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Space Wolves #3
The Helwinter Gate
As the Imperium crumbles around them and darkness descends, the Space Wolves of Járnhamar Pack seek vengeance for old wrongs – whatever the cost.
Isolated.
Alone.
Járnhamar pack are forced to flee from the judgement of their own Chapter aboard a stolen voidship, amid an Imperium descending into total war. Still pursuing vengeances for old wrongs, these Space Wolves hunt the ruins of worlds in search of an enemy who remains stubbornly hidden. Yet as the perilous journey unfolds, the pack learn their nemesis is not the only threat to their survival. They must also contend with the uncertain path chartered by one of their own, whose strange and unsanctioned powers continue to grow.
Their ultimate goal of a return to Fenris – with their honour restored and oaths resworn – becomes steadily more elusive. As the Imperium’s borders crumble and the long-prophesied onslaught of the Archenemy begins, Járnhamar pack must race to uncover the truth of an ancient betrayal and halt its horror from coming to pass, lest everything they have fought for be destroyed in the coming storm.
Isolated.
Alone.
Járnhamar pack are forced to flee from the judgement of their own Chapter aboard a stolen voidship, amid an Imperium descending into total war. Still pursuing vengeances for old wrongs, these Space Wolves hunt the ruins of worlds in search of an enemy who remains stubbornly hidden. Yet as the perilous journey unfolds, the pack learn their nemesis is not the only threat to their survival. They must also contend with the uncertain path chartered by one of their own, whose strange and unsanctioned powers continue to grow.
Their ultimate goal of a return to Fenris – with their honour restored and oaths resworn – becomes steadily more elusive. As the Imperium’s borders crumble and the long-prophesied onslaught of the Archenemy begins, Járnhamar pack must race to uncover the truth of an ancient betrayal and halt its horror from coming to pass, lest everything they have fought for be destroyed in the coming storm.
432 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 2020
39 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Chris Wraight
217 books377 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 22, 2020
This isn’t one of those 40k books that explores a long-neglected faction, breathing life into them in ways one didn’t see coming, nor is it one of the almost philosophical treatises on the nature of power and humanity that BL throws up occasionally. Wraight has been responsible for more than his share of both of these books, but The Helwinter Gate is about Space Wolves- perhaps the Space Marines who feature in more books than any others. Instead, we have an always very capable author who has grown in ability and confidence returning to one of his earliest characters taking them on a very enjoyable and rewarding ride. There are no massive lore revelations, though plenty of tidbits are scattered to flesh out even the most fleeting of background characters, and it didn’t drive me to reflect on the nature of life, though it did pack some emotional heft.
Though the conclusion of a trilogy, The Helwinter Gate works well enough as a stand-alone novel. It’s narrative is pretty straightforward, the Wolves are on a mission of vengeance and are also seeking to clear their names and the action scenes are frequent and well-written. The location-hopping helps keep things fresh and ensures it is a pacy book. Wraight adds his now-customary details that add a disproportionate depth to the story, and does some interesting things retelling the same events from different perspectives.
If you own one of the other 1,249 mega-editions of this, well done- it’s a lovely object. If you didn’t/couldn’t get one, I hope the wait for the regular edition isn’t too long...
Though the conclusion of a trilogy, The Helwinter Gate works well enough as a stand-alone novel. It’s narrative is pretty straightforward, the Wolves are on a mission of vengeance and are also seeking to clear their names and the action scenes are frequent and well-written. The location-hopping helps keep things fresh and ensures it is a pacy book. Wraight adds his now-customary details that add a disproportionate depth to the story, and does some interesting things retelling the same events from different perspectives.
If you own one of the other 1,249 mega-editions of this, well done- it’s a lovely object. If you didn’t/couldn’t get one, I hope the wait for the regular edition isn’t too long...
November 12, 2022
Sehr gute Geschichte!
Leider gibt es vermehrt zum Ende hin ein paar Rechtschreibfehler, die den Lesefluss stören, aber abgesehen davon wirklich ein tollen Buch.
Leider gibt es vermehrt zum Ende hin ein paar Rechtschreibfehler, die den Lesefluss stören, aber abgesehen davon wirklich ein tollen Buch.
January 26, 2024
After basically devouring the first two parts of this series I gotta say that this one is my absolute favourite. It constantly kept me on edge, barely able to put it away. The death of Jorundur was truly heart-wrenching in my opinion, even though I expected it to happen after Vuokho's destruction. But luckily we got Hafloí coming in with a couple smart remarks to lighten the mood when needed. Even though I am quite sure that this is the last part of this series I do hope to see the members of Járnhamar again in the future because there's still quite a few questions left that I really need to know the answers to. How did Gunnlaugur survive (like for real?! I mean at least he's not a Dreadnought I guess)? What's Baldr up to at the moment? Will he maybe even become a full-fledged Rune Priest? What about the Eldar Spirit Stone? Will the Wolves meet the Cardinal who's „taking care” of Klaive at the moment? So many questions AH
Oh and also: I loved EVERYTHING about that short interaction between Callimachus and Ingvar hope to see more of that as well. Ultramarines are great when they're not busy being goody two shoes posterboys.
Oh and also: I loved EVERYTHING about that short interaction between Callimachus and Ingvar hope to see more of that as well. Ultramarines are great when they're not busy being goody two shoes posterboys.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2022
Nothing is perfect but I have trouble finding a fault with this one. This is a very easy to follow and enjoyable book. The cast is small and easy to remember, the plot intriguing and rewarding.
I would highly recommend this book to any fan of action/adventures and science fiction because what you get of it is top of the line.
I would highly recommend this book to any fan of action/adventures and science fiction because what you get of it is top of the line.
October 29, 2023
Overall, good novel and I enjoyed the characters throughout. The initial wind up was bit slow but it picked up and had great pacing by the end. The action was fun too, but not sleeping on the characters makes the ride much more enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2021
Another strong piece by Wraight. I just wish it had more bolter porn.
December 24, 2023
hard fighting
Lots of hard fighting. Following quests and doing what must be done. I hope Baldr will return stronger than ever.
Lots of hard fighting. Following quests and doing what must be done. I hope Baldr will return stronger than ever.
September 30, 2025
Chris Wraight does it again, what a phenomenal ride.
August 18, 2024
The Jarnhamar pack return for more traitor-slaying adventures; still wrestling with split loyalties, still skirting around the big philosophical questions in favour of problems they can (literally) get their claws into.
This time out the Jarnhamerers start out dealing with the repercussions of their precious actions; walking lines between being wayward children and full-blown renegades. From there the story clicks a little too quickly back towards a more familiar tone, albeit involving the charactera in more significant galactic events than ever before. The ending feels lacklustre; the author seems torn between wrapping up a trilogy and keeping enough threads unresolved to warrant a longer series.
Overall though Wraight has done a good job to get three entertaining and action-packed adventures out of the fairly elementary premise of 'our form of magic is fine and wonderful but your kind of magic deserves death'. Not my favourite 40k series, not helped by my middling-at-best affection for the Space Wolves, but enjoyable and harmless action-packed fun.
This time out the Jarnhamerers start out dealing with the repercussions of their precious actions; walking lines between being wayward children and full-blown renegades. From there the story clicks a little too quickly back towards a more familiar tone, albeit involving the charactera in more significant galactic events than ever before. The ending feels lacklustre; the author seems torn between wrapping up a trilogy and keeping enough threads unresolved to warrant a longer series.
Overall though Wraight has done a good job to get three entertaining and action-packed adventures out of the fairly elementary premise of 'our form of magic is fine and wonderful but your kind of magic deserves death'. Not my favourite 40k series, not helped by my middling-at-best affection for the Space Wolves, but enjoyable and harmless action-packed fun.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews