The Passing of Angels

The Horus Heresy: Primarchs #Short Story

by John French

A Primarchs story

When a non-compliant world unleashes heinous weapons, it falls to Sanguinius and his Destroyer Host to bring the planet into compliance – by any means necessary.

READ IT BECAUSE
It's an insight into how the Blood Angels view the hideous acts they must perform in the name of the Imperium, and a look at the lengths to which Sanguinius will go to protect his sons.

THE STORY
When a world resistant to the nascent Imperium of Man unleashes weapons of heinous and proscribed provenance, it falls to the Blood Angels to bring the planet to compliance. Forced to fight fire with fire, Sanguinius gathers the Legion's Destroyer Host and their deadliest weapons. As his sons wage war behind their death masks, able to leave the taint of their bloody deeds behind them, Sanguinius alone must bear the burden of the souls he has reaped.

This story is also available in the Sons of the Emperor anthology.

Genres: Science Fiction, 40k, Short Stories

26 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2019

About the author

John French is a writer and freelance game designer from Nottingham, England. His novels include the Ahriman series from Black Library, and The Lord of Nightmares trilogy for Fantasy Flight. The rest of his work can be seen scattered through a number of other books, including the New York Times bestselling anthology Age of Darkness. When he is not thinking of ways that dark and corrupting beings could destroy reality and space, John enjoys talking about why it would be a good idea... that and drinking good wine.

Reviews

[Zare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood Angels and their Primarch, Sanginius, are called to execute the decimation of the non-compliant world (world that is even struck from the official records and constantly referred as H____) because world dared to use forbidden weapons and technologies against the Imperial forces.

While they will execute the will of the Emperor, Blood Angels and Sanginius are hurt by the sheer loss of life their actions will cause. They are aware that they are weapons that have a single purpose - to give humanity brightener future. And for that goal they are willing to fight to the end and all the death caused to achieve this goal is not caused in vain. It is necessity.

While we follow Sanginius as he joins his Destroyer Host and leads them into battle we also get glimpses of his own feelings and how he views himself. He is aware that he is a weapon and does not harbor any ill will towards his creator, Emperor. He has no illusions that once humanity is firmly established there might be no need for Angels of Death. But unlike Curze who would end up in despair and lunacy because of this, Sanguinius accepts his role and gives his best to achieve the Emperor's goal.

I especially liked game of chess between Sanguinius and Horus. It is obvious that Horus is acting in rather underhanded way while discussing the future Emperor plans for but Sanguinius is aware of this (being gifted with fore-sight) and tells Horus it is not good to ponder on what might be, "present is still not done". It is as he is aware that something is gnawing at his brothers soul and that only bad things would come out of it.

Recommended to all fans of Horus Heresy.

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Passing of Angels is a short but sweet delve into the Blood Angels as well as their Primarch. John French shines here with a brutal yet aweing example of who and what they are.

[Seb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in great style, the portrayal of Sanguinius is pleasantly surprising and the insight into the relationship between him and Horus, as well as the latter's fears, is tremendous for understanding the play of the Heresy.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I just love a tortured hero

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had been expecting to enjoy this one substantially less than the companion collection, Traitorous Scions, as the "good" Primarchs always seemed less interesting than those who fell to Chaos. But I must admit this collection was roughly as strong. There are more 2 star stories here, but the 4 star story and the strong 3 stars make up the ground just enough to stand on equal footing with Scions.

The Passing of Angels (Sanguinius & Horus) -3 stars. Nice insight into the Blood Angels and even into Sanguinius' relationship with Horus. It also seemingly foreshadows the fan theory that the Emperor planned the Heresy as a way to purge the Primarchs when the Crusade was done.

Mercy of the Dragon (Vulkan & Ferrus) - 3 stars. Good insight into what makes Vulkan the most "human" of the Primarchs, with Ferrus and the Emperor present for contrast. I enjoyed the wonky human civilization being pacified and their evil weaponry as well. Classic 40k shit.

Shadow of the Past (Corax & Lorgar) - 2 stars. This one wasn't a very good character study and raised more questions than it answers about why Corax hasn't single-handedly purged the warp of Chaos Astartes by now.

A Lesson in Iron (Ferrus Manus (Morn & Santar)) - 2 stars. Some insight into Manus and his Iron Hands but mostly forgettable.

The Atonement of Fire (Guilliman) - 3 stars. Some of the best action of any of the 40k short stories I've read so far. Too bad our boy Robute is such a snooze.

Canticle (Ferrus Manus) - 2 stars. Some cool, hard sci-fi-esque atmosphere that does make me want to read other stories about Ferrus Manus growing up on Medusa - just not this one.

First Legion (Lion & Alpharius) - 2 stars. The concept here is interesting in its lore implication based off of youtube videos/theories I've seen, but I don't think I can base the star rating on that since I can't tell if the author intended it or if this is me projecting a theory onto a story that predates or even ignores it. The actual action of the story is boring and doesn't make the Lion any more interesting.

A Game of Opposites (Khan) - 3 stars. I'm a little disappointed this one doesn't give us much facetime with the enigmatic Khan himself, choosing instead to portray the action from the point of view of a generic White Scar commander and a interesting but seemingly one-off Iron Warrior. Still, this was a fun story with that "mashing your action figures together" feel that you kind of want from these stories from time to time.

Better Angels (Sanguinius) - 4 stars. I really enjoyed this chronicle of an Astartes and his Primarch, specifically omitting their lives on the battlefield and telling of the Astartes' life as an artist with the Primarch as his patron/muse. This was a clever, unique way to approach a Warhammer short story and it gave me new appreciation for the Blood Angels legion.

The Sinew of War (Guilliman) - 3 stars. This story is relatively predictable but it's also well written and a good insight into Guillliman and why he's such a beloved character. The other Guilliman story in this collection was a boring disappointment (outside of some stellar action), so I was surprised to see his potential here.

The Chamber at the End of Memory (Dorn (Malcador, Massak & The Lost Primarchs)) - 3 stars. I was really close to giving this one two because the whole thing just feels like a tease but they do give you some concrete stuff to chew on and the story is competently executed. I don't understand what the point of bringing in that librarian was. Fun cameo I guess?

The Will of the Legion (Dorn) - 2 stars. Unsatisfyingly executed story with some very typical Great Crusade fare. See my "spoilered" review on the dedicated page for the short story if you want more.

Skjalds (Russ) - 3 stars. This one had an interesting dream-like quality that I wasn't expecting. i'll have to see if it pops up in any of Kyme's other work. Good insight into Russ's longing for the simple life of a hunter and warrior that he left behind on Fenris.

Champion of Oaths (Dorn (Sigismund& Appius)) - 2 stars. Not really a Primarch story at all as Dorn just shows up at the end. I may not have enough context on Sigismund and the Templars to appreciate this one, so other than some neat action it kind of left me cold.

[RatGrrrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

May 2024 Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order (https://www.heresyomnibus.com) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy series and extras - Now in Immaterium of everything outside the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project working on the Primarchs and other stories, beige the Siege of Terra.

“What happens to Angels when a new heaven is made?”

I can't express how much I needed this truly exquisite piece of John French and Sanguinius' right now!

Centred around the unleashing of the Destroyers, bearers of the truly horrific exotic weapons of the Legion for extreme occiassion, this story is a wonderful, heartbreaking look inside Sanguinius' head and heavy hearts, beyond his perceived radiance and the glory of his ivory opinions. He and his sons are monsters in the guise of angels, made more montrous by the weapons they use and things they do in service to the Emperor.

“We are Angels. Beauty does not belong to us. It is what we must burn to be what we we are”

This is just the most bitter beautiful bit of grimdark ever and one of the most gloriously intimate and illuminating portrayals of the Great Angel, alongside Wraight's Primarchs novel.

I really don't want to say much more because it's just so exquisite and my words cannot capture it.

If you enjoy artful, gorgeous character studies with silky black prose, you'll love this.

Through the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project and my own additions, I have currently read* all 54 Horus Heresy main series novels (+1 repeat), 25 novellas (+2 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, all 17 Primarchs novels, 3 Characters novels, and 161 short stories/ audio dramas across the Horus Heresy (inc. 10+ repeats and Cthonia's Reckoning). Plus, 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and 1 short story...this run, as well as writing 1 short story myself.

I couldn't be more appreciative of the phenomenal work of the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project, which has made this ridiculous endeavour all the better and has inspired me to create and collate a collection of Horus Heresy and Warhammer 40,000 documents and checklists (http://tiny.cc/im00yz). There are now too many items to list here, but there is a contents and explainer document here (http://tiny.cc/nj00yz).

*My tracking consistently proves shoddy, but I'm doing my best

[Lenora Lundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but good

I love this story but I'm sure that it is part of a collection of short stories in another book called The Sons of the Emperor, I am going to go find and obtain that book for the other shorts that are avail able in that one, like I said above it is short, very short from cover to the final page that speaks about the author it's only 15 pages long they throw a snipit from another book in to get you to try and buy that book but I am currently not interested and find it a little messy though it is from the same universe and time period the book they are averting does not seem to have anything to do with Sanguinius or his legion if they appear in the book they're advertising it would have been better to throw that in instead as the short sample. All in all good little snipit featuring Sanguinius but the sample at the end for another book doesn't make me want go after the book they are averting.

[Станислав · Rating 3 out of 5]

Из тёплых стран прилетели ангелы
Воспоминания из времён великого крестового похода Императора. Сангвиний подписывает своих сыновей делать грязную работу: один из миров отвернулся от света Императора и его надо показательно покарать. Под показательно имеется в виду не орбитальная бомбардировка, а именно спуститься и устроить в столице резню. Обычно такое выполняют Волки или Повелители, но здесь приходится замараться Кровавым Ангелам. Для чего у них заготовлен соответствующий прикид. Местные правда те ещё козлы и заготовили некоторое отвратительное оружие из эпохи Древней Ночи. Здесь же тяжёлые размышления Сангвиния о грядущем мире, в которым им не будет места.

[Matt Argueta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief insight into the mind of Sanguinius, and the mental lengths he must go through for his Legion and his Emperor

Highlight of this is the conversation between him and Horus at the end, where they both discuss and contemplate what it means to be a Primarch, what it means to not be human, but rather, an instrument of war

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings:
- war violence

Short, about 15-20 pages, but so poignant.

Sanguinius, Primarch of the IX Legion, angel of the God-Emperor of Mankind, created to destroy bears the weight of his purpose. ...and sometimes, it is heavy.

[Sougeitu · Rating 5 out of 5]

(What happened to cover design...?)

[Urgewyrm · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice tale about everyone's favorite mutant absolutely committing genocide because some people decided they didn't want to play daddy's game.

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘If gods did not exist mankind would conjure them into being. If god did exist He would will monsters into life and cloak them in the light of heaven.’

The great and terrible rage of the Blood Angels is unleashed as Sanguinius lets loose his Destroyer Host. The Destroyers are a weapon of last resort, used not to conquer, but to leave nothing alive and salt the earth. Here Sanguinius becomes an angel of ruin in his father’s name, his sons wear silver dead faces as they unleash nuclear weapons to exterminate a world. They are dark and terrible, they are death.

Wonderful prose by John French, as well as great characterisation of Sanguinius and his Legion. The story is dripping with drama and deep emotional turbulence.