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The world of Sepulchre IV stands on the brink of destruction. From the stars the Red Rage descends, intent on murder and massacre. Into the fray are thrust the Firedrakes, peerless champions of the Salamanders. Their retrieve the 'holy relic' of Spulchre and prevent it falling to the enemy.
Audio CD
First published May 27, 2010
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About the author
Nick Kyme
280 books161 followersNick Kyme (b. 1977) writes mostly for Black Library. His credits include the popular Salamanders series and several audio dramas.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 9, 2025
A classic last stand that gets the job done. Bolter porn premium. I get the impression that Kyme is more comfortable with the novella format than with books. The style is more direct, less heavy and, overall, more enjoyable if you want action instead of lore.
February 14, 2011
I became great fan of Salamanders through Nick Kyme's books - I truly like the idea of superhuman warriors that do not loose links to their roots and try to protect fellow humans and inspire them to greatness.
Here we follow a group of Fire Drakes, elite 1st Company veterans as they fight their way through battled planet of Sepulchra 4 (I hope I got it right), place where Battle Sisters are fighting a bitter battle against the Chaos marines - battle they cannot win on their own.
Narration is great and so are the ambient sounds. Story is also very interesting and keeps you wondering why were Salamanders sent to Sepulchra 4 in the first place 'til the very end. Ending is true to W40K setting.
Highly recommended for all the fans of W40K and especially fans of Salamander Chapter.
Here we follow a group of Fire Drakes, elite 1st Company veterans as they fight their way through battled planet of Sepulchra 4 (I hope I got it right), place where Battle Sisters are fighting a bitter battle against the Chaos marines - battle they cannot win on their own.
Narration is great and so are the ambient sounds. Story is also very interesting and keeps you wondering why were Salamanders sent to Sepulchra 4 in the first place 'til the very end. Ending is true to W40K setting.
Highly recommended for all the fans of W40K and especially fans of Salamander Chapter.
October 7, 2019
“I’m a Firestarter, twisted Firestarter…”
I hate to start on a negative, but I’ve found Nick Kymes’ writings miss more than hit – though I did enjoy The Fall of Damnos - apart from that, I’ve just never engaged with his work. I think this is partially as I really disliked the ending of his Salamander trilogy where Space Marines get Marvel-esque superpowers. His handling of the Salamanders in Horus Heresy terms has been, shall we say, divisive. So, I entered listening to Fireborn with a negative mindset, that this was going to be bad – I was wrong, it’s bloody good!
The story follows a group of Firedrakes (elite Terminators of the Salamanders 1st Company) on the world of Sepulchre IV a monastery bastion world, which is on the brink of destruction. The Red Rage have descended are causing havoc upon the world and massacring Battle Sisters who have been trying to stem the tide of those Chaos Marines. They send a plea for help and the Salamanders answer their call. Why attack this world, other than because they can – they are after a holy relic from one of the saints of that world.
If you’ve read any of Nick Kyme’s Salamander work, your notice the name Tsu’gan – who in this is a nearly arrived recruit. He is central to the story and we get to see a rather angry Tsu’gan control his fiery nature – as he needs to battle Chaos space marines, demonic engines of war and himself. As for the other members of Tsu’gan party, they are all really your bog-standard affair, on the wrong side of dull. I wanted to give a special mention to the Adeptus Sororitas in this story, they kick ass and honestly, I would have liked to hear more of them in this AD.
Fireborn is another ‘last stand’ story – I know, that’s basically every other audio drama… but it works so well. I kind of loved this. The production values are great, voice acting is solid and the sound effects and music help to prop up the story that bit more. The ending, well your going to be able to guess what happens before it does – other than that, characters are bland as I’ve mentioned. I just focused on Tsu’gan and the Sisters of Battle, otherwise I prob would have scored this even lower. I hope you get around to listening to this one.
I hate to start on a negative, but I’ve found Nick Kymes’ writings miss more than hit – though I did enjoy The Fall of Damnos - apart from that, I’ve just never engaged with his work. I think this is partially as I really disliked the ending of his Salamander trilogy where Space Marines get Marvel-esque superpowers. His handling of the Salamanders in Horus Heresy terms has been, shall we say, divisive. So, I entered listening to Fireborn with a negative mindset, that this was going to be bad – I was wrong, it’s bloody good!
The story follows a group of Firedrakes (elite Terminators of the Salamanders 1st Company) on the world of Sepulchre IV a monastery bastion world, which is on the brink of destruction. The Red Rage have descended are causing havoc upon the world and massacring Battle Sisters who have been trying to stem the tide of those Chaos Marines. They send a plea for help and the Salamanders answer their call. Why attack this world, other than because they can – they are after a holy relic from one of the saints of that world.
