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Angels of Death #25
The Crown of Thorns
For many long years, the Angels Resplendent protected humanity in the Emperor’s name. But they are no longer resplendent, their purity and zeal turned inwards. Now the Angels Penitent, they are ruled by the Crown of Thorns, who punish any brother who dares to break their edicts. As Brother Montaig considers just such an act, he wonders how bad the punishment could be…
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A 1,000 word Angels Penitent short story by Peter Fehervari.
11 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 22, 2020
'The Emperor condemns!'
A little history: Mr. Fehervari is the third BL writer whose work in Warhammer 40,000 setting I discovered - quite serendipitously and with much pleasure. And after his brilliant installments in Shas’o anthology (particularly Fire an Ice – after all, my all-time favourite WH40K character is from there), it was on to The Crown of Thorns… purely by chance, mind you!
Additionally, this was the first-ever Black Library short story that I read in its originalHigh Gothic language. And from then on, it’s been this particular tale that, for me, serves as a (probably unreachable) standard of an exemplary Space Marine writing – and I was definitely no fan of this faction back then! In the story, the Angels Resplendent/Penitent are not shown battling the grim horrors of the far-future galaxy (no, their own conflict is far subtler and darker) but personally speaking, this particular Chapter feels much more Adeptus Astartes than its fellow Space Marines from most other tales!
Immediately after finishing the tale, I realised that Peter had managed - in just under 2000 words! – to hit the ultimate 40K feeling with, may I say, uncanny precision, and weave a plot that would deservedly merit an entire novel. The narration, atmosphere, imagery, symbolism, style… especially the style. From the very start, you can tell that it fits the Chapter of the refined, Blood Angels origin ideally. I may actually have lost count of how many times I’ve re-read this little tale, never once failing to marvel at the author’s magnificent language. It actually reads so easily, fluently now, but must have cost Peter quite a deal to get it all down just right with such wonderful skill…
To be honest, my initial idea of what was actually going on in the story hadn’t proved correct in any way, but that’s because a) I was only starting my personal sojourn into Warhammer and b) hadn’t yet known of a certain, and very dark, Coil at the time – though it was definitely not long before I would brave its mysteries!
A little history: Mr. Fehervari is the third BL writer whose work in Warhammer 40,000 setting I discovered - quite serendipitously and with much pleasure. And after his brilliant installments in Shas’o anthology (particularly Fire an Ice – after all, my all-time favourite WH40K character is from there), it was on to The Crown of Thorns… purely by chance, mind you!
Additionally, this was the first-ever Black Library short story that I read in its original
Immediately after finishing the tale, I realised that Peter had managed - in just under 2000 words! – to hit the ultimate 40K feeling with, may I say, uncanny precision, and weave a plot that would deservedly merit an entire novel. The narration, atmosphere, imagery, symbolism, style… especially the style. From the very start, you can tell that it fits the Chapter of the refined, Blood Angels origin ideally. I may actually have lost count of how many times I’ve re-read this little tale, never once failing to marvel at the author’s magnificent language. It actually reads so easily, fluently now, but must have cost Peter quite a deal to get it all down just right with such wonderful skill…
To be honest, my initial idea of what was actually going on in the story hadn’t proved correct in any way, but that’s because a) I was only starting my personal sojourn into Warhammer and b) hadn’t yet known of a certain, and very dark, Coil at the time – though it was definitely not long before I would brave its mysteries!
March 20, 2016
Now, this is a double of firsts for me. I have never read anything about the Angels Resplendent/Angels Penitent and man do we NEED a novel on them, and it must be done by Peter Fehervari. Mr. Fehervari wrote into them such an interesting chapter, with a very interesting main character in The Crown of Thorns. The regret and shame, the conflict of character, oh man that was not what I was expecting from the Angels of Death! I really hope we see more of them in the future!
June 16, 2016
Great story with creepy chapter lore, an interesting and tormented main character and a twisted ending that left me speechless.
Just the best tale of the Angels of Death Space Marines anthology.
And the Angels Penitent (former Angels Resplendent) chapter is in real need of a novel series.
Just the best tale of the Angels of Death Space Marines anthology.
And the Angels Penitent (former Angels Resplendent) chapter is in real need of a novel series.
May 18, 2019
Part of the Angels of Death collection of micro-short stories, this is a tale of the Angels Penitent, a lesser-known Chapter with grim origins. Brother-Sergeant Montaig is charged with bringing a young neophyte before the Crown of Thorns, the assembly of Chaplains who preside over the Chapter, to face punishment for sinning against the Penitents’ creed.
For a story so short this crams in a phenomenal amount of texture and backstory on top of a compelling narrative and tantalising links with other Fehervari stories. It’s as bleak as they come but hugely compelling.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2019/05/...
For a story so short this crams in a phenomenal amount of texture and backstory on top of a compelling narrative and tantalising links with other Fehervari stories. It’s as bleak as they come but hugely compelling.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2019/05/...
May 27, 2019
“Penitence and pain are the hammers and nails of devotion. -Psalm 27”
Religious zealotry is one of the defining characteristics of the Imperium of Man. This was expressly NOT the intention of the Emperor who founded it, but he’s been in a coma for 10,000 years and humanity needs something to hold it together in the face of permanent extinction. Thus worship of the Emperor is not only accepted, but also encouraged at gunpoint.
In Crown of Thorns, we are introduced to Brother Montaig and his Space Marine chapter the Angels Penitent. Ten years prior, his chapter were known as the Angels Resplendent. But that was before the Undying Martyr came to their monastery doors and convinced them that they were irredeemable sinners in the eyes of the Emperor.
Both Montaig and the plot are nods to Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. But there’s no authoritarian state behind the purges in Thorns, only the Undying Martyr. We don’t know for certain that the Martyr is knowingly acting on behalf of the Chaos gods, but given his origins in the novel Fire Caste, it’s fair to speculate that he is a vessel of Chaos.
Montaig’s chapter have always used art to keep their “Black Rage” at bay. Once that’s been taken away from them, they start to unravel. Or perhaps they become more true reflections of their former leader Sanguinius. You’ll wrestle with this issue alongside Montaig.
The beauty of this story is in its balance of melancholy and hope. Not hope for a brighter future of course...this is Warhammer after all. Only hope in the sense that the death of this corner of the Imperium might be delayed just a little bit longer.
If you’re considering reading the full body of Fehervari’s works, I’d strongly recommend that you read Fire Caste and then Walker in Fire, before picking up this short story.
Religious zealotry is one of the defining characteristics of the Imperium of Man. This was expressly NOT the intention of the Emperor who founded it, but he’s been in a coma for 10,000 years and humanity needs something to hold it together in the face of permanent extinction. Thus worship of the Emperor is not only accepted, but also encouraged at gunpoint.
In Crown of Thorns, we are introduced to Brother Montaig and his Space Marine chapter the Angels Penitent. Ten years prior, his chapter were known as the Angels Resplendent. But that was before the Undying Martyr came to their monastery doors and convinced them that they were irredeemable sinners in the eyes of the Emperor.
Both Montaig and the plot are nods to Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. But there’s no authoritarian state behind the purges in Thorns, only the Undying Martyr. We don’t know for certain that the Martyr is knowingly acting on behalf of the Chaos gods, but given his origins in the novel Fire Caste, it’s fair to speculate that he is a vessel of Chaos.
Montaig’s chapter have always used art to keep their “Black Rage” at bay. Once that’s been taken away from them, they start to unravel. Or perhaps they become more true reflections of their former leader Sanguinius. You’ll wrestle with this issue alongside Montaig.
The beauty of this story is in its balance of melancholy and hope. Not hope for a brighter future of course...this is Warhammer after all. Only hope in the sense that the death of this corner of the Imperium might be delayed just a little bit longer.
If you’re considering reading the full body of Fehervari’s works, I’d strongly recommend that you read Fire Caste and then Walker in Fire, before picking up this short story.
December 18, 2022
A micro-short story released as part of the Angels of Death series of micro-shorts, "The Crown of Thorns" follows Brother-Sergeant Montaig of the Angels Penitent as he tries to save a neophyte from going before the Crown of Thorns, all the while remembering how the Chapter used to be and his failure to prevent their fall.
With a small word count, "The Crown of Thorns" is quickly able to tell a character-driven story for Montaig, showing that while he longs to return to the days of the Angels Resplendent, he is at heart an Angel Penitent, even if it comes from a different place than the majority of his brothers.
The only fault I can find with the story is that it left me wanting to know more about this self-damned chapter. They need their own novel!
With a small word count, "The Crown of Thorns" is quickly able to tell a character-driven story for Montaig, showing that while he longs to return to the days of the Angels Resplendent, he is at heart an Angel Penitent, even if it comes from a different place than the majority of his brothers.
The only fault I can find with the story is that it left me wanting to know more about this self-damned chapter. They need their own novel!
December 20, 2013
My review of this short, and all the shorts in this collection, can be read here:
http://hachisnaxreads.blogspot.com/20...
http://hachisnaxreads.blogspot.com/20...
March 31, 2019
Brilliant quick read! I would love to get more stories of the Angels Penitent and Sergeant Montaig.
February 8, 2023
Really solid short but I don't think I had enough context to appreciate it fully. I did enjoy the dreamlike quality of the writing.
May 19, 2023
A great point of entry to the dark coil, its sets the mood perfectly, and creates one of the most interesting chapters, the angels penitent.
October 28, 2024
Pero que ha pasado? Que es esto? Ángeles matando Ángeles porque si. Pero que locos han estado estos siempre. Que locura como se les va la olla.
November 27, 2023
Ended up reading this after The Thirteenth Psalm.
Brutal. Introspective. Tragic.
Brutal. Introspective. Tragic.
November 17, 2025
The Angels Resplendent may be the worst thought up Chapter ever but this story at least makes sense unlike some others about them.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews