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Dark Imperium #3
Godblight
Book 3 in the Dark Imperium series.
The paths of Roboute Guilliman and his fallen brother Mortarion bring them inexorably together on Iax. Once a jewel of the Imperium, the garden world is dying, as the plans of the Lord of Death to use it as a fulcrum to drag the stellar realm of Ultramar into the warp come to deadly fruition.
While Guilliman attempts to prevent the destruction of his kingdom, Mortarion schemes to bring his brother low with the Godblight, a disease created in the Cauldron of Nurgle itself, made with the power to destroy a son of the Emperor.
Primarchs clash on the ravaged landscapes of Iax. The gods go to war, and the wider galaxy balances on a knife-edge of destruction. As something powerful stirs in the sea of souls, only one thing is certain – no matter who wins the last great clash of the Plague War, the repercussions of victory will echo through eternity…
The paths of Roboute Guilliman and his fallen brother Mortarion bring them inexorably together on Iax. Once a jewel of the Imperium, the garden world is dying, as the plans of the Lord of Death to use it as a fulcrum to drag the stellar realm of Ultramar into the warp come to deadly fruition.
While Guilliman attempts to prevent the destruction of his kingdom, Mortarion schemes to bring his brother low with the Godblight, a disease created in the Cauldron of Nurgle itself, made with the power to destroy a son of the Emperor.
Primarchs clash on the ravaged landscapes of Iax. The gods go to war, and the wider galaxy balances on a knife-edge of destruction. As something powerful stirs in the sea of souls, only one thing is certain – no matter who wins the last great clash of the Plague War, the repercussions of victory will echo through eternity…
448 pages, Paperback
First published May 29, 2021
295 people are currently reading
1151 people want to read
About the author
Guy Haley
288 books718 followersGuy 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.
When not writing, he'll be out doing something dangerous in the wild, learning languages or gaming.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
January 2, 2022
Huge and exciting finale to a great trilogy. While Marvel is getting more Disneyfied with every release it’s good to know Warhammer 40K remains as dark and brutal as ever. The final one hundred pages were nonstop tremendous action and brought everything together for a stunning conclusion. Amazing and fun read!
June 5, 2021
Godblight works well aside from some moments early on that don't add much to the flow of the plot. Those particular segments on their own are well written and interesting, but much of it was also clearly meant to set up post Dark Imperium plot points (I'm assuming), so I'd expect it didn't add much to the plot of this book because we're meant to see it followed up on later.
All in all, Godblight does a fine job rounding out the trilogy and setting up the future of 40K. I'm curious how much of this will have long term impact on the setting and happy with where things are escalating. The time shift from being at the end of the Indomitus Crusade is also fine. As long as you know it happened you can get by reading this without needing to revisit the previous books (although I occasionally wish I did when I forgot who someone was...).
Some spoilery thoughts:
Finally, I think I've prattled on about this in both my previous Dark Imperium reviews, but I love Guy Haley's Nurgle characters. Delightfully disgusting and disgustingly delightful all in one. Ku'Gath and Rotigus are great fun.
All in all, Godblight does a fine job rounding out the trilogy and setting up the future of 40K. I'm curious how much of this will have long term impact on the setting and happy with where things are escalating. The time shift from being at the end of the Indomitus Crusade is also fine. As long as you know it happened you can get by reading this without needing to revisit the previous books (although I occasionally wish I did when I forgot who someone was...).
Some spoilery thoughts:
Finally, I think I've prattled on about this in both my previous Dark Imperium reviews, but I love Guy Haley's Nurgle characters. Delightfully disgusting and disgustingly delightful all in one. Ku'Gath and Rotigus are great fun.
August 17, 2021
After the two first books of the series this is a bit of a let down. It’s well written and has good characters, and is again very good at depicting daemons of Nurgle, but the way it ties up the story lines fell flat for me.
Maybe my expectations were too high? But all of them left me a little disappointed.
Maybe my expectations were too high? But all of them left me a little disappointed.
February 27, 2025
Aber ein Stern ist speziell für die Plauderschneck‘ und mind 1/2 dafür, dass Guilliman Mortarion „Opfer“ genannt hat.
July 23, 2021
I've seen other reviews rag on Guy Haley's ability to write endings, this is as satisfying, thematically rich and emotionally resonant a finish for the series/arc as I could imagine.
It rivals the earlier Horus Heresy novels in its heft, really unmissable stuff.
It rivals the earlier Horus Heresy novels in its heft, really unmissable stuff.
January 31, 2022
Guy Haley's Dark Imperium trilogy is one of those rare cases where each sequel notably improves upon it's predecessor. Dark Imperium, whilst providing a lot of fascinating characterization for Gulliman, felt rather lacking terms of plot and action. Plague War featured a much clearer plot and was generally engaging throughout, even if it didn't have that standout 'wow factor' moment.
And Godblight... well, Godblight took everything good about the first two entries in the Dark Imperium Trilogy, and rose them up even further.