If you’ve read any of Nick Kyme’s Salamander work, your notice the name Tsu’gan – who in this is a nearly arrived recruit. He is central to the story and we get to see a rather angry Tsu’gan control his fiery nature – as he needs to battle Chaos space marines, demonic engines of war and himself. As for the other members of Tsu’gan party, they are all really your bog-standard affair, on the wrong side of dull. I wanted to give a special mention to the Adeptus Sororitas in this story, they kick ass and honestly, I would have liked to hear more of them in this AD.
Fireborn is another ‘last stand’ story – I know, that’s basically every other audio drama… but it works so well. I kind of loved this. The production values are great, voice acting is solid and the sound effects and music help to prop up the story that bit more. The ending, well your going to be able to guess what happens before it does – other than that, characters are bland as I’ve mentioned. I just focused on Tsu’gan and the Sisters of Battle, otherwise I prob would have scored this even lower. I hope you get around to listening to this one.
August 11, 2021
Fireborn sees the Salamanders getting their hands in it! The Salamanders come across as still the most human of the Space Marines and we get to see there different perspective on their priorites in Fireborn! :D They still don't hesistate though to the Space Marine thing and this neatly contrasts with their more humantarian outlook! Their mission profile are different as well making for characters that are unpredicatble! You will be up late seeing what happens!
Fireborn action thick and fast creating a story that is both daring and heroic! The cast of character is excellently realised with all of them coming across as three-dimensional! This makes for action scenes where the characters all have different roles but can double up - a Bad Batch group!
Fireborn is brilliant, fast paced, humantitarian, full of adventur and action! Brilliant Crisp High Five! Highly Recommended! Get it When You Can! :D
Fireborn action thick and fast creating a story that is both daring and heroic! The cast of character is excellently realised with all of them coming across as three-dimensional! This makes for action scenes where the characters all have different roles but can double up - a Bad Batch group!
Fireborn is brilliant, fast paced, humantitarian, full of adventur and action! Brilliant Crisp High Five! Highly Recommended! Get it When You Can! :D
April 3, 2023
Well produced bolter porn. I don't particularly enjoy the shallower 40k fiction, which mostly is about Space Marines shooting. If I did, this would be a pretty good listen.
December 28, 2023
Pretty satisfying battle tale. Almost worth 4 stars but not as engaging in audio drama form as I would have liked to give that rating.
July 7, 2023
A solid 40K story with an interesting look at Salamanders, Ecclisiarchy, and a daemon engine
December 15, 2015
Tsu-gan is a space marine who really need some anger management...
We get to follow the Salamanders Elite, the Firedrakes, as they attempt to save a relic from a world about to fall to the forces of chaos.
Most of the story centres on a battle against a Daemon engine which just wont stop...
The action is intense, the narrator/voice actor is amazing and both music and sound effects are spot on!
The only weakness is the story it self. A bit too short, the characters are a bit to bland but that is all. I would definitely recommend it!
We get to follow the Salamanders Elite, the Firedrakes, as they attempt to save a relic from a world about to fall to the forces of chaos.
Most of the story centres on a battle against a Daemon engine which just wont stop...
The action is intense, the narrator/voice actor is amazing and both music and sound effects are spot on!
The only weakness is the story it self. A bit too short, the characters are a bit to bland but that is all. I would definitely recommend it!
September 11, 2012
My introduction into the Salamanders chapter was a good one, as Nick Kyme's Fireborn is a gleaming step in the right direction. I'm fast becoming a fan of his work, and this short story is indeed going to draw-in fans for both the chapter and the main character, Tsu-gan. He's getting the depth he needs from Kyme. Good book!
January 9, 2026
🖋️ Critique Complète :
➡️ https://reclusiam.net/fireborn/critiq...
Fireborn est un audio comme je les aime, efficace et long, avec des affrontements bien soutenus par l’ambiance générale et accompagné d’un petit twist ending qui le rend plus original que les autres. Un must have pour les fans des Salamanders. On regrettera la difficulté de compréhension malgré tout.
➡️ https://reclusiam.net/fireborn/critiq...
Fireborn est un audio comme je les aime, efficace et long, avec des affrontements bien soutenus par l’ambiance générale et accompagné d’un petit twist ending qui le rend plus original que les autres. Un must have pour les fans des Salamanders. On regrettera la difficulté de compréhension malgré tout.
February 5, 2013
My first Salamanders story not bad but I'd rather the terminators kick a bit more ass like terminators ought to.
February 17, 2016
one of my favorite audio dramas
May 4, 2017
A bit too much focus on combat, but still cool. I really liked the sisters!
August 20, 2025
A good story and audio drama.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews