, warlike theocracy it is in the 41st millennium), while the piece de resistance, the final confrontation between Jaghatai and Mortarion is a masterwork of a duel, the pair ripping lumps out of each other as they seek to conclude their enmity at blade point...
Another masterwork story from an author who truly gets the Vth Legion, written with the themes that have filled his stories around them (finding light in impenetrable darkness, choosing to embrace hope when all seems hopeless, and staring the inevitability of death in the face with laughter on your lips and a blade in your hand...)
January 2, 2022
After the complete disaster that Mortis was, I was very skeptical about the next Siege of Terra chapter, lucky me, you and everybody else, Chris managed to recapture the momentum lost in the previous book and released this beast of a novel. Btw, I read this book while I also listened to its audio version read by Jonathan Keeble and my god that guy did an awesome job, his performance helped so much to get the right mood in certain scenes, if you get the chance to do the same then I tell you, it enhances the experience a lot. Warhawk is not a perfect Warhammer novel but it works hard to get closer to being one, there are characters that one misses and precisely when I was reaching the point when I was like "ok, where the hell are these guys?", most of said people appeared, the problem is that we are still missing some important figures that I know they are saving for later, but still, don't ignore them completely... but anyway, things move forward again and we get to see big clashes, new lore being set and also some old lore confirmed or actually re-written, but not to the point of being controversial, more like what we knew was twisted a bit to match what has been written lately in these set of novels, also, more than one historical thread gets a conclusion here, something that I expected to see in Mortis but boy that book failed hard to keep things rolling, actually, except for two or three things, you can jump from Saturnine, the best book in the saga so far, directly to Warhawk and you will miss pretty much nothing, read a resume of it and you are set for this one. The book has a good pace, interesting characters, it avoids that kinda talk that we get to see so often between space marines being such smart asses and jarheads all the time and, instead, characters here show a lot of introspection, doubts and concerns, something that to me seems much more accord to the situation they are in. So, in all and all, this is a good and fun book, kudos to Chris for writing a novel that was able to recapture the magic and, at the same time, managed to properly set the stage for what's coming next.
October 8, 2021
I'm a fan of the White Scars in particular Wraight's earlier books so I was looking forward to this one. "Scars" and "Path of Heaven" were brilliant and that might be the problem Chris Wraight's earlier books simply set a high expectation but there's something missing from this one which isn't easy to define.
If it was an option I'd rate it 3.5/5.
I think part of the problem in that this novel isn't just the parts of the story that really matter if you're here for the White Scars.
Splitting this book into two concurrent novels one focused on the Scars and the other the wider Siege would have been better for the White Scars story. It would have flowed faster being more in line with what we'd expect from a full scale White Scars assault.
So if you're about to read Warhawk and you're a White Scar's fan this is worth the read but go in expecting a Siege of Terra book that heavily involves the White Scars not a book about about the White Scars.
As being part of the Siege of Terra Series, "Warhawk" definitely fixes some of the issues from earlier books:
The extraneous plots from the previous books (e.g. the perpetuals) are present they are thankfully minimised in this one which is good unfortunately Erebus's scene suggests a resurgence in the next novel.
Earlier installments in Siege have suffered from having new characters created with more new characters for them to play off. In Warhawk we still get new characters but they're few and fit in with existing characters instead of having conflicts with other new characters. Combined with utilising characters from "The Buried Dagger" in the Death Guard side of the story provides the Siege with some much needed continuity compared to some of the earlier books.
While it's clear the Perpetuals will be back hopefully with the Siege reaching the pointy end we'll focused on established characters.
If it was an option I'd rate it 3.5/5.
I think part of the problem in that this novel isn't just the parts of the story that really matter if you're here for the White Scars.
Splitting this book into two concurrent novels one focused on the Scars and the other the wider Siege would have been better for the White Scars story. It would have flowed faster being more in line with what we'd expect from a full scale White Scars assault.
So if you're about to read Warhawk and you're a White Scar's fan this is worth the read but go in expecting a Siege of Terra book that heavily involves the White Scars not a book about about the White Scars.
As being part of the Siege of Terra Series, "Warhawk" definitely fixes some of the issues from earlier books:
The extraneous plots from the previous books (e.g. the perpetuals) are present they are thankfully minimised in this one which is good unfortunately Erebus's scene suggests a resurgence in the next novel.
Earlier installments in Siege have suffered from having new characters created with more new characters for them to play off. In Warhawk we still get new characters but they're few and fit in with existing characters instead of having conflicts with other new characters. Combined with utilising characters from "The Buried Dagger" in the Death Guard side of the story provides the Siege with some much needed continuity compared to some of the earlier books.
While it's clear the Perpetuals will be back hopefully with the Siege reaching the pointy end we'll focused on established characters.
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