There is so much in this book that just plays tribute to the idea of The Rule of Cool. Is Mathieu leading an army of pilgrims to battle Kugath's horde, himself riding a goddamn War Train the best strategy in the world? No, but every chapter featuring him and his own horse of devoties were nothing short of fantastic. Gulliman charging into battle, every depiction of Mortarian in combat, Godblight is just such a cool book. Probably more then any other book in the 40k universe I've read or listened to at this point, Godblight has easily been the most fun. It's action is actually engaging - Plague War was fine, but Dark Imperium's almost put me to sleep. The major encounters of Godblight feel both methodical and have a feeling of 'the last stand of order and civilization', if you understand my drift. Guy Haley still does have a bit of a bad habit of making the combat sequences stretch on a -bit- too long, but it's a much better situation then in the previous two books.
It's funny, though, because combat is one of the last things I read 40k for.
Hell no, I'm here for the indepth, inherent angst.
Just kidding. Mostly.
After Plague War didn't feature as much of the Gulliman introspection I loved so much in Dark Imperium, I was delighted to see it return in full force for Godblight. He may have a rod up his arse, and is kind of a nerd, but goddamn it, I -love- Gulliman. His relationship with his soldiers, his brothers, and most importantly, The Emperor, are all fantastic to behold, and of the three books of the Dark Imperium trilogy, this easily paints the best picture of the Last Son of the Emperor.
I also especially enjoyed the segments from the POV of demons; Kugath is a delight from beginning to end, his depressive attitudes genuinely a little funny, and just a little bit relatable. His rivalry with Rotticus, and his encounter with Mathieu and the Nova Marines were a standout section of the book, and I really hope we see more of him the future, as he really sticks out in a trilogy where a lot of the demon characters kind of blend together.
The other thing I felt Godblight did notably better then Plague War was a better use of dividing focus. I honestly felt some of the storylines in Plague War were a little boring, cutting away from what I wanted to see, but most storylines in Godblight were engaging in some way, and whilst they might not be dedicated exactly to the main plot of Godblight, they do a lot to set up future events in the 40k universe.
The only sections of the book I wasn't super hot on were Justinien's, as I wasn't interested in the character in the previous two novels, but it was fien here, and his inclusion in the book made a bit more sense then in the previous two entries. I've also head arguements that some of the events constitute a bit of a Deus ex Machina, but I feel that with how said events play out, I can forgive it as it was not only cool as hell, gave us a new perspective on Gulliman and his relationship with the Emperor, and pushed the 40K narrative further forward then (in my limited knowledge of the setting) it has in quite some time.
Godblight was an exciting listen from start to finish, the near-perfect tail-end of what I felt was a fantastic jumping on point of a trilogy for the Warhammer 40K universe. I'm almost sad that I'm done with it; knowing that, for the most part, it's the most recent chronological entry in the books, I'm left mentally pleading with the writers of the Black Library to give me more - I need to see where this is going!
And Godblight... well, Godblight took everything good about the first two entries in the Dark Imperium Trilogy, and rose them up even further.
There is so much in this book that just plays tribute to the idea of The Rule of Cool. Is Mathieu leading an army of pilgrims to battle Kugath's horde, himself riding a goddamn War Train the best strategy in the world? No, but every chapter featuring him and his own horse of devoties were nothing short of fantastic. Gulliman charging into battle, every depiction of Mortarian in combat, Godblight is just such a cool book. Probably more then any other book in the 40k universe I've read or listened to at this point, Godblight has easily been the most fun. It's action is actually engaging - Plague War was fine, but Dark Imperium's almost put me to sleep. The major encounters of Godblight feel both methodical and have a feeling of 'the last stand of order and civilization', if you understand my drift. Guy Haley still does have a bit of a bad habit of making the combat sequences stretch on a -bit- too long, but it's a much better situation then in the previous two books.
It's funny, though, because combat is one of the last things I read 40k for.
Hell no, I'm here for the indepth, inherent angst.
Just kidding. Mostly.
After Plague War didn't feature as much of the Gulliman introspection I loved so much in Dark Imperium, I was delighted to see it return in full force for Godblight. He may have a rod up his arse, and is kind of a nerd, but goddamn it, I -love- Gulliman. His relationship with his soldiers, his brothers, and most importantly, The Emperor, are all fantastic to behold, and of the three books of the Dark Imperium trilogy, this easily paints the best picture of the Last Son of the Emperor.
I also especially enjoyed the segments from the POV of demons; Kugath is a delight from beginning to end, his depressive attitudes genuinely a little funny, and just a little bit relatable. His rivalry with Rotticus, and his encounter with Mathieu and the Nova Marines were a standout section of the book, and I really hope we see more of him the future, as he really sticks out in a trilogy where a lot of the demon characters kind of blend together.
The other thing I felt Godblight did notably better then Plague War was a better use of dividing focus. I honestly felt some of the storylines in Plague War were a little boring, cutting away from what I wanted to see, but most storylines in Godblight were engaging in some way, and whilst they might not be dedicated exactly to the main plot of Godblight, they do a lot to set up future events in the 40k universe.
The only sections of the book I wasn't super hot on were Justinien's, as I wasn't interested in the character in the previous two novels, but it was fien here, and his inclusion in the book made a bit more sense then in the previous two entries. I've also head arguements that some of the events constitute a bit of a Deus ex Machina, but I feel that with how said events play out, I can forgive it as it was not only cool as hell, gave us a new perspective on Gulliman and his relationship with the Emperor, and pushed the 40K narrative further forward then (in my limited knowledge of the setting) it has in quite some time.
Godblight was an exciting listen from start to finish, the near-perfect tail-end of what I felt was a fantastic jumping on point of a trilogy for the Warhammer 40K universe. I'm almost sad that I'm done with it; knowing that, for the most part, it's the most recent chronological entry in the books, I'm left mentally pleading with the writers of the Black Library to give me more - I need to see where this is going!
June 1, 2021
BL are getting more ambitious; having learnt lessons from the mistakes and missteps of the Horus Heresy and The Beast Arises series this book rounds out a trilogy and ties in with an ongoing series and several stand alone books while subtly shifting the timelines for them all. Thankfully, it seems the decision to give Guy Hayley overarching control of all these concurrent aspects was a wise one as they are all coming together nicely and characterisation across them all seems consistent.
The Dawn of Fire series may have robbed the Dark Imperium trilogy of some of it’s import- Dark Imperium and Plague War felt like they were *the* texts for defining the ‘current’ situation in 40k, but with the wealth of other stories that now do that the significance of Godblight as a narrative event may have been diminished, does that make it a lesser book? Maybe.
It starts well, with lots of portentous conversation and there is a radical suggestion towards the end of the book that would make even Jaq Draco blush, but in terms of the inevitable duel between Mortarion and Gulliman there is no tension, no drama- I appreciate that the status quo between Chaos and the Imperium must broadly be maintained, especially when dealing with such big characters, but the lack of any sort of peril stops this book from being quite as powerful as it’s predecessors.
The supporting cast is good, and the crossovers from Dawn of Fire are more than welcome. There are great individual scenes- the manifestation of daemons at the fortress of Hera in particular are done well.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable book, and as part of the greater whole of post-Rift set books is even better but that strength is perhaps also it’s weakness.
The Dawn of Fire series may have robbed the Dark Imperium trilogy of some of it’s import- Dark Imperium and Plague War felt like they were *the* texts for defining the ‘current’ situation in 40k, but with the wealth of other stories that now do that the significance of Godblight as a narrative event may have been diminished, does that make it a lesser book? Maybe.
It starts well, with lots of portentous conversation and there is a radical suggestion towards the end of the book that would make even Jaq Draco blush, but in terms of the inevitable duel between Mortarion and Gulliman there is no tension, no drama- I appreciate that the status quo between Chaos and the Imperium must broadly be maintained, especially when dealing with such big characters, but the lack of any sort of peril stops this book from being quite as powerful as it’s predecessors.
The supporting cast is good, and the crossovers from Dawn of Fire are more than welcome. There are great individual scenes- the manifestation of daemons at the fortress of Hera in particular are done well.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable book, and as part of the greater whole of post-Rift set books is even better but that strength is perhaps also it’s weakness.
January 28, 2023
A very good ending to the series. I had great fun throughout its events and cataclysmic conclusion. I was especially happy about the educated heights the debate about faith and godhood took, but when victory was secured, all minds abruptly dropped back into irrationality, with atheists the most superstitious of them all.
But then again, this is after all what makes 40k so great in my opinion. These are all just men, with all their flaws and misgivings. It's bitter to see their endless struggles continued, but then again without them there would be no space for heroics and feats of intellect.
Apropos intellect: Character development! It's rarely done so well and intimately presented, especially how Guilliman continues to struggle with his superhuman daddy-issues; wisdom acting side by side with adolescent temper. Faith is hardly the only topic in the book, there are the challenges of war to be faced, of politics and leadership and many more. Other Space Marines also do their share of growth, though of a more individual, inward nature. The mortals are pretty much just cannon fodder, I'm afraid, but inspiring and entertaining nonetheless. Instead of individual growth, they acted out the most important actions without which nothing could have been understood or achieved.
But then again, this is after all what makes 40k so great in my opinion. These are all just men, with all their flaws and misgivings. It's bitter to see their endless struggles continued, but then again without them there would be no space for heroics and feats of intellect.
Apropos intellect: Character development! It's rarely done so well and intimately presented, especially how Guilliman continues to struggle with his superhuman daddy-issues; wisdom acting side by side with adolescent temper. Faith is hardly the only topic in the book, there are the challenges of war to be faced, of politics and leadership and many more. Other Space Marines also do their share of growth, though of a more individual, inward nature. The mortals are pretty much just cannon fodder, I'm afraid, but inspiring and entertaining nonetheless. Instead of individual growth, they acted out the most important actions without which nothing could have been understood or achieved.
March 28, 2025
The Death Guard are out of time. Nurgle calls on them for war against The Changer of Ways. Mortarion sees an opportunity to decapitate the first hope the Imperium has seen since the Emperor himself and leads a leviathan of corpse and plague against the worlds of Ultramar. Planet after planet, culture after culture, life after life is choked and killed, and the noose is tightening around The 500 Worlds. Guilleman makes a final stand in hope to draw out and defeat Mortarion before entropy devourers his light
Unfortunately Godblight didn't quite live up to the immersion of the previous books. It felt a little disjointed chapter to chapter and the final third, while half predictable, didn't quite live up to my expectations that had been building since I first opened Dark Imperium
Unfortunately Godblight didn't quite live up to the immersion of the previous books. It felt a little disjointed chapter to chapter and the final third, while half predictable, didn't quite live up to my expectations that had been building since I first opened Dark Imperium
November 14, 2022
Frater Mathieu is the standout character of this finale. I do however feel the way he was established and devoloped in the first two novels feels incongruous with this Mathieu, barring the climax of the second novel. Great end to a great trilogy. 4/5
February 7, 2023
The final book of the Dark Imperium triology closes the stories of several of the book characters while raising important questions for the future. What will the Emperor become? Will the historitor reveal a dark secret from the Heresy? Has Guiliman started to believe in the divinity of the Emperor?
March 6, 2024
We March for Maccrage
probably the best 40k book I have read so far. It's rare that the universe progresses so much in just a single book. G-mans fight with faith was one of the most interesting ways you could progress his character. 10/10 Would burn a nurgle follower.
probably the best 40k book I have read so far. It's rare that the universe progresses so much in just a single book. G-mans fight with faith was one of the most interesting ways you could progress his character. 10/10 Would burn a nurgle follower.
September 27, 2024
I’m genuinely shocked by how much I enjoyed this finale
December 6, 2023
Simply bewildering 🤓
October 24, 2024
Probably the best one in the trilogy. Epic battles, more battles and the fun plague demons bring a strong contrast to the very serious ultramarines.
May 29, 2024
Even larger sweaty dudes (tho technically one is half dude) fight each other.
November 27, 2021
A very nice way to end the story and open a whole new chapter of the world of Warhammer 40k. I look forward to reading more by Guy Haley.
June 5, 2021
Perfect Storm
This book is worth the long wait. It ties up all loose ends, packed with action all the way without being a bolterp0rn and moves the overall story of setting on.
If you like 40k you MUST read this trilogy and this book.
This book is worth the long wait. It ties up all loose ends, packed with action all the way without being a bolterp0rn and moves the overall story of setting on.
If you like 40k you MUST read this trilogy and this book.
December 18, 2022
From moderate beginnings, the Dark Imperium trilogy has improved as Haley’s writing has improved. With Godblight, he’s knitted together a novel that reminds us that duty is not its own reward.
If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry
'Excellent! Excellent! Plots and schemes are the best of secrets. I would say yours are safe with me, but then I am the Tattleslug, and that would be a lie.'
Godblight is a bit slapstick as Haley grows more willing to play into the pantomime of Warhammer 40K. Tiny little Nurglings being comically winked out of existence. Rotigus with his rain. Frater Mathieu and his weird, almost bawdy, physicality. The lesser demon teasing the historian Fabian, eventually passing across the book that will apparently damn Fabian, while psychic lightning flashes around.
Then there is the spoken humour:
'I heard you wished to speak with me. I could not deny a dying man his last request.'
'You considered it though,' said Mathieu.
I am not going to defend the comic exchanges in Godblight as fantastically funny. You might have wry smile at a line or two or pick the occasional reference, such as what is to be done with the 'turbulent priest'. Yet what the humour does do is add variation to the narrative, and humanity to the characters (even the Plague Demons). I would emphasise that Godblight is a dark book. A minor (here) character like Sicarius may no longer be able to keep his hand far from his weapon due to PTSD, but he will allow a hint of a smile in the moment. I think you need that balance.
'If you are annoyed by this, then be glad my brother Russ did not return in my stead. For humour's sake he would punch you to the ground and then scold you for not laughing with him. He did it to me once. I shall tell you the tale sometime.'
Your mileage may vary and consider that the humour makes the tone uneven. It is also a crutch Haley uses to get round his previous (and still used heavily here) style of smashing together two opposing monologues and calling it a conversation. But, to me, Haley’s writing turns the Warhammer 40K universe into a mosaic. Surviving in the Imperium of Man is about having the occasional chuckle, even if it is the aeldari beside you speaking with a hint of mockery in the way he mimicked Guilliman's speech pattern.
Sacrifice for a greater purpose (that purpose being awful)
Duty is a regular theme in the Warhammer 40K universe, and there’s plenty of variations on that in Godblight. Mortarian and Ku'Gath receive their punishments for failing in their own duties to Nurgle.
However, what I want to focus on is that, in Godblight (and life), following your “duty” and the resulting sacrifices it entails does not make you morally good.
It is an explicit position of Games Workshop/Black Library that there is no good side in Warhammer 40K. The Imperium of Man is evil. Justinian, the trilogy's “good guy” Primaris Marine, commits mass executions of innocents. He rationalises it with a tattoo and an allusion to the greater good:
I take this image not in penance, but so that I do not forget our duty as warriors of the Emperor, and protectors of humanity. I take it because I would remember that sometimes we must kill what we seek to protect in order to protect it.'
…and you might say: “Well, it’s a big universe and sometimes you have to make tough decisions. Their deaths were necessary for secrecy. The literal billions of lives saved far outweigh it.”
…but the problem, and this is what I really appreciate about the portrayal in Godblight, is that the Imperium of Man is not only irredeemably corrupt, vicious, and benighted at its core, but it is headed by the worst of them all: THE EMPEROR OF MANKIND, who re-enters the scene after 10,000 years as a corpse god.
'My father is no god. It is men who do His work for Him, as I must now. He uses people. He always has.'
The Deus Ex Emperor at the end is outstanding narrative work. The sacrifices of his lesser tools permits the THE EMPEROR OF MANKIND to take a flamethrower to the home of Nurgle, with Guilliman at his most noble. Yet, does THE EMPEROR OF MANKIND really care for them as individuals? No, not at all. And Guilliman, the Avenging Son, must face that while being the ultimate tool of all:
'Guilliman, hear me.'
'My last loyal son, My pride, my greatest triumph.'
How those words burned him, worse than the poisons of Mortarian, worse than the sting of failure. They were not a lie, not entirely. It was worse than that.
They were conditional.
'My last tool. My last hope.'
Godblight is heavy with Guilliman wrestling with his position (so the humour elsewhere helps keep you sane!). He must accept the deliberately ignorant reverences of Frater Mathieu, because Mathieu's faith literally ensured victory. He must accept that his soldiers murder children and think that’s pretty swell. He must hate the pain he inflicts on others:
Guilliman regretted his suffering. Another individual life used up for the sake of humanity. He could not bear to calculate how many more sacrifices there must be.
…but must keep doing it, and the below line appears in the same monologue as Guilliman’s denial of his father’s divinity.
'Thank you Mathieu, for your service to the Imperium. I am sure when I tell your successor what you did, they will make you a saint, and I will not dissuade them.'
I have mentioned it before, but I consider The Last Church overrated in its discussion of divinity. Godblight is more mature. It is not so much about proving the existence of divinity, but about confronting what divinity means, especially when that divinity kind of sucks.
'Because all gods are blights on existence, Roboute Guilliman, whether they call themselves gods or not,' the Cawl Inferior said.
'I think you know that better than anyone. Do not forget it.'
Godblight is an outstanding book, and there is a lot uncovered, such as the effective use of horror. But the laughter and the pointlessness of it all are its most outstanding elements.
If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry
'Excellent! Excellent! Plots and schemes are the best of secrets. I would say yours are safe with me, but then I am the Tattleslug, and that would be a lie.'
Godblight is a bit slapstick as Haley grows more willing to play into the pantomime of Warhammer 40K. Tiny little Nurglings being comically winked out of existence. Rotigus with his rain. Frater Mathieu and his weird, almost bawdy, physicality. The lesser demon teasing the historian Fabian, eventually passing across the book that will apparently damn Fabian, while psychic lightning flashes around.
Then there is the spoken humour:
'I heard you wished to speak with me. I could not deny a dying man his last request.'
'You considered it though,' said Mathieu.
I am not going to defend the comic exchanges in Godblight as fantastically funny. You might have wry smile at a line or two or pick the occasional reference, such as what is to be done with the 'turbulent priest'. Yet what the humour does do is add variation to the narrative, and humanity to the characters (even the Plague Demons). I would emphasise that Godblight is a dark book. A minor (here) character like Sicarius may no longer be able to keep his hand far from his weapon due to PTSD, but he will allow a hint of a smile in the moment. I think you need that balance.
'If you are annoyed by this, then be glad my brother Russ did not return in my stead. For humour's sake he would punch you to the ground and then scold you for not laughing with him. He did it to me once. I shall tell you the tale sometime.'
Your mileage may vary and consider that the humour makes the tone uneven. It is also a crutch Haley uses to get round his previous (and still used heavily here) style of smashing together two opposing monologues and calling it a conversation. But, to me, Haley’s writing turns the Warhammer 40K universe into a mosaic. Surviving in the Imperium of Man is about having the occasional chuckle, even if it is the aeldari beside you speaking with a hint of mockery in the way he mimicked Guilliman's speech pattern.
Sacrifice for a greater purpose (that purpose being awful)
Duty is a regular theme in the Warhammer 40K universe, and there’s plenty of variations on that in Godblight. Mortarian and Ku'Gath receive their punishments for failing in their own duties to Nurgle.
However, what I want to focus on is that, in Godblight (and life), following your “duty” and the resulting sacrifices it entails does not make you morally good.
It is an explicit position of Games Workshop/Black Library that there is no good side in Warhammer 40K. The Imperium of Man is evil. Justinian, the trilogy's “good guy” Primaris Marine, commits mass executions of innocents. He rationalises it with a tattoo and an allusion to the greater good:
I take this image not in penance, but so that I do not forget our duty as warriors of the Emperor, and protectors of humanity. I take it because I would remember that sometimes we must kill what we seek to protect in order to protect it.'
…and you might say: “Well, it’s a big universe and sometimes you have to make tough decisions. Their deaths were necessary for secrecy. The literal billions of lives saved far outweigh it.”
…but the problem, and this is what I really appreciate about the portrayal in Godblight, is that the Imperium of Man is not only irredeemably corrupt, vicious, and benighted at its core, but it is headed by the worst of them all: THE EMPEROR OF MANKIND, who re-enters the scene after 10,000 years as a corpse god.
'My father is no god. It is men who do His work for Him, as I must now. He uses people. He always has.'
The Deus Ex Emperor at the end is outstanding narrative work. The sacrifices of his lesser tools permits the THE EMPEROR OF MANKIND to take a flamethrower to the home of Nurgle, with Guilliman at his most noble. Yet, does THE EMPEROR OF MANKIND really care for them as individuals? No, not at all. And Guilliman, the Avenging Son, must face that while being the ultimate tool of all:
'Guilliman, hear me.'
'My last loyal son, My pride, my greatest triumph.'
How those words burned him, worse than the poisons of Mortarian, worse than the sting of failure. They were not a lie, not entirely. It was worse than that.
They were conditional.
'My last tool. My last hope.'
Godblight is heavy with Guilliman wrestling with his position (so the humour elsewhere helps keep you sane!). He must accept the deliberately ignorant reverences of Frater Mathieu, because Mathieu's faith literally ensured victory. He must accept that his soldiers murder children and think that’s pretty swell. He must hate the pain he inflicts on others:
Guilliman regretted his suffering. Another individual life used up for the sake of humanity. He could not bear to calculate how many more sacrifices there must be.
…but must keep doing it, and the below line appears in the same monologue as Guilliman’s denial of his father’s divinity.
'Thank you Mathieu, for your service to the Imperium. I am sure when I tell your successor what you did, they will make you a saint, and I will not dissuade them.'
I have mentioned it before, but I consider The Last Church overrated in its discussion of divinity. Godblight is more mature. It is not so much about proving the existence of divinity, but about confronting what divinity means, especially when that divinity kind of sucks.
'Because all gods are blights on existence, Roboute Guilliman, whether they call themselves gods or not,' the Cawl Inferior said.
'I think you know that better than anyone. Do not forget it.'
Godblight is an outstanding book, and there is a lot uncovered, such as the effective use of horror. But the laughter and the pointlessness of it all are its most outstanding elements.
October 9, 2021
A great book with some really cool scenes. The risen primarch visits his creator to see him after 10,000 years imprisoned on it. That scene is amazing. The audiobook is awesome, the performance is wonderful, John Banks is a great narrator. There is a war train moving across a corrupted world and a show down between two brothers. A great read or listen.
June 28, 2021
This series ends on a low note for me but it definitely plants the seeds for exciting future stories. I’m spoiled by the Horus Heresy series so I have to temper my expectations. It will take a while for characters to grown and become beloved. I just want much, much more action on a truly epic scale.
August 9, 2025
Oh yeah, warhammer books are kinda ass arent they
June 10, 2025
Godblight by Guy Haley is the third and final book in the Dark Imperium trilogy.
We are straight back into the story following on from the climactic battle of Plague war and Roboute Guilliman trying to keep a lid on the fact that the emperor of mankind is very clearly working alongside the forces of Ultramar.
The book centres around the planet of Iax which is where we began the trilogy. The once beautiful planet has now been quite literally warped and is being changed into Nurgles garden.
A large part of the book is Guilliman trying to deal with his very own Thomas Beckett who has not learned from his personal meeting with Roboute and is even more determined to prove to the Primarch his own and therefore his fathers divinity.
Guilliman realises that he is fairly powerless to stop the priest in his actions as if he tries to publicly admnish him he will bring down the eclisiarchy on himself as a non believer.
To be fair to the priest he is proved right by the end as what he achieves would not be possible if there wasn't an all powerful divinity watching over him.
The biggest surprise for me in this story was how funny the demons of nurgle were. I really wasn't expecting it. Not sure what it says about my sense of humour but the interactions between Ku'Gath and Rottigus were laugh out loud funny and it brought a welcome shift in tone to what is a pretty bleak situation.
The climax of the book is really good with the two primarchs facing off against each other. I think the finale leaves us with the question that has been asked throughout the trilogy, which is does Guilliman think he is a god but for the first time I'm not sure which way he is leaning. The fact that he has started to do the research by the end of the book means he is at least questioning his and his father's existence and purpose.
It's taken me a while but I'm really glad I've finished these three books, it introduces some really great characters and expanded my knowledge of the Ultramarines. Would recommend you give them a read.
We are straight back into the story following on from the climactic battle of Plague war and Roboute Guilliman trying to keep a lid on the fact that the emperor of mankind is very clearly working alongside the forces of Ultramar.
The book centres around the planet of Iax which is where we began the trilogy. The once beautiful planet has now been quite literally warped and is being changed into Nurgles garden.
A large part of the book is Guilliman trying to deal with his very own Thomas Beckett who has not learned from his personal meeting with Roboute and is even more determined to prove to the Primarch his own and therefore his fathers divinity.
Guilliman realises that he is fairly powerless to stop the priest in his actions as if he tries to publicly admnish him he will bring down the eclisiarchy on himself as a non believer.
To be fair to the priest he is proved right by the end as what he achieves would not be possible if there wasn't an all powerful divinity watching over him.
The biggest surprise for me in this story was how funny the demons of nurgle were. I really wasn't expecting it. Not sure what it says about my sense of humour but the interactions between Ku'Gath and Rottigus were laugh out loud funny and it brought a welcome shift in tone to what is a pretty bleak situation.
