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Imperial Guard
Imperial Glory
Tired and broken by war, the men of the Brimlock Eleventh Imperial Guard are a force on the verge of collapse. Having been stretched across the galaxy by their loyalty to the Emperor, they are presented with one final battle that will allow them reward they all to colonise the distant world of Vorr and live out the rest of their days in peace. All that stands in their way is a force of savages – a plague of feral orks that has spread across the planet. But can the Brimlock's battered bodies and minds hold up to this greenskin invasion?
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 26, 2011
14 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Richard Williams
36 books5 followersRichard Williams has written fiction for a range of publications on such diverse topics as gang initiation, medieval highwaymen, and arcane religions. In his spare time he is a theatre director and actor.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Richard^^Williams
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Richard^^Williams
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 15, 2011
I bought this book 11/10/11 and finished it 11/13/11 because it was such a good book. At 406 pages it was a rather moderate read, but a very good one regardless. It's a bit too hard to explain trying to go into the Warhammer 40,000 universe, so specifics would be hard to explain, but the charcters were interesting. There was Colonel Stanhope, previously of the 1201st Maugeurite Auxilia Regiment; (A washed up colonel, drawn away form the combat into himself.) Second Lieutenant Carson of the Brimlock 11th; (A man injured by poison gas fighting out his last campaign for the Imperial Guard.)also, colonel Arbulaster, the leader of th Brimlock 11th. (A good leader, but one that after 20 years of unending war is tired and ready to finally get out of the Imperial Guard.)
In this book, the Brimlock 11th, 1/100th of their original strength form 20 years ago, goes to secure the world Voor from feral orks. The tale follows the 11th working to secure this world for their own to settle down on, which has several interesting twists and an end I hadn't quite expected, truthfully. It's a good book, but refers to some things in the Warhammer 40K universe that not all would understand, so, I'd not recommend it as an introductory book to the 40K universe, but at least as a book to read for any Warhammer 40,000 fans.
In this book, the Brimlock 11th, 1/100th of their original strength form 20 years ago, goes to secure the world Voor from feral orks. The tale follows the 11th working to secure this world for their own to settle down on, which has several interesting twists and an end I hadn't quite expected, truthfully. It's a good book, but refers to some things in the Warhammer 40K universe that not all would understand, so, I'd not recommend it as an introductory book to the 40K universe, but at least as a book to read for any Warhammer 40,000 fans.
November 25, 2025
A rare 40k novel in that it's carried by the strength of its characters rather than letting the lore and setting do the heavy lifting in terms of maintaining reader interest. Couldn't put it down. Felt like I was there on the ground with the grunts trying to survive while dealing with inept commanders and a commissar looking for any reason to off them. In many cases, the chain of command is more deadly than the orks.
October 28, 2018
3.5 stars
The Brimlock 11th Imperial Guard is a mish mash of other regiments that have been pushed into it as their own numbers got too low to carry on.
Sent to a world to put down a possible Ork invasion, they realise this planet could become their home world.
The first part of the book introduces the characters and politics going on behind the scenes as new officers try and make their mark.
The pressure and suspense build up in the second part.
And then the final third lets the whole book down. It still has some good moments between the characters, but the premise and the finish go unexplained.
The Brimlock 11th Imperial Guard is a mish mash of other regiments that have been pushed into it as their own numbers got too low to carry on.
Sent to a world to put down a possible Ork invasion, they realise this planet could become their home world.
The first part of the book introduces the characters and politics going on behind the scenes as new officers try and make their mark.
The pressure and suspense build up in the second part.
And then the final third lets the whole book down. It still has some good moments between the characters, but the premise and the finish go unexplained.
August 10, 2024
The Brimlock 11th are an amalgamated unit combined from several different regiments (light infantry, Mechanized Infantry, cavalry, artillery, etc) due to suffering casualties over 10 years of crusading. As a final mission before their retirement, they are sent to clear aliens (orks) off a world and then settle there.
However, the characterization really shines here. Soldiers from the different units each have different emotional baggage of their own and, in some cases, are outwardly distrustful of one another. The drama unfolds among the soldiers as they struggle against the enemy and one another just to survive in the jungle.
However, the characterization really shines here. Soldiers from the different units each have different emotional baggage of their own and, in some cases, are outwardly distrustful of one another. The drama unfolds among the soldiers as they struggle against the enemy and one another just to survive in the jungle.
December 12, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, way more than expected. Some 40K books can be the equivalent of a popcorn blockbuster film, lots of explosions, cool moments and action stars. This is not that book, though there is plenty of action in the book. This one is a much more personal book that reflects on what being a soldier is like in this setting, with all the politics and long years of service can do to somebody.
Imperial Guard books frequently can end up as a “dirty dozen” style or “saving private ryan” style story where there’s death and war all around as our heroes try to accomplish their mission. Some even go “the expendables” route where everyone’s an action star doing crazy things. This book was much more like the “Platoon” style of war film, it reminded me also of “MASH” in the interactions between characters. The author nails the characters and their interaction and dialogue sells you on them, you get to know them and care for them, then you lose them to senseless attacks or unfair treatment by superiors. It also showcases well the different personalities in war and how being at war for 20 years affects each one differently.
You’ve got a colonel who’s just ready to get this last job done and go home, a major who’s seen to much and has checked out completely, another who’s trying to lead his men while dealing with the effects of poison gas on his body from an old battlefield, and many more. It makes for a great cast, and you want to see what happens in this cruel war they are in.
My only detractor from the book is the last bit at the end felt a little rushed but the last little chapter/epilogue was very touching and fit the book very well. At times it can be dry but it’s at points where I feel like it happens when it fits the pace of the book’s narrative. You also start of dropped into the middle of this regiment not knowing anything about what people are referencing or what each person’s going through, but eventually all is revealed.
I really enjoyed this book, and it almost felt like two books in one, like how Lawrence of Arabia could be described as two films in one, broken by the interlude. And just as that movie made for great watching, this made for great reading.
Imperial Guard books frequently can end up as a “dirty dozen” style or “saving private ryan” style story where there’s death and war all around as our heroes try to accomplish their mission. Some even go “the expendables” route where everyone’s an action star doing crazy things. This book was much more like the “Platoon” style of war film, it reminded me also of “MASH” in the interactions between characters. The author nails the characters and their interaction and dialogue sells you on them, you get to know them and care for them, then you lose them to senseless attacks or unfair treatment by superiors. It also showcases well the different personalities in war and how being at war for 20 years affects each one differently.
You’ve got a colonel who’s just ready to get this last job done and go home, a major who’s seen to much and has checked out completely, another who’s trying to lead his men while dealing with the effects of poison gas on his body from an old battlefield, and many more. It makes for a great cast, and you want to see what happens in this cruel war they are in.
My only detractor from the book is the last bit at the end felt a little rushed but the last little chapter/epilogue was very touching and fit the book very well. At times it can be dry but it’s at points where I feel like it happens when it fits the pace of the book’s narrative. You also start of dropped into the middle of this regiment not knowing anything about what people are referencing or what each person’s going through, but eventually all is revealed.
I really enjoyed this book, and it almost felt like two books in one, like how Lawrence of Arabia could be described as two films in one, broken by the interlude. And just as that movie made for great watching, this made for great reading.
April 30, 2019
Exceptional story, horrific slaughter and a a bit of a tear jerker conclusion.
March 14, 2022
A great tale of the guard and their struggles with the politics of the imperium and also an emerging Ork warlord, some really emotive moments
April 4, 2022
A fun read.
July 28, 2023
It felt predictable at times, but the dark humour really made this book worth it. However, it is a pretty good Warhammer book
August 28, 2024
Great storytelling and collection of characters
February 11, 2012
Basic plot: It's the Brimlock 11th Regiment's final deployment. After twenty years of making war in the Emperor's name, these tired Guardsmen will finally be able to settle down after completion of this last mission. Following the common cliche of "one last mission before retirement", you can guess right off the bat how this is going to end for most, if not all of these soldiers.
I've read a *LOT* of Warhammer40k fiction (I'm a bit obsessed), and despite some early dislike for many of the characters' almost cowardly selfish behaviour, Williams actually manages to give these doomed soldiers a great deal more depth than most books under this license. By the end, I was seriously invested in their well-being. The fact that it gives some more background on the orks also lent it a lot more interest as well.
[here there be spoilers]
Unfortunately, that's where my positive review ends. Like many other reviewers, the final third of the book really soured the whole thing for me. The switch in perspective to Choppa, the ork warboss, was a bit jarring. I felt like the writing lost a little something too, maybe a looming deadline meant it was written too quickly? There were too many loose ends left open and I had a few questions about things that had happened. Maybe another 40k fan can explain this one for me: What device was Choppa using to destroy the Guard equipment and armour? It seemed like some sort of EMP, but an EMP wouldn't cause a Guardsman helmet to catch fire. Was Blanks the storm trooper who had stood over Stanhope with Commissar Reeve in that medicae on Cawnpore, it wasn't made very clear?
I would still recommend the book itself because it was a rather well-written story for that first two thirds. I haven't looked to see if Williams has written other WH40k novels, but I would definitely give him another chance.
Four stars for the fantastic first two thirds, lost one for the lower quality final third.
I've read a *LOT* of Warhammer40k fiction (I'm a bit obsessed), and despite some early dislike for many of the characters' almost cowardly selfish behaviour, Williams actually manages to give these doomed soldiers a great deal more depth than most books under this license. By the end, I was seriously invested in their well-being. The fact that it gives some more background on the orks also lent it a lot more interest as well.
[here there be spoilers]
Unfortunately, that's where my positive review ends. Like many other reviewers, the final third of the book really soured the whole thing for me. The switch in perspective to Choppa, the ork warboss, was a bit jarring. I felt like the writing lost a little something too, maybe a looming deadline meant it was written too quickly? There were too many loose ends left open and I had a few questions about things that had happened. Maybe another 40k fan can explain this one for me: What device was Choppa using to destroy the Guard equipment and armour? It seemed like some sort of EMP, but an EMP wouldn't cause a Guardsman helmet to catch fire. Was Blanks the storm trooper who had stood over Stanhope with Commissar Reeve in that medicae on Cawnpore, it wasn't made very clear?
I would still recommend the book itself because it was a rather well-written story for that first two thirds. I haven't looked to see if Williams has written other WH40k novels, but I would definitely give him another chance.
Four stars for the fantastic first two thirds, lost one for the lower quality final third.
May 10, 2020
Exceptional book, I have read it at least twice. So why is it good?
Rememberable characters, Usually when a book introduces numerous characters it can at first be difficult to remember who is who etc. Not with this novel, each character feels so well defined that at no point was there any confusion. Ogryn, Commissar, regular guard its all in there.
Plus its a great entry point for 40k. The reason being that for one its a stand alone novel, it also has guard the most human of human characters, and Orks as the enemy that are quiet easy to comprehend even if you are not used to 40k universe. you even have a rare glimpse in to what its like being an Ork and see how they are come to exist experience one breathing its first breath to its first act of violence. This is rare as most of the novels do not ever feature much xenos (alien) point of view other than Eldar and Tau.
As a story it is fast paced and you really feel for some of the characters as someone said in another review it could (if your that way inclined) cause a tear of sorrow. Enjoy and tell your friends as its much under appreciated in my opinion.
Rememberable characters, Usually when a book introduces numerous characters it can at first be difficult to remember who is who etc. Not with this novel, each character feels so well defined that at no point was there any confusion. Ogryn, Commissar, regular guard its all in there.
Plus its a great entry point for 40k. The reason being that for one its a stand alone novel, it also has guard the most human of human characters, and Orks as the enemy that are quiet easy to comprehend even if you are not used to 40k universe. you even have a rare glimpse in to what its like being an Ork and see how they are come to exist experience one breathing its first breath to its first act of violence. This is rare as most of the novels do not ever feature much xenos (alien) point of view other than Eldar and Tau.
As a story it is fast paced and you really feel for some of the characters as someone said in another review it could (if your that way inclined) cause a tear of sorrow. Enjoy and tell your friends as its much under appreciated in my opinion.
November 24, 2011
I won't go into plot details here as other reviewers have already summarised the story, suffice to say that it features a Guard regiment whose final mission is to cleanse a planet from Ork infestation.
My main problems with this book are with the lacklustre and disappointing final 3rd. There's simply too many loose ends that are not tied up. This being a WH40k title, I wasn't expecting the story itself to symbolise the futility of "only war" and for it to re-iterate the expendability of Guard regiments, with a nice nod to Iain M Banks' "use of weapons" with the introduction of a new Ork character 2/3rd through representing the cyclical nature of war, but I honestly think that is a very generous interpretation.
I think it's more likely Williams ran out of steam, and ideas, and the book comes to an abrupt halt with many questions left unanswered.
That said, the earlier stages do manage to convey the feelings of strain, cynicism & eccentricity of this much put upon regiment.
Overall, it starts well but as soon as that new Ork storyline is introduced it goes rapidly downhill.
My main problems with this book are with the lacklustre and disappointing final 3rd. There's simply too many loose ends that are not tied up. This being a WH40k title, I wasn't expecting the story itself to symbolise the futility of "only war" and for it to re-iterate the expendability of Guard regiments, with a nice nod to Iain M Banks' "use of weapons" with the introduction of a new Ork character 2/3rd through representing the cyclical nature of war, but I honestly think that is a very generous interpretation.
I think it's more likely Williams ran out of steam, and ideas, and the book comes to an abrupt halt with many questions left unanswered.
That said, the earlier stages do manage to convey the feelings of strain, cynicism & eccentricity of this much put upon regiment.
Overall, it starts well but as soon as that new Ork storyline is introduced it goes rapidly downhill.
August 18, 2022
Now this was a very gush of fresh air. Very interesting take on 40K Imperial Guard. With dozen of characters you could get a bit lost but overall a very interesting take. Basically the Brimlock Eleventh are on their last campaign after twenty years. From ten million soldiers only 1000 or so remain. One last campaign and they could settle in this new world. Their enemies are some feral orks.
the beginning of the novel we learn a bit of Brimlock characters and some of their history. As the story progress we follow four or five characters and each one was very interesting. As other people have stated you can divide the book in two. The first part, around 250 pages or so, it's very interesting. Cool setting, fluid action scenes and so on. The last third of the novel it's very fast ... Too much fast to my opinion. Made me wonder if he needed more 100 pages to make a more interesting tale. The ending made me wonder what it happened.
Nevertheless I would advise to anyone who enjoys 40K and imperial guard.
the beginning of the novel we learn a bit of Brimlock characters and some of their history. As the story progress we follow four or five characters and each one was very interesting. As other people have stated you can divide the book in two. The first part, around 250 pages or so, it's very interesting. Cool setting, fluid action scenes and so on. The last third of the novel it's very fast ... Too much fast to my opinion. Made me wonder if he needed more 100 pages to make a more interesting tale. The ending made me wonder what it happened.
Nevertheless I would advise to anyone who enjoys 40K and imperial guard.
August 10, 2012
This was an impulse read while I was between series. So I was expecting a fairly basic imperial guard get killed lots type of book to pass the time.
I was very pleasantly surprised that I also got a very engaging and interesting story that set this book into the top level of black library output. Sure the cliche's abound but they don't grate and there's a few nice twists and of course there's lots of dead orks.
Well worth a read
I was very pleasantly surprised that I also got a very engaging and interesting story that set this book into the top level of black library output. Sure the cliche's abound but they don't grate and there's a few nice twists and of course there's lots of dead orks.
Well worth a read
September 20, 2014
A great book, very lore-friendly in some aspects (Guard life, regulations, etc) and not in others (interactions with the machine spirit for one).
If you're at all interested in anything involving the Emperor's Hammer I suggest you read this, it's a bit disjointed as far as books go but if you're enough of a fan you'll look past it. If this were any other sci fi book I would have given it a 3 for some weird choices the author made (pacing, structure, etc).
If you're at all interested in anything involving the Emperor's Hammer I suggest you read this, it's a bit disjointed as far as books go but if you're enough of a fan you'll look past it. If this were any other sci fi book I would have given it a 3 for some weird choices the author made (pacing, structure, etc).
June 3, 2015
I was quite impressed by Williams' work. He really delves into the psyches and relationships of the heavily flawed,PTSD suffering but ultimately sympathetic officers of the Brimlock 11th Imperial Guard regiment. The characters are round to a surprising degree and grow and learn and change. Williams' goes into detail about how unending war is hell and how war chews people and relationships up. It is a great read with a bittersweet ending.
September 19, 2023
AMAZING WH40k novel, but the final ending chapter was crap. It just left too much unfinished. A pity. I'm giving it 4-stars for 99% of the novel, but it looses a start because the ending just left me annoyed.
July 22, 2012
I found this to be an amazing story of what the Imperial Guard can be like. It seems to take out the glorification with the Imperial Guard novels and leaves a very gritty story that is told well with flashbacks.
September 15, 2012
What a beating...dry as get out, feels like you are smashed into the end of the story with hardly any explanation until the very last page and that's not even enough. I'd not recommend this, there are alot of better guard novels, like hammer and anvil, gun heads, and gaunts ghosts
November 8, 2012
If your a fan of the Imperial Guard you could have a look. It's somewhat different than the usual and the ending will be a surprise, or maybe not so much of one considering the setting. The characters are interesting enough that you'll be rooting and hoping for them.
January 25, 2015
Why the hell did I take so long to read this book. It's brilliant. Lots of really cool detail all over the place.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews