Customer Reviews

The Blood Angels omnibus (Warhammer 40,000 Omnibus)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I wasn't too sure about this book when I purchased it. I had heard that, canon-wise, it was pretty thin. I will say that I agree with that assessment. While the story, in and of itself, isn't bad I would say that it doesn't fit super well into the WH40K universe. Yes, it has all the elements, but there is just something about the dynamics... the specifics... the execution of the story that make it sorta out of step.

On its own merits it isn't a bad book. It has some slow parts, but for the most part the author does a good job of bringing a very vivid story to life. There are more than a few parts where you might scratch your head and go, "That is a bit of a stretch", but it isn't anything that will make you put the book down. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't go into specifics. If you are a real stickler about canon and plots with plausible events you may want to approach this book with an open mind.

One last note: It is an omnibus, and it contains two books plus a really good connecting story. It really is as if the two books and the connecting story were written intentionally to be packaged like this. Packaging them as separate entities would do this story a disservice.

Overall, a decent read. A person fairly new to WH40K might want to put this one on the back burner so as not to confuse their developing view of the WH40K universe. For those of us who are seasoned, salty, and have stacks of Black Library books: it wouldn't be a bad addition.

DEUS ENCARMINE (Book One)

The Blood Angels, by order of Dante, Chapter Master, are holding on the wargrave planet Cybele. The Dark Apostle, Iskavan, leads the Word Bearers on Cybele in battle against the Blood Angels. Just as the Sons of Sanguinius believe they may perish by the tainted hands of Chaos Space Marines, help comes in the form of a ship named "Bellus". Brother Rafen is one of the few to survive the battle and welcomes the new arrivals. Inquisitor Ramius Stele declares Cybele under his stewardship and places Sanguinary High Priest Sachiel in command on the surface. Brother Rafen is pleased to find his younger brother, Arkio, is alive and among the new arrivals.

In what can only be described as a miracle, Arkio survives a mortal wound. All begin to believe Arkio has been blessed by Sanguinius. Arkio is also able to wield and use the legendary Spear of Telesto. Disobeying Dante's direct orders, Inquisitor Stele orders all to leave Cybele and follow the retreating Word Bearers to the fortress Ikari on the planet of Shenlong. It seems to Rafen that the spear is changing Arkio, but not for the better.

BLOOD DEBT

A thirty-six page story that takes place several years before the events of "Deus Encarmine" and the Third Armageddon War. The main character is Inquisitor Ramius Stele. Readers see how he becomes a traitor and of the horror he unleashes that destroys an entire world - before moving into space. Then readers see how the blood debt forms from the lies and betrayals.

DEUS SANGUINIUS (Book Two)

The story begins on the planet of Shenlong. All believe Arkio to be the New Blood Lord and he has supplanted the Emperior (UK spelling) in chapels all across the forge-world. The grand plan to corrupt the entire Blood Angels' Chapter is succeeding. Rafen has been forced to forsake his oath to Dante, the liege lord of his Chapter, to turn from Sanguinius to Arkio. Yet Rafen cannot accede that Arkio is Sanguinius Reborn and worships the Emperior in secret.

Dante is on Baal and receives Rafen's previously sent warning. Heeding the message, Dante sends a ship to determine whether or not Arkio is truly the second coming of the Great Angel. If Dante denies the Ascension of Arkio, it will split the Blood Angels asunder and civil war will erupt.

When Arkio decides on a Blood Crusade, Rafen must take action. In doing so, Rafen will have to kill Battle-Brothers ... and worse.

**** I give four stars (out of a possible five stars) for the total rating of this omnibus. Readers will do best to read the short story (Blood Debt) nestled between the two main titles first. The short story tells how the blood debt came to be and affects the plots of both main novel titles. The author, Nathan Long, has created a realistic accounting of the Blood Angels and their Chapter. Powerful characters are brought to life in a multiple-layered plot that kept me intrigued throughout the entire omnibus. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

This book deserves 3.5 stars.

Book one is a straight forward space marine novel that could have been written by any Black Library author. Uninspired, straight forward hack and slash. The only enjoyable parts come when the Word Bearers are torturing something. The short story in between novel one and two provides much needed context and character insight for a main antagonist. Book two is vastly superior to its predecessor and in a league with other space marine novels including those from the Horus Heresy which features some of the best writing in the genre. Very much worth the cost. If you are getting stuck in book one, take heart, book two will make it more than worth it.

The Blood Angels Omnibus collects the two novels Deus Encarmine and Deus Sanguinius along with the short story Blood Debt. Following the Blood Angels chapter in the dark and gothic Warhammer 40K universe, the reader is introduced to the loyalist legion who has vowed to protect the Imperium of Man.

In the first book we are introduced to the hero Rafen, a battle brother in the Blood Angels chapter. Stationed on the planet Cybele they are attacked by the traitor legion Word Bearers, where he meets up with his biological brother Arkio. After the Blood Angels win the day, under conspicuous circumstances no less, we are introduced to Inquisitor Stele who, despite being owed a blood debt by the Blood Angels is not all that he seems. Stele, having greater authority than any present chapter member, begins steering the Blood Angels onto a quest for damnation to their unknowing, harboring his own dark secrets and designs for the chapter. He makes Rafen's brother Arkio out to be a divine chapter figure as the reincarnation of their primarch Sanguinius, using the Blood Angel's own faith to bend them to his will as his brother begins a physical and emotional transformation.

The short story Blood Debt provides background on Inquisitor Stele, including the origin of his dark ambitions and how he came to be owed a debt by the Blood Angels. It serves as a good supplement to the character on how far he is willing to go in order to reach his desires.

In the second book Stele continues his manipulation of the Blood Angels under his command and Rafen, who had been reluctant to go along with Arkio's supposed ascension as the primarch reborn openly rebels much to Arkio's dismay. Rafen vows that he must undo the plans of Stele who is steering his chapter towards damnation and civil war. The Blood Angels chapter master Dante, wary of Arkio's supposed ascension, sends his lead librarian, the powerful and ominous Mephiston to confirm whether or not Arkio is a true reincarnation or a mere charlatan. Expecting such a move, Arkio and Stele talk openly of war with their chapter, claiming he is the rightful ruler. Rafen must stop Stele's plans from fully unfolding and ruining the Blood Angels forever.

All in all the collection was fast paced and exciting with good doses of action. Rafen is conflicted internally through much of the books, his loyalty to his chapter and brother often at odds. He faces insurmountable odds that force him to stay on his toes and suspect everyone while no one appears to be willing to listen to his thoughts. The action scenes are plenty but at times can be a bit confusing as I found myself having to read a few descriptions twice. I should note this did not happen enough to hamper the book as a whole.

My biggest complaint is that Stele's manipulation of the chapter seemed very basic, the Blood Angels falling into his ploys all too willingly. While the space marines aren't the most intelligent of characters, at times they seemed foolhardy and naïve, susceptible to the most basic tricks and arguments.

I still found the series enjoyable and it was a faster read than most other Warhammer 40K omnibuses. While not my favorite, I would still recommend picking it up if you are a Warhammer 40K fan.

I'm sure the lore of the Blood Angels is very interesting however, these books feel more along the lines of Mind of a traitor, How the Ordo Heriticus falls or How to dupe a space marine company in 3 easy steps. The book was entertaining however the title I feel is misleading. The Ultramarines Ominibus, Space Wolves, Souldrinkers were all good Omnibi this in my opinion was quite a drag to read where the others I could hardly put down.

I love fantasy war novels and Space Marines... and this one didn't disappoint.

I am not a huge fan of Blood Angels in particular but this story was fun and exciting and I found it difficult to put the book down.

James Swallow's writing is just awful. I am a huge Blood Angels fan, and I think that the Black Library has produced some pretty great fantasy novels like the Eisenhorn Trilogy, and while I realize that Abnett can't write them all, I wish that they had gotten someone that:

A: understands the dynamic of the 40k universe better; the marines in his book just don't ring true.

B: has prose skills greater than a high school sophomore.

I know this is mean, and that it's just a 40k novel, but Black Library has proven they can deliver far far better, which makes this one--about the Blood Angels of all chapters!!--just embarrassing.

Maybe get Ben Counter to take over?

I love warhammer 40k. If you do read the books...Armored Space marines with chainsaw swords and machine guns killing aliens. Whats not to love?