The climax of the book is really good with the two primarchs facing off against each other. I think the finale leaves us with the question that has been asked throughout the trilogy, which is does Guilliman think he is a god but for the first time I'm not sure which way he is leaning. The fact that he has started to do the research by the end of the book means he is at least questioning his and his father's existence and purpose.
It's taken me a while but I'm really glad I've finished these three books, it introduces some really great characters and expanded my knowledge of the Ultramarines. Would recommend you give them a read.
January 12, 2024
The final book in the Dark Imperium trilogy, Godblight sees the culmination of the Plague Wars and the ultimate confrontation between Guilliman and Mortarion.
The story takes place almost exclusively on Iax with occasional scenes taking place on Ultramar and is roughly split into two parts. The first part is almost entirely build-up, setting the stage and placing the characters in place. This slower, quieter bit allows room for more character exploration (particularly for Guilliman) and helps to set the stakes. Gradually, the story advances and the final battles are joined, part when the book explodes into action right up until the final pages.
What I particularly enjoyed here, as with most Guy Haley books, are exactly those slower moments of character introspection. Guilliman muses constantly on the nature of godhood and the book actually has some interesting ideas about who or what the Emperor actually is or has become. Additionally there are ancient secrets being uncovered, conflicts and intrigues between daemons, and many more moments like that. Special mention for the resolution of Guilliman's fight with Mortarion which just might be one of the most awesome and bad-ass moments I've read in a Warhammer book.
Dark Imperium in general and Godblight in particular have been interesting books. Guy Haley's style is one I personally enjoy greatly and he manages to blend the silly action bits which define Warhammer with more character exploration than most other authors. This final book of the trilogy is arguably a bit too slow, but in the moments when it shines it is really spectacular.
The story takes place almost exclusively on Iax with occasional scenes taking place on Ultramar and is roughly split into two parts. The first part is almost entirely build-up, setting the stage and placing the characters in place. This slower, quieter bit allows room for more character exploration (particularly for Guilliman) and helps to set the stakes. Gradually, the story advances and the final battles are joined, part when the book explodes into action right up until the final pages.
What I particularly enjoyed here, as with most Guy Haley books, are exactly those slower moments of character introspection. Guilliman muses constantly on the nature of godhood and the book actually has some interesting ideas about who or what the Emperor actually is or has become. Additionally there are ancient secrets being uncovered, conflicts and intrigues between daemons, and many more moments like that. Special mention for the resolution of Guilliman's fight with Mortarion which just might be one of the most awesome and bad-ass moments I've read in a Warhammer book.
Dark Imperium in general and Godblight in particular have been interesting books. Guy Haley's style is one I personally enjoy greatly and he manages to blend the silly action bits which define Warhammer with more character exploration than most other authors. This final book of the trilogy is arguably a bit too slow, but in the moments when it shines it is really spectacular.
April 17, 2025
Є такі книги, які в комплекті йдуть поганою пігулкою. Тобто перші дві читаєш - ніби все ок, середня така книга по сюжету, має свої недоліки, але загалом це ж особливість такого виду книг (популярна, еклектична фантастика для широкої аудиторії фанатів). Третя ж стається і щось воно зовсім розсипається.
1) тут відчуття, ніби автор кидав dices і разом із якимось гейммастером пишуть сюжет. При цьому роблять вони доволі недолугу спробу перевести сюжетку із рольовки у книгу і продати це. Ну бо ж про Жилімана! Читай, фанате, купуй, гімно загорнуте в обкладинку.
2) оці дискусії про теологічні особливості імператора, виру, богів Хаосу, про розум і віру - також виглядають якоюсь випадковою історією, в якій автор не встиг, не захотів чи не вмів розібратися. Саме це могло би стати чимось цікавим, навіть дещо вийти за межі всесвіту і жанру, але не сталося і маємо ще одну нижче-середнього книгу, яку я не планую купувати для власної бібліотеки у папері.
Шкода, але тут теж мабуть варто просто перестати читати авторів, чиї текст вже не вперше мають свої проблеми із сюжетом, персонажами і просто повагою до читачів.
1) тут відчуття, ніби автор кидав dices і разом із якимось гейммастером пишуть сюжет. При цьому роблять вони доволі недолугу спробу перевести сюжетку із рольовки у книгу і продати це. Ну бо ж про Жилімана! Читай, фанате, купуй, гімно загорнуте в обкладинку.
2) оці дискусії про теологічні особливості імператора, виру, богів Хаосу, про розум і віру - також виглядають якоюсь випадковою історією, в якій автор не встиг, не захотів чи не вмів розібратися. Саме це могло би стати чимось цікавим, навіть дещо вийти за межі всесвіту і жанру, але не сталося і маємо ще одну нижче-середнього книгу, яку я не планую купувати для власної бібліотеки у папері.
Шкода, але тут теж мабуть варто просто перестати читати авторів, чиї текст вже не вперше мають свої проблеми із сюжетом, персонажами і просто повагою до читачів.
March 27, 2023
A great end to a great trilogy.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Dark Imperium Trilogy. There was plenty of Astartes action and Boltguns roaring.. but the best parts of the series were the characters we got to know along the way and the interwoven stories they had to tell.
The characterization of the Primaris alongside the First-born was really well done, the Death Guard and the Daemons of Nurgle were wonderfully accurate and well written. Mortarion and Typhus were brilliant, especially when they butted heads. The Sororitas and the Silent Sisters were fantastic. Guilliman, centre stage, was excellent. Especially when he was struggling with the potential truth of the Emperor being a God. Speaking of which, when the Emperor acted through Guilliman in the Garden or Nurgle, that was insane to witness!
I highly recommend this trilogy to any fan of Warhammer 40,000 (and the Horus Heresy) or just Science Fiction in general. 10/10.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Dark Imperium Trilogy. There was plenty of Astartes action and Boltguns roaring.. but the best parts of the series were the characters we got to know along the way and the interwoven stories they had to tell.
The characterization of the Primaris alongside the First-born was really well done, the Death Guard and the Daemons of Nurgle were wonderfully accurate and well written. Mortarion and Typhus were brilliant, especially when they butted heads. The Sororitas and the Silent Sisters were fantastic. Guilliman, centre stage, was excellent. Especially when he was struggling with the potential truth of the Emperor being a God. Speaking of which, when the Emperor acted through Guilliman in the Garden or Nurgle, that was insane to witness!
I highly recommend this trilogy to any fan of Warhammer 40,000 (and the Horus Heresy) or just Science Fiction in general. 10/10.
October 21, 2023
I had been pleasantly surprised by the improvement in quality of the second book in the series compared to the first: a more coherent story, more focus on the Chaos characters, and a tension building throughout the book and climaxing with the duel between the two primarchs. I was curious to see how this one would conclude the cycle, and I was somewhat disappointed. The book follows the exact same structure as the previous one, with a war to liberate a planet serving as an excuse for a final showdown between Guilliman and Mortarion. There's also a secondary plot involving an Imperial historian that is only loosely related to the main narrative and primarily serves as a setup for subsequent books. Finally, the resolution of the conflict between Mathieu and Guilliman is not as satisfying as it could have been, with a final revelation that didn't quite convince me. Not a bad book, better than the first in the trilogy but not as good as the second one.
July 24, 2022
As others have said: well written with some good characters and lore additions and decent plot but I felt the final confrontation deeply underwhelming and too ‘neat’? I did actually really like all the chapters after the big battle!
I would say 3.7 so I’ll round up
I got into warhammer in the 90s when the overall story moved glacially so I think maybe I am now spoiled and expecting these books to be like other fictional series but they can’t be. These books can rarely actually be that impactful or definitive because it would destroy the table top game that spawned it. Ultimately the status quo can never be rocked too much by a single book or series so it helps to bear that in mind.
I mean I never even thought I would read a story involving a primarchs when I first started snd here we have 2 back in real space going at it
I would say 3.7 so I’ll round up
I got into warhammer in the 90s when the overall story moved glacially so I think maybe I am now spoiled and expecting these books to be like other fictional series but they can’t be. These books can rarely actually be that impactful or definitive because it would destroy the table top game that spawned it. Ultimately the status quo can never be rocked too much by a single book or series so it helps to bear that in mind.
I mean I never even thought I would read a story involving a primarchs when I first started snd here we have 2 back in real space going at it
May 19, 2024
I'm writing this about the entire Dark Imperium trilogy, not just Godblight.
They're not bad books, but the plot simply isn't that interesting. It's *extremely* linear: plot just sort of goes straight up at a 45 degree angle and doesn't really deviate. Never did I feel that Guilliman or the Indomitus Crusade was ever in peril, or at risk.
The result is that Dark Imperium is just a series of events that happen, and they resolve themselves in entirely predictable ways: the Good Guys Win, the Bad Guys Lose. It made me feel bad for the way BL treats Mortarian, once again.
Best thing about the books is, without question, the Nurgle Demon sections. They're at least fun and entertaining.
Read this cuz you want to move the Era Indomitus plot forward, not cuz you want a gripping and unpredictable story.
They're not bad books, but the plot simply isn't that interesting. It's *extremely* linear: plot just sort of goes straight up at a 45 degree angle and doesn't really deviate. Never did I feel that Guilliman or the Indomitus Crusade was ever in peril, or at risk.
The result is that Dark Imperium is just a series of events that happen, and they resolve themselves in entirely predictable ways: the Good Guys Win, the Bad Guys Lose. It made me feel bad for the way BL treats Mortarian, once again.
Best thing about the books is, without question, the Nurgle Demon sections. They're at least fun and entertaining.
Read this cuz you want to move the Era Indomitus plot forward, not cuz you want a gripping and unpredictable story.
April 20, 2023
Much better than the second book and moved faster. I felt they were going to really force Guilliman and the reader to decide if the emperor and Guilliman are gods which they didn't. I really liked it because I felt it was very telegraphed in the previous books and was just dumb. The way the author consistently presented the reader with it but never made the characters or you decide was well done. The Easter eggs with the conversation between the emperor and Guilliman was great. Saying mortarion may come back to the good side was fantastic foreshadowing. The story of most of the traitor primarchs is very sad due to the fact very few of them wanted to go traitor. Horus would "come to" multiple times and try to stop what was started only to be taken over again.
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