What do you think?
Rate this book
Space Wolves #3
Das Helwinter-Tor
Abgeschieden.
Allein.
Die Krieger des Járnhamar-Rudels sind gezwungen, vor dem Urteil ihres Ordens zu fliehen. An Bord eines gestohlenen Leerenschiffes durchqueren sie ein Imperium, das im Krieg versinkt. In ihrem anhaltenden Rachefeldzug gegen altes Unrecht durchsuchen die Space Wolves die Ruinen von Welten nach einem Feind, der sich hartnäckig versteckt hält. Doch während dieser gefährlichen Reise erkennt das Rudel, dass nicht nur ihre Nemesis ihr Überleben auf die Probe stellt. Die Krieger müssen sich auf dem unsicheren Pfad behaupten, den einer von ihnen eingeschlagen hat und dessen seltsame und unsanktionierte Kräfte zunehmen.
Ihr letztendliches Ziel, die Rückkehr nach Fenris mit wiederhergestellter Ehre und neu geschworenen Eiden, rückt in immer weitere Ferne. Während die Grenzen des Imperiums bröckeln und der vor langer Zeit prophezeite Ansturm des Erzfeindes beginnt, läuft dem Járnhamar-Rudel die Zeit davon. Die Wölfe müssen die Wahrheit über einen uralten Verrat aufdecken und verhindern, dass sich dessen Schrecken erfüllt, bevor alles, wofür sie gekämpft haben, im aufziehenden Sturm vernichtet wird.
Allein.
Die Krieger des Járnhamar-Rudels sind gezwungen, vor dem Urteil ihres Ordens zu fliehen. An Bord eines gestohlenen Leerenschiffes durchqueren sie ein Imperium, das im Krieg versinkt. In ihrem anhaltenden Rachefeldzug gegen altes Unrecht durchsuchen die Space Wolves die Ruinen von Welten nach einem Feind, der sich hartnäckig versteckt hält. Doch während dieser gefährlichen Reise erkennt das Rudel, dass nicht nur ihre Nemesis ihr Überleben auf die Probe stellt. Die Krieger müssen sich auf dem unsicheren Pfad behaupten, den einer von ihnen eingeschlagen hat und dessen seltsame und unsanktionierte Kräfte zunehmen.
Ihr letztendliches Ziel, die Rückkehr nach Fenris mit wiederhergestellter Ehre und neu geschworenen Eiden, rückt in immer weitere Ferne. Während die Grenzen des Imperiums bröckeln und der vor langer Zeit prophezeite Ansturm des Erzfeindes beginnt, läuft dem Járnhamar-Rudel die Zeit davon. Die Wölfe müssen die Wahrheit über einen uralten Verrat aufdecken und verhindern, dass sich dessen Schrecken erfüllt, bevor alles, wofür sie gekämpft haben, im aufziehenden Sturm vernichtet wird.
443 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 2020
39 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Chris Wraight
219 books382 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 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 19, 2026
By far the best book in the Trilogy.
This book was written a few years later and you can see how the evolution of the author and his writing skill. He writes better and is even more comfortable in the 40K universe.
That means it is during the magic build up in the game when we got all the magic books spell expansions at the end of that edition right before the Fall of Cadia.
Which means they have to go to Cadia and witness the Fall.
Once again Jarnhammar is hunting down Fulcrum, but this time they take the head and set out to hunt down the final assassins. Those assassins are headed to Cadia.
I really appreciate how he tied his story the trilogy into the biggest event in 40K in 30 years. I can picture the writers meeting and him being like, "I can send my Jarnhammar there. It would be a good place to wrap up their story."
This book focuses on Baldr which makes sense given his own Psychic Awakening during the game event when the book starts known as the Psychic Awakening. It shows him as a child and how he always had a faint trickle of power, but not enough to actually be used or even detected. Now he is collared and looking for a cure, but what if a cure isn't the answer? Either way the conclusion of this was cool AF.
Hafloi grows up, embraces being a Grey Hunter and is fully accepted by the pack. Best scene with him is when he thinks it is all easy for them he is doing his best just to keep up, completely unaware that the others are running full out as well and doing all they can not to fall down the mountain as well. I really appreciate imposter syndrome.
The others don't have much change, without spoilers, but even they are small.
My only complaint is the final battle, it is rushed and ridiculous. The target of the 500 trained Assassins holds them off until 4 members of Jarnhammer arrive and they kill all of them without any cost and then immediately get attacked by the Chaos forces to include CSM and again no real danger. I don't know if he ran out of time or page count, but it didn't work for me.
The book ends with the Cicatrix Maledictum starting to spread. The team has a new ship and awaiting orders. It leaves it open for more if he wants to write more. Which I would love.
This book was written a few years later and you can see how the evolution of the author and his writing skill. He writes better and is even more comfortable in the 40K universe.
That means it is during the magic build up in the game when we got all the magic books spell expansions at the end of that edition right before the Fall of Cadia.
Which means they have to go to Cadia and witness the Fall.
Once again Jarnhammar is hunting down Fulcrum, but this time they take the head and set out to hunt down the final assassins. Those assassins are headed to Cadia.
I really appreciate how he tied his story the trilogy into the biggest event in 40K in 30 years. I can picture the writers meeting and him being like, "I can send my Jarnhammar there. It would be a good place to wrap up their story."
This book focuses on Baldr which makes sense given his own Psychic Awakening during the game event when the book starts known as the Psychic Awakening. It shows him as a child and how he always had a faint trickle of power, but not enough to actually be used or even detected. Now he is collared and looking for a cure, but what if a cure isn't the answer? Either way the conclusion of this was cool AF.
Hafloi grows up, embraces being a Grey Hunter and is fully accepted by the pack. Best scene with him is when he thinks it is all easy for them he is doing his best just to keep up, completely unaware that the others are running full out as well and doing all they can not to fall down the mountain as well. I really appreciate imposter syndrome.
The others don't have much change, without spoilers, but even they are small.
My only complaint is the final battle, it is rushed and ridiculous. The target of the 500 trained Assassins holds them off until 4 members of Jarnhammer arrive and they kill all of them without any cost and then immediately get attacked by the Chaos forces to include CSM and again no real danger. I don't know if he ran out of time or page count, but it didn't work for me.
The book ends with the Cicatrix Maledictum starting to spread. The team has a new ship and awaiting orders. It leaves it open for more if he wants to write more. Which I would love.
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 - 10 of 10 reviews