Astorath Angel of Mercy

Warhammer 40,000

By: Guy Haley

Narrated by: Richard Reed

A Blood Angels story

In the aftermath of the Devastation of Baal, the call of the Black Rage draws Astorath, Redeemer of the Lost, to the planet Dulcis. There he finds a successor Chapter on the brink of destruction and a revelation that will shake all the sons of Sanguinius to their core.

Listen to it because: discover one of the Blood Angels' most fascinating characters, the warrior tasked with the grim duty of ending the threat of the Black Rage wherever it occurs.

The story: following the Devastation of Baal and the arrival of the Primarch Roboute Guilliman’s Indomitus Crusade, Commander Dante of the Blood Angels has been appointed Lord Regent of all Imperium Nihilus. Working with the successor chapters of the Blood Angels, Dante commands that the area around the Red Scar be scouted in preparation for reconquest. The Red Wings’ sweep has led them to the foetid world of Dulcis, dangerously near to the Cicatrix Maledictum itself. Decimated by the tyranids during the war for Baal and only lightly reinforced by Primaris Space Marines, the Red Wings Chapter are in no position to deal with the events that unfold there. Strange psychic phenomenon and a deadly xenos enemy threaten the great hope of all the Chapters of the Blood - that the flaw in Sanguinius’ geneseed has at last been tamed. Drawn by the Black Rage to Dulcis, Astorath the Grim, Lord High Chaplain and Redeemer of the Lost, comes to aid the Red Wings. But what he discovers there will shake the Chapters of the Blood to their very core.

Written by Guy Haley. Running time six hours one minute. Narrated by Richard Reed.

©2022 Games Workshop Limited (P)2022 Games Workshop Limited

another excellent look at the grim future of 40k

excellent listen as always, if you wish to learn more about what psy kind deal with in the imperium of man, & the traditions of the red wings chapter of the Blood Angel's and the trials of Astorath; executioner of the black rage as well as it's exemplar. If you are worried if this one is interesting than look no further!

Good if a little mid

Let me start by saying I enjoyed this book, its characterization of Astorath, its supporting cast and the performances of all.
That said, if you’re coming into this for hot Astorath action, you may be disappointed, as he has relatively very little screen time. I went back and forth being annoyed about this fact, but at the end of the day, I feel like we get a better sense of who Astorath is and the characters more nuanced aspects because we spend so much time away from him and with various other people, then swing in towards the end and watch him react to the situation. It’s good, but again if you’re looking for a ton of Astorath you may wanna pass this.
The other issue I had is that sometimes it feels like it’s one big narrative cobbled together from several short stories about the same event. Information is repeated as if it’s new, and the background story feels so fleshed out it sometimes feels like it was written as it’s own story and had Astorath and the Blood Angels tagged on at the end.

Small gripes, solid 7.5/10 and doesn’t outstay its welcome.

Good but something missing

Guy Haley has a good story about one of the most unique characters of the 9th Legion, but something seems missing.

Astorath is an intriguing character and this novel provides a compelling story and additional lore surrounding him, but this story should have been longer.

Another 50% in length could have fleshed out the Red Wings, Dulcis, and an epilogue, but those things were conspicuously absent.

This is a good story. Guy Haley did well, as he most always does. But not quite as good as it could have been.

A good short listen, but worth it!

Knowing more about Astorath is great. They need to make more stories like this

Ok, story, Astorath is boring.

I've played Blood Angels since 1988. I love the Astorath model- he's one of my favorite generals to field on the table. However, he's the least interesting character in this story.

It was interesting to see the aftermath of the Devastation of Baal- how bad things are, but there's very little in this book that advances the 40k universe forward. I do like the Xenos in the book, I was interested in those since you could play them in White Dwarf.

However, the main character, Astorath, is dull. Brooding stoic characters are great in pictures but a boor to hear about. Yes, he does have his subtlties but it's not enough to make him interesting. This was the same problem with KRIEG- faceless soulless characters are dull, their one dimensional nature only makes everyone else look better.

It's a good book, but not a great one.

Oh damn.

Oh Emperordamn looks like the primaris can succumb to the black rage. 🤘😁🖤 3 more words. Hehehe

misty bayou vampire thriller -in Warhammer!

Guy Haley made this one stand out from the other warhammer books. Dulcis (our setting) leapt off the page. perfectly done, as well as the voice acting! the performance really took you there. i only wish there was more.
love the blood angels narrative, excited for more releases!

ps the blood angels = the 'vampires' in title lol

wonderful story

great lore book for the story of astorath and his team. Sgt dolommen is by far my favorite of the story

Excellent Story

If you like Blood Angels you'll enjoy this one. Without Spoilers Astorath is sent to help bring mercy to some brothers of a successor chapter who've fallen to the black rage. It does a great job of showing who Astorath is which we rarely see him so it's very nice.

amazing

loved this story lots of emotion description have a better understanding of the Blood Angels