Spear of the Emperor

Spear of the Emperor by Aaron Dembski-Bowden- I've never, to my knowledge, read a novel that tied in with a game or originated from a gaming universe. Warhammer has been around for quite a while and so have the books. I'm still a little fuzzy on the whole setup even after reading quite a bit. These heroes, Space Marines, travel through space with high tech gear but fight with swords and almost medieval weapons. Everything is bloody serious and I mean bloody! They do have some modern alternatives to battle axe and pike, but find their honor, I guess, in using the hand-to-hand arms. The narrator for this particular story is an aide to one biologically altered fighter with much augmentation including two hearts. Intense is an understatement for this story. The author does quite a good job keeping things moving and adding little bits of understanding to this epic. This was a real eye-opener to another type of story telling for me. Thanks to Netgalley for this illuminating ARC!

More than just another space marime story the book deals with the changes of the 42nd century thru the eyes of more lrelatable chars. SPACE MARINES are human. Superior warriors but still humans with the very human jnderstanding of sacrifice and grit

This is a great example of a solid Warhammer 40k novel - the characters have depth beyond the basic grimdark warrior personas you often see, their motivations develop over time, and the universe gets fleshed out a little more each scene as the author carefully crafts each scene and setting with purpose. Like most WH40k novels, you are able to gleam a little about the overarching universe by reading, but a strong base of knowledge definitely would help a reader pick up little bits and pieces of trivia throughout the story. After finishing the book, I found myself googling a few of the terms I wasn't familiar with, and ended up down a WH40k wiki spiral, getting more and more into the knowledge contained therein. Definitely looking forward to more Aaron Dembski-Bowden novels.

Spear of the Emperor is a chronicle about the Emperors Spears Space Marine chapter written in the view of Anuradha, a chapter slave in service to Lieutenant Commander Amadeus Kaias Incarius of the Mentor Legion who has been sent to the ‘wrong’ side of Imperial Space to touch base with the Emperors Spears to see how they’re getting on fighting the enemies of the Imperium; as they’ve not been heard from in roughly a century. Spear of the Emperor is at the forefront in the Warhammer 40k lore timeline and while some basic background knowledge of Warhammer 40k would help aid the reader through some of the language it’s not required. Also, this book works as a great stand-alone novel that only dips its toe into the wider universe of 40k.

I’ve never read a Warhammer 40k novel remotely like this one and it is hands-down the best publication from Black Library I have ever read, to the point that I feel like I am going to be sorely disappointed with any further Warhammer book I read!

What makes me praise this book so highly is that the characters – all of them – are above what you would usually expect from a Warhammer novel. They have so much to them, from the outset, that it’s utterly fantastic that they get to develop throughout the novel and Anuradha’s narration is both beautiful and tragic – as it is through her that the story is being chronicled.

The crafting of the Emperors Spears chapter; who this book is primarily about made for an interesting read in themselves. How they differ from Anuradhas experiences of Space Marine chapters (the Mentor Legion et al) makes for intriguing reading in itself, so often Warhammer 40k books are written about the Ultramarines it’s fascinating to read about successor chapters that differ vastly from the Space Marine ‘norm.’ The detail in which Aaron Dembski-Bowden delves into with the Emperors Spears is nothing short of inspiring and it is this attention to detail that goes brings Spear of the Emperor to those lofty heights in which I praise it.

I love a book that brings out the emotion in me as a reader and Spear of the Emperor made me laugh and cry in equal measure – there are scenes in this book that will stay with me, and haunt me, forever. Naturally, I don’t want to delve into these scenes to deeply for fear of spoiler territory, but I will hint that Tyberia and her fate – the meaning behind it – will remain in my heart for the longest time. I am surprised that a book that actually made me cry also made me laugh and I will ever hold a fondness for the emotionless Lieutenant Commander Amadeus; a Space Marine that makes Nathaniel Garro (Galaxy in Flames, Flight of the Eisenstein) appear a charismatic charmer.

Amadeus is the perfect contrast to the personable Space Marines of the Emperors Spears and he helps to carry the story in his own right; the story is as much his as it is the Spears and Anuradha's and it is through his development that the plot progresses, I get the feeling that he is the Marmite of the story though, for the reader, you’ll either love or hate him.

The plot of the story starts with Anuradha accompanying Amadeus to the homeworld of the Emperors Spears, Nemeton along with two of her fellow slaves; which is where we’re treated to rich descriptions of the Space Marines homeworld and culture, it also sets the tone for the rest of the novel. Along the way, the plot develops into a much richer story-arc which leaves the reader guessing as to what the expert use of foreshadowing is all about. This novel doesn’t miss a beat and the once the pace it set it doesn’t let up, you’re in for a fast ride; without the book becoming all-out war, which was another stroke of brilliance for Aaron Dembski-Bowden; too many Warhammer books turn out to be ‘just another war story’ which fits the bill for the setting, but it’s wonderfully refreshing to read something a bit different to the usual 40k offerings.

What I truly love about this book is Anuradha as a protagonist, her insight to the Space Marines and ability to show how transhuman they really are. Without her very human thoughts, a different point of view, this book would become the standard, run of the mill, ‘bolter porn’ novel that Warhammer 40k is rampant with.

Another point to add, and this is where I was fascinated, is that Aaron Dembski-Bowden’s knowledge of Warhammer 40k lore is second to none. Being able to read elements of the lore that have only been written about in rule-books as a story is mindblowing and an absolute must for any Space Marine fan – Primaris or First Generation.

Needles to say, I highly recommend reading Spear of the Emperor. Especially if you’re a long-time fan of the Warhammer 40k Universe. I can’t say how much enjoyment a non-Warhammer fan would get out of this book, as I am already invested in the universe, but if you’re open-minded, enjoy world-building and character development (with a healthy dose of forlorn tragedy) then I urge you to give this book a chance. If you’re a Warhammer 40k fan already, then please don’t miss the chance to pick this book up.

ARC Copy...The Warhammer world is ripe for novels and...the biotech involved with the production + training of the soldiers and the social culture world of the slaves is probably going to haunt me for a bit!

The Spear of the Emperor, written by Aaron Dembski-Bowden is another Space Marine novel for fans to dive into; but it’s also unlike anything I’ve read so far. Following The Emperor’s Spears and the Mentor Legion, this novel takes place in the Elara’s Veil nebula. Where their war is far from over.
The Emperor’s Spears have been isolated for over a century. And yet they fight on. Their war in the Elara’s Veil has been a bloody one, but that hasn’t slowed them down any. They’ve received no contact from the other legions in a hundred years, so when Amadeus Kaias Incarius passes through the Great Rift for a status report, they’re understandably quite suspicious.

“This is the tale of Amadeus Kaias Incarius and the Spears of the Emperor. It is a tale that has yet to end, but began many years ago, in the reign of the swordking Arucatas, as a warship set sail for the Elara’s Veil nebula and into the Great Rift.”


Warnings: These are Space Marines we’re talking about. They’re going to throw themselves headlong into danger, and sometimes that means they’re going to be graphically killed or wounded. Alongside that, Spear of the Emperor includes scenes depicting slavery, torture, and some graphic detailing about infections and wounds.

The Spear of the Emperor was absolutely nothing like what I expected. It was brilliant and intense, and shockingly moving at time. I think what surprised me most about this book (aside from all of the shocking events of the story itself) is the main perspective of the novel.
Anurahda is not a Space Marine. Not even close, but she is the Helot Secundus to Amadeus Kaias Incarius. Which is basically a pretty or nice way of calling her his thrall or slave. She’s an augmented human, and while she is nothing like the Space Marines, she (and her companions) does a surprisingly decent job of keeping up.
This novel starts out with devastating numbers of lives lost and damages taken. Then it throws the surprising twist of the main character, and from there it’s a series of surprises, battles, and dramatic elements. It all combined beautifully into one novel. And I’m not at all ashamed to say that I was sad to see it all end.
In short: The Spear of the Emperor was nothing less than thrilling. It was full of dynamic characters of all varieties. It had a surprising amount of intrigue and mystery. And it had a strong sense of honor and ethics woven throughout. It was exactly the sort of novel I’ve always been hoping to see, and best of all, it gave me insight to a chapter I’ve known almost nothing about. And now I feel compelled to continue reading the rest of this saga.

Outstanding read, I am really enjoy learning as much as I can about the lore and canon of warhammer, this book delves deep (to a newbie like me) and I thought the story, characters and plot were superb

Dark, brutal, and utterly addictive. ADB has, once again, crafted a tale that is riddle with intrigue, suspense, and balls to the wall action and horror. Simply incredible.

An interesting look into the Imperium Nihilus, and the successor chapters within which defend even the darkest corners of the galaxy from the terrors of the warp.

Aaron Dembski-Bowden delivers another fantastic novel. The main character has a very unique and interesting point of view, and a wonderful tour across a Space Marine chapters home-world.

Excellent book, excellent author. 5/5