Dawn of Fire

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The Dawn of Fire is an ongoing, Horus Heresy-like series of novels detailing the Indomitus Crusade, essentially picking up where Gathering Storm's Rise of the Primarch left off. So much for Advancing the Storyline; we had Gathering Storm, then the Plague Wars bookending the Indomitus Crusade (since retconned to be like 12 years in instead, thanks GW), then Psychic Awakening set during the Indomitus Crusade at random times in the 112 year period (if that number is still correct now after the DI retcon), and now Dawn of Fire moving through the Crusade in a more linear fashion. GW are on fine fucking form.

The Series

This article contains spoilers! You have been warned.

• I - Avenging Son (Guy Haley): A great darkness has befallen the galaxy, and the armies of Chaos are rampant. To survive, humanity must retaliate and take back what they have lost. By the will of the reborn primarch, Roboute Guilliman, is the Indomitus Crusade launched – a military undertaking that eclipses all others in known history. From the Throneworld of Terra does the Avenging Son hurl his fleets, their mission the very salvation of mankind. As vessels in their thousands burn through the cold void, the attention of Fleetmistress VanLeskus turns to the Machorta Sound – a region under attack by a dreaded Slaughter Host of the Dark Gods. The success of the Indomitus Crusade will be determined by this conflict, and the desperate mission of Battlegroup Saint Aster, led by Space Marine Lieutenant Messinius. Even then it is but a prelude to the forthcoming bloodshed.
  • The first book in the series. Set several months after Big Bobby G returned to Holy Terra, it gives a glimpse at the very earliest conception of the Indomitus Crusade, the beginning of the Primarch's attempts to form an actual, accurate, non-redacted history of the last ten thousand years in his absence, and some Firstborn Space Marines for a refreshing change of fucking pace. Has a lot of focus on the first naval engagements of the Crusade.

• II - The Gate of Bones (Andy Clark): A beleaguered Mordian general and a depleted preceptory of Sisters of the Argent Shroud are struggling to hold out against an overwhelming Word Bearers and Iron Warriors force. Their task is vital because Gathalamor is pivotal to Guilliman’s plans. As well as its value to the Imperium as a symbol of faith, it is one of the warp nexus worlds that allows egress out of the segmentum, and thus is tactically crucial for the ongoing momentum of the Indomitus Crusade. A relief effort in the form of nothing less than the Adeptus Custodes are sent ahead of a major vanguard of Fleet Primus to try to reinforce the defenders, but also to investigate the veracity of a psychic prognostication presaging an imminent calamity. In doing so, the Custodians uncover the tendrils of a much larger plot that ties to the recent emergence of blackstone and its harnessing as a weapon.

• III - The Wolftime (Gav Thorpe):The Indomitus Crusade has brought the Emperor’s vengeance to thousands of star systems. The fleets and armies under the leadership of Roboute Guilliman fight for the survival of humanity against the forces of the Chaos Gods. But the traitors and heretics are not the only foe looking to destroy the rule of Terra. Xenos prey on human worlds in numbers not seen for millennia. Worst amongst them are the rampaging orks, whose migration conquests threaten to reverse many gains of Fleet Primus. And their throaty bellows carry a name not heard in years, of destruction made flesh, a bestial warlord without peer: Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka. In the midst of this brutal tide is Fenris, world of the Space Wolves under Logan Grimnar. Depleted by ever greater demands on their warriors, called upon by the Legion-breaker Guilliman, the Wolves of Fenris face a momentous decision. Grimnar and his counsellors must choose whether their fate is to ally themselves with an ancient rival and risk all that makes them the Vlka Fenryka, or to accept their demise and wait for the return of their own primarch, and the coming of the Wolftime.'

• IV - Throne of Light (Guy Haley) :The Indomitus Crusade continues its war across the stars. The primarch Roboute Guilliman has finally broken through the orkish threat bedevilling the sectors near Fenris and makes ready to push on in his bid to stabilise Imperium Sanctus, but old foes have returned. Kor Phaeron, the Dark Cardinal, threatens the previously stable core of the Segmentum Solar. Waves of rebellion instigated by his evil priests suggest imminent, large-scale invasion by the Word Bearers Legion. Worse yet, the Dark Cardinal’s warriors are targeting the Black Ships, threatening to starve Terra of the psykers the Emperor needs to survive. Through this turbulent warzone Inquisitor Rostov continues his search for the Hand of Abaddon. Yet when strange, miraculous visions are traced back to the astropathic relay on Srinagar, his quest is diverted, for the visions are a foretelling of hope for the Imperium, a hope the fanatical worshippers of Chaos will do anything to snuff out…'

• V - The Iron Kingdom (Nick Kyme) :The story rejoins the Indomitus Crusade many years on, its fleets bloodied, fatigued, and in desperate need of supplies. In the midst of this, White Consuls Captain Messinius must come to terms with his place in a galaxy that frequently resents the Imperium.