Space Marines: Angels of Death

Angels of Death #Anthology

by David Annandale, Sarah Cawkwell, Ben Counter

In the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, mankinf is assailed on all sides by alien invasion, heretical cults and the foul servants of the Ruinous Powers. Only one force can stand against this unending threat - the Space Marines.

Featuring stories by Graham McNeill, Gav Thorpe, James Swallow, Guy Haley, Chris Wraight and many others, this anthology collects thirty-one tales of the Space Marines.

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction, Anthologies

144 pages, Hardcover

First published September 29, 2013

Reviews

[Tom Oldale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of 31 short stories epitomises what I love about the Warhammer 40k universe and the space marines but also touches on a little of what I don’t like about it.

Most of the stories in this collection are just 3 pages long! Yes, that said 3, and with that little amount of space, I find it incredible that most of the authors manage to craft intriguing, sometimes action packed and visceral settings, each feeling unique and yet connected. The characters and plots pull you deeply into the 40k universe, giving you a taste of its vastness and dark appeal, and most of the stories always leave you wanting a bit more.

I have always been just a casual fan of the 40k universe and so comes my only problem with the book (and many 40k books for that matter). They are not kind to new fans... I know what a dreadnought and a Necron is for example, but some people won’t. I know quite a bit of the 40k lore but I don’t know everything! and this is the problem.

With a few of the stories, I occasionally found myself completely lost because I don’t know all the unique words, hierarchies or weapons and vehicles that are being described in the story.

I feel a lot of 40k authors have got so use to writing for this universe that they don’t bother to explain certain details of the world anymore. If you read about a certain race or vehicle that you haven’t come across before, you have no idea what they look like as more often than not, there is zero description. It’s a shame because the 40k universe is so vast and beautifully crafted but sometimes with this, I hate to say arrogance, it can feel like an exclusive club and even though the world and books has been around for a long time, I think it’s a bad decision to presume everyone knows all the lore.

Having said this, the above problem is not prominent enough to have too big a negative effect on this book. Overall I really enjoyed it. It’s fast paced, exciting and the world created is as always very interesting and up there with any great epic sci-fi! This book is sure to appeal to any existing fans of 40K and I hope some new fans too (providing you’re willing to check online as to what certain words from the lore mean).

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not best Black Library anthology ever if you are a neophite of W40K lore. Tales included are very short (1000 words/3-4 pages each), many seem part of greater storylines and stories about just Space Marines without or just with a few human characters can be rally boring. This is a mixed bag like many other antologies: some good stories, some not much and a few hidden gems. The good is that all main chapters and lots of lesser ones have their moment of glory here, lots of tales are not just the usual Space Marines "bolter porn", but slow and touching stories about Astartes psychology, uses and traditions.
A very good military sci-fi book, and old and new Black Library authors fought a tough challenge here having to describe Space Marines chapters traditions and lore in just 1000 words short tales. Good job.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a short book with a bunch of short stories, and I DO mean short ones...we're talking 3 pages in most cases...and a couple 5 pagers...the content was actually quite good. In many cases, I found myself wanting more, but they did stand-alone quite well. Got to cover a LOT of Space Marine chapters, which was cool. What to read next? Probably should go back to my Horus Heresy read through - ready to start Book 2 there.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is comprised of all short stories about different chapters of the Astartes. Most of the stories I really enjoyed, even though they are really short. Most only take a couple of minutes to read, leaving me sometimes wanting more of the story. If you love Space Marines, you'll like this book.

[Dylan Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Space Marines: Angels of Death:
The book as a whole was well done, and well formatted (especially for containing 31 short stories!). I really liked the intro, and the short Foundation page at the start of each section of stories.
The stories are listed and review, or linked, below in the order that they are found in the book.

Honour of the Third by Gav Thorpe:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
3/5

The Thrill of the Hunt by Anthony Reynolds:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5/5

Iron Priest by Chris Wraight:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

The Tithe by Ben Counter:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

Visage of Zeal by C. Z. Dunn:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5/5

Bastions by Rob Sanders:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

Death Speakers by Andy Smillie:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5/5

Setting the Stage by C. L. Werner:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

The Fury by James Swallow:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

Blood Calm:
An interesting look at the Blood Drinkers chapter of Space Marines. Like all Blood Angels successor chapters, they focus heavily on Sanguinius, Blood, and duel curses of The Red Thirst and the Black Rage. I think this is one of Guy Haley’s earlier works, and you can definitely tell he was relatively new to Space Marines, and the Sons of Sanguinius. I still think he did a great job, showing their noble fighting prowess coupled with the curses that hid underneath. Definitely an interesting read, and a nice glimpse into the culture of the Blood Drinkers.
4/5

The Crown of Thorns by Peter Fehervari:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5/5

Iron Soul by Phil Kelly:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

No Worse Sin by Joe Parrino:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5/5

Codex by Graham McNeill:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

Duty's End by Robin Cruddace:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

The Third War by Ray Harrison:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

Judgement by Mark A. Latham:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

Final Journey by Guy Haley:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

Reclaimation by L. J. Goulding:
An awesome Sycthes of the Emperor short story that really shows the tenacity of their chapter, and how they work to repair and salvage whatever they can on the war front. Awesome stuff for sure, but I still wish we got that Sycthes of the Emperor novel that was rumored a few years back! Hope they get more fiction soon, they seem to be a very cool chapter!
4/5

Skin Deep by Sarah Cawkwell:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

Vigil by James Swallow:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5/5

Rite of Pain by Nick Kyme:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
3/5

By Artiface, Alone by George Mann:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
3/5

Trophies by Cavan Scott:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

The Ghost Halls by L. J. Goulding:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

Bitter Salvage by Nick Kyme:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

Cadre by Josh Reynolds:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5/5

Final Duty by David Guymer:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

The Judges, In Their Hunger by David Annandale:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5/5

Mission: Annihilate by Gav Thorpe:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5

Obsidian by Graham McNeill:
The sequel, I suppose, to The World Engine. The story follows a number of Sable Swords Space Marines in the reclamation of the Astral Knights fortress monastery. The Astral Knights chapter waged war against the Necron World Engine and were killed almost to a man. Their reward as such, as to have their holdings given to a newer Space Marine chapter, and I can’t help but feel for those marines loss. I would dearly like another story following from this one, to see where the Astral Knights story goes from here. A solemn story for sure, and Mr. McNeill did it great justice!
5/5

[Robert McCarroll · Rating 1 out of 5]

The best thing about this anthology, unfortunately, is the cover art. It is a fantastically done image which was also used for the Space Marines Codex and promotional materials. I was not, however, entertained by the contents as much as I would have liked. Mostly I read it to fill time during the 2013 Weekender when I was waiting for something to start because it was easy to put down.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some absolutely cracking stories in here, some not so much. All the main Chapters get a look in, and there are some absolutely random Chapters in there too.