Spear of the Emperor (Warhammer 40,000)

Spear of the Emperor is about as good as 40k fiction can be. ADB does an excellent job of immersing his readers and really makes you care about the characters he writes. He really brings The Emperors Spears to life in this novel and paints a vivid picture of their home world. He fleshes out the people of that world and their rituals and customs. There are several twists that I did not see coming and heart pounding action scenes that I won't soon forget. The banter between warriors and the humor mixed in with the plot is masterfully done. This novel is a fantastic example of what good Warhammer fiction can and should be.

First, let me say I really enjoyed this book.

Second, let me say I just couldn’t get traction in the first 20 or 30 pages and the book sat in a shelf for a while. But, I figured, I paid fir it so I’d better read it. This was a great idea.

In shorthand, Space Marines crossing the rift to see what’s what and who is still loyal. There was a sub context of suspected questionable loyalty over on the other side. I figured, sigh, seen that before. But ...

The main character isn’t a space marine and two of the four or five main characters are human. Not what I expected. It struck me that the plot varied from what I had anticipated to make it a very fun romp thanks to some twists and turns. Even read the ending twice - it has (to me) a surprising ending that makes me hope there will be a sequel!

The plot had too many holes in it. It made no sense that the Spears couldn't get across the rift, having a century to figure it out and all the resources of many worlds and that moon with the adeptus mechanicus on it. Yet the Mentor ship manages to make it across the rift. Why would the Mentors risk such a huge ship with thousands of crew just to check up on some cutoff chapters that were likely dead anyway? How did the inquisition even know if any of the chapters over there were still alive or who was leading them? Did that assassin just have general orders to kill whoever was in charge? With such vague information and plans, how did the Inquisition convince the Mentors that it would be a great idea to throw away a huge ship, thousands of crew, and one of their best marines, on a one-way mission just on the off chance that those chapters are not dead already and that they will have a leader who needs assassinating?

Fantastic and brilliant writing. Great story. ADB crushed it again.

Great story. Good job by the author describing the 40k Universe.

Spear of the Emperor is the best Warhammer 40,000 novel I’ve read to date. Aaron Dembski-Boden weaves an incredible tale of discovery and rebirth. You’ll find yourself going back and re-reading passages as certain plot points begin to make more sense. Could not recommend enough!

Spear of the Emperor is the best Warhammer 40,000 novel I’ve read to date. Aaron Dembski-Boden weaves an incredible tale of discovery and rebirth. You’ll find yourself going back and re-reading passages as certain plot points begin to make more sense. Could not recommend enough!

ADB takes us to the cut off part of the Imperium, where we get a look at their, presumably, doomed resistance in the new timeline. A great look at the chapters, great humanity from 2 chapter serfs, but a bit of annoyance that one was not believed about a certain plot point. Curses!

Well, well, well worth reading.