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Space Wolf #5
Sons of Fenris
Ragnar and the Wolfblade are sent to investigate reports of Chaos attacks on the planet Hyades. When the Space Wolves come up against a squad of Dark Angels, the situation quickly escalates out of control, as both Chapters call in reinforcements. Unless these two ancient rivals start working together, the forces of Chaos will surely triumph - can the heroic Ragnar save the day?
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 30, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 4, 2008
okay, anything Warhammer 40K will at least hold my interest, but it was odd reading this one. The pacing was off, and it was certainly odd reading about Space Marines without the Astartes' characteristic stoicism and zealous faith in the Emperor, but maybe that's just a Space Wolves thing.
September 25, 2024
A tricky one to rate tbh. I’d love to know the reason but William King is no longer the author for the series and I found the change in writing style a bit jarring at first and the words didn’t jump off the page like they did in the last book.
Lee Lightner’s writing does feel a bit darker which is better in that respect and I feel like he used more side POVs which is really cool. Lightner made a great call writing in the Dark Angels squad leader’s POV as the kill squad teleporting onto Hyades and infiltrating Lethe was awesome. The space marine body count felt a lot higher than it had earlier in the series and it did make the stakes feel higher and more ‘realistic’ but I did find the writing a bit clunky.
My main problem with this book is I started to get a bit bored with the fighting towards the end and I love a good battle but I’d just had enough in the very last segment as it felt like the book should’ve already ended. So yeah some strange pacing issues at the end.
It was still generally a fun fast read and I wasn’t expecting a literary masterpiece going in, just some spacewolf carnage. I’ve had to drop it down to a 3/5 because the carnage should not get boring.
Lee Lightner’s writing does feel a bit darker which is better in that respect and I feel like he used more side POVs which is really cool. Lightner made a great call writing in the Dark Angels squad leader’s POV as the kill squad teleporting onto Hyades and infiltrating Lethe was awesome. The space marine body count felt a lot higher than it had earlier in the series and it did make the stakes feel higher and more ‘realistic’ but I did find the writing a bit clunky.
My main problem with this book is I started to get a bit bored with the fighting towards the end and I love a good battle but I’d just had enough in the very last segment as it felt like the book should’ve already ended. So yeah some strange pacing issues at the end.
It was still generally a fun fast read and I wasn’t expecting a literary masterpiece going in, just some spacewolf carnage. I’ve had to drop it down to a 3/5 because the carnage should not get boring.
November 21, 2019
A simple, almost silly, fun read of events in the WH40K universe. I've never read a Black Library book that was high literature, but that doesn't mean these have no value.
You likely already know if you are into this kind of thing.
You likely already know if you are into this kind of thing.
May 19, 2012
The writing was clunky to the point of being difficult to read. Despite the sory itself being quite good, my mind kept wandering off to avoid the bad writing. Sorry, Lee Lightner!
December 25, 2025
I started my reading journey with nothing but Warhammer novels. As I became a more avid reader, I branched out into other genres and stories, but my heart was always with Warhammer. Eventually, I decided it was time to return. Ragnar Blackmane and his band of Wolfblades had been waiting for me.
I rate Warhammer books a little differently than others. If the story is compelling enough, packed with wild battles, and gets my blood rushing, that alone is often enough to earn a higher rating.
Sons of Fenris, the fifth book in the Ragnar Blackmane saga—and the first written by Lee Lightner—is an epic tale of betrayal, uneasy alliances, and personal redemption.
I’ll never get tired of reading bolter porn; sometimes that’s all you need—a straightforward story about genetically enhanced superhumans going to war. But Sons of Fenris offers more than just spectacle. It provides insight into the deeply strained relationship between the Space Wolves and the Dark Angels, peeling back some of the dark secrets that haunt the latter. Watching an unusual and fragile alliance form between these historically hostile factions was one of the book’s highlights.
Ragnar continues to be one of my favorite characters in the Warhammer universe. There’s real depth to him—far more than blind faith in the Imperium. His relationships with Haegr and Torin, in particular, stand out. Their banter, trust, and genuine friendship add a welcome layer of humanity to the chaos and carnage.
I’m rambling a bit, but that’s probably the best indication of how much fun this book was. Sons of Fenris reminded me why I fell in love with Warhammer in the first place, and it has me genuinely excited to dive back into more of the universe.
I rate Warhammer books a little differently than others. If the story is compelling enough, packed with wild battles, and gets my blood rushing, that alone is often enough to earn a higher rating.
Sons of Fenris, the fifth book in the Ragnar Blackmane saga—and the first written by Lee Lightner—is an epic tale of betrayal, uneasy alliances, and personal redemption.
I’ll never get tired of reading bolter porn; sometimes that’s all you need—a straightforward story about genetically enhanced superhumans going to war. But Sons of Fenris offers more than just spectacle. It provides insight into the deeply strained relationship between the Space Wolves and the Dark Angels, peeling back some of the dark secrets that haunt the latter. Watching an unusual and fragile alliance form between these historically hostile factions was one of the book’s highlights.
Ragnar continues to be one of my favorite characters in the Warhammer universe. There’s real depth to him—far more than blind faith in the Imperium. His relationships with Haegr and Torin, in particular, stand out. Their banter, trust, and genuine friendship add a welcome layer of humanity to the chaos and carnage.
I’m rambling a bit, but that’s probably the best indication of how much fun this book was. Sons of Fenris reminded me why I fell in love with Warhammer in the first place, and it has me genuinely excited to dive back into more of the universe.
November 28, 2015
I read this with a vague sense of disappointment.
As the fifth book in the Space Wolves series, I did not expect anything great. Generally, I try to minimize my expectations when reading such a series as this: most stories focusing one a primary character stand a good chance of exhausting your attention after awhile, especially in a genre such as this (a character can only defy death so many times, charge into battle and kill his opponents so many ways, summon up inhuman strength and fortitude, before you start to see the repetitious nature of such a story).
And that's okay for me; I don't read this type of book with the idea of contemplating complex concepts or struggling to fathom some new perspective. It's like junkfood for the mind, made for easy consumption, not exactly great, but not too bad with the right moderation. But you gotta ask yourself: if you find yourself reaching for a sweet treat, take a bite, and find yourself cursing the cook for whatever unexpected sourness you discover, what do you do?
To continue this analogy, what if you know the cook is brand-new at this? Perhaps they've tried similar recipes and just recently undertook this new endeavor, and this is the result? Something slightly off, not completely unpleasing, but still, not as desirable or fulfilling as desserts past. What do you do?
In this particular case, Lee Lightner is the cook.
Or more correctly, the two writers who write under that pseudonym.
I remember discovering that fact, and suddenly everything made sense. Part of the problem may have been with subject matter, but that only accounts for a portion of this off-tasting confection. The materials weren't great (like I stated before, you can only rewrite the same thing so many times), but the kitchen was prepped and ready (by William King, the previous author of the Space Wolf series). So what happened?
Too many new cooks, perhaps?
This novel does show something to the effect of two writes trying to take over a series. Too many references to the previous books, trying to remind readers of the preceding books (remember when the main character did that in the last book? WASN'T IT AWESOME! YOU'LL LOVE THIS TOO!). Not only does somebody keep referencing creations past, but keeps consulting their beginners cookbook: I almost guarantee that during the writing of this, at least one part of this writing team was alternating between a thesaurus and a dictionary to help pad the book. I could be wrong, but some passages definitely reminded me of writing English papers that had to be a certain length and I was too uncaring to create new content. Suddenly, plain sentences became vivid with adjectives, paragraphs burdened with a colorful description of the same plain thing, concepts that were simply explained became interestingly complex...and nothing truly was added to the mix besides reader's fatigue at encountering a simple thing not said simply.
Seriously, Lee Lightner, I'm not trying to tear you down. I haven't looked you up, but I hope that you're both doing well and better. The book wasn't that bad (at least not bad enough to dissuade me from reading the next Space Wolf book you wrote; BTW not too bad so far), and as a person who's never written a book, I can only congratulate you two for your creation. But I would be remiss to not share these things with you or other readers. You instilled in me a fear of authors collaborating, and while some collaboration may lead to some awesomely great things, I'm thinking that may have been the root cause of what made this book so difficult for me to consume.
As the fifth book in the Space Wolves series, I did not expect anything great. Generally, I try to minimize my expectations when reading such a series as this: most stories focusing one a primary character stand a good chance of exhausting your attention after awhile, especially in a genre such as this (a character can only defy death so many times, charge into battle and kill his opponents so many ways, summon up inhuman strength and fortitude, before you start to see the repetitious nature of such a story).
And that's okay for me; I don't read this type of book with the idea of contemplating complex concepts or struggling to fathom some new perspective. It's like junkfood for the mind, made for easy consumption, not exactly great, but not too bad with the right moderation. But you gotta ask yourself: if you find yourself reaching for a sweet treat, take a bite, and find yourself cursing the cook for whatever unexpected sourness you discover, what do you do?
To continue this analogy, what if you know the cook is brand-new at this? Perhaps they've tried similar recipes and just recently undertook this new endeavor, and this is the result? Something slightly off, not completely unpleasing, but still, not as desirable or fulfilling as desserts past. What do you do?
In this particular case, Lee Lightner is the cook.
Or more correctly, the two writers who write under that pseudonym.
I remember discovering that fact, and suddenly everything made sense. Part of the problem may have been with subject matter, but that only accounts for a portion of this off-tasting confection. The materials weren't great (like I stated before, you can only rewrite the same thing so many times), but the kitchen was prepped and ready (by William King, the previous author of the Space Wolf series). So what happened?
Too many new cooks, perhaps?
This novel does show something to the effect of two writes trying to take over a series. Too many references to the previous books, trying to remind readers of the preceding books (remember when the main character did that in the last book? WASN'T IT AWESOME! YOU'LL LOVE THIS TOO!). Not only does somebody keep referencing creations past, but keeps consulting their beginners cookbook: I almost guarantee that during the writing of this, at least one part of this writing team was alternating between a thesaurus and a dictionary to help pad the book. I could be wrong, but some passages definitely reminded me of writing English papers that had to be a certain length and I was too uncaring to create new content. Suddenly, plain sentences became vivid with adjectives, paragraphs burdened with a colorful description of the same plain thing, concepts that were simply explained became interestingly complex...and nothing truly was added to the mix besides reader's fatigue at encountering a simple thing not said simply.
Seriously, Lee Lightner, I'm not trying to tear you down. I haven't looked you up, but I hope that you're both doing well and better. The book wasn't that bad (at least not bad enough to dissuade me from reading the next Space Wolf book you wrote; BTW not too bad so far), and as a person who's never written a book, I can only congratulate you two for your creation. But I would be remiss to not share these things with you or other readers. You instilled in me a fear of authors collaborating, and while some collaboration may lead to some awesomely great things, I'm thinking that may have been the root cause of what made this book so difficult for me to consume.
December 28, 2012
I really enjoyed the first Space Wolf novel I read back in January and I regret having put off reading this one for so long, because I really enjoyed it too. I loved getting back into the Warhammer universe and reading about Ragnar's adventures across the galaxy.
While this book isn't the next book in the series I didn't find myself lost or confused. (as is the case in some series novels) Also even though it was by a different author the writing styles were similar and not a drastic change from the first novel.
I really like the Space Wolf novels so far. They are classic Sci-fi/Fantasy. Futuristic worlds, fantastical creatures, tons of adventure, and constant action. The story has mystery to it too that drew me in trying to figure out who was the traitor.
The characters are interesting and I liked finding out where Ragnar had been since the last novel. There are one or two characters from the first novel I read, they don't play a main role in the novel. But I did enjoy the new characters that were introduced and I hope to be able to find out more about them in the next books in the series.
I don't really have any complaints about this one. It's good solid writing and it makes me want to find more of the Warhammer 40,000 books and read them. Also since this book isn't by the same author as the first, but I still enjoyed it, it makes me less hesitant to read other novels in the series by other authors.
While this book isn't the next book in the series I didn't find myself lost or confused. (as is the case in some series novels) Also even though it was by a different author the writing styles were similar and not a drastic change from the first novel.
I really like the Space Wolf novels so far. They are classic Sci-fi/Fantasy. Futuristic worlds, fantastical creatures, tons of adventure, and constant action. The story has mystery to it too that drew me in trying to figure out who was the traitor.
The characters are interesting and I liked finding out where Ragnar had been since the last novel. There are one or two characters from the first novel I read, they don't play a main role in the novel. But I did enjoy the new characters that were introduced and I hope to be able to find out more about them in the next books in the series.
I don't really have any complaints about this one. It's good solid writing and it makes me want to find more of the Warhammer 40,000 books and read them. Also since this book isn't by the same author as the first, but I still enjoyed it, it makes me less hesitant to read other novels in the series by other authors.
March 19, 2024
Maybe I’m too new to the warhammer 40k series but I enjoyed this book, it continues the story as Ragnar and his fellow wolfblades travel to Hyades. While on the planet the group encounters the Dark Angels who are on a secret mission to find a person, after they are confronted by the wolves chaos ensues as the blades are backstabbed by the “commanding officer” on the planet who was secretly working for Chaos, he proceeds to manipulate the dark angels into an open conflict with the space wolfs and while the two astartes are fighting each other the geneseeds from the fallen space marines are being harvested by the xenos on hyades. Chaos finally rears its head and the conflict switches to the battle-worn space wolves trying to survive the chaos marines fleet.
By the end of the book the Chaos marines have started a mass invasion of space wolves controlled planets and Ragnar might get a possible chance to redeem himself (at least to his eyes) in the next book and finally recover the spear of Russ.
I find it refreshing to see the growth of Ragnar through the series, this is my first warhammer 40K introduction and I’m seeing it basically as Ragnar sees it, from not knowing anything to understanding a bit more each book. Really enjoying this slightly more political side of the wolf and then mixing up the action again by the half of it.
By the end of the book the Chaos marines have started a mass invasion of space wolves controlled planets and Ragnar might get a possible chance to redeem himself (at least to his eyes) in the next book and finally recover the spear of Russ.
I find it refreshing to see the growth of Ragnar through the series, this is my first warhammer 40K introduction and I’m seeing it basically as Ragnar sees it, from not knowing anything to understanding a bit more each book. Really enjoying this slightly more political side of the wolf and then mixing up the action again by the half of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2007
I liked this story because it was very descriptive and used lots of difficult language but it was described very well. I liked the part where the two dreadnoughts were charging at each other because i like lots of action. i thought it would've been better if maybe the author could have a bit of pictures. The main character in this book is ragnar blackmane, the blood claw that threw the spear russ (their primarch's weapon) into a chaos warp to stop an invasion, and the blood claw that was sent down to a planet to defend it from an alien invasion. But in ome part of the story the dark angels drop in from nowhere and mess things up.
July 21, 2023
Better than book 4 but still not in love with Ragnar.
This is filled with good WH 40K battles, warp shenanigans, and space wolves howling for the sake of it. Loved the induction of the Dark Angles in this as added a good twist and an underlying plot.
However, I'm not fully sold on Ragnar as I don't see anything special about him. He's just a space wolve that shouts a little louder than anyone else but I don't get why he is so praised.
I will finish the series but this hasn't turned the space wolves into my favorite chapter.
This is filled with good WH 40K battles, warp shenanigans, and space wolves howling for the sake of it. Loved the induction of the Dark Angles in this as added a good twist and an underlying plot.
However, I'm not fully sold on Ragnar as I don't see anything special about him. He's just a space wolve that shouts a little louder than anyone else but I don't get why he is so praised.
I will finish the series but this hasn't turned the space wolves into my favorite chapter.
October 4, 2007
So far i have not finished the book yet but so far I think it is a good book. It is a little confusing but it is still what I enjoy doing and I am sure that i am going to finish this book.
It is about a space wolf named Ragnar who is enimies with the chaos and are allies are the Imperial Guard and they must save the planet from the Chaos.So far I am on the middle of Cahpter 1 beacuse its a long book.
It is about a space wolf named Ragnar who is enimies with the chaos and are allies are the Imperial Guard and they must save the planet from the Chaos.So far I am on the middle of Cahpter 1 beacuse its a long book.
March 13, 2011
Loved it, was full of action and 2 rivaling Space Marines working together to fight a common enemy , putting behind hundreds of years of mistrust between the 2 groups. CHaos still reigns throughout the galaxy and the Space Wolves are still after this dark group of bad demonic beings!
March 31, 2023
The boringest of this series so far. It revolves around what they call and Idiot Plot. That is: a plot that only happens because the characters are idiots. Seriously if the Dark Angels and the Space Wolves had had even the most basic communication the whole plot who have been over in 100 pages.
October 6, 2015
à little slow and disjointed in parts.
December 2, 2025
After four vastly entertaining Ragnar Blackmane adventures the Space Wolves series passed into the hands of Lee Lightner, which seems to be a pseudonym for two otherwise anonymous writers.
There is no noticeable shift in tone. The writing may not flow quite as effortlessly and nor is it quite as funny as previous efforts, but both complaints are minor and easy to forget in the course of a breezy space romp that is far lighter and less grimdark than the vast majority of 40k writing. The late book pacing is a little odd and we probably have one too many evil masterminds emerging from the shadows, but the 'your dad hit my dad long before either of us was born' animosity between Space Wolves and Dark Angels is handled with charm and flair, if not a terrible amount of subtlety.
There is no noticeable shift in tone. The writing may not flow quite as effortlessly and nor is it quite as funny as previous efforts, but both complaints are minor and easy to forget in the course of a breezy space romp that is far lighter and less grimdark than the vast majority of 40k writing. The late book pacing is a little odd and we probably have one too many evil masterminds emerging from the shadows, but the 'your dad hit my dad long before either of us was born' animosity between Space Wolves and Dark Angels is handled with charm and flair, if not a terrible amount of subtlety.
January 15, 2025
I really really enjoyed this! I understand with a new author, the writing style did a full 180, but that truthfully didn’t bother me at all. Filled with war and emotion, I adored it.
Having Space Wolfs and Dark Angels work together was a fun ride and I don’t get the hate this book received AT ALL. It was nice to even get different perspectives on different characters. Of course Ragnar is the main focus, but enjoyably, not the only focus.
***SPOILERS***
I even cried during a certain reunion. Fight me. This was outstanding.
Having Space Wolfs and Dark Angels work together was a fun ride and I don’t get the hate this book received AT ALL. It was nice to even get different perspectives on different characters. Of course Ragnar is the main focus, but enjoyably, not the only focus.
***SPOILERS***
I even cried during a certain reunion. Fight me. This was outstanding.
May 31, 2019
The writing is much different than the previous 4 books and not for the better. No offense to the new author, but it just didn't live up to the writing quality of the series and I didn't finish it.
July 25, 2019
Honestly, this one was a step down again. Good thing the series ends on a higher note.
October 15, 2021
The change in author was not a good idea.
April 30, 2022
It was ok not much to say other than it is anther warhammer book. I also must say since william king stoped this series it just feels generic.
December 20, 2024
Quite fun.
January 24, 2025
tons of fun, idk it just worked super well, space wolves were cool and not like idiot viking, well done.
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June 22, 2025Wow! And a uniquely long Epilogue.
May 16, 2016
Entretenida historia de la evolución de Ragnar a Señor Lobo
December 31, 2019
My favourite of the Space Wolves series. Really liked the other Wolfblades and what they add
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January 17, 2016Warhammer 40K,Space Wolves
July 24, 2014
Another enjoyable book from the warhammer universe.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews